2024 JumpStart Writing Competition
This competition is open to both Features and TV pilots of all genres.
Roadmap Writers is a leader in screenwriting education and training taught by working industry executives & literary representatives. In just seven years, Roadmap has helped over 400 writers get signed to representation with agents and managers. We helped some of last year’s finalists land representation at Paradigm, Echo Lake, 3 Arts, Bohemia Group, Lit Entertainment Group, and REJ Entertainment through our introductions!
Since our JumpStart Competition is an excellent way to vet writers, we are starting to market high-scoring scripts before we even announce contest placements! This will help even more writers get their work in front of execs than ever before.
Roadmap is thrilled to have assembled this esteemed judging panel of executives and representatives.
- Gramercy Park Entertainment | Mitchell Bendersky, Manager
- Grandview | Brennan O'Donnell, Manager
- Odenkirk Provissiero Entertainment | Josh Roemer-Ingles, Manager
- Lit Entertainment Group I Kendrick Tan, Manager
Roadmap’s JumpStart Competition isn’t an ordinary screenwriting contest!
- JumpStart is a talent discovery competition with judges who are working industry professionals, including execs and reps.
- Roadmap provides ongoing career support for our winners (writers who get into the Top 25 or HIGHER).
- Since our prizes don’t expire, we will continue to help promote our winners, i.e. get their material in front of execs and reps for as long as they need... even over several years!
We market high-scoring scripts no matter where they place! And as always we let you know exactly who we reach out to and who requests your material. #FullTransparency. Until the strike is resolved, we will only be marketing to reps.
From a past winner, recently signed by Wonder Street:
"Winning the Roadmap Writers JumpStart Competition has been a game changer for my career. From day one, Joey and his team worked incredibly hard to get me and my materials in front of powerful players in the industry. As a direct result of their introductions, I've signed a shopping agreement with producers on the project that won and signed with a dream manager at a terrific company. I'm very impressed by and grateful for their hustle."
- Deborah Puette, a Grand Prize Winner of the JumpStart Competition
ENTRY PRICING & DEADLINES:
Competition Opens | December 17th, 2024
Early | January 17th, 2025 | $50
Regular | February 21st, 2025 | $70
Late | March 21st, 2025 | $80
*All deadlines are at 11:59pm PT on designated date*
Add Feedback Notes | +$45
Receive a one-page analysis of your script.'
*All Feedback Notes will be returned within 7-10 business days of the Top 50 announcement date*
ANNOUNCEMENT DATES:
Quarterfinalists | April 25th, 2025
Semifinalists | May 23rd, 2025
Finalists | June 20th, 2025
Winners | July 18th, 2025
*Dates subject to change
Click here to view our complete rules and guidelines
GRAND PRIZE WINNERS:
There will be 2 grand prize winners, one for each category (Features and TV pilots).
- 6x private Virtual Meetings with an executive of your choice from Roadmap's list of available execs
- 1x 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 "Pitch Fitness Club"
- 1x 30-Minute Marketing & Strategy Call with Roadmap's CEO
- Featured in our JumpStart Competition Booklet, circulated to over 400 execs
See below for our full list of placements and prizes!
JUDGES:
Roadmap is thrilled to have assembled this esteemed judging panel of executives and representatives.
- Gramercy Park Entertainment | Mitchell Bendersky, Manager
- Grandview | Brennan O'Donnell, Manager
- Odenkirk Provissiero Entertainment | Josh Roemer-Ingles, Manager
- Lit Entertainment Group I Kendrick Tan, Manager
RUNNER UP(2):
1 feature and 1 TV pilot
- 3x Virtual Meetings with an executive of your choice from Roadmap's list of available execs
- 1 year of Roadmap's "Pitch Fitness Club"
- 3x Open Pitch Session credits. Choose to pitch to execs or reps
- 1x 30-minute Marketing & Strategy Call with Roadmap's CEO
- Logline and bio featured in our JumpStart Competition Booklet, circulated to over 400 execs
FINALISTS (10):
5 features and 5 TV pilots
- 1x Virtual Meeting with an executive of your choice from Roadmap's list of available execs
- 3 months of Roadmap's "Pitch Fitness Club"
- 1x Open Pitch Session credit. Choose to pitch to execs or reps
- 1x 15-Minute Marketing & Strategy Call with Roadmap's CEO
- Logline and bio featured in our JumpStart Competition Booklet, circulated to over 400 execs
SEMIFINALISTS (50):
25 features and 25 TV pilots
- 1 month of Roadmap's "Pitch Fitness Club"
- Featured on Roadmap Writers website
- Logline and bio circulated to over 400 execs we work with
QUARTERFINALISTS (100):
50 features and 50 TV pilots
- One 60-Minute Group Strategy Webinar with an industry executive
- Featured on Roadmap Writers website
- Logline circulated to over 400 execs we work with
