Looks like AmazonStudios has reinvented itself and relaunched.  The automatic 18-month options that everyone complained about are now gone.  Apparently, so are the monthly contests.  The way it works now is, once you submit your script(which is free), Amazon has a 45 day option on your work.  During this time, your script is read and evaluated by their readers(not sure if they provide you notes or not).  If they decide to add your script to their development slate, they give you $10,000.  If not, the option expires after 45 days.  If they do decide to go ahead and develop your script, you have an opportunity to sell them the script outright(for which I believe they pay $200,000), although that's probably a mighty long shot.  But they also have open writing assignments to rewrite other scripts, which pay up to $33,000.

So folks, might be worth it now to dust off those old scripts and send 'em in.
http://studios.amazon.com/getting-started

Hey Ryan,

Thanks for the heads up...
It seems overall this approach is less confusing.

There's some weirdness in the revision process that re-starts the 45 day free option.
Even if you close the public project to outside revisions, this can still happen...

If you uploaded an original movie script, these project collaboration settings only allow you to limit the addition of revised scripts to your project at Amazon Studios. They don't limit other participants' ability to add video content based on your script, and filmmakers and actors may not adhere to your script in making video content.

So someone can add video content to a closed submission...
And still force a renewal of the free option.

Seems a bit odd to me. Thoughts?

Regards,
E.D.

Hmmm..  Interesting.  (With the exception of that video content option renewal issue...)  Definitely worthy of further exploration - with caution....

Janet, you were the person I thought of first when I read this. You have some scripts that are ready. Not saying others don't, just I know you have a bunch.

As I understand it, you can make the script either public(able to be seen by anyone who visits the site) or private(where only the Amazon readers view your work).  

It seems if you make your submission public, anyone can read it and decide to do their own rewrite/version of that script and the 45 day option begins all over for your script as well as the "remade" version.  

From what I've read, looks like private is the way to go on this site.  Although, if Amazon does plunk down $10,000 for your script, they do own the rights for 18 months.  And, they also have the right to option it one more time for another 18 months.  So it's not like you can refuse their option offer.

Kev -

:)  Actually, there's one script that I may be willing to use for a test run for the Studios (the one you haven't read yet!)

It's that video content renewal clause that gives me significant pause....  Depending how that's interpreted and wielded by Amazon Studios, that could tie up a script in limbo indefinitely.

Of course, there's always those writing assignments, as an alternative!  If one could find the time...  :)

--J

I don't have anything to put up there. If I did, I would without hesitation.  :-/

Quoted from wonkavite Kev - :)  Actually, there's one script that I may be willing to use for a test run for the Studios (the one you haven't read yet!) It's that video content renewal clause that gives me significant pause....  Depending how that's interpreted and wielded by Amazon Studios, that could tie up a script in limbo indefinitely. Of course, there's always those writing assignments, as an alternative!  If one could find the time...  :) --J

7,249 submissions.
175 Consider List scripts.
162 Development Slate scripts...
But most of the last category are 120+ rewrites of one zombie script!

Seems a bit daft to me... anyone that rewrites your script can get a deal?
Not to mention the rewrites being separate entries inflates the numbers of successes.

Hmm...

E.D.

Anyone trying out the rewrite assignments? Looks like big bucks for the Facebook and 12 Princesses. I'll see if I have time.

Quoted from wonkavite It's that video content renewal clause that gives me significant pause....  Depending how that's interpreted and wielded by Amazon Studios, that could tie up a script in limbo indefinitely.

As I understand it, this video content and rewrite issue can only come up if you submit your script publicly and someone else decides to rewrite the script or film it.

If you submit privately, no one besides Amazon actually sees the script.  So, they have 45 days to either pay you $10,000 or just let the option expire.

Quoted from Electric Dreamer Hey Ryan, i]If you uploaded an original movie script, these project collaboration settings only allow you to limit the addition of revised scripts to your project at Amazon Studios. They don't limit other participants' ability to add video content based on your script, and filmmakers and actors may not adhere to your script in making video content.[/i] So someone can add video content to a closed submission... And still force a renewal of the free option.

R -

Dunno.  Based on info that Brett posted, even a closed script can have an option renewal based on video content submission.  A few red flags are going off in my subconscious on that one...

Quoted from wonkavite R - Dunno.  Based on info that Brett posted, even a closed script can have an option renewal based on video content submission.  A few red flags are going off in my subconscious on that one...

He's looking at the rules for the public submission.  If you do it privately, the only thing people have access to is your logline.

Quoted from Eric Stokes He's looking at the rules for the public submission.  If you do it privately, the only thing people have access to is your logline.

This is correct.  Rewrites/video content can only happen if your script is made public on the site.  If you submit it privately, no one but the people at Amazon have access to your script for the 45 day period.  After that, if no option is offered, you can either pull your script from the site or, if you want, make the script public and open to collaboration.

Here's the latest news Amazon Studios is making...

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/zombies-gladiators-clive-barker-amazon-333066

I wonder if Clive had to fill out an Amazon submission form like the rest of us. ;D
Thoughts?

E.D.