The grand prize winner among 13 semi-finalists in the first Chicago Screenwriters Network script contest will go home with a $1,000 check, a trophy and an armload of valuable prizes.
Winners in each of the three genre categories will receive $250 in cash and other prizes at the awards presentation at CSN’s Aug. 2 monthly meeting at the Lincoln Restaurant.
The semi-finalists were winnowed down from a field of 114 entries submitted from writers in Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.
“Given that we are new contest and the state of the economy, we consider receiving that many entries a success,” said Colin Costello, CSN/contest vice president and a produced comedy screenwriter.
Semi-finalists, listed by genre category, are:
Action: “The Fallen;” Tamala Jesme & Robert Lyle Burke; “The Tortoise and the Heir,” Russ Meyer.
Comedy: “The Boy’s Club,” John Madormo; “Smilers,” Mike McGreever.
Drama: “Liberty or Death,” Anna Nicholas; “Of Broken Wings,” Steve Orlyk; “A Predestined Affair,” Tony Pindrock; “Mahalia!” Ruth L Ratny.
Horror/sci-fi thriller: “Hindsight,” Tamala Jesme & Robert Lyle Burke; “In the Dark,” Julie Koca; “LAMATSU,” Rick Watkins; “Metamorphosis,” Jim Drummond; “Sinner,” Jason Grandy.
CSN president Sonny Wareham said he was impressed with the overall quality of the entries. “Many scripts were very deserving and just barely missed the cut.”
Three rounds of judging were made by 20 primarily local readers from the film industry. “If there was a question about a script, one of the board members would step in and make a final decision,” Costello said.
The contest organizers outdid themselves when it came to accumulating an array of prizes that will help open Hollywood doors for aspiring screenwriters.
All winners will receive a logline and synopsis submission to 20-plus WGA-recognized agents, managers and production companies.
The top screenplay also wins script consultations, a six-month listing on InkTip, gift certificates, discounts and a subscription to Creative Screenwriting magazine.
Similarly, each genre winner receives script consultation, gift certificates and discounts in lesser amounts, and Creative Screenwriting subscriptions.
The CSN contest is an expanded Midwest successor to the bi-annual Illinois scriptwriting contest that ended in 2008, after having been jointly hosted by the Chicago and Illinois Film Offices for 15 years.
CSN meetings are held the first Sunday of every month at the Lincoln Diner, 4008 N. Lincoln, 5:30-8:30 p.m.; $3 plus $6.50 restaurant minimum.
