Pound for pound, these days the better storytelling is happening in television. –Newsweek
For those trying to break into screenwriting as a career, there’s a lot to be said for trying your hand at writing a few spec or pilot teleplays — especially for 1 Hour Dramedies (That wonderful hybrid of drama AND comedy). Face it, in a good year a 100+ films make it on to the screen, but in television you’ll want to times that number by several dozen. That means the need for good writers is far higher in television than film.
Of course, it’s not that easy to break in. There’s countless writers on line ahead of you. But getting your work read by studios and potential agents IS possible if you can win or place high enough in some of these yearly COMPETITIONS and STUDIO WORKSHOP PROGRAMS opportunities:
COMPETITIONS
Scriptapalooza TV Competition
Top selectees will have their scripts read by producers and agents in the television industry. The program is run with WGA oversight and approval. This is a twice a year competition that has been around for almost a decade. We’ve had several students place.
Entry fee: $50
Deadline: Twice yearly – check website
Info: http://www.scriptapaloozatv.com/
Austin Film Festival Film/TV Writing Competition
The Teleplay Competition includes both Drama and Sitcom categories and is open to any spec script for the currently airing network or cable television program.
Entry fee: $60
Deadline: June 1st
Info: https://austinfilmfestival.com/submit/screenplay-and-teleplay-submissions-2/
Slamdance Teleplay Competition – Pilots Only
The Slamdance Teleplay Pilot Competition is dedicated to new writers. They accept screenplays in every genre, on any topic from every country around the world. Their mission is to bring attention to the most talented emerging screenwriters and introduce them to the industry. The WGA west holds a reception each year for the winners.
Entry fee: $35 to $55
Deadline: July 22nd
Info: https://slamdance.com/screenplay
BlueCat TV Pilot Competition
Each submission will receive a written analysis/response. Includes both Drama and Sitcom categories and is open to any spec script for the currently airing network or cable television program.
Entry fee: $60
Deadline: Octobert
Info: https://www.bluecatscreenplay.com/
Final Draft Big Break Competition
Includes prizes and/or submission to show runners, agents and studios who are in search of new talent. Final Draft’s Big Break Screenwriting Contest is an annual, international feature film and television screenwriting contest designed to help launch the careers of aspiring writers. Writers who have entered Big Break have had their screenplays optioned, sold, and have secured high-profile representation.
Entry fee: $59 (by June 2nd), $79 (by August 2nd)
Deadline: Opens May 1st
Info: https://www.finaldraft.com/big-break-screenwriting-contest/
Script Pipeline Competition
Connects talented writers with production companies, agencies, and managers. As one of the longest-running and most successful screenplay contests, we focus specifically on finding writers representation, supporting diverse voices, championing marketable, ambitious storytelling, and pushing original projects into production.
Entry fee: $35 to $65 (dependent on entry date)
Deadline: May 15th
Info: http://www.bluecatscreenplay.com/
Screencraft TV Pilot Competition
With past winners and finalists signing at 3 Arts, Zero Gravity, CAA, Authentic, Colonel Group, CultureCreative, Well Told, and Verve, ScreenCraft’s TV Pilot Competition is the best Television Writing Competition in Hollywood. Plus, ScreenCraft winners have been staffed for shows at Netflix, Amazon, Apple TV+, The CW, ABC, Paramount+ and many more.
Entry fee: $75
Deadline: July 1st
Info: https://screencraft.org/pilot/
Cinequest Screenwriting Competition
Includes cash prizes as well as invitations to pitch and/or network with agencies and production companies. Ranked #1 Screenwriting Competition by USA Today in 2021. Accepting both 30 minute and full hour pilots.
Entry fee: Varies based off submission date. See website.
Deadline: November 30th
Info: https://filmfreeway.com/cinequestscreenwritingcompetition
STUDIO WORKSHOP PROGRAMS
Warner Brothers Television Writing Workshops
The Warner Brothers Workshop is a writing program for new writers (not currently working professionally) looking to start and further their writing career. The Workshop teaches every aspect of spec script writing and features exposure to Warner Bros. TV’s top television writers and executives, all with the goal of staffing graduates on a Warner Bros. TV show. The program meets for three consecutive months, one evening a week, on the Warner Bros. lot and is free to those accepted.
Entry fee: $30
Deadline: May 31st
Info: https://televisionworkshop.warnerbros.com/writers-workshop/
Nickelodeon Writing Program
While in the Program, writers meet our series creators, work in writers’ rooms, and receive hands-on experience writing spec scripts and pitching story ideas in both live action and animated television. There are two creative avenues to pursue: the General Track (12-months) and the Preschool Track (6-months). The Preschool Track was created to develop writers specifically interested in writing and/or creating shows for the preschool demographic.
Entry fee: $30
Deadline: July 1st
Info: https://www.nickanimation.com/programs/writing-program/
Sundance Episodic Storytelling Lab
Offering one of the few training grounds for independent voices to develop an original series and pilot script, the Sundance Institute Episodic Program provides artists with the tools, training, and industry access to move their projects and careers forward.
Entry fee: $35 to $55
Deadline: Feb 8 to March 8, 2023
Info: https://www.sundance.org/programs/episodic-storytelling
WarnerMedia Access Writing program
A two-year program for entry-level narrative TV writers. The objective is to provide marginalized voices a pathway for entry into the television industry through instruction, mentorship and exposure. The first year focuses on honing skills in writing, pitching, personal branding and the ‘business of the business’. The second year leans into mentorship and connecting talent with potential opportunities across the enterprise.
Entry fee: tbd
Deadline: tbd (late summer)
Info: https://www.warner-access.com/programs/warnermedia-access-writers-program
Disney General Entertainment Content Writing Program
A highly selective, annual TV staffing program. The goal is to staff emerging and diverse television writers on DGE scripted series. Program Writers are contract employees of Disney for one year, or until they staff on a show, and receive mentorship, professional development, and unprecedented access to the company and its creative executives, producers, showrunners, and program alumni. One writer will receive the Eunetta T. Boone Comedy Writers Scholarship and special staffing consideration on a Disney Branded Television series.
Entry fee: $0
Deadline: May 30th
Info: https://www.facebook.com/disneyabcctdi
ADDITIONAL WRITING WORKSHOPS & COMPETITIONS:
https://www.moviebytes.com/best-screenwriting-contests.cfm