Any writer who meets one of the following requirements is eligible to enter the WCDAC Screenwriting Competition:

1. Any dues-paying member of the West Coast Drama Alumni Clan or New York Drama Alumni Clan.


2. Any current student at Carnegie Mellon.


3. Any graduate of Carnegie Mellon.


4. Any former student of the School of Drama who was in attendance for at least one semester.

Writers who are part of a team are eligible if one of the team members meets the above requirements. Eligibility will be verified. Any entrant who does not meet eligibility requirements will be disqualified.

Prizes*

The 2009 WCDAC Screenwriting Competition has been expanded to include spec writing for sitcom and 1-hour drama televIsion shows.

Prizes will be awarded for the best feature/television movie script, best sitcom spec script, and best 1-hour drama spec script.

The winners in each category will participate in meetings scheduled with industry executives, most of whom are Carnegie Mellon Alumnus.

Check back to our website in a few weeks for details on this year's participating alumni.

Winners of past contests have received the following:

1. Copies of Final Draft 7 script writing software.
2. Copies of Dramatica Pro 7 script writing software.
3. Admittance to three of Kenneth J. Rotcop's workshops as his guest, and feedback from him and the other writers in the group. (Workshops conducted in Beverly Hills or in Woodland Hills.)
4. Registration to Screenwriting Expo which includes a one-year subscription to "Creative Screenwriting" magazine, courtesy of Den Shewman
5. Autographed copies of Chris Vogler's "The Writers Journey".
6. A free year's membership in Bill Lundy's Scriptwriter's Network.
7. David Freeman's "Beyond Structure" weekend seminar.
8. Books and catalogues from Michael Weiss Productions.

Check back to our website in a few weeks for details on this year's participating sponsors as other prizes will be offered.

*The WCDAC Screenwriting Competition offers winning writers meetings with working industry executives. At times executives may not be available for a scheduled meeting due to unforeseen circumstances. If such circumstances arise, the Screenwriting Competition Committee (SCC) will attempt to find replacements, but cannot guarantee other executives will be available.

How to Apply

To enter, send your screenplay along with the signed certification form by the following dates:

1. Early Deadline: January 1st, 2010 Entry Fee: $40.00
2. Extended Deadline: February 15st, 2010 Entry Fee: $50.00
3. Final Deadline: March 31st, 2010 Entry Fee: $60.00

WCDAC Screenplay Competition
4640 Lankershim Blvd, #125
North Hollywood, CA 91602

See contest rules for full details. Contest winners will be announced in December 2010. If you have any further questions, please contact us.

Feature Screenplay Guidelines

Screenplays must be between 80 and 130 pages long, written in English and meet industry standard formatting guidelines. Any genre is welcome. Scripts must be registered with the Writers Guild of America. Scripts should be professionally bound with 2 or 3 brads and washers with a blank cardstock cover. The first page must have the title only. An unattached page must be included with the title, the author's contact info (including e-mail) and WGA registration number.

Television Script Guidelines

Teleplays must be formatted to industry standard specific to sitcom and television long-form guidelines. Any script writing software will automatically format your script to industry standard.

Only spec scripts for half-hour sitcom or one-hour drama programs currently running on cable or network television are eligible in the Television Category. No scripts for reality, variety, or late night programming will be eligible. No sketch comedy or "Daily Show" scripts.

All submissions must be registered with the Writers Guild of America. Scripts should be professionally bound with 2 or 3 brads and washers with a blank cardstock cover. The first page must have the title only. An unattached page must be included with the title, the author's contact info (including e-mail) and WGA registration number.

Any questions on format, style, or other screenwriting matters should be e-mailed to Gary Porpora (g.a.porpora@att.net).

Certification Form

All entries must be accompanied by our certification form attesting to the writer's eligibility, ownership of submitted material, and indemnifying Carnegie Mellon University and The West Coast Drama Alumni Clan (WCDAC). Download a copy available as a PDF. (The free Adobe Acrobat Reader is required. Click here for more information or to download the latest version of Acrobat.)

Rules

1. Writers retain all rights to submitted material. WCDAC and Carnegie Mellon assume no ownership of submitted material. Neither the WCDAC nor Carnegie Mellon assumes any responsibility if the material submitted is not the author's property.


2. Writing teams will be allowed to enter provided one team member meets the eligibility criteria. Partners will share prizes awarded. Members of the Screenplay Competition Committee are not eligible.


3. A valid entry will include: A bound copy of your script with the title only; a separate, unbound page with the title, your contact info and WGA registration number; a completed and signed certification form; and a check or money order for the entry fee in USD, made out to "WCDAC." Any entry which does not conform to the contest rules and screenplay guidelines will be disqualified. No exceptions.


4. Writers may submit more than one script. Each script must include a separate certification form and entry fee. Each script must also meet all eligibility, formatting , and submission criteria listed above.


5. Writers should send copies only. No scripts will be returned.


6. Scripts must be postmarked by above deadlines. Any screenplay postmarked after the contest deadline will be returned unread.


7. No revisions will be accepted at any time after scripts are submitted or after the contest deadline.


8. Returned checks will disqualify the entry.


9. Judging will be blind. Readers will know only the title of the script. The decisions of the judges and the SCC are final.

   All entries in each category will be read and scored on a 100 point scale in five categories, each with a potential score of 18 points or less: Story/Plot, Character, Structure, Action Description/Visual Style, Dialogue.

   Writers will be scored a 10-point maximum for Script Mechanics format, appearance, binding, presentation. Each script will be given a maximum of two reads in the first round. All scripts receiving borderline recommendations or above will advance to the second round. Semi-Finalists will be determined during the second round of judging and advance to the final round. Final round judging will determine a winner in each Category.



10. The WCDAC reserves the right not to award prizes if submitted scripts do not meet industry standard or a standard befitting the WCDAC or Carnegie Mellon University. If the number of submissions is less than 5, the contest will be cancelled and all fees returned.