ASK & DISCUSS
INDEXJameson First Shot Q&A
9 years, 11 months ago - cath le couteur
At the last Shooters in the Pub in London, we partnered with Jameson First Shot - a film competition that I’ve written more about here: http://bit.ly/CathBlog.
We got behind the competition last year too. It’s not that often you get a chance to write a 7min script and have A-list talent take on your leading role. No less get given decent budget to direct your film in LA, and have it also produced by Kevin Spacey and Dana Brunetti.
THIS YEAR: Maggie Gyllenhall will be in the three winning films. And THIS YEAR, Jameson have also agreed to automatically include a UK winner in the 20 finalists that go to judges. It’s with this in mind, that we want UK’ers to be in the best position to not just be finalists (there could be many of you), but to WIN one of the three winning scripts selected.
AND SO. With the help of Jameson and David Kapur from Ourscreen, we’re including a bunch of answers to key questions that have come in from SP’ers.
One key thing to note: Last years winner was a writer with very little directing experience at all. Writers this is also for you! Actors, Producers too! It’s for anyone with a great idea for a 7min script who’d like the chance to also direct with the best support around you.
Other key links:
Jameson FAQS http://bit.ly/JamesonFS
SP Christmas Party http://bit.ly/SPXmasParty
Here are answers to key qns from the night. If you have any others, pls let us know.
Chrs
Cath
SP
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9 years, 11 months ago - Shooting People
Can you please absolutely ask them to add Switzerland to their list of allowed current locations? The reason I’m here is that I can’t afford to travel to the UK. It doesn’t make much sense to screen the screenplays on that basis.
9 years, 11 months ago - Jameson First Shot
If you are a UK citizen and have a UK address then you will be able to enter the competition and you just have to indicate your UK address when entering. You will have to find somebody in the UK to enter the script for you though, as you won’t be able to access the enter section from Switzerland. If you don’t have a UK address and are not a UK citizen, sorry but you won’t be able to enter the competition.
9 years, 11 months ago - Shooting People
Is there a brief?
9 years, 11 months ago - Jameson First Shot
YES! “the great and/or unexpected things that can happen when you fear less and invite life in.”
9 years, 11 months ago - Shooting People
Does the script need to be set in LA?
9 years, 11 months ago - Jameson First Shot
No! We recommend you look at previous winning films. Production will be set in LA, but the story can be based anywhere else. You just have to keep in mind that if the location in the script is very exotic or very different, it might be too difficult to recreate. Ie if the story is based in Greenland and we are filming in the heat of LA, it might not be realistic!
9 years, 11 months ago - Shooting People
What if I'm a writer and not a director. Can I still submit?
9 years, 11 months ago - Jameson First Shot
This is possible but you will have to direct it. So, yes is the answer! It’s possible! One of last year’s winner was a writer and barely had any directing experience but you just have to keep in mind that if shortlisted, you will have to submit additional material including a director’s treatment of their script and a small piece to camera.
9 years, 11 months ago - Shooting People
Are scripts requiring costly FX something you will consider?
9 years, 11 months ago - Jameson First Shot
Not really. We are more interested in the art of storytelling, so keep the CGI to a minimum.
9 years, 11 months ago - Shooting People
Do you have any preference for some genres over others?
9 years, 11 months ago - Jameson First Shot
No! As long as what’s submitted takes into consideration the brief “the great and/or unexpected things that can happen when you fear less and invite life in.”
9 years, 11 months ago - Shooting People
Will you accept hybrid live action/animation scripts?
9 years, 11 months ago - Jameson First Shot
There is nothing that says we can’t! But if you have watched previous winners, you will quickly figure out, it’s not the style we would typically go for. But nothing says that it’s not allowed so it is ok to enter those scripts.
9 years, 11 months ago - Shooting People
Do I have to have seven cast members?
9 years, 11 months ago - Jameson First Shot
No. Your script should just have no more than seven cast members, including a key role for Maggie Gyllenhaal.
9 years, 11 months ago - Jameson First Shot
It’s a 7 pages script but it doesn’t mean that it has to be 7 mins, it can be anything between 5 and 15 mins.
9 years, 11 months ago - Jameson First Shot
The initial script can be ambitious and it can be scaled back in production. Do please read carefully the FAQ section on the website
9 years, 11 months ago - Shooting People
Does the script need to be pretty exactly 7mins/7 pages?
9 years, 11 months ago - Shooting People
Is there a preference for films with just a few characters? How ambitious can the script be?
9 years, 10 months ago - Jonny Gleeson
So to be clear, as long as it's seven pages, it can be up to 15 mins long, not seven minutes long stated in the initial brief? Sorry to need an over state!!
9 years, 10 months ago - Matt Turner
Hi Jonathan. Yes the limitation is on the script length, not the length of the film.