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Roadmap Writers
Road to New Republic Feature Competition
2018
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About

Roadmap Writers is always on the hunt for unique and fresh voices. Our track record speaks for itself, with 57 writers signed in only 2 years, and dozens of writers who have staffed on shows or had their projects optioned or sold. It’s important that we constantly create opportunities that can help writers get the attention they deserve.

Roadmap is proud to partner with production company and independent financier, New Republic Pictures to launch our “Road to New Republic” Feature Writing Competition!

The competition, which is open to feature scripts of all genres will award one grand prize winner a guaranteed $10,000 option fee for their feature script with New Republic Pictures!

Through partnerships with major studios, that include a co-financing deal with Paramount, and foreign sales companies, New Republic brings outstanding commercial motion pictures from distinguished filmmakers to theaters worldwide. Their slate of upcoming films includes the Elton John Biopic ROCKETMAN starring Taron Egerton which will be released by Paramount in 2019.

Founded by Academy Award-nominated producer Brian Oliver (BLACK SWAN, HACKSAW RIDGE, AMERICAN MADE, BLACK MASS, THE WOMAN IN BLACK), whose films have cumulatively grossed over $1.2 billion worldwide and nominated for 13 Oscars, 14 Golden Globes and 23 BAFTA Awards, New Republic seeks to tell stories that entertain, inform and inspire audiences with intelligence, passion, and creativity.

As always, our runners-up and finalists will also receive prizes to help create opportunities to put them front and center with industry executives and reps.

Don’t miss out! This is a fantastic opportunity that can help launch your writing career!

Submissions will be judged based on the following criteria. The below explanations of each criterion is by no means an exhaustive list, but just an example of some of the questions readers and judges consider in each category.

Premise/Concept
Is it unique/original? Is it a new spin on a familiar story? Is it commercial? Is it a festival-worthy indie? Can it succinctly be explained? Do the actions and obstacles advance the story?

Characters
Are the characters fully developed? Is their purpose or struggle clearly identifiable? Do they have a clear and complete arc? Are they multi-layered? Are the characters relatable or accessible to the reader?

Dialogue
Do the characters have a distinct voice? Does the dialogue elevate the scene? Does it heighten the overall story? Does it propel the story forward?

Story
Is the story compelling? Does it serve to propel the characters and events forward in a meaningful way?

Structure 
Does the story have a clear beginning, middle and end? Does it have the appropriate structural beats? Is the script formatted properly? Were there extensive typos?

Voice/Style
Does the writer use interesting word choice and sentence structure? Do they have a unique way to view and relay what’s happening in the story?

Benefits

Grand Prize Winner

$10,000 option for 18-months

1 year of Roadmap's On-Ramp program

5 Virtual meetings

Featured in the Roadmap Competition Booklet

Runner Up

Skype meeting with New Republic Exec

1 year of Roadmap's On-Ramp program

4 Virtual meetings

Featured in the Roadmap Competition Booklet

Finalists

Skype meeting with New Republic Exec

6-months of Roadmap's On-Ramp program

2 Virtual meetings

Featured in the Roadmap Competition Booklet

Semifinalists

1-month of Roadmap's On-Ramp program

Featured in the Roadmap Competition Booklet


Announcements

Mar 28th
Top 20s
Apr 11th
Top 10s
Apr 25th
Winners

Rules

“Road to New Republic” Feature Competition Rules and Guidelines:
• Please submit your feature script in PDF format.
• YOU MUST SUBMIT YOUR SCRIPT WITHIN 48 HOURS OF REGISTRATION. SCRIPTS
RECEIVED AFTER THIS PERIOD WILL BE DISQUALIFIED. NO REFUND WILL BE ISSUED.
• Feature scripts must not exceed 120 pages (not including cover page). All submissions must
adhere to standard industry margins and font.
• Please include cover page with your name, scripts name, and contact information. This
should include just a title, author name, WGA registration number and/or Copyright
information. The cover page does not count towards the overall script page count.
• Must be written in English in 12-point courier font.
• Do NOT cheat in an effort to reduce your page count, your script will be disqualified. As a
standard rule, 1.5” left, 1” right and 1” top and bottom dimensions are acceptable.
• Do not include any additional documents with your submission i.e. pitch documents, series,
look-books, etc.
• All submissions are final. No substitutions of pages, drafts or scripts will be allowed.
• The competition is open to feature scripts of all genres.
• All scripts submitted will remain the property of the writer(s). Neither Roadmap Writers nor
New Republic Pictures or any of its readers/judges and/or their respective companies
assume any attachment to your work.
• Scripts submitted in the competition must NOT have been previously optioned, purchased or
produced at the time of entry.
• Screenwriters who have had previous feature or pilot screenplays produced and distributed
by non-independent means are ineligible.
• Must be 18 years old and over to enter.
• Must be an original idea; free and clear of any copyright issues.
• In the event of multiple writers, please list all additional co-writers. No attachments
(producers, directors, actors).
• Entrants may be contacted as a result of the competition by Roadmap Writers, New Republic
Pictures, a member of the judging panel, or other industry professionals.
• Only entries that purchase Feedback Notes at the time of submission will receive written
feedback.
• Roadmap Writers is not responsible for screenplays stolen or lost in transit.
• Roadmap Writers’ writing competition readers’ decisions are final.
• Submissions will be evaluated by experienced script readers and judged on the criteria of:
Premise/Concept, Characters, Dialogue, Story, Structure, and Voice/Style. Submissions will
receive multiple evaluations based on the competitions proprietary scoring system.
• Announcement Dates are tentatively scheduled as follows (dates subject to change):
Top 50 (quarter-finalist) - Thursday, March, 14th, 2019
Top 20 (semi-finalist) - Thursday, March, 28th, 2019
Top 10 (finalists) - Thursday, April, 11th 2019
Runner-up - Thursday, April, 25th 2019
Grand Prize Winner - Thursday, April, 25th 2019
• Feedback notes will be returned to writers at the time of the Top 50 announcement.
• The writer(s) of the Top 10 will have a virtual meeting with a member of New Republic
Pictures development team.
• Roadmap Writers reserves the right, at our sole discretion, to change or modify these terms
at any time without notice.
• If a judge or competition partner is no longer able to serve in their specific capacity,
Roadmap Writers will make best efforts to secure a replacement.
• Multiple screenplays may be submitted but each screenplay is required to pay separate
registration fees.
• By entering the Road to New Republic Feature Competition, you agree to receive competition
updates via email and periodic marketing emails from Roadmap Writers. You may
unsubscribe at any time.
• See the Submission Agreement for a full list of Terms and Conditions for submitting an entry.
• To enter the Roadmap’s Road to New Republic Feature Competition, you must agree to its
Terms and Conditions.
• All sales are final. No refunds will be issued.
• While it is not a requirement, we encourage writers to register their script with the U.S.
Copyright Office and/or Writers Guild of America.
About Roadmap Writers
Roadmap Writers is an educational hub for writers to connect with and learn from hundreds of
executives on our roster with online classes, pitch sessions and consulting programs. In just
two years Roadmap has helped over 56 writers get signed and/or optioned/picked up by
companies like Circle of Confusion, Zero Gravity, Gersh, Gotham Group, The Shuman
Company, Lee Stobby Entertainment, APA, DMG Entertainment and Hopscotch Pictures.
About New Republic Pictures
New Republic Pictures is a leading production company and independent financier of feature
films and television. Through partnerships with major studios and foreign sales companies,
New Republic brings outstanding commercial motion pictures from distinguished filmmakers to
theaters worldwide.