Q. Should I register my script before I enter the competition?
A. Yes, absolutely! it's a very good idea to register your script before you enter any competition or send your script to anyone in the industry to read. ASA has a script registration service with its partner, ProtectRite. Click on this link to get more information. You can register your script on-line in just 30 seconds and instantaneously obtain a certificate to print and keep for your own records!
 

Q: What if I have already registered my script with the WGA, can I still enter your competition or do I also need to register with ProtectRite?
A: If you've already registered your script with the WGA that's fine. ASA recommends ProtectRite because they are less expensive and their registration last longer.
 

Q: Can I enter more than one screenplay to the competition?
A: Yes, but please note that each screenplay submission requires a separate entry form and a separate entry fee.
 

Q: Can I enter the same script from a previous year's competition?
A: Yes you may, but we encourage writers to enter the same script only if you have done some substantial rewrites from the previous version. 
 

Q: What are my options for entering a script?
A: You can enter your script on-line (valid only if you are paying on-line with a credit card), or you can print and mail in your entry form with your script and payment (check, money order or credit card).
 

Q: What file formats do you accept for online submissions? 
A: We accept Adobe Acrobat PDF and Final Draft files.
 

Q: What happens if there's a problem with my electronic file?
A: We will contact the writer as soon as we encounter problems with a file and allow the entrant to send a replacement script. 
 

Q: How can I confirm that my entry was received?
A: If you provide an email address (highly recommended) with your entry you will receive an email confirmation once your script is received and processed for judging. You can also include a self-addressed, stamped postcard which will be mailed once your script is received and processed for judging. If you provide an email address you will be emailed confirmation of your entry within 7-14 business days of receipt. Notification by email may take longer during the heavy processing times, usually closer to the entry deadline(s).
 

Q. When will the winner and finalists be announced? Will the quarter and finalists be announced earlier?
A. We have several levels of communication to keep you informed on the competition results. 

First, the Quarterfinalist and Finalist results are posted on the ASA web site at www.goasa.com. 
Second, a notice is sent out via email by Gotham Writers Workshop using the email address you provided on your entry form. 
Third, ASA sends out notices in its e-newsletter, Script Notes, which you receive for free by simply entering your email address on our home page at www.goasa.com. 
Fourth, everyone who enters will receive a notification letter informing them of their status.

First Round Judging: (approximately) November - Mid-February
Quarterfinalists Announced: (approximately) Late February/Early March 
Quarterfinalist Round Judging: (approximately) March - April 
Semi-Finalists Announced: (approximately) Late May
Final Round Judging: (approximately) May
Finalists Announced: End of May

Please take note that we strive to keep the above timelines as much as possible but sometimes unforeseen circumstances prompt us to make minor adjustments. We will post any changes on the web site and notify you via email whenever possible.
 

Q. Do you accept entries from writers outside the USA?
A. Yes, we are truly an international screenplay competition and receive entries each your from around the world including the USA, Europe, Asia, South America, the Middle East and Africa! However, screenplay submissions must be in the English language. 
 

Q. I live outside of the USA (Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, etc.) and I have trouble getting the script printed and bound with brads, or finding the correct size paper, is there another way I can enter your competition?
A. Yes! We now accept on-line entries. You can submit your properly formatted screenplay in either PDF or Final Draft formats. This way you save the hassle of printing, binding and and mailing your entry in overseas!
 

Q: As a foreign citizen, I have difficulty finding United States dollars. What other options do I have? 
A: Please find a nearby bank or financial institution that can write a money order payable in U.S. dollars. You may also submit your script and pay online with a credit card.
 

Q. I live in Europe and we use A4 paper, is that acceptable.
A. Yes, the use of A4 paper is acceptable for submitting your screenplay. Obviously that applies to entries submitted in paper form, if you submit online then you will be using a pdf file or Final Draft format.
 

Q. Can I send in cash payment with my script?
A. We DO NOT recommend sending cash through the mail, even if you send it registered/certified/etc. Your best options are to pay with a credit card, personal check or a money order.
 

Q: Can I pay online with a credit card and then submit by mail? Or, can I pay with a check or money order and then submit online? 
A: Unfortunately, no. You must either submit your entry and pay online with a credit card, or submit your entry and pay by mail with a check or money order. There are no exceptions. 
 

Q: How do I change my contact information if my email, mailing address, or phone number changes?
A: You may change your contact information by emailing screenplay@write.org. 
 

Q. Screenplay submissions are suppose to be between 80 pages and 130 pages. If my screenplay is shorter than 80 pages or longer than 130 will it be disqualified?
A. No, within reason. We do allow a leeway of a few pages. You should know that our guidelines require your script to be within these pages lengths because we have find that most producers, production companies, agents and other key industry personnel will not read scripts that are too short or too long, so entering a script of 60 pages or 150 pages will not help your cause of getting exposure for your script.
 

Q. Is there a specific genre of script that has a better chance of winning?
A. No, we do not separate out or in any other way distinguish submitted scripts based on genre. In reality, the scripts that win each year do so because they are well written in the opinion of the judges, regardless of genres. Finalist scripts have included action adventure, romance, comedy, sci-fi, drama, period pieces, just about everything.
 

Q. Can I submit a screenplay that is an adaptation of a novel or other movie?
A. Yes, you can submit an adaptation as long as you are certain you have all the rights to do the adaptation. If you are not sure, we highly recommend that you consult with an attorney before doing so because regardless of whether you submit to our competition or not, if you do an adaptation without all rights assigned to you, you are asking for legal problems down the road.
 

Q: What is the U.S. Motion Picture industry standard screenplay format? 
A: You may consult any number of screenwriting books or screenwriting software, we highly recommend The Screenwriters Bible by David Trottier. You may also refer to our guide to standard screenplay format.  Please do your best to make sure that your screenplay is formatted correctly. Pages must be typed and not handwritten. Please proof your screenplay for typos and spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors. Please make certain that your pages are properly numbered and in the correct order. 
 

Q: Will you disqualify my screenplay if it isn't formatted correctly? 
A: No, but the judges do expect to read scripts where the formatting is fundamentally similar to standard screenplay format. 
 

Q: Should I include a title page and, if so, what should be on it?
A: The title page is not mandatory but if you include one only include the title of the script in the center of page. DO NOT include any personal or other identifying information on your title page such as your name, address, registration #, etc. 
 
 

Q: Should I include a log line or synopsis? 
A: No, we do not read log lines or synopsis. We prefer that each script speak for itself. 
 

Q: How should my screenplay be bound?
A: Do not permanently bind your screenplay. If you are submitting a paper script (versus an on-line entry) the screenplay should be copied/printed onto three-hole punched paper with two to three metal fasteners (brads). We suggest the Acco brand #6 or #5 solid brass fasteners. You can obtain three-hole punch paper at any office supply store such as Office Depot or Staples, and you can also get your script printed onto three-hole paper at Kinko's, Office Depot and Staples.
 

Q: Who is reading the screenplays? 
A: A handful of professional readers who are bound by confidentiality agreements are readers in our first and second rounds of the competition. The Final Judges are key industry professionals who will select the Finalists and Grand Prize Winner. 
 

Q: What are these readers looking for in a screenplay? 
A: The readers are looking for a screenplay with the best and most well written story-- regardless of genre or budget requirements. 
 

Q: Do you provide notes, coverage, feedback or script scores to screenwriters who enter the competition?
A: Unfortunately, we do not provide notes, coverage or feedback to every entrant due to the large volume of scripts that we receive. However, all finalists do receive script consultations from leading Hollywood experts, and starting with our 10th Annual Competition all Quarterfinalists will receive a professional Hollywood script critique as well. Due to the thousands of entries we receive we cannot logistically provide a final ranking of where each script falls compared to every other script that was entered. Additionally, it would be extremely time-consuming for our judges to write detailed comments about each of our entries, so in order to keep our  submission fees as cost effective for writers as possible, we ask the judges to score entries on a numeric scale. Writers often ask us if they can see their entry scores. In general it is our policy not to send the judges' scores to entrants because these numbers are meaningless out of context of our rating system. In fact, in many cases seeing these numeric scores might discourage the writer, which would be counterproductive to your writing goals.
 

Q. What should go on the card stock over?
A. If you are submitting a paper script (versus an on-line entry) you should put the title of your script on the white card stock cover so the script is easily identifiable without having to open it and search for the title. By the way, you are welcome to put a title page inside the front cover that includes the script title (but not your name, address, script registration #, etc.), but it's not required.
 

Q. Why do the card stock covers have to be white?
A. The card stock cover should be white because we write on the covers with such information as your script entry number for tracking purposes. If you've ever tried to read something written on a dark piece of paper you see what we mean. Again, you only need a card stock cover is you are submitting a paper script entry. If you are entering your script on-line as a digital file (PDF, Final Draft) you obviously don't need a cover on it, just a title page with the title and no personal information such as your name, etc.
 

Q. Do I forfeit any rights by entering your competition, or if I win or place in the competition?
A. No, you as the writer retain ALL your rights to your screenplay in all phases of our competition. The only time you delegate your rights is when you option or sell your script to a producer, production company, studio or other industry professional. Note: Never enter a competition that requires you sign over your rights if you win unless you have had an entertainment attorney review the documents first.
 

Q. Can I submit a shooting script (with numbered scenes)?
A. It is customary in Hollywood not to submit scripts that are shooting scripts (with numbered scenes). If you submit a shooting script (with numbered scenes) you will not be disqualified, just understand what is normally accepted in Hollywood.
 

Q. Is there an age limit on entering your competition?
A. No, but if you are under eighteen years of age your parent must sign the student entry form as well.
 

Q. I've rewritten my script and have a new version, can I submit that your competition is place of my original entry?
A. No, sorry. Once your script is received it is processed and sent out for immediate judging. Substitutions of new drafts for entries once received will be not accepted. 
 

Q. Why is there a separate entry form for students and does that mean the student entries are judged separately?
A. There is a separate entry form for college and high school students because they receive a special discounted entry and thus must complete a separate entry form and submit documentation with their form and script verifying their student status. All scripts entered in our competition, whether student or otherwise, are judged with the same criteria and are eligible for the same prizes, they are all part of the same competition.
 

Q: Can student entries be submitted on-line?
A: No, all student entries must be submitted via mail because of the requirement to include proof of student status (your current student ID). We hope to have the on-line option available for students in the future, but for now, you will need to mail in your entry.
 

Q. What are the requirements to be eligible for a student entry?
A. The requirements for you to be eligible for a student entry are:

• a full-time high school, undergraduate or graduate student (valid for students in the USA only; if you are a student outside the USA you need to submit a regular entry form)
• provide a photocopy of your current student ID with your entry 

Q: What are the prizes? 
A: The Grand Prize-Winner will receive $10,000 and a script development trip to LA. All finalists receive script consultations from leading Hollywood experts, industry exposure to more than 6,500 producers, companies and agents, and additional screenwriting resources such as a professional membership in ASA, an on-line writing class from Gotham Writers' Workshop, the latest Final Draft software, screenwriting books and much more! 
 

Q. What do you do with all the money you collect? You must get rich from doing this competition?
A. No, we do not get rich. The money we receive in the form of entry fees is used to pay for the prizes (more than $30,000 worth), marketing expenses, operational expenses such as personnel to process and keep track of the thousands of entries, shipping scripts to judges, promotion of the winning scripts, and sending every entrant letters informing them of the results. Our goal each year is to not lose money running the competition and we are always looking for ways to increase the prizes offered. Plus, the American Screenwriters Association is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization.
 

Q. If I enter my script in your competition can I also enter it another competition as well?
A: Sure, you are welcome to enter both our competition and anyone else's if you choose to do so.
 

Q: Do you accept short films scripts, television scripts, documentary scripts or anything other than a feature film script?
A: No, at this time our competition is solely for feature film scripts. This allows us to focus on doing an incredible job for everyone who enters.
 

Visit the ASA Web site for expanded script formatting guidelines and additional information. 

For other questions, contact us via email screenplay@write.org.