ScreenCraft has partnered with ShockTillYouDrop.com this year to bring you the 2nd annual Scream Craft Horror Script Contest, and the jury they have lined up is so good it's scary. Of course, the prizes (one of which includes a phone consultation with writer/director Scott Derrickson) are well worth a submission, but even if you don't win -- you still kind of do, because your screenplay has the opportunity to be read by judges that not only know horror, but are also extremely influential. So, if you've got a script and you want to submit, continue on to find out how.
This year's Scream Craft will be judged by Hollywood's top agents, managers, and producers in horror cinema. Here's a list from the contest's site:
- Ryan Turek: founder and editor of popular horror website ShockTillYouDrop.com
- Scott Henderson: agent at Paradigm Talent Agency, represents renowned horror filmmakers James Wan and Leigh Wannell
- Andrew Wilson: manager at Zero Gravity, represents acclaimed horror writer Clive Barker
- Amotz Zachai: manager at Echo Lake Management, represents legendary filmmakers including master horror writer-director John Carpenter!
- Jessica Hall: Senior Vice President at Blumhouse Productions, the company behind micro-budget horror hits including The Paranormal Activity, Insidious, The Purge and Sinister franchises
- Lucy Mukerjee: Vice President of Production and Development at After Dark Films
ScreenCraft has also upped the ante and doubled their 1st place cash prize to $2,000, which also includes a one-on-one phone consultation with Scott Derrickson, writer/director of The Exorcism of Emily Rose, Sinister, and most recently, Deliver Us from Evil, which is in post-production. But, don't fret if you don't get the top spot. The second place winner gets $200 cash and a phone call with a top literary manager, the top 10 finalists receive a page of development notes from one of the judges (invaluable), as well as a copy of Final Draft 9, and finally, the quarter-finalists gets year-long membership to ISA Connect.
Submissions are now open and close on June 1st. If you've got a horror screenplay ready to go, you might want to enter sooner rather than later, since the entry fee is $29 until April 15th. After that, it'll cost you $49. The contest is open to anyone in the world that is 18 years and older. Scripts shouldn't exceed 140 pages. Be sure to read ScreenCraft's rules and eligibility for the contest before you enter to make sure everything is copacetic. Good luck!
By the way, if you need a little extra help on your horror screenplay, here are some tips on how to make them more effective (summed up from a horror screenwriting panel hosted by ScreenCraft, Dread Central, and The Blood List).
Are you planning on entering Scream Craft this year? Sound off in the comments below.
