Silver Screenwriting

For the Silver Screenwriting Competition, we’d like to set out our detailed judging criteria. We have evolved a very rigorous, quantifiable method for judging your scripts:

1^st Cut

As with most screenwriting competitions, such as Austin, Silver Screenwriting readers are required to read to a minimum of at least page 30.

Readers then fill out a brief score card for each script.  Score cards include 5 categories:

PREMISE

NARRATIVE

CHARACTER/DIALOGUE

STRUCTURE

EXECUTION (format, language usage, spelling).

Scores range from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent) in each category.

A minimum score of 19 is required to make it past the first cut.  Scores of 18 or below are eliminated from the competition.

This year we had roughly 200 scripts that made the 1^st cut with scores of 19 or more.

Quarterfinal Round

The scripts that have progressed past the 1^st round are then randomized and redistributed among the readers and they’re given a second score card with the same 5 categories.

The totals from the two score cards are added together, giving us a total score out of 50.  Any score with 41 points or better is published on the SSC website as a quarterfinalist, any with 40 points or less are eliminated from the competition.

This year we had 46 quarterfinalists with 4 that were moved into this round after a debate among the judges.

2^nd Round Judging (semi-finals)

Scores are reset and scripts are randomized and distributed to new readers.

Score cards include 6 categories:

ORIGINALITY OF PREMISE

GENRE EXECUTION

CHARACTER/DIALOGUE

THEME/SUBTEXT

VOICE

Score cards also include a brief summary of the strengths or weakness of the script.

The top scoring 20 scripts (any ties are automatically added to the list) qualify for the next level of judging.

All top 20 scripts and writers are cross checked to ensure eligibility per the Silver Screenwriting rules regarding ownership, earnings, options, etc.  (LINK TO RULES)

Third Round Judging (finalists)

The top 20 are now printed out in hard copy. Notes, comments and questions are made on the pages. Premise and summary notes are written on the title page or back cover.

Judges include Julie Gray and two top industry readers.

This qualifies the top 10 scripts for grand prize judging.

Grand prize winner, 2^nd, 3^rd place

The top 10 scripts are each read by a panel of judges including Julie Gray and two guest judges. For the 2010 competition, an executive from Fuse Entertainment and from The Bedford Falls Company will guest judge.

The grand prize winner, 2^nd and 3^rd place winners are chosen.

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