James Lucas

What do you think about competitions such as PAGE International Screenwriting Awards and BlueCat? Can they help new writers show their talent and make connections?

If every single script written is, "entertaining, has great ideas, dialogues, right format," then what is the difference between a screenplay that gets made into a movie and the one that doesn't? Is it connections? And the only way to get those connections is by living in US and going to school there? And even then you will still have little chance? But what if you send your screenplay to competitions such as BlueCat and you even win an award for it? Still you wont be able to get an agent in Hollywood? I mean there must be a way, right?

I have an important question that is always bothering me: Everybody says, and its obvious that having connections is the most important factor in becoming successful in Film industry, especially in Hollywood. Lets suppose somebody from Canada has a great screenplay written, which is entertaining, has great ideas, dialogues, right format, etc (i.e. a screenplay that would make a good Hollywood movie). Will they be able to find the right connections by sending their work to agents and different screenwriting competitions in states or is it too optimistic to think that way?

Well, its not the degree that matters to me, its mostly about the environment, gaining experience, and learning from teachers and other students. I also want to compare myself with others and see where I stand.

lol. Does it sound like a advertisement for the courses? nah, I'm just really lost, I dont know what to do. The problem is that on their FAQ it says: "The BA program is not a "back door" to the BFA program; transferring between programs is no easier, statistically, than applying from the outside. It is important that if you apply to the BA program it is because this is a course of study you genuinely wish to pursue". But it still looks like that it is a back door to the BFA program, doesnt it?

York University Faculty of fine arts has 3 undergraduate programs, BFA in Production, BFA in Screenwriting and BA in Cinema and Media Studies. My problem is that I'm interested in going to BFA in Screenwriting the most but its a highly competitive program as I hear and I don't think my portfolio and marks are good enough to apply for it. My question is that if I get into the BA in Cinema and Media Studies will I be able to use the same credits to get into a BFA program after one year when I have completed my portfolio and am more confident? Because I see some of the courses are the same between all the 3 programs.