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Program Description

More than a contest, the Story Farm Fellowship offers an opportunity to elevate your current projects and develop a new one all while on a 5-Day writing retreat at a lakeside location in Wisconsin. Plus, you'll receive extended support, and consideration for the ISA Development Slate.

Whether you're an emerging voice, or you're an industry veteran looking for ongoing support and further development, we welcome you to submit. Show us your original and authentic voice. 

Free to apply. Accepting features and pilots in all genres.

 

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View the International Screenwriters’ Association 2023 Annual Transparency Report in association with the Women of Color Unite Transparency Initiative.

 

Deadlines and Fees

Final
June 20, 2024
Features
Standard Fee
$0
ISAConnect Fee
$0
Television Pilots
Standard Fee
$0
ISAConnect Fee
$0

Program Benefits

GRAND PRIZE

  • One spot at the STORY FARM RETREAT - September 25 - 29 ($2,000 value)
  • Consideration for the ISA’s Development Slate and Creative Screenwriter Productions Slate
  • Includes benefits for Top 3, Top 10, etc.

TOP 3 WRITERS

  • 2 months of bi-weekly workshops through the Story Farm Professional Development Program
  • 8 workshop meetings and advanced development notes from script consultant, Max Timm, and peers that lead up to a final 12-page outline of a newly developed project (with written notes from Max on the outline) (value of $1995) 

TOP 10

  • The Craft Course on Screenwriting ($99 value)
  • 3 months free of the Craft Membership ($57 value)
  • 35% off all Story Farm call packages with Max Timm (4, 8, or 12 calls) 

ALL APPLICANTS

  • 25% off an Executive Evaluation and One-on-One Recorded Call with Max Timm
  • 25% off The Story Farm Retreat ($1500 instead of $2000 - includes food and drinks, but not airfare or lodging)

 

THE STORY FARM RETREAT: WISCONSIN 

Work on Your Craft - Make New Friends - Fun, Food, and Drinks

A 5-Day weekend of Dedicated Writing Time, Extensive Workshopping, Lectures, Community.

All of this as the leaves are changing in a southeastern Wisconsin lakeside town on Lake Geneva. 

This year's retreat is set to take place at September 25th - 29th.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Designed by 18-year industry veteran consultant, author, producer, and the ISA's Director of Education, Max Timm, The Story Farm Retreat was created for writers who actually intend to get writing done while on a 5-Day vacation. Most writing retreats are so jam-packed with events, activities, panels, lectures, even yoga sessions, that very little time is given to developing your material.

The Story Farm Retreat focuses on full-day writing activities, group workshopping, one-on-one office hours with Max, as well as pitch practice and a special industry guest who will answer any and all Hollywood business questions. The retreat is also fully catered with all the food and drinks you can consume all within a 100+ year-old converted barn within a 10-minute walk to the best spring fed lake in Wisconsin.

The attendees spend time in downtown Lake Geneva, WI, exploring, shopping, eating, and enjoying a Haunted Lake Geneva walking tour - an excellent way to find inspiration for your project while enjoying the history of the best kept secret in the country. The Story Farm prides itself on developing the next up and coming screenwriters, and the retreats ensure that all attendees receive support, camaraderie, and lifelong creative friends while propping each other up as we enjoy this wild adventure that is screenwriting.

Retreat Schedule and Goals

The retreat's focus is in the name! We're here to farm stories, ideas, creativity, and inspiration.

The Story Farm Retreat features:

  • Daily Workshopping

  • Group pitch practice

  • Educational lectures on Concept, Character Development, Structure, and Page Work

  • Fully catered meals, flowing drinks, and plenty of social time with fellow writers.

  • Dedicated hours to quiet writing

  • Private farmhouse setting with a tennis court, fire pit (ghost stories at night), and within a 10-minute walk to an adorable lakeside town and beach.

The Grand Prize Winner, and any writers who intend to sign up for the retreat, will be offered sleeping accommodation availability at The Abbey Resort, which is about a five-minute walk from the Story Farm Retreat property.

Day 1:

  • 4:30pm - All attendees to arrive at the farm / Check-In at The Abbey Resort
    4:30 - 5:30pm - Meet and greet, get settled, drinks and mingling
    5:30 - 7:00pm - Dinner and drinks served
    7:00 - Group orientation and retreat work plan
    8:30 and on - free/social time. Mingle, get some writing in, can go to bed early

Day 2:

  • 8:00am - 9:30am - Breakfast/coffee available, Open/Free writing time
  • 9:30am - 11:30am - Project Intros/Brief Pitch (of NEW idea) Plus Lecture
  • 11:30am - 1:00pm - Lunch
  • 1:00 - 5:00pm - Open/Free writing time - Office Hours available (until 4:00)
  • 5:30 - Dinner and drinks
  • 6:45 - Special Guest Q&A
  • 8:30 - Open/Free time - mingle, write

Day 3:

  • 8:00 - 9:30am - Breakfast/coffee available, Open/Free writing time
  • 9:30am - 10:30am - Idea Generation
  • 11:00am - 1:00pm - Lunch
  • 1:00 - 2:30pm - Open/Free writing time - Office Hours available
  • 2:30 - 3:30pm - Pitch Game + Writing Exercise
  • 3:30 - 5:30pm - Open/Free
  • 5:30 - 7:00pm - Dinner and drinks
  • 7:00 - Bonfire & ghost stories

Day 4:

  • 8:00am - Breakfast/coffee available
  • 8:00am - 10:00am - Open/Free writing time
  • 9:30am - 10:45am - Workshop / Check-in on Writing Progress (for primary project)
  • 10:45am - 12:30pm - Brunch
  • 12:30 - 1:45 - Open Writing - Pitch Prep
  • 1:45 - 4:00 - Pitch Sessions - Workshopping
  • 4:00 - 5:00pm - Open/Free writing time - office hours available with Max
  • 5:30 - Special Dinner and Wine/Drinks
  • 7:00 - Open/Free

Day 5:

- 7:00am - Breakfast/coffee available - Check-Out and Prep for Trip to Airport depending on your flight times

The Story Farm Experience

A 5-Day weekend of Dedicated Writing Time, Extensive Workshopping, Lectures, Community.

All of this as the leaves are changing in a southeastern Wisconsin lakeside town outside of Lake Geneva. 

This year's retreat is set to take place September 25th - 29th.

Long-Term Success

Education plus creative development equals ongoing success. Over half of Story Farm writers have gone on to receive script options, and land representation. The Story Farm's purpose is to help you develop multiple projects per year by learning a step-by-step development process that makes things easier!

 

Let's work together at creating your success.

Feedback Options

Script Notes

$39

1st 20 Pages Notes

ISAConnect $29

Snapshot of Your Script at a Glance

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    A one-page examination focused exclusively on the 1st 20 pages.

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    Provides a snapshot of how your work is received at a glance.

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    Perfect for writers looking to enrich their character intros, tighten their first act, and hook readers with a clear style.

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    Reflects the "1st 20 only" reading that occurs in the early rounds of certain contests and at development studios.

$69

Full Script Notes

ISAConnect $59

Improve Your Characters & Dialogue

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    Up to three pages of notes covering your entire screenplay.

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    Refine your work's characters, dialogue, plot, structure, and formatting.

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    Receive actionable criticism to expand upon your narrative's existing strengths and identify any potential concerns.

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    Fine-tune your project before submitting to agents, managers, and development executives.

$99

Deep Dive Notes

ISAConnect $89

Detailed Analysis of Your Script

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    Four pages of extensive notes covering your entire screenplay.

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    Elevate your script with a deeper analysis and guidance toward a production ready project.

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    Longer, more specific breakdowns of specific elements allow for unique insights into your writing style related to your characters, dialogue, plot, structure and formatting.

Development Evaluations

$199

General Evaluation

ISAConnect $149

Elevate to a Production-Ready Script

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    Up to 5 pages of extensive notes covering your entire screenplay.

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    Develop and expand upon early drafts or rewrites to dissect problem areas to elevate your script to its final draft.

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    Receive a breakdown of each of your script’s fundamental elements.

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    High-scoring screenplays are considered by the Development Team for acceptance onto the Slate.

$599

Marketability Evaluation

ISAConnect $499

Approve Your Pitch and Presentation

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    Sharpen your script’s marketability, improve overall presentation and develop your pitch for agents, managers and producers.

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    Full Script Read by Felicity Wren, ISA's VP of Development, Co-VP of Development with Creative Screenwriter Productions.

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    Recorded phone consultation (45-60 mins)

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    Consideration for the ISA Development Slate

$599

Executive Level Evaluation

ISAConnect $499

Appeal to Studio Execs & Showrunners

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    A full review of your script with brainstorms and notes on Concept, Character Development, Structure, and Page Work.

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    Full script read by Max Timm, ISA's Director of Education, Co-VP of Development with Creative Screenwriter Productions.

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    Recorded phone consultation (45-60 mins)

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    Consideration for the ISA Development Slate

*Feedback is provided by the ISA and does not affect program judging.

Announcement Dates

Grand Prize

Aug. 07, 2024

SPONSORS

The Story Farm International Screenwriters Association

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the deadline?
Final Deadline - June 20, 2024

What is the Grand Prize announcement?
Grand Prize - August 7, 2024

When is the retreat?
This year's retreat is set to take place at September 25th - 29th.

Is it one Feature writer and one TV Pilot writer that is chosen?
No, TV Pilots and Features run together. We are looking for the best writers overall, so feel free to submit both types of scripts as one writer.  

Do you accept submissions via snail mail?
No. In an attempt to be green, we’re not accepting hard copies via the postal service. We’re accepting online submissions and online payments via the ISA website. This includes all major credit cards.


Do I have to submit my script as a PDF?
Yes, and if you aren't sure how to create a PDF olease search Google for help.


Should I include my title page with my screenplay?
Yes, you should include your title, your name, telephone number and email address. If you submitted already without it, that's OK please do not submit again. It does not affect judging in anyway.


Can I submit a screenplay under a pen name?
Yes. 

Can I submit with a co-writer?
Yes. Prizes will be issued per project, not based on the number of writers. Co-writers will both be invited to the retreat.

Does my script have to be registered?
No, but we DO recommend registering your work with the WGA and/or the Library of Congress Copyright office.

Does the writer maintain rights to the screenplay?
Yes, always!

Do I receive feedback with my submission?
You can order feedback for an additional fee, most of which are discounted for this fellowship. Choose your FEE TYPE to make your feedback selection at the bottom of the submission form.
- 1st 20 Pages: $29 (normally $39)
- Full Feedback: $49 (normally $69)
- Deep Dive: $79 (normally $99)
- Development Evaluation: $129 (Normally $199)
- Accelerator: $599 (Normally $699) 

When will I receive my feedback?
Your feedback will be emailed to you within 90 days of submitting your script, usually much sooner.

Can I re-submit a rewrite or corrected versions of my script if I haven't ordered feedback?
No, you must submit your screenplay as a new submission for the price of the current deadline fee.

What if I make a mistake and send the wrong script?
If you make a legitimate mistake applying and recognize this within 24 hours, email us here, and we'll send you instructions on replacing your screenplay: Support@Networkisa.org

Do I need to submit a logline? Synopsis?
Logline: YES / Synopsis: NO

Do you accept short screenplays?
No, not at this time.

Will my screenplay be accepted if it’s not in the traditional format?
Scripts should be written in standard spec screenplay or teleplay format, set in 12-point Courier font. Scripts should be standard length. 

What's the minimum/maximum permitted page length?
Features: 70 - 120 pages.  TV Pilots: 10 - 70 pages.

My screenplay is longer than 120 pages. Will it be disqualified?
No, but we urge you to stay within the guidelines. It’s rare that a good screenplay requires more than the standard number of pages. 

If I'm over 120 pages and receiving feedback, will my full script be read?
A $1 per page fee may be charged separately over 120 pages (not including the Title Page) on feedback orders, or the reader may only read the first 120 pages.

What genres do you accept, and can I submit with more than one?
We accept all genres. We understand scripts can be categorized in many genres. You are welcome to submit in more than one genre.

Do you accept novels, short stories, stage plays, musicals, treatments or synopses, reality show concepts or documentaries?
No, we’re sorry; we do not. We accept ORIGINAL narrative feature length screenplays and narrative half-hour or hour-long TV pilots only.

Can I submit an adaptation of a book or play?
Absolutely, as long as you have full rights to the material and either are the author or have a written agreement with the author allowing this script to be written and marketed.

Can I apply with multiple scripts?
You may apply with as many scripts as you like to this fellowship, but the submission process is limited to one script per transaction on the ISA.

Will applying early increase or decrease my chance of being a finalist?
Applying early will neither increase or decrease your chance of being chosen, but it could save you money!

How will I know if you received my script?
You will receive an email confirming your submission immediately upon completing form and payment. If you do not, please email us here: Support@NetworkISA.org

What if my script is optioned or sold after I submit to the Fellowship?
As long as your script was not optioned or sold prior to the date you submitted, you are still eligible.

I don’t live in the United States. Can I still enter?
Yes, and we look forward to reading your work. Please just make sure it’s in English. No other languages are accepted at this time.

Rules

  • All writers from all countries are welcome to apply to the Story Farm Fellowship, however all scripts must be submitted in English, and application fees must be paid in U.S. dollars.
  • Script must be the original work of the applicant and may not be encumbered by any third party.
  • Scripts that have been sold, produced for a profit, or are currently under option are not eligible.
  • Original full-length feature screenplays and TV Pilots only are accepted. Anything else, including but not limited to short scripts or web series, novels, short stories, stage plays, musicals, treatments, synopses, reality show concepts, and/or documentaries are not eligible. Script submissions must be an original screenplay or teleplay.
  • Screenplays adapted from the submitting writer's own self-published books, plays, or other source materials are eligible if the writer retains all rights to the work.
  • Adaptations from other works are permissible provided the writer has written permission by the owner to adapt the material.
  • Adaptations of works in the public domain are permissible.
  • Co-written material will be accepted. However, any and all prizes issued will be based on a single applicant. Both writers can attend and participate in general meetings and the retreat. 
  • Multiple submissions are accepted by one writer, however if one or more screenplays of the same writer tie, only one screenplay (the decided “best”) will be selected to determine the chosen "Fellow."
  • The writer understands that script feedback can take up to 90-days turn-around time and may not be received before the end of the final application deadline.
  • The ISA cannot guarantee feedback for the submitted script will be received within enough time to resubmit during the same season.
  • Applicants must submit materials and payment online only.
  • Once a script has been submitted, substitutions of new drafts or corrections may only be accepted within 24 hours of the original application. A revised draft of a script may be accepted after 24 hours if it is submitted as a new application with the appropriate fee.
  • Promotional discounts or waivers offered may only be utilized at the time of submission.
  • Promotional discounts or waivers offered may not apply on all submission platforms (i.e. Film Freeway or Coverfly)
  • If a writer receives an Application Fee Waiver as part of a Feedback Promotion or otherwise, the waiver is valid only during the current season, unless an expiration date is otherwise specified. Application Fee Waivers will not be honored in subsequent seasons.
  • Writers under the age of 18 years old must have parent or legal guardian’s permission to participate.
  • Fellowship applicants must accept without reservation the decisions rendered by the judges.
  • The writer understands that it is his/her sole responsibility to register material to be submitted with the U.S. Copyright Office and/or with the Writer’s Guild of America or the appropriate agency in his/her country.
  • Applicants awarded a place in the Top 50 or higher understand and accept that the ISA will be free to use his/her name, likeness and voice for advertising or promotional purposes without additional consideration.
  • Writers retain the rights to their screenplay.
  • Applicants are non-exclusive to Story Farm Fellowship and may submit their screenplay to any other person, competition, producer, agent, publisher, and/or organization.
  • No transfer, substitution or cash equivalent for prizes is allowed.
  • The ISAConnect Membership gift may only be used within 90 days and may not be combined with any current free membership. 
  • The Story Farm will not be held responsible for general meeting cancellations or rescheduling. 
  • If Fellows miss or are late to a meeting or retreat, the Story Farm makes no guarantees to reschedule.
  • Length requirements are as follows: 1). Full-Length Features: 70-120 pages. 2). TV Pilots: Up to 70 pages.
  • If applicant orders feedback a $1 per page fee may be charged separately over 120 pages, not including the Title Page, or the reader may only read the first 120 pages.
  • Standard title pages should be included: listing the script title, name of author(s), telephone number, and email address. Applicants will not be disqualified if it is not included.
  • Under no circumstances should the writer include name or contact information within the body of the script.
  • The Story Farm is not responsible for any applicant errors or omissions on any submitted application materials.
  • Synopses, casting suggestions, letters, resumes and photos will not be considered.
  • The writer accepts, without reservation, that the submitted logline and screenplay will be reviewed by The Story Farm staff and/or panel of Industry Judges for evaluation and that any one of these employees, or judges may have been or may be exploring ideas similar to the submitted material, and the applicant hereby waives any claim that The Story Farm Fellowship and the ISA, its staff or judges may have misappropriated any ideas or portions of the submission, logline or screenplay.
  • There are no refunds for any reason after 24 hours from submission. 
  • The writer understands and accepts without reservation that he/she is an independent contractor and that The Story Farm Administrators are not responsible for withholding any taxes or payments to any government agency, at any level, be it state, local or federal.
  • By submitting to this fellowship, the writer's email address will be added to the contest database as well as The Story Farm and International Screenwriters' Association newsletter for weekly updates, contest promotions and other notifications. The writer may unsubscribe at any time. 
  • It is our full intention to fulfill all prizes as posted. However, due to an unlikely event, act of God or other, we reserve the right to update or edit prizes.
  • The Fellow will be recorded during interviews and The Story Farm and the ISA have the right to use their name, likeness and voice for educational and promotional purposes.
  • To submit materials and be considered, the writer must agree to the Rules.

Contact Information

Contests@NetworkISA.org

+18004725351

8581 Santa Monica Blvd

#438, Los Angeles, California

90069

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