Global Arts

The deadline to submit entries for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ 25th annual Don and Gee Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting competition is Saturday, May 1, 2010.

The Nicholl Fellowships competition is open to any individual who has not earned more than $5,000 from the sale or option of a screenplay or teleplay, or received a fellowship or prize of more than $5,000 that includes a “first look” clause, an option or any other quid pro quo involving the writer’s work. To enter, writers must submit a completed online application, upload one PDF copy of their original screenplay in English and pay the US$45 entry fee before 11:59 p.m. PT on May 1, 2010.

Last year’s competition drew a record 6,380 entries.

Entry scripts must be feature length and the original work of a sole author or of exactly two collaborative authors. The scripts must have been written originally in English. Adaptations and translated scripts are not eligible. Up to five $30,000 fellowships are awarded each year.

“The Academy is extremely proud that the Nicholl competition continues to identify talented but as yet undiscovered screenwriters,” said Academy President Tom Sherak. “I’m sure that this year’s fellowship recipients will exhibit the same great potential as so many of our past winners.”

Several past Nicholl fellows have gone on to successful screenwriting careers, including Oscar®-nominee Susannah Grant (“Erin Brockovich,” “Charlotte’s Web,” “The Soloist”), Doug Atchison (“Akeelah and the Bee”), Mike Rich (“Radio,” “The Rookie,” “Finding Forrester”), Ehren Kruger (“Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” “The Ring,” “Arlington Road”) and Andrew Marlowe (“Hollow Man,” “Air Force One,” ABC’s “Castle”).

Fellowships are awarded with the understanding that the recipients will each complete a feature-length screenplay during their fellowship year. The Academy acquires no rights to the works of Nicholl fellows and does not involve itself commercially in any way with their completed scripts.

Several other Nicholl fellows have had success in the film industry; to read more about them, visithttp://www.oscars.org/awards/nicholl/fellows/notable.html.

How to Write for Television by Madeline DiMaggio is an excellent writing resource on television. Not only does she give personal examples of her experiences, she explains terms used in the writing for television field.

She doesn't sugar coat the television writing career. She shows the rewards and hardships of television writing. Experienced television writers can benefit from DiMaggio's book as well as a refresher reference.

I know that I will definitely use this book as I begin a try at screenwriting as a research this specific niche. (Can't tell you which niche until I am ready. lol) I am able to apply definitions of terms while I "study" television sitcoms and movies. I will keep referring to DiMaggio's book as I begin my screenwriting.

DiMaggio offers resources such as competitions, interviews and addresses.

For more information, you can go to Madeline DiMaggio.