ScriptCrawler Coverage is an affordable alternative to most coverage services. ScriptCrawler is not run by a large corporate entity: instead, the gap between you and your analyst is narrowed, providing a more personal development process.

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As a special offer for SimplyScripts visitors, you can get 5% off all purchases using the coupon code simplyscripts38902. There is no use limit on the coupon code, so you can use it over and over again. – Don

MoviePoet.com announces the winners of the February 2010 short script competition. “Ace, Baby, Honey, Jack, & Spike”. Writers had to use one of these words in your Title, another as a Location, another as a Character, another in Dialogue, and lastly, another in the Action.

“Ace of Spades” by Matias Caruso ~ First Place
A croupier makes a bet with Death herself in order to save his lover’s life.

“My Last Ace” by JeanPierre Chapoteau ~ Second Place
A boy evaluates his own existence in a post apocalyptic world while he attempts to hold on to his friends and morality.

“Aces and Eights” by Scott Merrow ~ Third Place
During the Great Depression, with prohibition still the law of the land, “Honey” Baer and his dim-witted friend Jack try to make some money operating a still in Honey’s basement. Their enterprise seems to be working fine…until Jack finds a baseball.

Each month, Movie Poet runs a free online five page screenplay contest. On the first of each month a new contest is announced. During that month, you can enter your script. During the next month, you can read, vote, and comment on all the entries. Finally, during the third month, the results are announced.

Head on over to Movie Poet and give it a go. – Don

Thanks to Kathryn, my new best friend*, for the heads up on the fast approaching deadline for the 2010 BlueCat Screenplay Competition.

Reminder that the late deadline for the 2010 BlueCat Screenplay Competition, where every screenplay receives written script analysis, is coming up on April 1st (no joke!).

This year, BlueCat has created two new awards for international screenwriters, expanded early analysis deadlines and for fun, decided to have a best title contest to further support and find the new writer.

PRIZES

Winner receives $10,000

Four Finalists receive $1,500 each.

NEW! The best screenplay outside the USA, Canada and the UK will be awarded the Joplin Award and receive $2500.

COMPETITION DEADLINE

Late: April 1 ($60 entry fee)

Any screenplay submitted early and having received our early analysis can be resubmitted by April 1, 2010 for the reduced fee of $35.

SUBMIT YOUR SCREENPLAY: www.bluecatscreenplay.com

On another note:

*True Story: I’m taking a Human Factors usability course. At the beginning of class, each student was asked to introduce themselves and tell the class one interesting or unusual thing about themselves. I mentioned that I run a “fairly popular” screenwriting resource site. Kathryn, who sits two rows behind me asked, “Is it, by any chance, ‘SimplyScripts’?”

Totally made my day. – Don

Mike Shelton hosts the SimplyScripts Radio Ron Osborn Edition

Rated PG-13 for language and references to “The Jerk”.

The guest this episode is Emmy, Cable Aces and WGA nominated writer/producer Ron Osborn. Ron has writing credits from shows such as Mork & Mindy, Moonlighting and The West Wing with his writing partner Jeff Reno. His writing credits also include Meet Joe Black and Radioland Murders. He has recently optioned his screenplay, ECHO. He also teaches screenwriting at Art Center/College of Design.

In this episode Ron talks about his career, how he got into the biz, the value of the writing team and what happened with “Radioland Murders”.

Our panel consists of George Willson, Phil Clarke Jr, Jeff Bush and Pia.

SimplyScripts Radio is produced by Michael Cornetto and hosted by Mike Shelton.

Music provided by Incompetech.com.

Interested in joining the panel? Send an email to radiosimply (at) gmail.com

Best Original Screenplay Winner is:
The Hurt Locker – June 7, 2007 shooting draft script by Mark Boal – hosted by: The Hurt Locker Official Site – in pdf format

An intense portrayal of elite soldiers who have one of the most dangerous jobs in the world: disarming bombs in the heat of combat. When a new sergeant, James, takes over a highly trained bomb disposal team amidst violent conflict, he surprises his two subordinates, Sanborn and Eldridge, by recklessly plunging them into a deadly game of urban combat. James behaves as if he’s indifferent to death. As the men struggle to control their wild new leader, the city explodes into chaos, and James’ true character reveals itself in a way that will change each man forever.

Information courtesy of imdb.com

Oscar-winning screenwriters, Hollywood Agents, Studios, Producers, A-List Casting Directors, Top Casting Agencies, and A-List Actors are just a taste of the multitude of Hollywood professionals and insiders who will be at the NCS – Screenwriters, Filmmakers, and Actors Expo this March 26, 27, 28, 2010 at the Silverado Resort in Napa, CA.

Friday and Saturday will be presentations and workshops with top industry professionals. Sunday will be a “Pitch-Fest”. Actors can have their headshots reviewed by top Casting Agencies and Hollywood Casting Directors. Screenwriters can pitch screenplays to Hollywood Studios, Agents, and Producers.
For tickets, visit: ncsexpo.com. For a $100 discount, anyone interested should enter SIMPLY at checkout.

Mike Shelton hosts the SimplyScripts Radio Cold and Flu Edition.

Podcast rated R for “F” bombs, Cheeseheads and Boobs.

In this episode, the panel of Pia, Sean, Michael and Mike dig into the SimplyScript Radio mail bag.

The panel also discusses:

Dialogue – How do the writers on the panel ensure their characters have separate voices? Not necessarily different dialects but separate people. One of my biggest frustrations is having fellow writers suggesting my characters sound alike. Any recommendations on reading or writing exercises?

Up The Stakes – How do you recommend checking your script for enough action or twists? Any tricks or tips?

Loglines – Tricks and tips.

SimplyScripts Radio is produced by Michael Cornetto and hosted by Mike Shelton.

Music provided by Incompetech.com.

Interested in joining the panel? Send an email to radiosimply (at) gmail.com

Mike Shelton hosts the SimplyScripts Radio – Squirt Edition.

Pocast rated R for use of the ‘F’ bomb and phlegm

Tyler Higgins joins tonight to discuss his web series Squirt about Dan who is quite abruptly endowed with the power to squirt a jet of water from his index finger.

You can watch the first episode below. You can also read a draft of the first episode on the discussion board here.

Tyler is joined by Pia, Michael Cornetto, James and Phil

They all discuss their love of Mystery Man on Film

James talks writing features and the past 7 Week Challenge

Phil talks about his feature Bad Penquin.

Pia talks writing a reality series.

Watch Squirt: Too Much Citrus

Too Much Citrus
by higgonaitor

Give a shoutout to Tyler about his short here.

SimplyScripts Radio is produced by Michael Cornetto and hosted by Mike Shelton.

Music provided by Incompetech.com.

Interested in joining the panel? Send an email to radiosimply (at) gmail.com

Mike Shelton hosts the New Year’s Day edition of the SimplyScripts Radio podcast.

Rated R for language

James McClung is on to discuss the filming of his script Abattoir and his current project.

James also discusses some of his other work Black Market and Tis The Season and his foray into Romantic Comedy.

George Willson (author of the recently released novel The Fempiror Chronicles: The Initiation of David) talks basic scene construction.

Sean Elwood (Zombie Sean) talks about his favorite Zombie scripts, Robert Skotte’s unproduced The Bay and Phil Clarke’s Not Even Death which has recently been filmed, the trailer of which you can catch here.

Pia talks about writing under a deadline, à propos of the recent 7 Week Challenge.

SimplyScripts Radio is produced by Michael Cornetto and hosted by Mike Shelton.

Music provided by Incompetech.com.

Interested in joining the panel? Send an email to radiosimply (at) gmail.com