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Digital News Report – Amazon announced the start of Amazon Studios which they have contests for any filmmaker and screenwriter to get a chance to win money and then to turn their project into a commercial feature film. Amazon will be offering a total of $2.7 million in monthly and annual awards to the best submissions that they receive before December 31, 2011. Amazon Studios will work with Warner Bros. Pictures for a first look deal to see if the film can be turned into a commercial feature film.
Script writers can submit their story scripts as well as filmmakers who can submit full-length test movies (70 minutes) to be considered for the Amazon Studios contest. Amazon said that the filmmakers films don’t have to be “full budget” to be considered for the project. Amazon has a panel of judges from the movie industry that are looking for commercially viable projects. So basically if they think that they can turn the project into a big money making venture you just might be on your way to the big time.
Amazon says that movie fans can read the scripts and watch the films and also upload a revision if they like. So it sounds like it can become a collaborative effort and you will also get feedback on your own work. Even if you don’t get selected chances are you will get better at writing scripts and and making films because of the feedback.
To find out more about how Amazon Studios works you can visit http://studios.amazon.com/gettingstarted. At their http://studios.amazon.com/contests website they will explain more about how the contest works as well as guidelines and movie genre samples to get you off to the right start.
If Amazon Studios uses a screenwriters original script in a theatrical feature film they will get $200,000 and if the movie earns $60 million at the theaters in the US then they will pay an additional $400,000 bonus.
For the 2011 Annual Awards by Amazon Studios you have to submit your script of movie by December 31, 2011. The award for the best script is $100,000 and the best movie is $1 million. They also are having a first monthly awards which you must enter by January 31, 2011. The first monthly award will be $100,000 for the best movie, and $20,000 each for the best two scripts. The extra money can come in only if they make your film into a commercial film.
By: Victoria Brown