First Look Project
Enter Now
About
The 11th Annual First Look Project fulfills the requests of studios, production companies, and top managers by finding unique, higher-concept material across two main categories:
- Screenplay - Action & Sci-fi, Comedy, Drama, and Horror & Thriller
- TV Pilot - 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 runner-up is also chosen for each category.
Supported by Zero Gravity Management (Ozark), QC Entertainment (Get Out, Us), Bellevue Productions (Infinite), Destro Films (Lizzie), and additional Script Pipeline partners, the competition introduces the winners and runners-up to these and other companies.
Unlike Script Pipeline's main Screenwriting and TV writing competitions, entries for First Look are judged equally on writing ability and commercial potential, as well as the originality of the concept and a strong understanding of genre and marketplace trends.
Over $8 million in screenplays and pilots have been sold by Script Pipeline writers, with numerous scripts produced since 1999. In 2020, Legendary picked up finalist screenplay Bring Me Back by Crosby Selander for seven figures, and in the last several years, Script Pipeline winners and finalists have optioned screenplays, sold shows, or were staffed on streaming and network series. Both 2021 winners—Erin Muroski for TV Writing and Daniel Jackson for Screenwriting—signed with reps at Bellevue, and Cauliflower garnered the #1 spot on the that year's Black List. Many others have signed with reps at UTA, Kaplan/Perrone, Alibi Management, Zero Gravity, and more after Script Pipeline introductions.
Prices & Deadlines
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Jun 5th
Early
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Sep 20th
Regular
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Oct 1st
Late
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Oct 30th
Extended (Coverfly Exclusive)
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|
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Action & Sci-fi
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$45.00
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$55.00
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$60.00
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$65.00
|
|
Comedy
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$45.00
|
$55.00
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$60.00
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$65.00
|
|
Drama
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$45.00
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$55.00
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$60.00
|
$65.00
|
|
Horror & Thriller
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$45.00
|
$55.00
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$60.00
|
$65.00
|
|
TV Pilot (Hourlong)
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$45.00
|
$55.00
|
$60.00
|
$65.00
|
|
TV Pilot (Half-hour)
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$45.00
|
$55.00
|
$60.00
|
$65.00
|
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Action & Sci-fi + Feedback
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$110.00
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$120.00
|
$125.00
|
$130.00
|
|
Comedy + Feedback
|
$110.00
|
$120.00
|
$125.00
|
$130.00
|
|
Drama + Feedback
|
$110.00
|
$120.00
|
$125.00
|
$130.00
|
|
Horror & Thriller + Feedback
|
$110.00
|
$120.00
|
$125.00
|
$130.00
|
|
TV Pilot (Hourlong) + Feedback
|
$110.00
|
$120.00
|
$125.00
|
$130.00
|
|
TV Pilot (Half-hour) + Feedback
|
$110.00
|
$120.00
|
$125.00
|
$130.00
|
Benefits
The First Look Project focuses primarily on connecting the winners with production and management companies. One winner and one runner-up are selected for each category.
ScreenplayWinners (4): December 20th, 2022
- $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
Runners-up (4; at least one in each category): December 20th, 2022
The Screenplay winners and runners-up receive:
- Long-term facilitation to Script Pipeline's industry network of producers, agents, and managers seeking features.
- Development assistance from Script Pipeline's execs on both the screenplay and pitch
- Additional script reviews and consideration of other material for industry exposure
- Invitations to events hosted by Pipeline Media Group
Winners (2): December 20th, 2022
- $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
Runners-up (2; one in each category): December 20th, 2022
The TV Pilot winners and runners-up receive:
- Long-term facilitation to Script Pipeline's industry network of producers, agents, and managers seeking original pilots
- Development assistance from Script Pipeline's execs on the pilot and series pitch or bible
- Additional script reviews and consideration of other material for industry exposure
- Invitations to events hosted by Pipeline Media Group
Writer Success
Announcements
Rules
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 film or TV series at any time in the past.
- Judging criteria emphasizes both writing ability and concept, unlike our main Screenwriting and TV Writing competitions, which are centered almost exclusively on writing ability. Preference may be given to higher-concept material intended for a broader audience.
- 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.
Email our contest coordinator with any other questions on guidelines or judging criteria.