Most of us have probably already heard the "bad news" that the Nicholl Fellowship will no longer accept direct submissions unless you are affiliated with another organization that is tied to them or on the Black List, which costs $30 per month each script. Even if your prospects of getting your script sold, repped, or produced through any contest—including Nicholl's—are extremely tiny, 0.01% is still preferable than a zero. There are rumors that Coverfly might stop operating, and we already know that Screencraft shut down a month ago. Will those players who are still playing the game simply raise their fees now that they have less competition?...
I won't cry just yet. I work at a job that is closely related to the sector and pays well. However, it hurts, and it hurts a lot. I'll be damned if I don't acknowledge that. Years of honing the screenplays till they make you sick (not really sick, but a little tired of them, like yelling for a few weeks off so you can return and keep "adjusting"). Are you familiar with ScriptHop and their "affordable" $380 fee?...
Boy, oh boy. There will come a time when screenwriting will be considered a pastime for retirees. What can I say... It already feels like that.
6 people like this
I'm sure the Nicholl Fellowship change and Screencraft shutting down will impact writers, Leonidas Stanescu, but networking is still free (some of it). And it's free for writers to post their projects on platforms like Stage 32 and Script Revolution. Some writers even make websites to showcase their work.
2 people like this
I'm sure there is free network, still. Heck, I also have my own website showcasing all my work but close to nothing worked so far... I guess I will start saving a couple of millions so that I can produce myself that one low budget screenplay I have.
That's a great idea, Leonidas Stanescu. I tried to make two feature films way back. I'm not interested in making movies anymore, but I've been thinking about making an audio drama. And what about making a micro-budget feature? Maybe $150K or $250K. I'm sure it'll be easier to make a micro-budget film than a $2MM movie.
5 people like this
Not only is Blacklist $30 per month hosting, but to qualify for Nicholl at least one evaluation at $100. It has not been announced what the minimum eval rating to qualify will be. I suspect the rare 8 or 9.
5 people like this
Oh, man, Leonidas, I hear you!
I'm on ScriptHop...and if it charged me $380 to post my work on it, I'd be a no-show. (Actually, ScriptHop's monthly fee is $7.99...and I'm free to post as many scripts as possible. That $380 fee covers something ScriptHop calls "The Gauntlet..." something that takes the place of contests. A panel of readers- people actually in the movie-and-TV industry- reads and assesses one of your scripts for that $380 price. If that panel likes your script, the screenplay/teleplay goes to another group of industry experts for a second stage of evaluations.)
I've been on ScriptHop since 2020...and if you'd like to learn more, just go to https://www.scripthop.com. (It'll really fill you in all about The Gauntlet.)
3 people like this
I didn't know the rumors about Coverfly: really not good news. I agree Leonidas Stanescu
1 person likes this
ScriptHop use AI in all aspects of their operations, tho they do their best to hide that fact.
3 people like this
Updated news. Upon an email sent to Coverfly, they replied saying that they will continue operating, business as usual.
2 people like this
Jim Boston, what does that 7'99 $ plan offer?
E Langley, that marks a 180% change of concept. I guess they got sick of reading screenplays.
1 person likes this
Maurice. Local-ized could be done with a micro-budget indeed but then distribution would be a b-atch.
4 people like this
Reading terrible screenplays, Leonidas Stanescu. Over 90% fall in this category. I've read for a few comps. If you don't steel yourself for a parade of awfulness, it can be soul-crushing.
Another change at Nicholl is that in the past when two low level readers gave a script high enough marks it advanced to a third low level reader. If they advance the script, it's to Quarters. Then Hollywood pros read. From now on, it's Academy members right from the start. Don't know exactly which type: writers; directors; actors...?
I don't find it a reversal as much as greater selectivity. The Nicholl Fellowship itself remains exactly the same.
4 people like this
Leonidas, ScriptHop's $7.99-per-month plan lets you upload as many of your scripts as you like. With each screenplay/TV script you upload, ScriptHop creates what's called a "Packet." [And each Packet works the same way a pitch deck does...you put in a logline, a synopsis or two (long and/or short), and comps. You can also load up photos, pitch trailers and other videos, and you can link each Packet to script-hosting sites like Script Revolution.]
Been having a lot of fun with ScriptHop...and if you decide to check it out, I hope you find it fun, too.
Thanks a bunch for asking!
2 people like this
Jim Boston, similar to ISA but at lower cost with added features.. Does Scripthop have a way or a platform for contests besides their Gauntlet?
2 people like this
E Langley, I can see where you come from.
2 people like this
I need to check them out Jim Boston and thanks for sharing bro!
6 people like this
I sent the Fellowship an email to make clear that change means that a majority of the writers, like me, will no longer be able to enter. I pointed out how much that diminishes their credibility. I have't gotten an answer.
4 people like this
I sent one too and i'm not expecting any answer in return. Time to move on I guess and turn tfhat page.
2 people like this
Also shows how out of touch the industry is right now. Entitled?
2 people like this
Mark, you're so very welcome!
3 people like this
Actually, Leonidas, ScriptHop doesn't have a contest platform. Matter of fact, The Gauntlet was designed to replace contests. (ScriptHop's founders were worried about the kind of readers most contests use...as well as the kind of feedback competition readers give writers.)
That said...Stage 32's contests really do their job, and the videos the winners make after competing prove that.
Take it from someone who found out about ScriptHop through Stage 32.