The Oriskany Project Overview
The Oriskany Project is a one-of-a-kind and one-time-only script contest based around a simple idea: there is one sunken aircraft carrier in the world that can be used as the setting for a film, it is the former aircraft carrier the USS Oriskany, and someone will write the definitive script for this incredible setting.
The goal is to inspire the creation of a variety of stories set at least in part on the Oriskany, which lays at rest just south of Pensacola, FL. The means is a contest open to all. The prize is half of all submissions money put forth by writers, with a floor prize of $500, and the chance to be read by a jury of incredibly distinguished movie professionals.
The Rules:
- The contest is open to all.
- Submissions must be finished feature film scripts, not plays, novels, short stories, or outlines.
- All submissions must be written in standard film script format (exact specifications are noted below).
- Submissions must be no less than 80 properly formatted pages and can be no longer than 140 formatted pages.
- The script must use the Oriskany as a central plot element or setting with at least 2% of the film shot on the carrier and 20% of the film about or referring to the carrier.
- All submissions must be accompanied by a $50 check made payable to the Pensacola Film Festival, Inc. Because submissions make up 1/2 of the award, there will be no exceptions.
Other than these simple guidelines, the contest is an open palate for writers to put forth their most imaginative and original work.
Scripts will be vetting initially by members of the board of the Pensacola Film Festival led by Tom Roush, a produced scriptwriter and former story editor for Columbia Tri-Star Home Video and the current Film Commissioner for Pensacola. Nichol Award winner Carlton Proctor will also serve on the board to vet scripts.
The Judges:
Afterwards, the final three will be submitted to this distinguished (and growing) panel of judges to determine the winner by blind voting:
- Ryan Saul - Literary agent at Metropolitan Talent who placed and sold “Brother Bear” and “Chicken Little” to Disney for his clients.
- Stuart Gordon - Legendary horror films writer and director who wrote and produced the “Re-animator” series as well as the “Honey, I Shrunk The Kids”: series.
- Col. Paul Sinor - Produced scriptwriter and Film Commissioner for the US Army as well as military consultant for Michael Bey’s new film.
- Frank Patterson - Dean of the Film School at Florida State University.
- Erik Stolhanske - member of the Broken Lizard Comedy Troupe who wrote and produced “Super Troopers” and Clubb Dread.”
- Mark Bennett - Former producing partner to legendary TV producer Fred DeCordova and Creative Services Director at DIC Entertainment.
- Anthony LaMolinara - Academy Award Winner in Special Effects for “Spider Man 2”.
Formatting:
Font: Courier, 12pt
Margins: 1.0 inches on the right and 1.5 inches on the left
Page Number: Top right corners a half-inch from the top of the page
Character Names: ALL CAPS and indented 3.5 inches from page left
Dialogue: 35 character wide (3.5 inches of Courier 12) and indented 2.5 inches from page left.
Include a cover page with Title and Author name.
Bind with standard script brads in three hole punched paper, not folders, covers, clips or other binders.
Sample format can be found at: http://www.oscars.org/nicholl/format.html
