Frequently Asked Questions

These FAQS are intended to help you understand a bit more about how the competition works. However, you should still read and make sure you completely understand the official Competition Rules.

If you have a question that's not addressed here or in the Competition Rules, feel free to contact us at info@storyboardtv.com.

What is the purpose of this competition?

The purpose of this competition, and the website in general, is to foster and promote new talent in television writing and to empower fans to get involved in finding and creating new fictional television shows.

Can I join Storyboard TV if I’m not entering the competition?

Yes, please! Storyboard TV is a great place to hang out if you're tired of seeing great fiction lose air time to reality shows, or of watching the same old story get played out on every crime procedural, or of justifying to your friends just WHY you watch television. Membership is free and the community relies on your enthusiasm and your feedback.

If I enter the competition, what are the prizes?

Storyboard TV will buy an option on the top ten scripts (the semi-finalists), which will also be reviewed by a panel of industry experts. The top three scripts will be featured in and promoted through a live reading in New York. And the winning script will earn its writer $2,000.

How do I submit a script?

You'll need to become a member first. Once you're a member, you'll be able to upload scripts. The easiest way to do all this is to use the button on the main page that says “Submit a Script.”

Why do you have a $20 entry fee?

The entry fee helps offset the costs of building and hosting this site. It also subsidizes the main prize. We think this is a very fair entry fee, and relatively low compared to other writing competitions. $20 helps you help us, while allowing us to help you.

How should I format my script?

For help with formatting your script, we recommend checking out these links:

Or, you might just want to use the free formatting software offered by our friends at Scripped.

What are the guidelines for a one hour TV script?

One hour scripts should come in at around 60 pages and should be structured as follows:
Teaser – commercial break – Act I – commercial – Act II – commercial – Act III – commercial – Act IV – commercial – Tag.

What are the guidelines for a half hour TV script?

Half hour scripts should com in at around 30 pages and should be structured as follows: Teaser – commercial break – Act I – commercial – Act II – commercial – Tag.

For help with writing a half hour, we recommend checking out:

Why can't I submit a script for a feature film?

Right now our focus is solely on episodic storytelling, because that is what we like to read.

When will the semi-finalists, finalists, and winner be announced? And how will I know if I'm one of them?

The ten semifinalists will be contacted by email or phone on or about November 22, 2010 and announced on the website on December 1, 2010. The three finalists will be contacted and announced on January 10, 2011. The winner will be contacted and announced on or about February 7, 2011.

How do I change my contact information?

Any time during the competition, you can sign into your member profile and update your information.

If I enter the competition, do I automatically give up the rights to my script?

No – all entrants retain complete and exclusive rights to their work. However, the top ten scripts will be optioned by Storyboard TV. This means that for $20 (i.e. refund of your entry fee), Storyboard TV will have the exlusive right to buy your script from you over the term of 18 months. The option term, renewal provisions, and formula for calculating a future purchase price are explained in greater detail in Section 4 (Winner Selection) of the Competition Rules.

Can I submit a script for a show already in existence?

No. We're only looking for original work in the form of a TV pilot for a new series. That means no spinoffs, either!

What happens if there's a problem with my electronic file?

We will contact you, via email, if we discover problems with a file. If you discover them first, contact us at info@storyboardtv.com.

May I swap in a revised version of my entry?

Unfortunately, we cannot accept revisions of your script once it's submitted. However, before the second round of judging, the ten semi-finalists will have the chance to revise their scripts based on feedback from the website.

How can I confirm that my entry was received?

You can track your submission through your member page. You should also be able to search for your script in our reading library. And immediately after downloading, your script should appear on the homepage under “Read the latest scripts.”

Who is reading these scripts?

YOU. That is, the members of the StoryboardTV.com community as well as a handful of staffers at Storyboard TV. The ten semi-finalist scripts will also be read by a panel of industry professionals.

Who are these industry professionals?

Our industry panel is made up of executives in programming and development, directors and producers, writers, script coaches, and the television curator at a major media museum. Unlike with other competitions, Storyboard TV receives permission from most of our industry panelists to release their names to the public. Check out our NEWS section closer to judging time for the list.

Why is there a character limit on log lines?

Frankly, it’s there to save you from yourself. Yes, we know your script is unique and complicated (all great storytelling is), but when pitching a show you need to be able to boil your story down to its most basic elements. Loglines should be intriguing and succint. 

These links might prove helpful:

Does my script have to be in any specific genre (scifi, medical, romantic comedy)?

Nope. We like reading everything! And genre mixing! Have fun with it.

My script doesn’t fit into a genre category. Why don’t you guys have an “other” choice?

Again, it’s all about the pitch. You need to be able to say “it’s a sci-fi” or it’s a “family drama”, because there are managers, agents, and production companies represented on this site who may looking for work within a particular genre. While we don’t have an “other” category (we found that too many people relied on it the first time around), we’ve added the vague genres of  “Comedy” and “Drama” as options to choose from. 

What file formats do you accept for online submissions?

We only accept scripts in a PDF format. Click to learn how to convert your script to PDF. Or you might want to try this website:

Are citizens of countries other than the United States eligible?

Yes – as long as the submissions are written in English and protected under US copyright law.

How do I copyright my work? Or register it with the WGA?

It's very easy to do either. Just visit www.loc.gov/copyright to do the former or www.wga.org to do the latter.

Can I enter more than one script to the competition?

Yes, but each submission requires a separate entry form and a separate entry fee of $app->script->price ?>.

What do you do with my personal information?

Your privacy is important to us. We will not sell your information to anyone, or use it to spam horrible, annoying things to you. Please read our privacy policy to learn more.