How to Decide Which Screenwriting Contests to Submit To
There are hundreds, if not thousands, of screenwriting competitions out there — so how do you decide which ones are worth your time and money? As the co-founder of Moonshot Initiative, a nonprofit that works toward gender equity in film and television, NYWIFT Member Katrina Medoff has been on the other side of the application process. Her team reads hundreds of submissions a year for the Moonshot Pilot Accelerator and their newest program, the Moonshot Feature Accelerator. They know that their applicants poured their time, talents, and energy into their scripts, and that every fellowship submission means putting more time and money into your career. So it’s important to carefully consider which labs and contests to prioritize. If you’re ready to submit your feature film screenplay or TV pilot script to screenwriting competitions, here’s how to determine which labs, fellowships, and contests would be a good fit.
READ MORE6 Tips for Hooking a Reader in the First Pages of Your Pilot
The first pages of your pilot need to be solid — as in, a representation of your very best work — and they need to establish us in the world succinctly. Last year, NYWIFT Member and WWFC Co-Founder Katrina Medoff read hundreds of pilot scripts submitted for Women’s Weekend Film Challenge’s inaugural pilot accelerator, and she saw some general themes emerge for how to make the opening of your pilot stand out. Read on for her six tips, and learn how to apply to the next WWFC pilot accelerator.
READ MORE5 Exercises for Strengthening Your Pilot Script’s Cold Open
The first scenes of your pilot need to capture the reader’s attention, because you never know how far a busy Hollywood exec (or their assistant) will read before losing interest. You need to introduce your characters and story, show off your writing skills, and give the reader something they haven’t seen before — it’s a lot of pressure! Women’s Weekend Film Challenge Co-Founder NYWIFT Member Katrina Medoff offers some exercises to make those crucial first pages shine.
READ MOREWhat’s in Your Toolkit: Kristin Reiber Harris
Artist, animator, and educator Kristin Reiber Harris shares with us what's in her animation toolkit, and how she's staying centered while sheltering in place during COVID-19.
READ MOREMichele Remsen’s First Feature Film Defies the Odds
Great ideas, even when plentiful, can have a short shelf life when confronted with sobering realities. But NYWIFT Michele Remsen knows how to persevere. As co-star, producer, director, and screenwriter of an anti-romantic comedy that defies expectations, Michele was the force that made it happen: in 12 days, on a shoestring budget.
READ MOREWhat’s in Your Toolkit: Destiny Lilly
Destiny Lilly is a casting director working across theater, film, and television. While casting is a creative job, it also requires strong admin - lists, databases, and an impeccable memory. Destiny offers a peek inside her casting toolkit.
READ MORETop Takeaways: Preserving Your Mental Health During Challenging Times
As a director and producer, NYWIFT board member Kathryn O'Kane is a planner and she's used to solving problems. The biggest challenge she's finding during the COVID-19 crisis is that there’s not enough information to be able to plan. She attended the NYWIFT “Mental Health and Career Sustainability in the Doc World” panel because to learn how producers can come to terms with that and how to relax into the uncertainty of the moment when it goes against our nature. She offers her top takeaways.
READ MOREWhat’s in Your Toolkit: Jendra Jarnagin
DP Jendra Jarnagin shares her favorite camera and script notation apps, creative advice, and why networking is the key to surviving in the industry.
READ MOREWhat’s in Your Toolkit: Leah Curney
Multi-hyphenate artist Leah Curney - an actor, writer, and director - shares what keeps her organized and inspired, from notebooks to podcasts and more. Plus, she expounds on the one piece of advice that frustrated her...until the truth of it finally clicked.
READ MOREWhat’s in Your Toolkit: Grace Kim
NYWIFT is excited to launch our fun new Friday blog series, "What's in Your Toolkit?" where we ask women in the industry about the tools - both literal and figurative - they rely on to get the job done. For our first edition, we caught up with writer/director Grace Kim on the run before her film's screening at the Hamptons International Film Festival.
READ MOREIndependent Filmmakers are Like Farmers and Bakers
What can independent producers learn from farmers and bakers? A lot more than you might think, according to NYWIFT member Jane Applegate.
READ MORECreator Misha Calvert on power dynamics, pitching and her latest series, All Hail Beth
In advance of the Fall 2019 premiere of her new BRIC TV series "All Hail Beth," showrunner and NYWIFT member Misha Calvert sits down with Leah Curney to discuss power dynamics, how to pitch your project, and how she makes connections in the business.
READ MOREHow I Built a Distribution Plan at Film Festivals
NYWIFT member Lara Stolman reflects on her unique path to success with her documentary "Swim Team" - using film festivals to expand her audience and find unique opportunities, even after the film's television debut.
READ MORECynthia’s Picks: Empowering Advice, Kyra Sedgwick, Roku Channel
Empowering Advice: Forbes offers 10 top tips for navigating Hollywood as a female creative. Kyra Sedgwick: Kyra Sedgwick’s Big Swing Productions has partnered with SeriesFest for the Women Writing Competition to discover and celebrate bold new series with a distinctly female perspective. The winning female artist(s) will receive a year-long development deal with Big Swing Productions and a...
READ MORESound Advice: Avoid (or Fix) the Two Biggest Mistakes in Sound Design
Mismatched ambient noise and clothing rustle are the two biggest mistakes in sound design, according to award-winning sound designer, editor and mixer Paul Michael. At a recent NYWIFT program, he explained to how to avoid - or fix - these problems.
READ MORE11 Things I Learned While Producing My First Short Film
Actor and writer Katrina Medoff took on a third role - producer - for the first time with the short film Lovestuck, which premieres Sunday, March 19th at the Queens World Film Festival. She shares her top takeaways from the experience.
READ MORELife’s Better When You Know What’s Inside the Brain of Refinery29’s Amy Emmerich
NYWIFT member Marzy Hart shares her top five takeaways from the Power Player Breakfast with Amy Emmerich, Chief Content Officer at Refinery29, a leading digital lifestyle media company for women.
READ MOREFilming Close (or Maybe a Bit Too Close) to Home
Making make believe is difficult and costly. So heading home to Asbury Park, where encouragement and support is offered freely, was the right choice for Jersey girl (and NYWIFT member) Christina Eliopoulos. She tells us about free hot dogs, meddling neighbors and why mothers make the best publicists.
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