Behind every top screenwriting contest is a group of hardworking individuals tirelessly working to ensure the writers who enter have the best possible experience. Usually, that includes access and exposure to the right people in Hollywood. One of the most revered contests in the business — the Big Break Screenwriting Contest — also exists to help propel writers' careers to the next level.
The Big Break team works year-round to create, build, and improve the screenwriting contest, including the prize package, which includes over $80,000 in cash and prizes, as well as meetings with A-list executives.
The Big Break contest perks begin as soon as writers find themselves as finalists -- one of the top three scripts in their genre categories. Finalists are invited to a one-hour webinar with Lee Jessup, an industry-respected screenwriting career coach with over two decades of experience.
"Some of the people who enter our competition are aspiring screenwriters who don't know much about Hollywood," says Kala Guess, director of Big Break. "Lee helps them capitalize on their placement."
Jessup works with over 30 writers, providing them feedback on meeting prep, general meetings, industry phone calls, and navigating the sometimes murky waters of Hollywood.
"We discuss the writer's narrative and story, the answer to 'Tell me about yourself,'" Jessup says. "We start finding their nuggets; the stories that will be memorable and unique for them to pitch in a meeting."
Once genre winners are announced, Jessup works with each one individually to capitalize on their accomplishments. She tells them about the options available to them, evaluates industry interest in their work, and helps them find the best match with representation.
"Industry access is what it's all about," Jessup says. "The access Big Break provides to winners is almost unparalleled in the industry."
"Our prize package introduces them to the industry in the best way possible," Guess says. "At the heart of it all — the whole prize package; the grand prize tour, and all that we put into it year-round — is that Final Draft as a brand understands exactly what writers need."
"We understand what writers go through just to get their script into a first draft, let alone something strong and polished and ready to submit to contests -- or to producers to consider an option deal. We understand the grit that goes into that, and so Big Break is Final Draft's way of giving back to our customers — the writers."
Part of giving back is with a Big Break celebration worthy of the red carpet. Winners are interviewed, give speeches, and have their moment in the spotlight. Most importantly, the Grand Prize winners for film and TV reap the benefits of their wins through one of the industry's most important screenwriting tools (other than Final Draft software, of course) — networking opportunities.
Learn More about Entering the Big Break Screenwriting Contest!