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Nevada Film Office PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release LAS VEGAS, Nv. -- The submission period for the 14th Annual Nevada Screenwriters Competition opens May 1st and scripts will be accepted through June 30, 2001. "Previously unsold screenwriters have a genuine opportunity to receive professional evaluation of their scripts through this competition," says Lieutenant Governor Lorraine Hunt, who chairs the Nevada Commission on Economic Development that oversees the Nevada Film Office. "Not only do professionals read and judge the entries, but the top three winning scripts are distributed to a select group of producers and production companies in the Los Angeles/Hollywood area for industry reading and consideration, which is invaluable." Additionally, a list of titles and contact information for the top ten runner-up scripts is furnished to those industry contacts. Established in 1987, the NFO screenwriters competition is the oldest of its kind in the United States. Although the potentially career-launching industry reading and recognition are the most important benefits of winning, the screenwriters of the three top scripts receive a variety of other prizes. These include cash awards, a luncheon in their honor, certificates of achievement from the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of the State of Nevada, periodic film festival honors, several feature film publications, and scriptwriting or related software programs. "Even though our competition requires that 75% of all locations in a script must be suitable for shooting somewhere in Nevada, this still allows for broad flexibility. Our judges enjoy receiving science fiction, family drama, romance, fantasy, comedies of all sorts, westerns, desert settings, small town storylines, and many more variations integrating 'locations less known.' There are many story options in addition to plots involving neon, gambling and casinos," says Charles Geocaris, the Director of the Nevada Film Office. "Generally, about 100 scripts qualify for the competition, which gives the writers very good odds for placing well. We receive scripts from everywhere, including Asia, Europe, South America and across the U.S., although the majority of scripts do come from California. In 2000, we were pleased to see nearly 20% came from Nevada." Once received and logged in, notations of origin, name or gender of writer, or other distinguishing identification elements are removed from all scripts. The scripts are judged blind when distributed to approximately two dozen judges in a three-tier method of scoring, with a 100-point rating scale. Judges include directors, cinematographers, producers, writers, movie and television critics, educators in film and related studies, and other professionals. Judging is completed by Fall. "We anticipate a growing contribution from northern Nevada writers to this annual competition," says Deputy Director Robin Holabird who manages the Reno/Tahoe branch of the Nevada Film Office. "Last year was the first time in the event's history where six of the top ten runner-up scripts were written by Nevadans. Writers from throughout the state should be encouraged to participate by these results, as they indicate Nevadans have much to offer." General guidelines include: Scripts must be between 90 minimum and 120 maximum pages in length, in acceptable industry-standard format. Format can be easily researched through library reference books, computer software programs, script websites, classes, workshops and other resources. All subject matter and genres are allowed, except for pornography. Again, 75% of the locations in any script must be filmable in the state of Nevada. A separate release form must be signed and submitted with each script. Detailed information, rules and the release form are available on the Nevada Film Office website at www.nevadafilm.com, or interested persons may request the information be sent to them by contacting the Nevada Film Office. Southern Nevada / Las Vegas Office Northern Nevada / Reno-Tahoe Office
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