By Sarah Chaisson-Warner
Shore Scripts’ annual feature screenplay contest has a proven track record of helping emerging writers achieve their goals of becoming full-time working screenwriters. Our strategic approach to script circulation and strong relationships within the industry have helped over 100+ writers launch and sustain their careers.
This year’s prize package for the feature screenplay competition winner includes a $5,000 cash prize, guaranteed meetings with industry professionals, and mentorship from the creator of Atomic Blonde and writer of Resident Evil Village, Antony Johnston.
Why Do I Need A Mentor?
The entertainment industry is challenging to enter and navigate, and going at it alone is a difficult strategy. Having an excellent script is just the beginning – this industry is built upon connections, relationships, and trust. So, in 2022 Shore Scripts has decided to leverage its extensive industry connections to give the winner of the Feature Screenplay contest a unique opportunity to further their screenwriting career.
Having a mentor can be key for avoiding pitfalls, understanding how the industry works, and building a career plan.
Even for people who grew up in the industry, a mentor is still a valuable part of the learning curve. Ella Jones, a member of Shore Scripts’ prestigious Directors’ Roster, credits much of her learning to her mentor, Becky Martin (Peep Show, Veep). Since then, Ella has gone on to serve as a mentor herself as well, which she has found equally rewarding.
“I love the idea of an endless chain of mentoring – of being mentored by someone further along, whilst mentoring someone earlier on. Mentoring people earlier on in their careers has allowed me to recognize how far I’ve come in mine, what I’ve learned, and the progress I’ve made. Something that we often struggle to do in a field where we’re always looking forward to the next big thing.” – Ella Jones
The Shore Scripts Mentoring Experience
Our competitions are designed to help writers build strong and lasting careers in the entertainment industry, and our mentors are uniquely positioned to help competition winners advance their professional goals.
This year’s feature screenplay mentor is Antony Johnston. Antony is a New York Times bestselling author and screenwriter. He is the creator of Atomic Blonde and writer of Resident Evil Village, and his novel The Exphoria Code is in development for TV. In 2020 he wrote and directed the indie short Crossover Point, made entirely in quarantine.
The grand prize winner of the feature competition will have their script read by Antony, and will receive a phone or Zoom meeting to talk more about their project. Antony will offer insights about the strengths and weaknesses of their script, and offer any suggestions for improvements.
Antony is thrilled to serve as a mentor for the winner of this year’s feature competition –
“There are so many great writers out there who just need a helping hand, and I’m delighted to help Shore Scripts to do that for the year’s best feature writer. I can’t wait to meet them and hear their story.” – Antony Johnston
