SEASON 3
This season’s 6 awards are:
- Best Screenplay
- Best Character Arc
- Best Genre Script
- Best Fantasy Script
- Best Produced Screenplay
- Bonus: Best Original Concept
SCRIPT TITLE: The Last Santa
Nominated: Best Screenplay, Nominated: Best Fantasy Script
Judge #1 Comments: “ The main element of The Last Santa that springs to mind is the immediate commercial element of this project – it is clean, genre sensitive and of course seasonal by nature.”
→ Would recommend: Yes
→ Budget scale: High for indie
Judge #2 Comments: “I found that the core characters provided a great sense of community and the complex nature of mankind… which is to say basically that this was a very Capraesque project. One must also comment on the reserved nature of the script – at such a short page number it is well edited rather than excessive.”
→ Would recommend: Yes
→ Budget scale: Moderate
Overall script scores: Entertainment: 9/10, Craft: 9/10
SCRIPT TITLE: Call Me Thor
Nominated: Best Character Arc
Judge #1 Comments: “A robust and dialogue heavy script, this one feels like it could do with some editing… but all in all, it has a great sense of time, specifically period and the relation of age/class/background of a character and how they react to a particular situation. Perhaps comedy and drama is confused here, with a lot of sarcasm being provided by some characters in what could be dramatic moments. Bottom line – a lovely sense of texture and dynamics at play here.”
→ Would recommend: Yes
→ Budget scale: High
Judge #2 Comments: “This is a pure character actor delight. Most actors will love this. A solid sense of production design is needed – another area where people could really relish the project. A strong director will delve deeply into this.”
→ Would recommend: Yes
→ Budget scale: High for indie
Overall script scores: Entertainment: 10/10, Craft: 8/10
SCRIPT TITLE: Slaughterhouse
Nominated: Best Genre Script
Judge #1 Comments: “Flat out spot on – the use of genre, the speed and the set up just screams marketing.”
→ Would recommend: Yes
→ Budget scale: Moderate for indie
Judge #2 Comments: “The use of a key location – with the whole lock-in social revenge – of the slaughterhouse has a great sense of provocation. In a way it is very reminiscent of SAW.”
→ Would recommend: Yes
→ Budget scale: Moderate
Overall script scores: Entertainment: 9/10, Craft: 9/10
SCRIPT TITLE: Tardigrades
Nominated: Best Fantasy Script
Judge #1 Comments: “the feeling of world building is very robust in this script, and there is a sense of style in this key ‘rule book’ of the environment that the narrative takes place in.”
→ Would recommend: Yes
→ Budget scale: High
Judge #2 Comments: “There is a key sense of macro functions being greatly represented with the micro at the same time. I guess what I’m trying to say is that the content is really well balanced. Too grand and epic for an indie though. So I do recommend this, but it is near to impossible to make on a small scale.”
→ Would recommend: Yes
→ Budget scale: Very high
Overall script scores: Entertainment: 8/10, Craft: 10/10
SCRIPT TITLE: Make A Wish
Winner: Best Character Arc
Judge #1 Comments: “The core of this script really relies on its cast, but it is the heart of the gooey middle that really makes the character arc the most interesting element of the film.”
→ Would recommend: Yes
→ Budget scale: Moderate
Judge #2 Comments: “There is a sense of ‘direct to heart’ hit with this one. It is short, blunt (in a good way) and moving. Impressively compiled.”
→ Would recommend: Yes
→ Budget scale: Affordable indie, cost effective with right team
Overall script scores: Entertainment: 8/10, Craft: 9/10
SCRIPT TITLE: The Black Sea of Roses
Nominated: Best Fantasy Script
Judge #1 Comments: “Overall, this is a lovely moody piece – but some of the script writing syntax is lacking. I’d look at this here – see if the script can become more professional by boosting the script technique.”
→ Would recommend: Yes
→ Budget scale: Moderate
Judge #2 Comments: “A mid range runtime is a bit of an odd one. It isn’t long enough to be a feature, and not short enough to be a short – I would personally say this is a feature, and requires that bolstering to hit the minimum of 80 pages. The production design potential though is great, and the tone that goes with this a great Gothic fun vibe.”
→ Would recommend: Yes
→ Budget scale: Potentially low for indie
Overall script scores: Entertainment: 9/10, Craft: 7/10
SCRIPT TITLE: Fine China
Nominated: Best Character Arc, Winner: Best Produced Script
Judge #1 Comments: “Well produced, this script really relies and relishes the skill of its lead actor. It is a well organised character piece, and a sobering coming of age film.”
Judge #2 Comments: “The secondary character here is clearly the locales… and that is quite amazing. Indie films often lack a sense of texture on the front of areas. It feels as if this film knows where it is set, and loves it.”
Overall script scores: Entertainment: 7/10, Craft: 8/10
SCRIPT TITLE: End of Day
Nominated: Best Screenplay
Judge #1 Comments: “Prim and proper, this sci fi jolter delight really moves with a great sense of smoothness. Perhaps pricy for being a short film, and of course – an awkward runtime for a short film, should really be a little shorter.”
→ Would recommend: Yes
→ Budget scale: Moderate
Judge #2 Comments: “With strong scene and tone setting moments, this film grows with its characteristics. It is nicely researched, or at least has that solid texture behind it to carry some sense of verisimilitude.”
→ Would recommend: Yes
→ Budget scale: High for short, but worth it
Overall script scores: Entertainment: 10/10, Craft: 9/10
SCRIPT TITLE: The Resurrectionists
Nominated: Best Genre Script
Judge #1 Comments: “The script flexes many muscles, and ultimately the budget element is likely to be its biggest hurdle… but there’s lots of room here for some solid character actors to delve deep into the comedy and scenarios. It is very entertaining.”
→ Would recommend: Yes
→ Budget scale: High for indie
Judge #2 Comments: “At its heart there’s one key successful element of this script which keeps it afloat and quite the page turner – it is the concept. It is a comical and fun exercise and it knows how to deliver the beats when necessary.”
→ Would recommend: Yes
→ Budget scale: High
Overall script scores: Entertainment: 10/10, Craft: 10/10
SCRIPT TITLE: Stil’s Life
Nominated: Best Character Arc
Judge #1 Comments: “Dense with ideas, this is definitely more of a project than a plain script. It is rich and full of detail!”
→ Would recommend: Yes
→ Budget scale: Moderate for TV
Judge #2 Comments: “The core character arc is what is great in this set up – it feels like a solid TV show with an intriguing potential.”
→ Would recommend: Yes
→ Budget scale: Large
Overall script scores: Entertainment: 9/10, Craft: 9/10
SCRIPT TITLE: Trick or Treat
Winner: Best Original Concept, Nominated: Best Script Genre
Judge #1 Comments: “Amusing, hilarious and actually quite a fun play on genre and of course film concepts.”
→ Would recommend: Yes
→ Budget scale: Moderate
Judge #2 Comments: “Actually a simple delight with its core concept.”
→ Would recommend: Yes
→ Budget scale: High for indie
Overall script scores: Entertainment: 10/10, Craft: 9/10
SCRIPT TITLE: Toxic Fun
Nominated: Best Genre Script, Nominated: Best Screenplay
Judge #1 Comments: “I think this is better suited to a feature film. Great fun all the same and a lot of genre tones in it.”
→ Would recommend: Yes
→ Budget scale: Moderate for TV
Judge #2 Comments: “With the right director and style, this could be a real showstopper of genre and guts.”
→ Would recommend: Yes
→ Budget scale: Moderate
Overall script scores: Entertainment: 10/10, Craft: 9/10
SCRIPT TITLE: Nana
Nominated: Best Character Arc, Nominated: Best Screenplay
Judge #1 Comments: “A brilliant concept. A sharp family unit with layers and texture. Only remark is the runtime is odd – not long enough for a feature, and too long for a short.”
→ Would recommend: Yes
→ Budget scale: Moderate
Judge #2 Comments: “The use of locales and of course the inner workings of the family dynamics shows a great understanding of personality and personal life in this script. It is exciting – and one we’d love to see made.”
→ Would recommend: Yes
→ Budget scale: High for short
Overall script scores: Entertainment: 10/10, Craft: 8/10
SCRIPT TITLE: Normal
Nominated: Best Character Arc
Judge #1 Comments: “The show has a great character set up in its core, though again feels perhaps better suited to a film. The rich plotting might become a tad bit melodramatic with repeat episodes.”
→ Would recommend: Yes
→ Budget scale: Low for TV
Judge #2 Comments: “With strong performances at its core, this has a great potential for ensemble casting… which is the key to all good TV shows that contain a kind of ‘family’ of characters.”
→ Would recommend: Yes
→ Budget scale: Moderate
Overall script scores: Entertainment: 8/10, Craft: 10/10
SCRIPT TITLE: I Met Her at Birkenau
Nominated: Best Original Concept, Winner: Best Screenplay
Judge #1 Comments: “Hands down impressive.”
→ Would recommend: Yes
→ Budget scale: Moderate for indie film
Judge #2 Comments: “Tense, dark and often performance lead, this project has a strong potential for any director with their head screwed on.”
→ Would recommend: Yes
→ Budget scale: High for indie
Overall script scores: Entertainment: 10/10, Craft: 8/10
SCRIPT TITLE: Vested
Nominated: Best Character Arc
Judge #1 Comments: “The film boasts a kind of 90’s thriller vibe. The writing even feels a little retro at times. All in all quite a fun flick.”
→ Would recommend: Yes
→ Budget scale: High for indie
Judge #2 Comments: “Complicated to shoot no doubt in the indie setting, but undeniably sharp and even witty in the context of its self awareness of genre and character arcs.”
→ Would recommend: Yes
→ Budget scale: Moderate
Overall script scores: Entertainment: 9/10, Craft: 9/10
SCRIPT TITLE: Merry Little Christmas
Nominated: Best Produced Screenplay
Judge #1 Comments: “This little Christmas flick is a pure pleasure.
→ Would recommend: Yes
Judge #2 Comments: “Charming and almost Hollywood classic in tone. Can’t wait to see the final product (we recommend The Monkey Bread Tree Film Awards – contact us for a discount)”
→ Would recommend: Yes
Overall script scores: Entertainment: 9/10, Craft: 9/10
SCRIPT TITLE: Goodbye Rosaline
Nominated: Best Genre Script
Judge #1 Comments: “Boasting a lengthy runtime, this is a heavy one for indie producers… but it is undeniably aware of its genre, tone and of course pace.”
→ Would recommend: Yes
→ Budget scale: High
Judge #2 Comments: “Grand, moving and often epic – this is quite the indie script.”
→ Would recommend: Yes, with edit
→ Budget scale: High
Overall script scores: Entertainment: 10/10, Craft: 7/10
SCRIPT TITLE: 2nd Date
Nominated: Best Character Arc
Judge #1 Comments: “The beauty of this script really lies in its realistic portrayal of contemporary issues and dialogues.”
→ Would recommend: Yes
→ Budget scale: Low
Judge #2 Comments: “This is an indie delight – one for the actors for sure… who are bound to find its contemporary setting easy to connect with.”
→ Would recommend: Yes
→ Budget scale: Low for indie
Overall script scores: Entertainment: 9/10, Craft: 8/10
SCRIPT TITLE: Paid in Blood
Nominated: Best Screenplay
Judge #1 Comments: “The runtime is a bit funny – not a TV show, not a short, not a feature really… but it is a great starting script from a young writer, and one full of lovely moments. Really nicely textured.”
→ Would recommend: Yes with edit
→ Budget scale: Moderate
Judge #2 Comments: “I love the characters and their interactions. The dynamics are here.”
→ Would recommend: Yes
→ Budget scale: Potentially high for indie
Overall script scores: Entertainment: 10/10, Craft: 9/10
SCRIPT TITLE: Steel City
Nominated: Best Screenplay
Judge #1 Comments: “The heart of this reflective peace lies greatly in the ideas of time – the script relishes this, and the pace of a journey that one individual must endure as they age out of a particular role.”
→ Would recommend: Yes
→ Budget scale: High for indie
Judge #2 Comments: “It often feels like the final episode of a TV show – or perhaps the skeleton of a feature film… I guess what I’m trying to say is that it feels grander than the runtime allows. This is a compliment – it is to say that it is rich enough to feel too rich as a dish.”
→ Would recommend: Yes
→ Budget scale: Very high for indie, but lovely
Overall script scores: Entertainment: 10/10, Craft: 9/10
SCRIPT TITLE: The Fighting First
Winner: Best Fantasy Script
Judge #1 Comments: “Though not a fantasy persay, it is a bold and almost fantastical examination of personal dynamics, and is – with the right director – potentially a really fascinating story that could be told with a bold style. I am largely thinking here about Stay (2005) and The Jacket (2005) – in the right hands this could be a surreal experience.”
→ Would recommend: Yes
→ Budget scale: Moderate
Judge #2 Comments: “Bold and often moving, this script could just do with a bit of trimming and well… maybe a smaller budget if it was to be made for the indie scene.”
→ Would recommend: Yes, after edit
→ Budget scale: High for indie
Overall script scores: Entertainment: 9/10, Craft: 10/10
SCRIPT TITLE: Casket Girl
Winner: Best Genre Script
Judge #1 Comments: “Ticking many horror musts, this script just jumps off of the page as something very marketable and exciting.”
→ Would recommend: Yes
→ Budget scale: Moderate
Judge #2 Comments: “With the right leads, this could be a very convincing horror that enjoys its Gothic undertones whilst delivering what contemporary horror must do – excite.”
→ Would recommend: Yes
→ Budget scale: Almost high
Overall script scores: Entertainment: 8/10, Craft: 8/10
SCRIPT TITLE: Martin’s Accidental Quest
Nominated: Best Character Arc
Judge #1 Comments: “Some of the writing, in particular the opening and casting notes needs work (it is very unusual and odd)… but at its heart this is a charming character piece, and one that feels ready for the camera.”
→ Would recommend: Yes
→ Budget scale: Moderate
Judge #2 Comments: “It feels like an indie flick – the ensemble element especially.”
→ Would recommend: Yes
→ Budget scale: High for indie with all that travel and cast
Overall script scores: Entertainment: 8/10, Craft: 6/10
SCRIPT TITLE: The Sicken
Nominated: Best Genre Script, Nominated: Best Original Concept
Judge #1 Comments: “A close second to our winner, this is a genre feast. Loveable and really enjoyable.”
→ Would recommend: Yes
→ Budget scale: High
Judge #2 Comments: “The concept is a right of the page bouncy castle that many will enjoy – I can see the poster. Hear the screams in the trailer. Bring it on!”
→ Would recommend: Yes
→ Budget scale: Moderate if done right
Overall script scores: Entertainment: 10/10, Craft: 8/10