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This year
Big Break celebrate 11 Category Winners, 2 Grand Prize Winners, and a Short Script Winner. Over 60 past winners have sold scripts, received representation or gone on to professional writing careers.
JUDGES PANEL 2024
Gary King - PARAMOUNT
Lauren Deitch - NETFLIX
Jeff Portnoy - BELLEVUE PRODUCTIONS
Scott Stoops - GOOD FEAR ENTERTAINMENT
Amanda Alley - SKYDANCE MEDIA
Jon Hersh - HOUSEFIRE MANAGEMENT
Andrew Bergamo - THE DONNERS' COMPANY
Jason Lubin - FIRST STORY ENTERTAINMENT
Jen Ray - HEROES & VILLAINS ENTERTAINMENT
Diego Rey - UNDERGROUND FILMS
Trent Anderson - ANONYMOUS CONTENT
Jesse Hood - ACE ENTERTAINMENT
Allie Loh - ZERO GRAVITY MANAGEMENT
Brian Spink - REALM
Zack Zucker - BELLEVUE PRODUCTIONS
Zach Bianco - FEIGCO ENTERTAINMENT
Gabrielle Utsey - POV ENTERTAINMENT
Mireia Vilanova - CARTUNA
Lisa Alford - JOHNSON PRODUCTION GROUP
Alex Barnes - Producer
Category and Grand Prize Winners have had their scripts optioned and sold, have secured high-profile representation, and been staffed on TV series.
You can now get feedback notes with your Big Break entry.
THE
BIG BREAK JUDGES 2024
Q. HOW LONG SHOULD MY SCREENPLAY BE?
A. Suggested length for screenplays is approximately 80 to 120 pages and for teleplays it is approximately 25 to 70 pages. Short film scripts must not exceed 20 pages. Entries over 150 pages WILL BE DISQUALIFIED. Submissions less than 20 pages or that are clearly not a screenplay (short stories, comic books, etc.) will also be disqualified.
Q. WHAT ABOUT SHORT SCRIPT SUBMISSIONS?
A. The short script category is open to short scripts with a maximum page count of 20 pages. Short scripts may be in any genre.
Q. HOW CAN I BE SURE MY SCRIPT WILL NOT BE PLAGIARIZED?
A. Big Break (anyone would) recommend that you register your script with the WGA and/or the U.S. Copyright Office or the British Library. Big Break do not require such registration for entry. They are aware that they instruct you not to include a cover page (so that readers cannot see your name) and that copyright or registration information would normally be on that page. We simply recommend that you take at least one of those steps to protect your intellectual property. Whether you do or do not take those steps, your script will still be read. At no point in the entry process do we check for registration or copyright. Our contest has been running 20 years and we are very careful with our entrants’ scripts. However, those easy steps will help ensure that your work is protected.
Q. WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA FOR JUDGING & WHICH GENRES ARE ACCEPTED?
A. The eight main feature genres for entries are:
Action/Adventure – Films with strong action scenes, exotic locales, stories of adventure.
Comedy/Rom-Com – Romantic comedies, straight, dark and raunchy comedy, satires, etc.
Diversity – Open to writers from diverse backgrounds. Who can enter? Underrepresented writers, including but not limited to:
- American Indian
- Asian/Pacific Islander
- Black
- LatinX
- LGBTQIA
- Middle Eastern
- Women
- Non-Binary
- Differently-abled
- Any other voices that have been historically ignored by Hollywood
Drama – More serious, realistic scripts exploring dramatic stories with deep themes.
Family/Animated – Scripts directed to the children/family market, movies that can be enjoyed by the whole family, animated features.
Period/Historical/War – Biopics, scripts based largely in the past, war epics, and scripts featuring historical characters.
Sci-Fi/Fantasy – Space travel, disaster and post-apocalyptic stories, scripts set in alternate worlds and universes, stories with magical elements.
Thriller/Horror – Scripts that use suspense, fear and/or tension as main story elements, spy and crime thrillers, psychological thrillers, mysteries, ghost, zombie and monster stories.
A. For TV scripts, Big Break accept entries in:
- Half-Hour Original Pilot – 30 minute original television scripts, typically comedy but not always.
- Hour-Long Original Pilot – 60 minute original television scripts, typically dramas but not always.
- Diversity Original Pilot – Open to writers from diverse backgrounds. Who can enter? Underrepresented writers, including but not limited to:
Pick the genre that best fits your script. You can also enter the same script in a different genre for additional consideration, but you will need to submit another complete entry for that script. The readers and judges look for qualities such as craft and execution, originality, dialogue, and structure.
For Short scripts, BB accept entries in all genres.
So
hard to build, and so easy to wipe all our efforts away. We stand on the
shoulders of giants. Yet, the Universe stands to lose all evidence of
the development of an intelligent species. Thousands of years of
history, the Ancient Greeks, Egyptians, Romans, Incas and Aztecs. Even
the evil of Adolf Hitler. All turned to dust in a few minutes - at the
touch of a red button. As though hominids never roamed the plains in
Tanzania, to stand upright, master tool use, agriculture and the
industrial revolution, to escape our atmosphere. Land on the Moon, and
send robot explorers to Mars and further into deep space in the search
for extra terrestrial life. And all of that to answer the questions, are
we alone, and how did we come to be? All of that flushed away as
militaristic dictators vie for more power. Bigger submarines and
aircraft carriers. And worst of all more nuclear missiles: Tools of the
Grim Reaper.
We entered two scripts into the Big Break contest. One requesting
feedback. The one where we requested feedback was not so highly ranked.
We would suggest asking the AI chatbots for independent and impartial
feedback, in addition to any feedback from readers. Since, the feedback
is only the opinion of the reader, their preferences, etc. We have found
artificial intelligence very useful in evaluating how to present a
story. If the feedback is positive, you are generally onto a good thing.
Guardedly!
Remember
that an original story may not be plagiarized, such that a script is
re-written in a different way, names changed, etc., with the aim of
skirting around copyright or the original idea for the story. Typically, Hollywood requires and obtains
different screenplay treatments in any event, before committing to the
making of a film. Thus, a poorly written script - which may not
score highly in competitions like Big Break - may score higher if
re-written to appeal to competition readers. But is it worth it. The
cost of writing and producing a script can run into tens of thousands of
$dollars or £pounds. Especially when converting from a novel format.
And more so if using a professional script writer under contract. On the
other hand, if you are writing a script yourself from your own ideas,
the costs may be significantly reduced, to your subsistence costs for
how ever many weeks the work takes. Writing while on statutory holidays
or sick, reduces the cost further.
It
is important to read the rules carefully. Long scripts are not given a
high priority by readers, who prefer scripts in the 80 - 100 pages
range. Longer scripts are typically consigned to the bin. In the BB
contest they are disqualified. See the rules reproduced below for
purposes of media review.
RULES & ELIGIBILITY
FEES & DEADLINES
$35.00 – Early Bird Deadline Shorts Standard Entry April 15, 2024
$75.00 – Early Bird Deadline Shorts Standard Entry + Feedback April 15, 2024
$45.00 – Early Bird Deadline Standard Entry April 15, 2024
$110.00 – Early Bird Deadline Standard Entry + Feedback April 15, 2024
$45.00 – Regular Deadline Shorts Standard Entry May 20, 2024
$85.00 – Regular Deadline Shorts Standard Entry + Feedback May 20, 2024
$65.00 – Regular Deadline Standard Entry May 20, 2024
$130.00 – Regular Deadline Standard Entry + Feedback May 20, 2024
$55.00 – Extended Deadline Shorts Standard Entry June 10, 2024
$95.00 – Extended Deadline Shorts Standard Entry + Feedback June 10, 2024
$75.00 – Extended Deadline Standard Entry June 10, 2024
$140.00 – Extended Deadline Standard Entry + Feedback June 10, 2024
$65.00 – Last Chance Deadline Shorts Standard Entry June 28, 2024
$105.00 – Last Chance Deadline Shorts Standard Entry + Feedback June 28, 2024
$85.00 – Last Chance Deadline Standard Entry June 28, 2024
$150.00 – Last Chance Deadline Standard Entry + Feedback June 28, 2024
Dates reflect deadlines for electronic submission of scripts. All entries must be electronically submitted by midnight (Pacific Time) on their respective deadlines.
SUBMISSIONS
- The Big Break Screenwriting Contest only accepts online entry of feature film, television, and short screenplays (original pilot scripts only – miniseries cannot be accepted).
- No printed scripts will be accepted.
- To enter your script electronically, you must submit your screenplay in PDF format. You are not required to use Final Draft in order to enter the Contest.
- All submissions should consist of: – Full-length screenplays (approximately 80 to 120 pages); – Teleplays (hour-long approximately 40 to 70 pages, half hour approximately 20 to 35 pages); – Short script screenplays (maximum 20 pages).
- Any entries over 150 pages WILL BE DISQUALIFIED. For feature and teleplay, entries less than 20 pages that are clearly not a screenplay (comic books, etc.) will also be disqualified.
- All necessary information is captured upon entry of digital submissions, so title pages should be removed or contact information must be deleted from the title page. The title of the script will be provided to the reader as part of the file name and in the judging form.
- Do NOT include personally identifying information (name, etc.) ANYWHERE in your script as this will result in INSTANT DISQUALIFICATION. This includes: – Writers name, WGA or representation info on the title page; – Writers name on ANY page of the script; – Writers name within the script’s file name.
- Entry should consist of a screenplay, teleplay, or short script only. Do not include resumes, pitches, synopses, casting suggestions, letters, or other supporting documentation with your submission. Judges will not receive these materials.
- The exception is original hour-long and half-hour TV entries, which may include standard supplementary materials, such as lists of recurring characters and future episodes, as part of the screenplay. This information would need to be included within the same file, at the end of the script.
- Entrants who select to receive feedback on their screenplay will be given at least 550 words of assessment from a competition reader. Feedback will be automatically emailed to entrants upon its completion.
CONTEST ANNOUNCEMENT DATES
August 23, 2024 (Quarterfinalists)
September 20, 2024 (Semifinalists)
October 11, 2024 (Finalists)
November 1, 2024 (Category Winners)
December 4, 2024 (Grand Prize Winners)
MULTIPLE ENTRIES
Entrants may submit multiple entries. Each submission must include its own entry form, a separate file and separate entry fee. Entries will be considered for the genre prize in each category and for the grand prize in either feature film or television.
ELIGIBILITY
The Big Break Contest is open to any individual who is 18 years of age or older at the date of entry and has access to the Internet.
Employees, officers, directors, contractors and agents, and their immediate families and household members regardless of where they live, or members of the same households (whether related or not) of Cast & Crew Production Software, dba Final Draft and its respective divisions, affiliates, subsidiaries, agents, Big Break Contest sponsors, and advertising agencies (collectively, the “contest providers”), are not eligible to participate in the Contest or to win any prize.
Screenplays under option at the time of submission are not eligible.
Adaptations are not eligible unless the source material was written by the screenwriter of the entry in question. Scripts are not eligible if the source material has been sold, produced, or is currently under option to any third party.
Grand Prize winners in Features and TV, category winners, and Short Script Award winners are not eligible to re-enter their winning scripts in future Big Break Contests. They are, however, eligible to enter different scripts for consideration. Grand Prize Feature and TV winners, as well as category winners, receive a free entry in the 2024 Big Break Contest as part of their 2023 prize package.
CO-WRITERS AND PRIZE DIVISION
Screenplays written by up to four people may be entered into the contest. Only one entry fee is required for such entries. All writers’ names should be listed on the online entry – if they are not, your co-writer’s name will not be reflected on our website if your screenplay advances in the contest. List the writer who will be the primary contact first, and include the address, telephone, and email for that person only. All writers must authorize submission of the entry. By clicking Submit, all writers authorize the submission.
If a screenplay written by multiple writers is one of either of the Grand Prize winners, all cash awards will be split equally between all writers. If a screenplay written by multiple writers is any of the category finalists or Grand Prize winners, prizes will be divided at writers’ discretion but only one of each prize will be distributed.
REVISIONS, REFUNDS AND RESUBMISSIONS
In order to run a fair contest for all entrants, revisions or missing pages will not be accepted under any circumstances once an entry has been assigned to a reader.
Once an entry has been submitted and payment has been processed no refunds will be issued.
If the script is rewritten and the original entry has already been assigned to a reader, the writer(s) may resubmit a script as a new entry for consideration in the contest. This is treated as its own entry and requires the full entry fee.
Substitutions of either corrected pages or new drafts of the entered material will be allowed for a limited time (provided the entry has not already been assigned to a reader) with a $6 reentry fee through Coverfly. Please proofread your script carefully before submitting.
PRIZE CONDITIONS
All prizes and awards are subject to change, including changes which are a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prize travel is subject to capacity controls, availability, weather, seasonal influences, and certain other restrictions, all of which are subject to change. No changes will be made to travel details once any element(s) of the travel arrangements have been booked, except at Final Draft’s sole discretion. All airline tickets issued in conjunction with the prize are not eligible for upgrades, frequent flyer miles, or any other promotional benefit. Final Draft is not obligated to replace any lost or stolen tickets (including any event tickets or admission passes), travel vouchers, certificates, or similar items once they are in the winner’s possession. Travel must be roundtrip. Final Draft will determine the flight itinerary in its sole discretion. No refund or compensation will be made in the event of the cancellation or delay of any flight. Air travel is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in these Rules and those set forth by Final Draft’s air travel prize supplier, as detailed in the passenger ticket contract issued by such supplier.
In connection with travel related to any prize element or activity, please be advised that the policies of each prize provider, CDC guidelines, and the recommendations of health officials must be followed. In addition, guests should be aware of and comply with government guidelines regarding travel restrictions and mandatory quarantines before visiting any prize destination. Please note that any public location where people are present provides an inherent risk of exposure to
COVID-19, and Final Draft or any other prize provider cannot guarantee that any person will not be exposed during a visit.
OWNERSHIP & INDUSTRY RELEASE
Big Break Contest entrants retain all rights to their screenplays.
By entering the Big Break Contest, you represent and affirm that your entry is an original creative work, and does not infringe, misappropriate or violate the
copyright,
trademark or other intellectual rights of any third party.
By entering the Big Break Contest, you acknowledge and agree that contest Judges receive numerous submissions of ideas, stories and scripts, and that your entry, and the ideas and stories embodied in it, may be similar or identical to other material already received and/or developed by one or more of the Judges. You also agree that you are not entitled to any compensation or credit for use by contest Judges of any such other material.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
By agreeing to these Rules and Conditions you agree that you have read the rules of the contest and that you have the authorization to submit this screenplay to the Big Break Contest. You further agree that your screenplay is owned by you (and co-author(s)).
VOID WHERE PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW
All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply.
The entrant shall indemnify and hold harmless Cast & Crew Production Software, dba Final Draft its employees, contractors, agents and Big Break Judges from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney’s fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, and/or publicity to the Screenplay entered.
Final Draft, A Cast and Crew Company, 2300 W Empire Ave, 5th Floor, Burbank, CA 91504, USA, (818) 995-8995
LINKS
https://www.finaldraft.com/big-break-screenwriting-contest/
https://www.finaldraft.com/learn/
https://www.finaldraft.com/learn/how-to-format-a-screenplay/
https://www.finaldraft.com/learn/how-to-outline-a-screenplay/
https://www.finaldraft.com/big-break-screenwriting-contest/
https://www.finaldraft.com/learn/
https://www.finaldraft.com/learn/how-to-format-a-screenplay/
https://www.finaldraft.com/learn/how-to-outline-a-screenplay/
MEDIA
ARTICLES LEADING UP TO WWIII
BBC
News - 19 May 2023 - Japan's pacifism hangs in the balance as China &
North Korean threats loom
Big
Break - June
2024 - Final Draft panel of judges $80,000 dollars prizes for winning
scripts & screenplays
CNDUK
- 15 May 2024 - Campaign
for Nuclear Disarmament
CNN
-
Daily
Express - 11 May 2024 - Putin crisis after NATO issues 'red lines' warning as West braces for WW3 with Russia
Daily
Express - 8 July 2022 - What
would happen in a NATO Vs BRICS war?
Daily
Mail -
Daily
Star - 11 December 2023 - Zendaya
is to play Cleopatra
in Denis
Villeneuve's epic with Sony
Pictures
ITV
-
Jerusalem
Post - 29
June 2022 - Israel state comptroller world not ready for cyber security
WWIII
NBC
News -
New
York Times - 15
March 2022 - This is how World War Three begins
NTI
Nuclear Threat Initiative - 31
October 2023 The Cyber Nuclear Threat
Reuters
-
Sky
-
The
i - 16 May 2024 - We
are at war with Russia - Emerging new world order Puting & Xi
The
independent - 10
March 2017 - World War 3 is coming
The
Independent - 3 September 2023 - Russian
Cyber Attacks Relentless as threat of WW3 grows
The
Guardian -
The
Telegraph - 15 April 2024 - Wallace:
West must stand up to Iranian bullies
The
Telegraph - 21st August 2024 - US
prepares for joint Chinese, North Korean & Russian missile strike
The
Times -
The
Washington Post -
Vox
News - 17 March 2022 - Funding
withdrawn for anti-nuclear campaigns despite Ukraine
Wall
Street Journal -
BOOKS
INDEX
Michael
Mathiesen - Cyber
Wars United: We must win world war three - 17 July 2003
James Rosone & Miranda Watson -
Book 1: Prelude to World War III
James Rosone & Miranda Watson -
Book 2: Operation Red Dragon, the Unthinkable
James Rosone & Miranda Watson -
Book 3: Operation Red Dawn and the Siege of Europe
James Rosone & Miranda Watson -
Book 4: Cyber-Warfare and the New World Order
John
Storm addresses the United Nations general assembly
CHAPTERS
| CHARACTERS
| MEDIA
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MOVIE REF |
SCREENPLAYS
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