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Shore Scripts competition - how many participants?

11 months, 4 weeks ago - Alwyne Kennedy

Does anyone know roughly how many entries are received for the annual Shore Scripts 60 minute TV Pilot Episode competition?

I've just heard that I'm a quarter-finalist this year – me and 81 others – but without knowing how many people enter it's a bit meaningless.

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11 months, 4 weeks ago - Patty Papageorgiou

Hi Alwyne, congratulations on your placement! I actually work for Shore as the coverage manager, so don't have all the ins and outs of the contest information, but it looks like we had around 1100 entries this time. I hope that helps - but if you have any questions about this or your previous entry (I noticed your message about not hearing about the last one), do reach out to Sarah at contact@shorescripts.com and she will be able to confirm or clarify anything you need :)

Response from 11 months, 4 weeks ago - Patty Papageorgiou SHOW

11 months, 4 weeks ago - Alwyne Kennedy

Hi Patty, thanks for your response. 1100 is around the number I would have guessed at.

Response from 11 months, 4 weeks ago - Alwyne Kennedy SHOW

11 months, 4 weeks ago - Oren Shafir

I see you already got an answer, but just for your general information, if you click on View Insights for a given competition on Coverfly, they have approximate entry info.

Response from 11 months, 4 weeks ago - Oren Shafir SHOW

11 months, 4 weeks ago - Alwyne Kennedy

Hi Oren. Following your advice, I had a look on Coverfly, but unfortunately it seems there are no Insights available for the Short Scripts competition. Perhaps that is because it is now closed for entries for the season. Had I been in possession of your advice a month back, I think I would have found the information I have been seeking.

Response from 11 months, 4 weeks ago - Alwyne Kennedy SHOW

11 months, 4 weeks ago - Bob Eckhard

Hi Alwyne,
At the risk of kicking over the apple cart, I'm pretty sure that whatever number of applicants there were, the real question is whether it's good value or not? Personally, I think a lot of writers would do better to use their money to create a trailer/teaser that could promote a short that might entice interest and/or funding. Yes, you could win and finance a project but really, how long is that going to take. Moreover how much is it going to cost to make it and if it has legs to make it in an over extended market. Personally, I would rather write and film a low budget feature as a stepping stone into the industry. All the best, Bob

Response from 11 months, 4 weeks ago - Bob Eckhard SHOW

11 months, 4 weeks ago - Alwyne Kennedy

Hi Bob,

If I opted to shoot some kind of trailer/teaser, I would spend more money on one day's van rental for my kit then I would on entering a competition. The last time I embarked on shooting a taster video for a multi-series project I ended up spending (wasting) £16,000. So I'm steering clear of that vast money pit in future.

My pilot is the first episode of a multipart series that would require Netflix level money to produce. By entering a noted competition the hope is to garner industry interest, not to fund, with the prize money, the shooting of the series. Even if I won first prize in the competition (which I won't – the pilot is currently flawed), the prize money would not likely cover more than an hour's serious filming, never mind pre and postproduction costs. Filming the series would take months, I would estimate. The Queen's Gambit had 80 days of shooting, and I can't see my one being wrapped in anything less.

Response from 11 months, 4 weeks ago - Alwyne Kennedy SHOW