From Amazon Studios: A Bonus Script Contest Plus a Q and A with the Studio Chief

Amazon Studios today announced a bonus contest: $20,000 for each of the top two scripts uploaded by Dec. 31. Winners will be announced in January. If you've already uploaded an eligible script, you're already entered in this contest as well as future contests.

We did a blog post about it, which you can find here: http://www.armchaircommentary.com/2010/12/amazon-studios-a-bonus-script-contest-plus-a-q-and-a-with-the-studio-chief.html

We've also included the Q and A with Roy Price below:

Question: Why are you doing a Bonus Contest?
Roy: Due to the overwhelming response! More than 1,300 projects have been uploaded to Amazon Studios and we want to reward the people who have embraced the opportunity to win money, get noticed and get their movie made.

Question: How does someone enter?
Roy: If you’ve already uploaded an eligible script to Amazon Studios, then you’re automatically entered in the bonus contest already, as well as upcoming monthly contests and our Annual Awards. If you haven’t uploaded yet, then upload a script between 85 and 160 pages by December 31. There is no entry fee.

Question: Why aren’t you doing a bonus contest for test movies?
Roy: The first wave of response has been mostly scripts, and that’s why the bonus contest is focused on scripts. We’re excited to see the test movies people create based on scripts uploaded to Amazon Studios, but that takes time.

Question: Who decides the winners and how? Does the public play a part?
Roy: Amazon Studios contest winners are decided by a panel of industry experts and Amazon Studios representatives. Site popularity, reviews and feedback can help bring attention to a great script, and can help writers improve their work; however, the public does not directly determine winners.

Question: What would you say to someone who is on the fence about submitting a script (or test movie) to Amazon Studios?
Roy: Amazon Studios is about opportunity. If you’ve got a great idea for a movie, you can put it in front of a potential audience in the early stages and get feedback that can help you make it even better. You might even meet someone to collaborate with on a new draft, or a test movie. Keep in mind, Amazon Studios is a process. We expect that you will get some suggestions, perhaps see an experimental film or two made from your script and then have the opportunity to tweak your script before the process runs its course. So even though we’re very excited about the new contests, keep in mind that the Amazon Studios process is not about just one month or one contest.

This is great, there's been a lot of back and forth negative talks about the whole processed since launch, mainly from writers who are already in the industry, and a lot have made some valid concerns but the majority I feel do feel threaten. This is a great opportunity, judging from the more then a thousand submissions, writers are very excited about this opportunity as I am.

This bonus contest is sweet, can't wait to start seeing the execution of this whole process, especially how exactly will the scripts be judge and chosen. Best wishes to everyone.

Good idea to offer a reward to people who decided to dive into this process early. I just put up my two scripts yesterday, Black's Law (comedy) and Identity Theft (action/thriller). I welcome anybody here to give me feedback or even try your hand at a revision.

Thanks,

Robert

Well, put the fire under my butt whydontcha??? Sheesh. Might not make December. Definitely will make January.

Way to go, Amazon!

This is the kind of consideration and support I expect from a partner - great way to demonstrate your commitment to your writers.

Thank you!

Richard

WTG!!! Working on rewriting my entry now. Hope the judges don't get started until January...

To Amazon,
I am confident in my latest script (currently polishing) so a question comes to mind.

So it’s January and I’ve just found out I won the bonus contest and put $20,000 into my pocket (before the IRS gets their share). What happens to my script at this point? Does it remain in the mix for the next contest? Does it get a look by Warner Bros.?