2021 JumpStart Writing Competition
This competition is open to both features and pilots of all genres.
Roadmap Writers is a leader in screenwriting education and training taught by working industry executives & literary representatives. In just five years, Roadmap has helped more than 200 writers get signed to representation with agents and managers! Through our educational programs and competitions, Roadmap has directly helped writers get signed to companies including CAA, APA, Gersh, 3 Arts, Circle of Confusion, Gotham Group, Zero Gravity, Good Fear, Echo Lake Entertainment, and many more!
In addition to top industry judges, we've partnered with management/production company Lit Entertainment Group who will guarantee to sign at least one writer from this year's competition. We've also partnered with American High who will select at least ten projects to read that fits their comedic high school criteria, and offer an option agreement to at least one writer/writing team. Unlike other competitions that charge additional fees, our opportunities are included with your entry.
Entry Pricing & Deadlines
Early | May 31st, 2021 | $45
Regular | June 30th, 2021 | $65
Late | Aug 3rd, 2021 | $75
Add Feedback Notes | +$45
Receive a one page analysis of your script.
Grand Prize (2)
Pilot Category & Film Category
- 6x private virtual meetings with industry executives and/or competition judges.
- A private Month Mentorship with an executive of your choice from Roadmap's list of available execs.
- Steps 1 & 2 of Roadmap's Career Writer Program (Pitch Prep Program and Marketing Intensive)
- 5x Free Open Pitch Sessions
- 12 months of Roadmap's "Industry On-Ramp" Program
- A 30-Minute Marketing & Strategy Call with Roadmap's CEO and Director of Operations.
- Featured in our JumpStart Competition Booklet, circulated to over 400 execs.
See below for full list of placements and prizes!
2021 JumpStart Competition Judges
- 3 Arts Entertainment | Ari Lubet (Manager)
- Anonymous Content | Collin Litts (Coordinator)
- APA | Halle Mariner (Agent)
- Buchwald | Matt Nordsten (Agent)
- CAA | Norris Brooks (Agent)
- Circle of Confusion | Daniela Gonzalez (Manager)
- Cranium Entertainment | Kimberly Montini (Head of Development)
- Echo Lake Entertainment | Nick Arnstein (Manager)
- Fuzzy Door | Emily Kochman (Development Coordinator)
- Lit Entertainment | Adam Kolbrenner (Manager) & Matt Dy (Manager)
- Scott Free | Rebecca Feuer (Executive)
- Sugar23 | David Katzman (Manager)
- Writ Large | Matthew Dartnell (Manager)
Lit Entertainment Group is a literary management and production company founded by manager/producer Adam Kolbrenner. Lit represents some of the most in-demand writers and filmmakers in the industry including clients David Guggenheim, Aaron Guzikowski, Nicole Perlman, Matt Lieberman, Justin Marks, and more. In addition to representation Lit Entertainment is also a well-respected production company with film and television projects set up at every major studio.
As a production company their credits include the upcoming Disney/Fox film FREE GUY, starring Ryan Reynolds and directed by Shawn Levy, the Netflix franchise CHRISTMAS CHRONICLES, Amazon/Skydance's upcoming film THE TOMORROW WAR which stars Chris Pratt and is directed by Chris McKay, the HBO Max sci-fi television series RAISED BY WOLVES, and many more.
This amazing opportunity is INCLUDED free with your entry.
All entrants are eligible to win the Guaranteed Signing Prize, so even if you don't place in the Top 50 or above you are still in contention for this prize! So whether you have a feature script or a TV pilot, Roadmap's JumpStart Competition is here to bring you big career changing opportunities!
2021 JUDGES
American High is a full-service production company founded by writer/director/producer Jeremy Garelick that specializes in heartfelt teen comedies.
Since acquiring an abandoned school in Syracuse, NY, American High's missions is to do for this generation what John Hughes did for audiences of the 1980's: tell modern stories of diverse characters as they navigate the most formative years of their lives. In addition to producing multiple films per year, the company aims to finance and acquire a number of third-party films that align with the mission of the American High brand.
American High’s credits include the Hulu comedy PLAN B, SID IS DEAD, HOLLY SLEPT OVER, BANANA SPLIT, LOOKS THAT KILL, BIG TIME ADOLESCENCE, and THE ULTIMATE PLAYLIST OF NOISE for Hulu. Currently, they are in post-production on SEX APPEAL which they acquired from Roadmap Writer Tate Hanyok which will be released by Hulu.
American High is looking for grounded, timeless, comedic high school coming of age stories. Stories and moments that make you cringe looking back on it, but that you'd do it all over again if you could.
American High will select at least ten projects to read from this year's competition that meets this criteria, and offer at least one writer/writing team an option agreement! Writers submitting teen and high school set projects into this year's competition can note their eligibility at the time of entry to be potentially considered for this awesome prize.
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Runner Up (each category)
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Top 5 Finalists (each category)
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Top 25 Semifinalists (each category)
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Top 50 Quarterfinalists (each category)
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Scoring
Submissions will be judged by independent industry experts based on the following criteria. The below explanations of each criterion is by no means an exhaustive list, but just an example of some of the questions readers and judges consider in each category.
Premise/Concept
Is it unique/original? Is it a new spin on a familiar story? Does the concept have longer form potential for either film or TV? Is it commercial? Is it a festival-worthy indie? Can it succinctly be explained? Do the actions and obstacles advance the story?
Characters
Are the characters well developed? Is their purpose or struggle clearly identifiable? Do they have a clear and complete arc? Are they multi-layered? Are the characters relatable or accessible to the reader?
Dialogue
Does the dialogue elevate the scene? Does it heighten the overall story? Does it propel the story forward?
Story
Is the story compelling? Does it serve to drive the characters and events forward in a meaningful way? Does it emphasize a deeper theme? Does the story explore new ideas? Is the story timely? Does it touch on things that are part of the zeitgeist?
Structure
Does the story have a clear beginning, middle and end? Does it have the appropriate structural beats? Is it formatted properly? Does it follow a traditional structure or play with conventions?
Voice/Style
Does the writer use interesting word choice and sentence structure? Do they have a unique way to view and relay what’s happening in the story? Does the writer present/have a unique perspective?
Rules/Announcement Dates
Revised Announcement Dates
Quarterfinalists | October 29th, 2021
Semifinalists | November 17th, 2021
Finalists | December 1st, 2021
Winners | December 15th, 2021
Our guaranteed prize winners will be announced on December 20th, 2021.
Dates subject to change