Was anyone else in this group a finalist in the writer's network competition last year? I was notified in October, and still have yet to receive my check, story notes and all the other various things they promised me. At first, they sent occasional apologetic e-mails saying that the check and notes would be in the mail "soon." But now, they seem to be ignoring me.
This is the competition organized by Audrey Kelly at Fade In mag. They've changed the name of the contest this year, I think.
I wasn't a finalist, but I was a semi-finalist. In fact, I developed a sneaking suspicion that everyone who entered was a "semi-finalist." I wonder why they would do that? Could it have been to give people a false sense of hope so as to maximize the number of entries the next time around and keep that cash flowing?
I'd call Fade In and get Audrey on the horn.
>>>Was anyone else in this group a finalist in the writer's network competition
last year? I was notified in October, and still have yet to receive my check, story notes and all the other various things they promised me. At first, they sent occasional apologetic e-mails saying that the check and notes would be in the mail "soon." But now, they seem to be ignoring me.
This is the competition organized by Audrey Kelly at Fade In mag. They've changed the name of the contest this year, I think.<<<
> Was anyone else in this group a finalist in the writer's network competition > last year? I was notified in October, and still have yet to receive my check, > story notes and all the other various things they promised me. At first, they > sent occasional apologetic e-mails saying that the check and notes would be in > the mail "soon." But now, they seem to be ignoring me.
> This is the competition organized by Audrey Kelly at Fade In mag. They've > changed the name of the contest this year, I think.
Promted by JoannKB's letter I looked through my files about this contest. I enteredWriter's Network in 1996 and 1997. I was a semi-finalist in the former and a quarter finalist in the latter and later contest. It doesn't seem, therefore, that every entrant is a semi-finalist.
I've kept statistics on some contests and, in general, I've found, that most have 20%-25% quarter finalists (some contests lable these 'semi-finalists) and 10% to 15% semi-finalists (again, some label these 'finalists' - the terminology varies).
The Nicholl is the one exception I know. As I've written in the past, 1/18 make the first cut, about 5%, considerably less than any other contest, but, then, it is the one to win!
> Was anyone else in this group a finalist in the writer's network competition > last year? I was notified in October, and still have yet to receive my check, > story notes and all the other various things they promised me. At first, they > sent occasional apologetic e-mails saying that the check and notes would be in > the mail "soon." But now, they seem to be ignoring me.
> This is the competition organized by Audrey Kelly at Fade In mag. They've > changed the name of the contest this year, I think.
<<Don't they run a conference? Perhaps someone can tell you if this took place. That would give you a clue.>>
I don't think there was a conference associated with this contest. There were 10 finalists (I believe) and each finalist was promised $1000 and story notes. Then, 1 or 2 of the finalists were supposed to be set up with agents (since the "network" consists of different agencies-- small but reputable ones I've heard of). It seemed like a safe bet to enter-- since Fade In is a solid magazine and Audrey Kelley's the editor of it-- but things seem to have gone awry.
Also-- if anyone one the Fade In magazine contest, I'd be curious to see if they got their prizes. Fade In and Writer's Network contests were operated out of the same offices.
>>Promted by JoannKB's letter I looked through my files about this contest. I
enteredWriter's Network in 1996 and 1997. I was a semi-finalist in the former and a quarter finalist in the latter and later contest. It doesn't seem, therefore, that every entrant is a semi-finalist<<
My point was that I was wondering if they "advanced" every entrant so as to keep them coming back. I have yet to hear of someone who hasn't "advanced" out of the first round.
And, yes, Fade In does a conference, which I attended. It was actually pretty good - a heavyweight line up, some decent seminars, agency submissions.
As I said, Joanne, I'd call Audrey at Fade In and ask her where your money is. Hell, I'll call her for you if you want.
Geealexand, you've made the interesting suggestion that Writers Network promotes all contestants to quarter or semi-final status. I take it you have the data to support your statement? You see, you've made a serious allegation that involves the integrity of that contest and the possibility of mail fraud on the organizer's part - a federal offence.
Personally,I believe the contest to be legitimate. It has been going for some years, and, heaven knows, contest organizers aren't short of entrants. What, with everyone and his/her cousin writing screenplays, even the most obscure contest is deluged with entries. Most contests appear legit because they have no cause to be anything else.
As to Joanne not receiving her award, that is serious, but I have to admit that contests, like most debtors, take their own sweet time about shelling out. I think you've given her good advice. I hope it works.
> Was anyone else in this group a finalist in the writer's network competition > last year? I was notified in October, and still have yet to receive my check, > story notes and all the other various things they promised me. At first, they > sent occasional apologetic e-mails saying that the check and notes would be in > the mail "soon." But now, they seem to be ignoring me.
> This is the competition organized by Audrey Kelly at Fade In mag. They've > changed the name of the contest this year, I think.
No, the contest still goes under the name Screenwriters Network. The entry form came with that name and, this year, I entered. If they have changed the name, I haven't been so informed.
> Was anyone else in this group a finalist in the writer's network competition > last year? I was notified in October, and still have yet to receive my check, > story notes and all the other various things they promised me. At first, they > sent occasional apologetic e-mails saying that the check and notes would be in > the mail "soon." But now, they seem to be ignoring me.
> This is the competition organized by Audrey Kelly at Fade In mag. They've > changed the name of the contest this year, I think.
Thank you for pointing it out, but no, I'm not confusing the two, though I admit it is confusing! I'm aware of Screenwriter's Network and know the difference between this and Writers Network. I am speaking of Writer's Network. I checked in Moviebytes and followed the trail. If there's any change neither I nor they know about it.
> In article <7qkhsv$id...@autumn.news.rcn.net>, "Edward wrote:
> >No, the contest still goes under the name Screenwriters Network. The entry > >form came with that name and, this year, I entered. If they have changed the > >name, I haven't been so informed.
> You are thinking of Scriptwriter's Network. This is a completely different > competition. I want to emphasize this-- since Scriptwriter's Network > competition was very helpful and legitimate to me when I won. Very different > than Writer's Network.
>Also-- if anyone one the Fade In magazine contest, I'd be curious to see if >they got their prizes. Fade In and Writer's Network contests were operated >out >of the same offices.
I meant if anyone "won" the Fade In magazine contest. My brain seems to have left my body for greener pastures today.
Perhaps you're right. And perhaps I should have more faith in my work than to assume that it made the cut simply to hoover money out of my pockets....:)
I haven't any data - it's just that I've never heard of anyone who didn't make the first cut, and I found that to be rather odd. I voiced a suspicion, that is all.
>>Geealexand, you've made the interesting suggestion that Writers Network
promotes all contestants to quarter or semi-final status. I take it you have the data to support your statement? You see, you've made a serious allegation that involves the integrity of that contest and the possibility of mail fraud on the organizer's part - a federal offence.
Personally,I believe the contest to be legitimate. It has been going for some years, and, heaven knows, contest organizers aren't short of entrants. What, with everyone and his/her cousin writing screenplays, even the most obscure contest is deluged with entries. Most contests appear legit because they have no cause to be anything else.<<
In article <7qkhsv$id...@autumn.news.rcn.net>, "Edward wrote: >No, the contest still goes under the name Screenwriters Network. The entry >form came with that name and, this year, I entered. If they have changed the >name, I haven't been so informed.
You are thinking of Scriptwriter's Network. This is a completely different competition. I want to emphasize this-- since Scriptwriter's Network competition was very helpful and legitimate to me when I won. Very different than Writer's Network.
OK, now I'm confused. I've entered both the Scriptwriters Network competition - technically the "Carl Sautter Memorial Scriptwriting Competition for Film and Television" - and the Writers Network Screenplay and Fiction Competition. (Semifinaled in both, if anyone's interested.)
Now you're telling me there's a "Screenwriter's Network" competition? Who runs it? What are the prizes? When's the deadline? Where can I get an application? And do they accept TV scripts?
Sorry if you're confused, but then, it is confusing. I probably got the name wrong, or, as they say in Brooklyn: "Screenwriter, Scriptwriter, what's the difference?"
However, I wonder how you can have a Writers Network result? Do you mean last year? The results, as far as I know, shouldn't be out till October or am I wrong on that as well?
> OK, now I'm confused. I've entered both the Scriptwriters Network competition > - technically the "Carl Sautter Memorial Scriptwriting Competition for Film and > Television" - and the Writers Network Screenplay and Fiction Competition. > (Semifinaled in both, if anyone's interested.)
> Now you're telling me there's a "Screenwriter's Network" competition? Who > runs it? What are the prizes? When's the deadline? Where can I get an > application? And do they accept TV scripts?
<ef...@news.javanet.com> wrote: >Sorry if you're confused, but then, it is confusing. I probably got the name >wrong, or, as they say in Brooklyn: "Screenwriter, Scriptwriter, what's the >difference?"
> >Sorry if you're confused, but then, it is confusing. I probably got the name > >wrong, or, as they say in Brooklyn: "Screenwriter, Scriptwriter, what's the > >difference?"
<<However, I wonder how you can have a Writers Network result? Do you mean last year? The results, as far as I know, shouldn't be out till October or am I wrong on that as well?>>
I mean last year. I won in *November*, and I still haven't gotten my check.
I've news for you! I found someone who entered one of this group's contests and also hasn't been paid! Maybe it's become a habit with them!
My guess is that they underestimated the costs of the contest and weren't left with enough to do more than pay their expenses and their own compensation, but then I always believe the best of people!
> <<However, I wonder how you can have a Writers Network result? Do you mean > last year? The results, as far as I know, shouldn't be out till October or > am I wrong on that as well?>>
> I mean last year. I won in *November*, and I still haven't gotten my check.
Edward writes: >However, I wonder how you can have a Writers Network result? Do you mean >last year? The results, as far as I know, shouldn't be out till October or >am I wrong on that as well?
No, you're not wrong. I was a semi-finalist a couple of years ago. I've entered two new TV scripts this year.
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