Frequently Asked Questions about The Cowrite Screenwriting Contest

What is community-sourced? Community-sourced means the resources to create and build a project are provided by a large group of people, a community, as opposed to one person or a select few. Cowrite is calling on the community of aspiring writers to help write the Cowrite screenplay.

Who is Benderspink? Benderspink is a diversified management/production company specializing in initiating and managing the careers of writers, directors & actors as well as producing film and television projects. (Credits include: A History of Violence, Just Friends and The Butterfly Effect.)

How does the Cowrite contest work again? Starting from page one, Cowrite is developing a spec (done on a speculative basis) community-sourced screenplay with the goal of selling it. Every other week the best ten-page script entry selected by the Cowrite judges will be added to the developing story and posted on the website. This process of adding 10 biweekly script pages will continue until the script is completed.

Since there are 11 total entry periods, there will be 11 total winners. Each winner will receive money, prizes, a pitch session with Benderspink and a chance to win the Grand Prize - a $5000 paid rewrite of the entire script.

When the rewrite is complete, Cowrite will attempt to sell the community-sourced screenplay and get the movie made. All contributing writers will receive a share of the script sale as well. Per their rules, screen credit will have to be decided by the WGA.

Is this contest open to non-US residents? Yes. We accept entries from every country and territory in the world.

How does the script/story start? That's up to you. We will post the logline (story premise) and some general story suggestions in the Producer's Blog and then select the best first ten pages to kick off the script. Those ten pages will then be posted on The Story page on the website. The next ten pages you submit should build on the first winning ten pages.

How are the best 10 pages selected? Who are the judges? All submissions will be read and graded by current or former associates of major movie studios, talent agencies and/or management/production companies. Winners will be chosen based on the quality of the writing and the direction the submission takes the story. In the end, the submission that best advances the story and keeps readers wondering "what happens next?" will win out.

How soon will each winner get paid? Within two weeks. Once all personal information is verified, each biweekly winner will be sent a check within 2 weeks of his/her pages being posted on the website. That's quick cash! Prizes will be mailed separately, but also in a timely fashion.

Who selects which winner will complete the rewrite? Benderspink will choose the writer to perform the rewrite based on who they think can best improve the script and prepare it for a potential sale.

Will the judges know whose submission they are reading? No. All submissions are received anonymously and assigned a random number. (please do not include any identifying information on your submission)

Do I have to follow the producer's or pro's suggestions for the direction of the story or can I write what I want? You can write whatever you want. The blogs are there merely as a guide. The most well written and interesting submissions will win out regardless of whether they follow the producer's or pro's suggestions.

Can I create new characters or change character's names for my submission? Can I change settings? Or do I have to stick to the story? You may introduce new characters into the story at any time, but for continuity's sake, you must keep the established characters' names the same just like you would with your own story. You can change settings or locales or any other elements of the story as much as you want. The overall goal is to create a compelling story so use that as your measuring stick.

How will I know you received my submission? After uploading successfully you will see a confirmation that says your document has been uploaded. You will also receive a confirmation email.

When will each new winning 10 pages be posted? The winning pages will be posted the Monday after each week's final deadline.

How long do I have to write the next ten pages? You will have a week or a week and a half if you enter under the extended deadline.

Do I have to read all the previous winning submissions in order to submit for the upcoming entry period? You don't have to, but it would definitely help. There will be an ongoing synopsis of the story if you don't want to read the script pages. Also, you can listen to a professional reading of the script if you prefer that.

How will I know what story and plot elements to include in my ten pages? The Producer's blog will offer helpful tips and suggestions for what we're looking for in the next 10 pages. Other than that, whatever you feel is most interesting.

What if I want to submit all 11 times? You may do so, and at a discount! You can receive a discount by paying only $40 for 5 submissions or $75 for 11 submissions.

Can I submit multiple submissions for each submission period? Yes, as many as you'd like. Each submission must be accompanied by an entry fee.

Why do you only accept electronic submissions? In an effort to be "green," Cowrite's goal is operate a completely paperless operation.

What form of payment do you accept? Cowrite accepts all major credit cards on the site as well as paypal.

I'm under 18, am I still eligible? Yes, with a parent's permision.

If I am a winner, what will my meeting with Benderspink consist of? You will be able to meet with or, if outside Los Angeles, speak on the phone with a manager at Benderspink. You can tell them about yourself and pitch them the concepts for some of your scripts or script ideas. It's your opportunity to sell yourself and/or your work for possible representation.

Is Benderspink definitely gonna produce or try to sell the script? No, not definitely. Like any script they receive, Benderspink will evaluate the final script and decide how to proceed.

Who is "the producer" in the producer's blog? Todd Soffian, an aspiring writer himself and the creator of Cowrite, is serving as the producer. Todd has worked in the entertainment industry as an agent's assistant, a production assistant and a script reader for Universal Pictures.

How do I submit to Cowrite? Please click here to submit.

How many times can I win? Each writer can win a maximum of 3 separate times and have 3 of his submissions included in the script.

Can I submit with a partner? Yes, Cowrite will accept submissions written by two authors, but no more than that. The writing partners will have to share the prize money.

Can WGA members submit? No. Sorry. Only non-WGA members can submit to the contest.

Do I need a title page with my submission? No, a title page is not required or necessary.

Do the submissions have to be in English? Yes, only submissions written in English will be considered.

What form of submissions will you accept? Submissions must be made online in Final Draft, Microsoft Word/Works, Wordperfect or as a PDF. PDF is the desired submission form.

When will the winners be notified? Each submission period's winner will be notified the Sunday night before their winning pages are posted. If we are not able to get in touch, he/she/they will be notified along with everyone else, when their pages are posted on Monday.

Do winning writer's have any say in how the script develops/where it goes from there? Yes. Each winner will be interviewed and asked where he/she sees the story going. The interviews will be posted on the weekly winner's page.

If I win, do I get paid as an independent contractor? Yes. You will be paid as an independent contractor and will be responsible for paying your own taxes.

Do the submissions have to be exactly ten pages? How long or short? The submissions do not have to be 10 pages exactly. All submissions must be 10-15 pages. Any shorter or longer submissions will not be considered.

Can my 10 pages include nudity/curses? Yes. However, please make sure that any such inclusions advance the story in a positive way.

Can I slander a company or person in my submission? No. Submissions that do so will not be considered.

Can Cowrite change/alter my work in any way? Only if you win. Since Cowrite owns the winning material we will have the ability to make some edits if necessary. However, it is in our best interest to keep your submission as is and will make every effort to do so. Remember, the end goal is to sell the script, so we will use that as our measuring stick.

Will I become a WGA member if am a Cowrite winner? No. Simply becoming one of the Cowrite winners will not make you eligible to be a WGA member.

Will I become a WGA member if I win and the script sells? Possibly. The WGA will make the final determination on that.

Who owns the rights to the Cowrite screenplay? Cowrite LLC will own the rights to all winning submissions and the finished screenplay. Cowrite will need the rights to be able to sell the script when it is complete.

If I submit a scene that wins may I still use that particular or a similar scene in one of my own scripts? Yes, but you should be aware of copyright infringement laws. If you are unsure, it would be best to seek authorization from Cowrite.

Will you post the final rewritten script? Yes. Both the first draft and a rewritten version will be posted on the site at some point.

How do we know someone isn't going to steal the idea for the Cowrite script and sell it themselves at some point? Cowrite will be copyrighting and registering the script at the appropriate intervals to make sure we are the registered and protected owners of the material.

What happens if I become a WGA member after I've won one week? That would be great. Unfortunately, due to WGA regulations that would disqualify you from being chosen to do the paid rewrite though. You would still, of course, keep your original prize money.

What happens if the writer chosen to rewrite the script completely changes or deletes my ideas or scenes? The rewrite process is in place to give the script the best possible chance at a sale. If Cowrite determines scenes, characters, dialogue, settings etc. need to be altered to give the script the best possible chance at a sale then it will have to do so, however your interest in the Cowrite screenplay remains in tact.

What happens if my 10 pages do not win, but a submission with a similar scene(s) wins? Unfortunately only the winning writing will receive credit and the prize. However, you will know you are on the right track with your writing if one of the winning writers has scenes, plot elements or dialogue similar to yours.

Will I get to read some of the other people's submissions? Yes. Every paid entrant for each submission period will be able to read a selection of submissions for that entry period.

What happens to the losing ten page submissions? Who owns the rights to them? You do. Cowrite only acquires the rights to the winning submissions.

What happens if the script sells? What happens if it doesn't sell? If the script sells we will party like it's 1999. All winning writers will also receive a share of the script sale minus 10% which will go to Cowrite and any additional agent/mgr/legal/ fees, etc. If the script doesn't sell, like any determined writer, it's on to the next community-sourced script for Cowrite.

What happens if the script gets made into a movie? Then we will have achieved our goal for the first Cowrite contest. Woo Hoo! That would be fantastic and prove how much undiscovered talent there still is.

How will we be updated as to what is going on with the script, where it's being sent, if it's sold, getting meetings, etc? We will post updates on the site each step of the way. We're all in this together, so we will keep you informed.

What happens if a buyer wants to purchase the script before it is finished? That would also be exciting. Cowrite will entertain any offers and choose what is in the best interest of the community-sourced screenplay.

Why will a community-sourced screenplay work? Because we believe there is great talent outside of Hollywood and we believe that open source, peer production and community-sourced products are the wave of the future. Two heads are better than one and we think 11 heads can be better than one as well.

More Questions? Please contact the Cowrite Screenwriting Contest at info@cowritescript.com