Writer's Network competition

[JoannKB]

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.

Check out a list of film projects in development:
http://hometown.aol.com/JoannKB

[Geealexand]

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.

[Edward Feit]

Don't they run a conference? Perhaps someone can tell you if this took
place. That would give you a clue.

Regards

Edward

JoannKB <joa...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:19990831164526...@ng-ce1.aol.com...

> 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.
>
>

[Edward Feit]

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!

[JoannKB]

<<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.

[Geealexand]

>>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.

Best,

Geoff

[Edward Feit]

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.

Regards

Edward

JoannKB <joa...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:19990831164526...@ng-ce1.aol.com...
> 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.
>
>

[Edward Feit]

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.

[Edward Feit]

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.

Regards

Edward

JoannKB <joa...@aol.com> wrote in message

news:19990901220412...@ngol07.aol.com...

>
> In article <7qkhsv$idq$1...@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.

[JoannKB]

>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.

[Geealexand]

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.

[JoannKB]

In article <7qkhsv$idq$1...@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.

Check out a list of film projects in development:
http://hometown.aol.com/JoannKB

[LETera]

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?

-LT

[Edward Feit]

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?

Regards

Edward

LETera <let...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:19990902115958...@ng-bj1.aol.com...

[Lou Grantt]

On Thu, 2 Sep 1999 23:31:06 -0400, "Edward Feit"
<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?"

Yoohooooo. It makes a difference to me. :-)

Lou

Lou Grantt, Editor, Hollywood Scriptwriter
http://www.hollywoodscriptwriter.com
The Trade Paper for Screenwriters

[Edward Feit]

What is the difference?

Regards

Edward

Lou Grantt <lgranttNO...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:37cf464f....@news.earthlink.net...

[JoannKB]

<<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 Feit]

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!

Regards

Edward

JoannKB <joa...@aol.com> wrote in message

news:19990903111823...@ng-fe1.aol.com...

[LETera]

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.

-LT