First Look Project
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About
The 9th Annual First Look Project fulfills the requests of studios, production companies, and top managers by finding unique, high-concept material across two main categories:
- Screenplay - divisions for Action/Sci-fi, Comedy, Drama, and Horror/Thriller
- TV Pilot - divisions for Hour and Half-hour original pilots, any genre
One winner in each division receives a share of $15,000, industry circulation, and long-term development assistance from Script Pipeline’s executive team. A minimum of one finalist is also chosen for each category.
Supported by Zero Gravity Management (Ozark), Grandview Management, QC Entertainment (Get Out, Us), Good Fear, (Under the Silver Lake), Destro Films (Lizzie), and other Script Pipeline partners, the competition introduces the best scripts to major companies.
Unlike Script Pipeline's main Screenwriting and TV writing competitions, entries for First Look are judged equally on writing ability and commercial potential. The originality of the concept and a strong understanding of genre and marketplace trends will take precedence, as well as overall writing ability.
The company’s intensive process, consisting of long-term writer development and widespread circulation of material, gives Script Pipeline writers access to some of the top industry execs worldwide. $7 million in screenplays and pilots have been sold by competition finalists and "Recommend" writers, with several scripts produced since 1999. In the last few years, over 10 films and series from Script Pipeline writers were released or are in active development or production, including 2019 releases Stuber, from Fox, and the indie hit The Standoff at Sparrow Creek.
All entrants may request a no-cost call with our Creative Executive, who can answer general questions on the industry or the Script Pipeline process.
Benefits
The First Look Project is focused primarily on connecting the winners with specific production and management companies, in addition to monetary prizes across all categories. One winner and one runner-up are selected for each category, announced in December 2020.
SCREENPLAY
Winners (4)
- $10,000 awarded. $2,500 to the winner of each genre category (Action/Sci-fi, Comedy, Drama, Horror/Thriller)
- Circulation to select production and management companies for first look
Finalists (minimum of 4; one in each category)
The Screenplay winner and finalists receive:
- Long-term facilitation to Script Pipeline's industry network of producers, agents, and managers seeking features.
- Development assistance from Script Pipeline's senior execs on both the screenplay and pitch
- Additional script reviews and consideration of other material for industry exposure
- Invitations to writer/industry events hosted by Pipeline Media Group
Winners (2)
- $5,000 awarded total. $2,500 to the winner of each category (Hour and Half-Hour)
- Circulation to select production and management companies for first look
Finalists (minimum of 2; one in each category)
The TV Pilot winner and finalists receive:
- Long-term facilitation to Script Pipeline's industry network of producers, agents, and managers seeking original pilots.
- Development assistance from Script Pipeline's senior execs on the pilot and series pitch or bible
- Additional script reviews and consideration of other material for industry exposure
- Invitations to writer/industry events hosted by Pipeline Media Group
Writer Success
Announcements
Rules
Screenplay
Action/ Sci-fi - Good Fear
Comedy - Grandview Management
Drama - Destro Films
Horror / Thriller - QC Entertainment
TV Pilot - Zero Gravity Management
Half-hour
Hourlong
For screenplays, no page length restrictions, as long as it's intended to be a feature film. Mixed genre screenplays are fine, but writers must submit to only one category--would recommend selecting the primary genre of the script. Feature-length "backdoor pilots" may be submitted to one of the Screenplay categories.
For TV, all genres accepted, including animation. Half-hour pilots should be between 25-35 pages (longer if animation), and hourlong pilot should fall around 55-70.
RULES + GUIDELINES
Please review the following prior to submitting:
- For Screenplay and TV, the script must not be under a representation, option, or shopping agreement at the time of entry.
- The same script cannot compete in multiple categories.
- Writers who have sold, optioned, or produced scripts in the past are eligible; however, the material submitted must not have been produced as a feature or TV series at any time in the past.
- Judging criteria equally emphasizes both writing ability and marketability, unlike our main Screenwriting and TV Writing competitions, which are centered on writing ability. Preference may be given to material intended for a broader, mainstream audience.
- There are no restrictions on amateur or professional status.
- The material must be wholly original. For adaptations, the story must be in the public domain, or you have retained the adaptation rights to a particular work.
