Screenwriting Blog
Posted on by Courtney Meznarich

Enter to Win SoCreate’s Screenwriter Stimulus!

This contest is closed for entries as of October 9, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. PST. Semi-finalists will be announced Friday, October 16, 2020 and a winner will be announced November 20, 2020.

For many writers, times are tough. But instead of focusing on what you've lost, we want you to find hope. The world needs your story now more than ever, and we're willing to pay you to tell it. Are you stuck at home? Are you stressed about money? Are you finding it hard to be productive? Let's flip the script.

We're choosing one deserving writer to win $4,000. The catch? You must write a screenplay in one month. You'll emerge from 2020 $4,000 and one screenplay richer. The script belongs to you, and the screenwriting community will hold you accountable throughout the process because you'll be giving them weekly vlog updates on your progress. 

Think you've got what it takes? Entering is quick and easy.

Enter your full name and email address, and in one sentence, tell us why you deserve to win SoCreate’s Screenwriter Stimulus. Then, follow the instructions to earn bonus entries. More bonus entries means a better chance at being randomly selected to our top 100.

From there, our team will choose 25 of our favorite entries. Those 25 writers will be required to submit a 45-second video explaining why they should win (this video will be shared to our social media and website), 10-15 page screenwriting sample, a cover letter, and a letter of recommendation. We'll name our winner on November 20, and the writing period begins on December 1 and ends December 30.

If you've been waiting for a kick in the pants to get something done during this crazy time, this is it!

Time to turn the page, screenwriter. Let's do this. Enter above now!

What's in it for you?

  • $4,000 from SoCreate, paid out in weekly installments of $1,000 upon weekly receipt of 20-30 pages of your script.

  • Less stress about paying bills and something positive and productive in which to direct your focus.

  • Accountability. You'll check in via vlog posts twice a week to tell the writing community how your screenplay is coming along.

  • Exposure for yourself and your finished screenplay on our website and social channels.

What's in it for us?

  • We're excited to connect with writers like YOU, and we genuinely do get joy out of supporting writers however we're able. This contest gives us the opportunity to continue spreading the word about SoCreate in a fun and new way! As we get closer to the SoCreate Screenwriting Software launch, we're trying to get in front of as many writers as possible to show writers that we are here to support them and provide them with software that fits their needs. Your weekly check-ins will also give other screenwriters a unique perspective on what the screenwriting process looks and feels like!

How to Enter

DEADLINE EXTENDED! By October 9, 11:59 p.m. PST, register your full name and email address, and in one sentence, tell SoCreate why you deserve to win SoCreate's Screenwriter Stimulus.

*SoCreate will add all registrants to our Private Beta List for the earliest possible access to SoCreate Screenwriting Software, and you’ll be automatically subscribed to our newsletter.*

We'll pull 100 entries randomly, then manually narrow down the field to 25 of our favorite contestants October 16. The top 25 contestants will be notified and asked to submit a 45-second video clip describing why they should win (which will be shared to SoCreate social channels), a screenwriting sample, a cover letter, and a letter of recommendation by October 30. One winner will be chosen and announced on November 20!

Good luck, screenwriters. Let's do this!

Rules & Regulations:

  • Sweepstakes

    In one sentence, tell SoCreate why you deserve to win the SoCreate Screenwriter Stimulus. The top 25 semi-finalists will also be asked to submit a cover letter, letter of recommendation, and screenwriting sample.

  • Submission Period

    All entries must be submitted electronically through the official SoCreate Screenwriter Stimulus page. Entries will be accepted starting on {August 14, 2020, 8:00am PST} and ending on {October 9, 11:59 p.m. PST}. SoCreate reserves the right to extend the entry eligibility period.

  • Eligibility

    No purchase necessary. This competition is open to anyone 18 years or older as of the date of entry, living in the United States. Void where prohibited by law. Not open to submissions from outside the United States.

  • Entry Requirements
    1. All entries must be written in English and submitted through the SoCreate Screenwriter Stimulus page.
    2. The maximum length of entries is one (1) sentence. All entries over one (1) sentence will be automatically disqualified.
    3. The winner's final script must consist of G (General Audiences) or PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) content only.
    4. The winner must be willing to share the final screenplay with the writing community upon closure of the four (4) week prize period.
  • Winner Selection and Notification
    1. The SoCreate team will select the top 25 semi-finalists and the final winner.
    2. Top 25 semi-finalists will be notified by October 16, 2020, and will have 14 days to submit their 45-second video clip, cover letter, letter of recommendation, and screenwriting example to SoCreate for final consideration. The winner will be notified by email by November 20, 2020. SoCreate shall have no liability for the winner's provision of incorrect or otherwise non-functioning contact information. If semi-finalists or the winner cannot be contacted, are ineligible, fail to claim the prize within [7 days] from the time award notification was sent, or fail to timely return a completed and executed declaration and release as required, the prize may be forfeited and an alternate Winner selected.
    3. Receipt by Winner of the prize offered in this Campaign is conditioned upon compliance with any and all federal, state, and local laws and regulations. ANY VIOLATION OF THESE OFFICIAL RULES BY WINNER (AT SOCREATE'S SOLE DISCRETION) WILL RESULT IN WINNER'S DISQUALIFICATION AS WINNER OF THE CAMPAIGN, AND ALL PRIVILEGES AS WINNER WILL BE IMMEDIATELY TERMINATED.
  • Prizes
    1. No substitution of prize or transfer/assignment of prize to others or request for the cash equivalent by Winner is permitted. Acceptance of prize constitutes permission for SoCreate to use Winner's name, likeness, and entry for purposes of advertising and trade without further compensation, unless prohibited by law. Winner's prize checks in the amount of $1,000 per weekly period for four (4) weeks will be mailed on the first weekday of each week only if all conditions are met the previous week, including a twice-weekly check-in vlogs for SoCreate to post for the writing community, and 20-30 pages of the writer's screenplay for SoCreate to review in-house as an accountability check.
    2. The winner maintains ownership of their script during and after the prize package period ends, and SoCreate does not own any part of the winner's output except the twice-weekly vlogs.
  • Final Notes
    1. The entrant shall indemnify and hold harmless SoCreate, its employees, and contractors from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, and/or publicity to the entry.
    2. Winner will receive a MISC-1099 Federal Tax Form to claim prize winnings on their 2020 tax filing.
    3. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW. All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply.

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