Judging for StoryPros’s 16th Annual International Screenplay Contest is underway and my latest screenplay, A PROMISE I MADE TO MR. BAGELS made the first round of cuts and is officially a Quarter-finalist. Above is a sampling of some of the screenplays that made the first round.
Shia LaBeouf
If you look carefully at the name below mine, you might recognize the writer. He’s an actor. His name is Shia Labeouf (his last name is spelt incorrectly in the contest listing). Shia has been writing for the last few years and I have seen his name pop up in several screenplay contests. One of his scripts called HONEY BOY won a contest and placed in many others. The film of Honey Boy was made in 2019 and received glowing reviews. Many critics and writers online have criticized Shia for entering screenwriting contests and for contests accepting him as an entry. In fact, one contest I entered last year called Finish Line Screenplay Competition, rejected Shia’s screenplay. You can read all about it HERE.
Screenwriting contests are primarily for writers trying to catch a break and option a script or get representation. If you look at Shia’s IMDB page, you will find he has quite a successful career as an actor and certainly has representation in Hollywood. I don’t really have an opinion about this and have no control how screenplay contests are run. As well, don’t assume actors can write. Most people can’t. Shia happens to be one who can.
My hope is when the next round of cuts are announced for StoryPros, I will see my screenplay listed as a Semi-finalists. A Promise I Made to Mr. Bagels has received mixed reaction. It’s one of those scripts you either like and get or it does nothing for you. This past summer the script took TOP PRIZE and won the Wiki Screenplay Contest. I wrote about it in my blog Bagels Wins Wiki. That was a boost of confidence because it meant someone out there thought it was a worthy script. Last month, that same script did not make the first cut of Shore Scripts Contest. It’s head-scratcher. How can Bagels win one contest and not even make the first round of another.
Opinions are varied and for a writer it’s frustrating to know how to proceed. As an example, take a look at two opinions below from critiques I got for A Promise I Made to Mr. Bagels regarding the “tone” of the script. Both reviewers read the SAME script. The first critique is from Wiki, the contest I won first prize. The second is from BlueCat Screeplay Contest, a contest who posts results in February. They were less than thrilled about the script’s tone.
The tone is natural throughout and the language of the writing is consistent with each moment. There’s a psychological horror tone to the script as well that respectfully explores the deterioration of mental health and indirectly stresses the importance of maintaining healthy relationships with those around you. Elvis’ life is not only pulled apart by what’s going on inside him, but also by the situations that surround him.
While there is a whimsical tint to this story and humorous aspects throughout many scenes, this script does not entirely convey a clear sense of tone. There could be a more seamless transition between the moments of humor and darker themes interspersed throughout. Mr. Bagels’ continuous appearance in real time throughout this script is part of what makes the tone of this story a bit confusing.
Could both opinions be right? I suppose. I try not to get too discouraged as to what direction to take. You have to, in the end, go with your gut and make the changes you feel would strengthen your script. I’m going through this right now with a re-write of my script BREAK AWAY. To sum up today’s thoughts, I found this awesome quote by writer Thomas Mann. Until next time…
Rome, I love that you’re making transparent the process of receiving feedback and how widely varied it can be. Also I love your confidence as a writer in that you don’t feel (Idon’t think) that Shia Leboeuf has any advantage over you just because he might have connections in Hollywood when you enter a contest. The writing has to speak for itself and you can’t be all things to all people. But having made some movies doesn’t mean you’re naturally going to write good scripts. I guess what I’m saying here, Rome, is: you’re a pro!
Romeo, as I’ve discovered over the years, opinions about our writing vary substantially and are subjective based on the reviewer’s values, morals, political views, etc. I think you’re right to go by your gut–make the changes you need to make but never compromise on the GMC of your characters. You must be true to the story you want to write and not anyone else’s. Trust God to bring your story to light through the right person who appreciates the writer that you are.