Get It Made is a fairly well-known competition in which the winning short script is produced. I’ve entered a few times, never got very far. A couple of months ago, they emailed me saying they wanted to talk to me about a script I’d entered previously. I got excited, thinking they wanted to produce it!

The creator of the competition requested a phone call, I agreed. The first red flag for me was when I looked at his calendar and noticed the entire month was split up into 10-minute slots, most of which were booked. That was a lot of calls.

When I spoke to him, it wasn’t to get my screenplay produced. He had relaunched the competition saying the previous company they were with (the ISA) were not sending through quality producible scripts for the finals. He said my scripts were just what they were after and I could tell from what he was saying that he had actually read them. He even had hold of a screenplay of mine I’d never submitted. He had done his research.

He gave me the impression if I entered the new comp I’d stand a great chance of it getting produced and offered me a discount code to sweeten the deal. I took a shot but even at this early stage, I smelled something. If he liked my stuff so much, why not option them there and then? Why did I have to pay again to re-submit them?

I waited patiently though. I wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt. Found out last week I ended up in the top 200 and then in the top 30 semi-finals. In the end, I reached 18th place. Not bad for a 2-page script!

Then I finally uncovered the catch. The top 200 have been invited to join the Get it Made X community. This is a subscription-based service which ‘guarantees production’. It includes pairing you up with another writer who’s subscribed and developing a concept together.

It isn’t a scam as such, you genuinely seem to be signing up to screenwriting development services, but it’s marketed as an exclusive competition perk and a guaranteed production deal. It’s not cheap either, $60 a month, plus they are encouraging sign-ups to expensive tools such as WritersDuet, which is also a subscription-based service.

Just imagine, if they can get roughly 200 people ‘per season’ signing up to this, plus the competition fees and related sponsored promotions for a few months and the cash is going to roll in!

Look – if this is something you think will help you develop as a writer and get something produced then go for it. All I’ll say is if you can afford $60+ a month, then save up for a few months and have a go at producing one of your own screenplays. You will be surprised how many doors open when you come with your own financing.

Quoted from MarkRenshaw You will be surprised how many doors open when you come with your own financing.

Everyone wants your money.

Sounds like a money pit to me

Sounds like absolute jizz to me.

I don't trust anything where they want mula upfront.

They contacted me, too.

Something just didn't smell right. I asked them a few questions, even told them that if they were simply selling their services then don't bother. But, if they were truly interested in the script, then let's talk.

They replied that they liked my script and wanted to talk about it. Had the wrong script, though. Wasn't mine. They said that ISA had mixed everything up and they didn't know whose was whose. Then how do you know you like mine, if you don't even know which one is mine?

They even called me. Left a message.

But, like I said, it just didn't feel right. So, I never returned the call.

I've wondered if I had the right approach. Reading this makes me feel better. Thank you.

Maybe they're legit, maybe not. Can't say. But, I don't think they did themselves any favors with their actions.

Sidenote: the script I submitted is now being made by someone else.

Quoted from PKCardinal They contacted me, too. Something just didn't smell right. I asked them a few questions, even told them that if they were simply selling their services then don't bother. But, if they were truly interested in the script, then let's talk. They replied that they liked my script and wanted to talk about it. Had the wrong script, though. Wasn't mine. They said that ISA had mixed everything up and they didn't know whose was whose. Then how do you know you like mine, if you don't even know which one is mine? They even called me. Left a message. But, like I said, it just didn't feel right. So, I never returned the call. I've wondered if I had the right approach. Reading this makes me feel better. Thank you. Maybe they're legit, maybe not. Can't say. But, I don't think they did themselves any favors with their actions. Sidenote: the script I submitted is now being made by someone else.

Cool. Look forward to seeing it.

Quoted from eldave1 Cool. Look forward to seeing it.

Hopefully it happens. You know how it goes... lots of interest... follow through isn't as even. But, I've got four in the hopper right now. One that I'm very confident will get made. 3 that may or may not. This is one of the 3.

Quoted from PKCardinal Hopefully it happens. You know how it goes... lots of interest... follow through isn't as even. But, I've got four in the hopper right now. One that I'm very confident will get made. 3 that may or may not. This is one of the 3.

Will keep my fingers crossed

Quoted from eldave1 In a related note - this was an interesting post on reddit related to one scammer. https://www.reddit.com/r/Scree.....piring_screenwriter/

Wow. You have to be soooo careful.

I'll say, that's been the most disheartening part of screenwriting... the number of people trying to get their hands on my money. VERY difficult to know who/what is legit.

Makes you REALLY appreciate a site like SimplyScripts, where it's all about the writing/sharing/getting the work out there.

Quoted from PKCardinal Wow. You have to be soooo careful. I'll say, that's been the most disheartening part of screenwriting... the number of people trying to get their hands on my money. VERY difficult to know who/what is legit. Makes you REALLY appreciate a site like SimplyScripts, where it's all about the writing/sharing/getting the work out there.

For sure - I think it's the best on the net.

I've entered one contest, and while I placed as a finalist, I ultimately came to the conclusion that script contests really aren't worth the bother. Why pay an entry fee to a contest in hopes that you MIGHT make it to the top ten, when you can instead query an agent or prodco for free and MIGHT actually sell it (or land a writing gig)?  

If there's one thing every agent, producer, actor and director in Hollywood is looking for, it's a good script. With the demand already so high, there's no reason you should have to pay someone to read yours.  Write it, share it with someone whose opinion you can trust to be honest and objective, fix what needs fixing, and then query your ass off.  

As Dustin noted above, there are a lot of people out there looking to make money off the hopes and dreams of writers. This story sounds like a case in point.

Quoted from PKCardinal They contacted me, too. Something just didn't smell right. I asked them a few questions, even told them that if they were simply selling their services then don't bother. But, if they were truly interested in the script, then let's talk. They replied that they liked my script and wanted to talk about it. Had the wrong script, though. Wasn't mine. They said that ISA had mixed everything up and they didn't know whose was whose. Then how do you know you like mine, if you don't even know which one is mine? They even called me. Left a message. But, like I said, it just didn't feel right. So, I never returned the call. I've wondered if I had the right approach. Reading this makes me feel better. Thank you. Maybe they're legit, maybe not. Can't say. But, I don't think they did themselves any favors with their actions. Sidenote: the script I submitted is now being made by someone else.

I’m glad I’m not the only one who thought this smelled bad. They had the same mix-up with me, he talked to me about Ganglers which is a script I didn’t submit to the competition and wouldn’t qualify as it is too long. He blamed it on the ISA as well. Since I said I wasn’t interested they’ve been spamming me with emails asking for my phone number or Skype details, talk about hard sell or what!

Quoted from eldave1 In a related note - this was an interesting post on reddit related to one scammer. https://www.reddit.com/r/Scree.....piring_screenwriter/

There’s a lot of people out there who just scam and don’t give a crap but there are many more who fool themselves into thinking they are offering genuine, valuable services. This isn’t just the random screenwriting competitions with no genuine links to the industry but those who offer ‘professional’ script services, pitch sessions, networking events and more.   They get extremely defensive at even the suggestion that they are taking advantage of people’s hopes and dreams as they realise they can make a living out of this and have somehow created this illusion in their minds that they are carrying out legitimate work.

As a side note, I’ve been speaking to agents and producers all over the UK and the US the last couple of years trying to break in and the only screenplay competitions they pay the slightest attention to is Page, Nicholls and Austin.  The Blacklist is getting more attention the last few years but that’s about it in general.

This is why I've made a (new) decision not to part with any money to do with screenwriting unless it involves me personally producing a script I wrote.

I've submitted to the Blacklist and got 7.5-8/10s before (along with a bunch of 4-6s for the same scripts), submitted to comps and placed, etc, and none of it feels like it has improved my writing or my connections.

The only comp I'd consider submitting to is the Nicchols and in nearly ten years I've yet to write anything I'd want to send in there.

I recently noticed this post and I can attest that, over 2 years later, Get It Made X (GIMx) is not a scam. As a matter of fact, my proof-of-concept (POC) film is being shot by founder/producer Matt Boda on 2/1/22. Yes, if I were a filmmaker I could shoot this myself, but I’m not, I’m a writer.

Matt had called me as well after my short script placed in the top 10 of the annual contest you mentioned (another placed in the top 100). He explained right away that he was forming a new fee-based group called Get It Made X. His excitement and unique vision for this new group to launch in January 2019 which would give writers the opportunity to create POCs excited me. A POC is a marketing tool to sell the larger completed script. This is exactly what I needed so I signed up without hesitation.

Joining turned out to be a good decision as there are many learning opportunities to participate in, for example (and I know I’m not accounting for them all here): peer-to-peer exchanges; monthly contests judged by a 3rd party with ratings and feedback; end-of-year production contests for members and non-members; weekly table reads with the group; 3-month long coaching sessions; weekly articles and videos; and we do it all through an app with a chat feature. There are 0 additional fees for any of this; but you can hire pros outside of the membership for low fees if you so choose.

Writing POC’s the toughest form of screenwriting. POCs give the producer your “whole” story in just 6 pages, not an easy feat, and there’s a specific technique to achieving this. After writing and developing six over two years, I can attest to that. The hope is that when a producer sees your POC, they’ll request the full script and then option the project.

However, the best part GIMx is the other members who have become like family. I’ve never been part of a group of writers who give so much to each other through the online events, posts, emails, phone calls, etc. We’re there for each other. While our goal is the same, to get produced (a few members have been produced), we don’t feel like competitors due to the subjectivity of the entertainment business.

If you’re wondering what happens to the membership dues, they don’t just vanish into profits for the founders; they go into your production point savings account and accumulate for as long as you’re a member. You can use these points to help finance your POC when ready. There are also other opportunities to add to that account. Matt and team spend a ton of time developing POCs once you decide to go into production.

You can purchase a trial membership to see if it isn’t everything (and more) than I’ve stated. Here’s the link to the Get It Made site [Don's edit - removed link to the site as I am not confortable adding search authority to the site. And I wish to remain neutral regarding this site.  I'm sure anyone who is intersted will be able to find the site.]  Click ‘Path to Production’ for the GIMx info. The POCs and other films they’ve produced/currently in production are on the site as well.

Best wishes with your writing!