2009/2010 HORROR SCREENPLAY COMPETITION

SPONSORED BY ENTERTAINMENT 7

FINALISTS

Slamdance and Alternate Reality are proud to announce the 5 finalist for the 2009/2010 Horror Screenplay Competition. Dozens of great scripts made this years competition the hardest to judge in years! Thanks again to everyone who entered, and congrats to the finalists.

A Guilty Moon by Brian LaRosa

Abra Cadaver by TJ Lynch

Roadside Assistance by David Sakmyster

Manateeth by Rick Utzinger

Inbred by Ryan Gilmore

 SEMI-FINALISTS

Slamdance and Alternate Reality are proud to announce the Semi-Finalists for the 2009/2010 Horror Screenplay Competition. These 30 scripts represent the top 10% of this years competition. Thanks to everyone who entered this year, and congratulations to the semi-finalists!

 CALL FOR ENTRIES CLOSED ON OCTOBER 31, 2009

Thank you for submitting and all the best to every entrant!  

SLAMDANCE HORROR OVERVIEW:

Slamdance and Alternate Reality are hungry for blood, so we're pitting the best horror screenplays against each other in a fight to the death! The Grand Prize Winner will have their screenplay optioned for the purpose of making it into a horrifying feature motion picture. Rights to the winning screenplay will be purchased by Alternate Reality for a feature film produced with Slamdance. The finished film would screen at the Slamdance Film Festival.

The Writer will receive an upfront payment of $10,000 for all screenplay rights against 2.5% of the film's budget, subject to a minimum floor of $30,000 and a maximum payment cap of $200,000 as well as a 3 net point profit participation as part of a purchase agreement for the screenplay rights. All submitted screenplays are in the running for the $1,000 Creative Excellence Award, including those not willing to sign the purchase agreement.
 

DEADLINES:

Early Deadline: August 31, 2009

Final Deadline: October 31, 2009

ENTRY FEES:

Early submission fee: $40.00 (by Early Deadline, August 31, 2009)

Final submission fee: $50.00 (by Final Deadline, October 31, 2009)

COVERAGE FEES:

+$75.00: Online Coverage Service - available within 2 months*

+$115.00: Fast Track Coverage - available within 14 business days*

* Please note Coverage Fees are in addition to Entry Fees

RULES:

1. Screenplays must not have been previously optioned, purchased or produced.

2. Screenplays must not have received awards from other competitions over $500.00 at the time of entry.

3. Screenwriters who have had previous feature screenplays produced and distributed by non-independent means are ineligible.

4. Screenplays must be in English, formatted in 12-point courier font.

5. All check payments must be payable in U.S. dollars to “Slamdance” and drawn from U.S. banks.  U.S. Money Orders and Traveler's Checks are also accepted.

6. Any check returned to us for non-payment will be subject to a $15 service fee.

7. To enter the Slamdance Screenplay Competition you must agree to its Terms and Conditions.

8. The Slamdance Screenplay Compeititon Readers' decisions are final.

GUIDELINES:

1. Please provide only one primary contact on your screenplay application form

2. In the event of multiple writers, list all additional co-writers. Please note Slamdance divides awards equally among co-writers.

3. If you are sending your screenplay entry by mail and would like delivery confirmation, please include a self-addressed stamped postcard with your submission package.

4. Slamdance is not responsible for screenplays or coverage stolen or lost in transit

5. For screenplays longer than 120 pages, please call our office before submitting your entry.

ABOUT ALTERNATE REALITY

Alternate Reality is the new production company of Gregory Segal, a producer making movies in all genres, including urban (HBO ABFF Grand Jury Winner and Image Award nominee, My Brother, starring Vanessa Williams), thrillers (The Insurgents, starring John Shea and Mary Stuart Masterson), comedy (The Ten, with Paul Rudd and Winona Ryder; and Harold, with Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Nicki Blonski) and horror (the upcoming horror/comedy Hot Baby, with Adam Scarimbolo and Emily Grace). An active independent producer, Segal has produced eight features over the past three and one-half years, and has numerous projects in development.

ABOUT OUR SPONSOR

Entertainment 7 is a fully operational Multinational Media Company, with its main offices in Los Angeles, California and satellite offices in London, England.  Its global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution, television programming and syndication, home video acquisition, operation of its studio facility, working with new media technology and distribution of filmed entertainment in over one hundred territories worldwide.

SELECTION PROCESS

The first Slamdance Reader will determine whether the screenplay will be passed onto Round Two of the competition. Over half of the screenplays submitted make it to Round Two. From these screenplays the Finalists will be selected by Slamdance Readers and sent to Alternate Reality. The Producers will select the Grand Prize Winner. Any writer not interested in signing the purchase agreement will be in the running for the Creative Excellence Award.

EXPLANATION OF PRIZES

Grand Prize Award:

$10,000 for all screenplay rights against 2.5% of the film's budget, subject to a floor of $30,000 and a payment cap of $200,000 as well as a 3 net point profit participation as part of a purchase agreement for the screenplay rights. Alternate Reality agree to acquire all right, title and interest from the Winner pursuant to a purchase agreement between Producer and Writer and will undertake best efforts to produce a feature motion picture from such acquisition. Upon completion of the purchase agreement Alternate Reality shall be pay to the Writer $10,000 prior to the announcement of their winning entry. The Writer shall receive the balance of his/her fee on the first day of principal photography of the film.

Please note in the event the winning entry has been written by more than one writer, the Grand Prize will be divided evenly amongst the writers.

The Writer may be required to write one re-write at no cost to the Producer. If a second rewrite or polish is required, the Producer will pay the Writer an additional $3,000. The Writer may at his or her sole discretion pass on any rewrites, at which point Producer may select another writer to undertake the work, subject to WGA terms and conditions.

The Writer shall be entitled to the right of meaningful consultation on casting, director choice and further rewrites.

Alternate Reality will make best efforts to enter pre-production no later than 180 days after the announcement of the winner.

Writer shall be entitled to passive rights payments and credits in respect in any sequels, spinoffs or other derivative works based upon the Screenplay, its characters or original concept, with such payment and credit being based on the WGA Scale minimums.

Producer shall commit with Slamdance as Executive Producer upon the selection of the Winner to exercise such Purchase Agreement and to produce a Picture through a final festival display print (in film or in video format).

Provided that the Picture is finished and ready for screening, the Picture shall be screened following its completion, at the Producer's option, at the Slamdance Film Festival next following the completion of the Picture.

Other prize benefits include:

$1,000 for Writer's travel (to be split if there are multiple Writers) to and from premieres, screenings and festivals, for use on hotel and/or airfare for Writer

2010 Festival Pass good for all screenings and parties at the Slamdance Film Festival in Park City, Utah

Final Draft Pro screenwriting software & year subscription to Script Magazine

Please note to qualify for the $10,000 Grand Prize and purchase agreement you must agree to both the Horror Competition Submission Agreement and the Grand Prize Release Agreement. You will review these agreements during your submission process.

Creative Excellence Award:

Slamdance shall be pay the winning writer $1,000 prior to the announcement of their winning entry.

Please note in the event the winning entry has been written by more than one writer the Grand Prize will be divided evenly amongst the writers.

Final Draft Pro screenwriting software & year subscription to Script Magazine

2010 Festival Pass good for all screenings and parties at the Slamdance Film Festival in Park City, Utah

QUESTIONS?

Phone: 323 466-1786
E: submissions@slamdance.com

FAQ:

Q: Does signing the Grand Prize Release Form mean that I (the screenwriter) give up the rights to my screenplay?
A: Absolutely not. Signing the Grand Prize Release Form simply means that you are interested in the deal offered by Alternate Reality and that you would like to be considered for the prize they are offering. If however, during the course of the competition you change your mind, lose the rights to your screenplay, etc. you may choose to pull your material from consideration.

Q: Does winning the Grand Prize mean that I (the screenwriter) lose the rights to my screenplay?
A:Yes. Alternate Reality will purchase your material and make best efforts to have the film produced in 2010.

Q: Is budget a consideration for choosing the Grand Prize Winner?
A:Yes. Budget will be a consideration, but it is a flexible budget. If possible, the final work will be screened at the Slamdance Film Festival or at a special Slamdance screening outside the festival, following the completion of the project.

Q: Can I (the writer) submit two different version of my screenplay (one that can be made on an independent budget, and one that is less budget conscious)?
A: Absolutely. But we will ask that you fill out two separate applications, and pay for two submissions.

Q: What happens if the film does not get made?
A: Alternate Reality has every intention of producing the Grand Prize Winner. However, in that event, the screenwriter will still receive no less than $10,000 and after a period of time as stipulated in the purchase agreement, rights to your screenplay will be returned.

Q: Is there money in place for this production?
A: Yes. There are funds in place right now for the production of the Grand Prize winning screenplay offered by Alternate Reality starting at around a million dollars. In the event we come across a screenplay that is slightly more expensive (but still within the means of production) additional funds will be sought.

Q: If I win and the film does not get made, will I (the writer) reclaim rights to my material?
A: Yes. After a period stipulated in the purchase agreement signed with Alternate Reality and the writer, the rights of the screenplay will revert to the writer.

Q: If I want to direct the film, will I (the screenwriter) be considered for the job?
A: Yes, but this will be completely at the producer’s discretion. If you have absolutely no experience as a director (of a short or feature film) or any experience with filmmaking (as an editor, AD, etc.) your chances are slim to none. However, if you have experience and you want to direct, you will be considered as a definite prospect. As stipulated, the writer will be consulted on the selection of cast and crew.

Q: What is the difference between the Grand Prize Release Form and the purchase agreement?
A: The Grand Prize Release Form means that you are interested in winning the Grand Prize. If you are chosen as a finalist you will (a) review the purchase agreement (which goes into every detail) and (b) discuss those details with Alternate Reality before signing, and (c) if you do not win, you retain all rights of your material, and if you win but the film does not get made, you still get $10,000, and the rights to your screenplay.

Q: What happens if my screenplay becomes a finalist?
A: If Slamdance chooses your screenplay to be one of the finalists, you may be asked to sign the purchase agreement, guaranteeing your compliance with the terms being offered should you be chosen as the Grand Prize Winner. In the event that your material is not selected, the Agreement will be deemed void, and rights to your material will not be transferred.

Q: Will I (the writer) have a chance to discuss the terms of the deal before the selection of the Grand Prize Winner?
A: Yes. In the event that your material is selected as a top five finalist, you will be contacted, either in person or by telephone, to discuss the details of the production deal and purchase agreement. This may take place either before or after the signing of the agreement at the discretion of the producers and the availability of the writer.

Q: If I do not sign the Grand Prize Release Statement, will I still be considered for the $1,000 Award for Creative Excellence?
 A: Yes. Although your material will not be considered for the Grand Prize, you will be in the running for the $1,000 Creative Excellence Award. Please note by signing the Grand Prize Release Form will not negatively influence your chances of being chosen for the Award for Creative Excellence in any way.

Q: What kind of material is Alternate Reality looking for?
A: All parties want to find the best horror screenplay, regardless of subgenre. The budget is flexible and the interests of the involved parties is not limited to only one project, but only one will be selected for the Grand Prize.

Q: Whose idea was the Grand Prize, and who will be involved in the production?
A: At the onset of this competition, Slamdance organizers promised that we would look for a Production Company to produce the winning screenplay, and we found a partner with the ability to produce it. Slamdance organizers negotiated on behalf of the writer and are confident that this prize is in their best interest.

Q: What will the stature of the Award for Creative Excellence as opposed to the Grand Prize?
A: The $1,000 award for Creative Excellence will not be second to the Grand Prize. This is a no strings attached, cash prize that everyone will be in the running for. It will provide an avenue for production companies to find Slamdance awarded projects. The judging for this award will be based on the quality of writing alone.

Q: What happens in the case that rewrites need to be done on the project (as determined by the producers)?
A: The writer is guaranteed a credit on this project. Rewrites have to be cost effective for the project, and we hope to find a screenplay that doesn't need massive revisions. Alternate Reality and Slamdance will work with the screenwriter, support their material and give them full credit in the end. But if they choose not to be a part of the rewriting process, they will have to share credit with a co-writer (considered to be a last resort by Slamdance and Alternate Reality).

Q: Shouldn't the deal be an option to produce as opposed to an all out sale? Why a purchase agreement as opposed to an option agreement?
A: The purchase agreement offer from Alternate Reality is a far superior opportunity in comparison to an option agreement. Option agreements are quite often completely meaningless (and often result in complete inactivity by the production company, coupled with a struggling screenwriter hanging in limbo).

 Q: Is 2.5% of the production budget really a fair prize for a first time screenwriter?
 A: For a first time writer, 2.5% of a budget is generous, and can often be far less especially for a first time screenwriter. Moreover, negotiations for the sale of a screenplay can take place over the course of months, even years, and result in nothing. In this case, everything has already been put into place; we have an investor and a capable trust worthy production team supporting this project.

Q: What good is it for a screenplay to win a competition if the script is "sold" as part of the prize? If a screenplay is chosen to win, doesn’t that screenplay have a better chance of real success if the script was available to sell to any company?
 A: No. This deal was put together by Slamdance and our first priority was to protect the rights of the writer. Entering a Screenplay Competition can often lead to absolutely no results whatsoever. In a perfect world, production executives would line up on your front lawn after you win a competition, but that is not always the case. In a situation like this, you receive writing credits toward becoming a Guild member, you get paid up front (as opposed to the Writers Guild's Low Budget Agreement which favors deferment) and you can use this success as a catapult towards your next project.