Where have all the financial incentives gone?

So I noticed Amazon stopped giving prizes for best script, storyboards, etc. What happened, they did that at the inception to make themselves more attractive to the novice screenwriters? It seems to me all that was done just to get you interested. Was this by design?

I think because Amazon Studios has gotten down to business (development side of things), and that they now have a "back door" per-ce for the WGA writers, we'll probably see less new contests as time progresses.

Personally, I think it's worth $10 grand (as a contest) for Amazon to get outside ideas from consumers/writers/artists on the various projects Amazon is interested in developing.

1- It was a hook for the first year.

2- They are finding more efficient and cost-effective ways to do whatever they are doing.

3- Some contests or incentives may come back at some point.

4- The concept of "test movie", which was the central focus, probably had disastrous results. I like the concept of previsualization, especially from the director's point of view, but what was done here was something else, more akin to motion comics and cartoons (which is a route they are following now).

I was never sold to the concept of "test movie" but decided to gamble everything in doing one myself because of 2 things: 1) Those $100,000 checks, and 2) I used the opportunity to express my vision as a filmmaker. But had I knew that test movies would be completely out in 2012, I wouldn't have done it. Half a year later I still haven't recovered financially.

Currently I think that the notion that in 45 days you know if you get optioned or not, and that the submission can be private, is much more enticing than those $20,000 prizes and the 18-month free option.

I absolutely concur… the direction of development is certainly a good one. You gentlemen seem very intuitive, and right on the mark.

Johnny Luckett

I think it is kinda sad that AS is not doing putting out any opportunities right now. I liked pitching in on the rewrite opportunities and such. I am happy though that some projects finally are headed for actual development!

i sent them a suggestion:

open opportunities:
instead of them selecting which projects are up for rewrite opportunities...
allow people to "select" from their development slate which project speaks to them and send in a proposal for their idea for a rewrite. someone might have a killer idea.

Excellent idea, Lisa. That concept might apply even better to the notable projects, because those still need a rewrite anyways to make them development slate material.

Lisa's right - I haven't posted anything yet for various reasons, but I'd definitely be psyched if AS made an open pitch policy.

I think that's the perfect utilization of the "Consider List / Notable Projects" area. It would open up the creative playing field, and very importantly to the people running things here, it'd cost Amazon Studios nothing to extend such an opportunity. Of course, if they saw an idea they liked, they could hire you under contract (and YOU, being the smart writer you are, could push for WGA / "as if" terms!), at which point it WOULD cost them a little, and you could crank out a shiny new script.

"I like the concept of previsualization, especially from the director's point of view"

exactly...an online studio has two advantages (1) public feedback, notes, and polishing of basic ideas/scripts, and, (2) creating professional material for use either as previz or in the final film itself (special effects, research, sound design, 3D models, concept art, background mattes, etc.)

top professional talent is required for either to be successful...scripts and ideas must be worth polishing, professional artists must be solicited to help their realization

none of this works if everyone in this crowd is a novice, no matter how many test movies are made, whatever the quantity of notes given, previz scribbled and so on...nothing significant will happen - without talent

once there is talent a virtuous circle will begin: more talent will be attracted, reputations will improve, amateurs will learn, talent will teach, camaraderie will build, projects will improve, amateurs will become professionals, amazon will be a phenomenon

read the posts on donedeal.com...they are qualitatively a different breed...professional, informed, intelligent, positive, helpful, instructive, genuinely useful...the type of people who should be here

So, how to attract talent? First, have smart, tech savvy, hip producers. Amazon has that. Second, show talent projects can be completed quickly, with quality - Amazon is pretty cool, this studio has stumbled in a bold new vision but someone in charge knows to fail often and fast. They are humble and wise enough evolve, and have. That in itself should give us hope.

Third, Amazon needs to pay highend 'news making' rates for talent. The "scamazon" stigma needs to be buried decisively, ended, without question. There are unique ideas, creative visions, which cannot themselves even survive without cash. Talent is attracted by raw cash.

A virtuous circle starts by paying one person a lot of money. That's hard for amateurs and producers to admit, but, to get original unique ideas to begin the whole process, professional WGA compensation needs to be offered to everyone.

Amazon is learning the hard way - but quickly - that "you get what you pay for". We will all benefit when talented writers - who may not yet be WGA members - are offered respectful professional terms for their new, fresh, novel ideas.

Why are there two tracks anyway?? If a person were searching for smart new unique ideas - black swans - wouldn't it be assumed they are not all WGA writers? Couldn't Amazon generate a lot of free cool positive press and reputation by championing non-WGA writers? And thus attract even more talent? For example, wouldn't producers prefer to work with talent smart enough to avoid handing over their tv serials for only 55k and no residuals?? what kind of amateurish dummies do they expect to find with such terms?? wouldn't you, if you were a producer, dread even calling such a desperate hopeless urchin? (LOL...just kidding : )

But really, why not offer WGA minimums to everyone, see what happens? Talent will show up, reputations will shine, news will be made...and it costs nothing. Still just a 10k option, if that. Think of it as a free business experiment.
___

"and YOU, being the smart writer you are, could push for WGA / "as if" terms"

how would a person "push" for such terms? call the PPC by phone? (what is the point of an agent in such a case? ; )

they gave out $1 million to an amateur test filmmaker earlier this year. and $100,000 to a script that they won't even produce. they hardly publicized any of that. if it was spread all over the industry tabloids, then the out of work pro's would have stepped up. and who's to say they haven't? now that you can submit privately we'll never know.

1. 18 months was too long of a free option.
2. The public option for life is a suckers game.
3. The private option allows them to access your ideas as anything they develop
in the future ( premise wars).
4. I would be mad since I wrote all these free mini bibles, treatments, etc. ( scripts old) but
it did put me back into the concept if pitching. Script expo2 it ain't.
5. If it works for you great but me after the fist rejection it felt like my first pitch to the agency writers and artists. Their are better options in Nola and calabras.

To answer some questions go here contests may cone back.
http://thebitterscriptreader.blogspot.com/2012/04/auditorz-of-amazon-weigh-in-on-amazon.html?m=1

Thanks, Darrell. That's a good summary of the current situation.