Before I can tell you guys anything about the latest and greatest FiLMLaB script to screen competition, I first need to say thank you to Ruth Witteried. I know I have ginormous shoes to fill. I hope I can do half the job you have done these last few years.

*Sniff*

Okay, let’s get down to business!

I am very happy to be part of the 2014 Willamette Writers Conference and especially the annual script to screen competition! It’s going to be a goody. Here’s what’s new:

1. We’re opening the competition EARLY! Contest officially opens November 1, 2013. Forget NaNoWriMo, enter FiLMLaB’s competition instead!

2. Early bird catches the worm or, in your case, saves you five bucks. That’s right, entrants pay only $20 between November 1 – December 31. (Non Willamette Writer members pay $25.) Regular entry fees are $25 between January 1 – March 1, 2014. ($30 for non-members.)

3. Parameters have changed to reflect one important aspect: LOCATION. For 2014, we’re nixing the theme idea in favor of ANYTHING GOES as long as your story takes place at the Willamette Writers Cynthia Whitcomb house! For a quick view of the house, click here. You are also welcome to rent a room at the Willamette Writers house so you can be steeped in inspiration.

4.  Other items to consider: your entry must be presented in standard screenplay format, you use no more than four characters, and you submit no more than seven pages.

Other notable stuff: Contest closes at midnight March 1, 2014. We will select three to five finalists March 20, and those finalists will have the opportunity to speak to Ampersand Productions about their script. LA judges will review all semi-finalists’ scripts and send us their favorites. More details in the coming weeks. For complete rules, please click here. Please note: nuts and bolts submission rules (how to pay, where to e-mail, etc.) will be posted by November 1, 2013.

Happy Writing!

Mary Andonian