Why is Dave running this competition?
Cohen says: "I read a LOT of scripts each year and one of the things I keep noticing is that, even in the strongest scripts, there is usually at least one scene where nothing happens. The story doesn't move, the characters are in the same place they were at the start, or it's an entire set-up for a joke that will come later.
"I've read lots of blogs and book chapters that talk about various aspects of script writing but I haven't seen anything that really concentrates on everything you need to when you're writing a single scene in a script, and I thought it was a gap in the writers' market.
"Accordingly, I wanted to set a challenge through which I could give some of those lessons, asking for entries long enough to exhibit the writer's talent but short enough I could manage to read everything without staying up until three in the morning (as happened a couple of times last year when James Cary and I had 70-odd ten-page scripts to read for our Sitcom Geeks Script Challenge)."
Why is there a 500 word limit?
It's a rule of thumb that seems to work in most scripts that one minute of script time is around 180 words. If you write more than 500 words that's longer than three minutes. Scenes are often longer but this is partly an exercise in learning to edit. And Dave doesn't want to be staying up until three in the morning.
When should I enter?
Any time between Monday 26th October, and the deadline at the end of Sunday 15th November. You might want to read at least some of the daily emails before uploading your scene though, as they'll include some very useful advice for structuring, writing and revising scenes on an individual level.
What's the prize?
The winning entrant (or entrants) will be invited to appear as guest(s) on the Sitcom Geeks podcast early in the new year. You get an award credit to stick on your CV and catch the eye of agents, producers and comedy commissioners; a number of whom are already regular listeners to the show.
Should I try something new or rework a scene I've already written?
It's up to you. However, Dave advises: "This is arranged very much as a learning contest, so it would be best to start with something new - either incomplete or non-existent.
"You could have a rough idea for a show mapped out and pick one scene from it to develop up from your plot notes, or you could start mapping an entirely new show. If you're looking at a scene you've already done a lot of work on as part of a full, 'complete' script, bear in mind that changes you make to one scene could have serious consequences for the rest of the episode.
"You may also have to shoot your baby. If you're thick-skinned enough to accept the possibility of changing your work in front of you then by all means focus on something you already consider 'complete'."
Dave concludes: "There are some mistakes writers keep making and I'll be talking about them. Want to know what they are? Sign up for three weeks of free daily emails, in which I'll be analysing in almost excruciating detail How To Write A Scene via the form below."
