The 2008 Screenwriting Expo CS Open allows you to match your screenwriting skills over two days with up to 1,000 other writers from across the U.S. The Creative Screenwriting Open is a two-day writing competition with big prizes.

The grand prize winner will receive a $3,000 or more* cash prize, Movie Magic Screenwriter software, and production company consideration. The second-place winner will receive $500, and the third-place winner will receive $300.  The top ten finalists will receive prizes of goods and services.

How the CS Open Works

Registration — You register only for Round One of the CS Open (held in 8 different sections at different times on Friday, (Nov. 14) and Saturday, (Nov. 15). This will require you to purchase a ticket for that section, for a fee of $10.  

You must first register for the Screenwriting Expo first to participate.   Click here to register for the Expo (You can also register for the CS Open at that page).   

If you already have your Basic Pass or Gold Pass to the Expo:

Click to add a CS Open ticket to your cart (you will remain at this page):
Click to goto the shopping cart to complete your ticket purchase and check out:

Round One — At your section on Friday or Saturday, you will be given 90 minutes to write a two- to three-page scene based on specific guidelines.

Round One Judging — Scenes will be scored by a distinguished panel of industry readers based on: Structure, Dialogue, Style, and Originality. The top 10% of the writers in round one will advance to Round Two. If you do not advance, you can pick up your scene and see exactly how it was graded. Also, the winning scenes for each section will be posted.

Round Two — Saturday evening (Nov.15) at 7 PM, the top 10% of the writers who advance from Round One will meet in one section (Round Two) and write a second two- to three-page scene, based on specific parameters.

Round Two Judging — These second round scenes will also be judged by a distinguished panel of industry readers. The top ten writers will advance to the final round (Round Three).

Final Round — The ten writers in the final round (Round Three) will meet Sunday morning at 10 AM to pen a final four- to five-page scene which includes at least one lengthy monologue. The judges will select the best three scenes from those ten.

The Playoff — These three finalist scenes will be performed by actors at the closing ceremony (Sunday, 4 PM) for the Expo, and the third-place, second-place, and grand-prize winners will be selected right there by the audience.

Management/Judging
The 2008 Screenwriting Expo CS Open is managed and judged by Coverage, Ink. Specializing in studio and agency-style coverage from real industry pros, Coverage, Ink. is now accessible to all writers at a reasonable price. Coverage, Ink. offers top quality script analysis at a fraction of the cost of an analyst. Is your script a Pass, Consider, or Recommend? Find out before you send it around. Visit http://www.coverageink.com/ for more details.

* Note on the Grand Prize:  it will be at least $3,000.  It will be more if the number of entries financially supports a larger prize.   We don't mean to gouge anyone, but last year's entry fees fell far short of paying for the contest prizes and administration costs.  If this year's CS Open does better than break even, we will increase the amount of the Grand Prize.

Click to add a CS Open ticket to your cart (you will remain at this page):
Click to goto the shopping cart to complete your ticket purchase and check out: