HOW DO I APPLY?

• Click on the APPLICATION FORM.
• You will be re-routed to a TWL page on the Coverfly website. (Coverfly hosts this contest and you will need a free Coverfly account to submit. You will be able to restrict Coverfly contact to correspondence from The Writers Lab if you wish.)
• When prompted, upload your script as a PDF labeled with the project TITLE ONLY. DO NOT include the name of the screenwriter(s) ANYWHERE on the PDF.
• Complete all fields of the application and click the green SUBMIT box.
• Choose one of the options for our contest and add it to your cart.
• After you finalize payment and submission, you will receive a confirmation from Coverfly that you have successfully entered The Writers Lab contest.

Additionally, prior to submission, writers in the U.S. should register their script for copyright.

• Register your script with either The Writers Guild or the U.S. Copyright Office. Registration is quick and easy, and will protect you and The Lab’s staff and volunteers.

The Writers Guild of America, East, has offered the discounted price of $17 to Lab applicants who are not members of the Guild. Click HERE to register through the WGA. Choose the Student and NYWIFT/The Writers Lab option.

• If you are entering from outside the U.S., please register your script with your local Writers Guild or U.S. copyright office. TWL also recommends THE SCRIPT VAULT for those outside the U.S.

Submission window and fee structures are below. Please note, there is only one submission period and no deadline extensions.

• UK & Ireland application period is April 1st – 20th, 2022.
• Cost is £35

With US Lab Submission add-on cost is £55

• Basic contact and biographical information (name, email address, contact phone number, mailing address, birth date).
• Script log line and genre.
• Full-length narrative feature script, in PDF format, preferably no more than 130 pages long and/or pilots (preferably no more than 44 pages (half-hour) or 75 pages (hour-long). Script lengths beyond the number of pages listed will incur a per-page surcharge.
• Registration of your script with an appropriate copyright agency. (See “How do I Apply” above for further details.)
• Credit/Debit Card for payment.

TWL requires copyright registration of scripts submitted to our U.S. and U.K. labs, but in E.U. countries, copyright law protects intellectual property from the moment you create your work until 70 years after death, with no formal application process. If you wish, you may include a copyright notice to your work, such as “all rights reserved” text, or the © symbol with the year the work was created.

If you are applying to the Europe Lab and select the additional US Lab add-on option, you will need to copyright your work. Information about US Copyright can be found at https://www.copyright.gov/registration/.

Yes, the TWL Europe submissions process will operate independently of the US Lab submissions process. Therefore, if you have already submitted to the US Lab you must submit separately to the Europe Lab.

Writers may submit up to three (3) scripts. Each script requires a separate completed application, and a separate non-refundable application fee paid by credit card.

Yes. Both writers must meet eligibility requirements (See Eligibility Requirements section below), and only one writer from a project may attend the Lab Retreat. Please designate one writer as the primary contact/potential attendee, and list that writer first in the writing credits on the application.

You may pay by check. Please e-mail us at contact@thewriterslab.nyc to discuss the process.

Please e-mail us at contact@thewriterslab.nyc with “Proof of Need” in the subject line to discuss the process. You will need to provide proof of public assistance or SSI with your application.

Coverfly offers the option to upload a revised draft of your script after you have applied. Please be advised that once our evaluation process is underway your initial submission might have already been read by our evaluation team. If you are considering submitting a revision, keep in mind that our jurors are very experienced and thoughtful. A strong, carefully crafted script will stand out – even a script that needs work.

If you are NOT able to submit electronically, please email contact@thewriterslab.nyc

We use application fees to pay our independent readers, who carefully evaluate hundreds of scripts, through multiple rounds. The contributions of our primary donors cover only the Lab Retreat.

The Writers Lab UK&I is conducted virtually, so there are no additional expenses for those accepted to The Lab.

Our final decision is based on the material alone. Your work will speak for itself.

All Lab notifications will be made via email. You will hear from us, whether you place or not, on or before June 7, 2022.

Notifications may be made on a rolling basis. Final decisions will be made on or before June 7, 2022.

The Writers Lab Europe has specific eligibility requirements related to age, gender, nationality, country of residence, and language.

The Writers Lab is open to women writers over 40. We honor the fact that gender is personal and specific and seek to create an inclusive and supportive community. In addition, applicants must be age 40 or over as of the first day of the lab to which they are applying (born on or before April 7, 1982), and submit a completed narrative feature or pilot.

Applicants must be residents of any country within the continent of Europe (EXCLUDING the UK, TWL runs a separate Lab for UK based writers) and may be asked to provide appropriate verification.

Only scripts written (primarily) in English are eligible for submission, and the Lab itself will be conducted in English. We understand that English may not be your first language. This does not affect your eligibility to participate in The Writers Lab Europe.

Your birthdate is necessary for us to confirm age eligibility, as outlined in the previous question.

No, you do not need to submit these documents with your application. However, accepted writers will need to provide these documents in order to sign the Lab Contract, which finalizes acceptance.

Although your script may include other languages, or may have originally been written in a language other than English, in order for it to be eligible for submission the predominant language of the submitted script must be English.

When including passages in other languages translation can help, but we don’t recommend translating every non-English line, as doubling up can slow the pace – and is often unnecessary.

During the lab, some writers may be encouraged to have their project translated to their original or local language, which we will do by engaging a local translator who is a good creative fit for the writer.

Absolutely not. The Lab seeks to foster exciting voices, regardless of professional experience. However, The Lab does NOT teach screenwriting basics. Submissions must exhibit knowledge of screenwriting formatting, standards, technique and style.

TWL Europe is scheduled for April 7th-10th, 2022 (dates subject to change), with revision and development work and individual meetings through the end of September, 2022.

TWL Europe is a virtual Lab, so transportation is not required.

The Writers Lab is a screenplay development lab. We are not a producing lab, nor do we offer any kind of production funding. However, in addition to connecting participants with a peer group of driven and talented writers, the Retreat offers access to, and interaction with, a range of other film industry professionals.

Any script accepted to our Lab will benefit from further development. That is the primary focus of The Writers Lab, and all selected writers should expect to revise their winning work. Beyond script development, the Lab offers a unique chance to connect with a supportive community of peers and industry professionals.

The Writers Lab Europe is a 6 month Lab. It begins with four days of rigorous virtual sessions, followed by up to 4 hours of individual support sessions each subsequent month. This time beyond the initial intensive supports writers as they further develop their script, and allows time for writers to be connected to the industry. Participants should expect to have multiple meetings each month, and to complete multiple drafts of their project.

We understand that many of our writers lead busy lives, and will strive to accommodate individual time restraints and scheduling requests whenever possible.

While there is no correct length, features are generally between 80 and 120 pages; half-hour pilots are 22-44 pages; and hour-long pilots are 45-75 pages (depending on genre and other factors). Please note that feature screenplays longer than 130 pages, and pilots longer than 44 pages (half-hour) or 75 pages (hour-long), will incur a per-page surcharge to the application.

The Writers Lab has no software preference, as long as the script uses industry standard formatting, and is converted to a PDF before submission.

All scripts must be submitted as PDF files. All film industry professionals expect scripts in PDF format, so this is a good opportunity to format your script to industry standards.

Although your script may include other languages, the predominant language must be English. Providing translation for passages in other languages can help, but we don’t recommend translating every non-English line, as doubling up can slow the pace – and is often unnecessary.

We welcome re-submissions, as long as the script has undergone a substantial revision that has addressed the following:

• Are all characters clearly and respectfully introduced, established, and fully realized, with a clear need and arc?
• Is every line of dialogue necessary, either revealing character or moving the plot along?
• Are the descriptions well written, specific and succinct?
• Will this story speak to a wide audience?
• Is this story right for this Lab? Does it tell a story from a POV not generally seen, or for an under-served audience?
• Does the script follow standard formatting protocols? Has it been carefully proofread so that readers will not struggle with typos, long paragraphs, or confusing scenes?

Yes, we will consider scripts based on prior works as long as you have secured the underlying rights to the material. We ask for proof of rights, in the form of a contact, e-mail, or letter, if your script reaches the Finalist level in the selection process.

No. The Lab is for completed feature and television pilot scripts only.

While the Lab will consider scripts at various stages of development, the draft submitted must meet the following standards of completion:

• Scripts must be either feature-length polished drafts, in the 90-to-120 page range, OR polished pilots that are 22-44 pages (half-hour) or 45-75 pages (hour-long).
• We will not consider screenplay fragments, treatments, synopses, book excerpts, or stage plays.
• Each script should show a strong understanding of screenwriting technique and style.

We will make all reasonable and customary efforts to protect your ideas. Intellectual property is also protected under E.U. law.

Yes. We have no restrictions on material that has been to, or developed through, other labs, workshops or programs.

Proofread, proofread, proofread. It matters.

World needs to be clearly, economically, and cinematically established (especially in genre scripts).

Choose a main story and set it up clearly for your audience. Many scripts take on too much and lose their way.

Clearly establish your protagonist’s need and obstacles, and make sure you see it through, so your audience cares.

Most film stories can be told in well under 120 pages. Every line or sentence should add to the story, not repeat or distract. Cut what you can, and keep your story moving.

Ask yourself: Is that line essential? Is it stating subtext or exposition that can be SHOWN? Does it successfully build conflict? Does it reveal character through wit and/or texture?

Have you written too little? (Set your scenes! Introduce your characters! Include important visual details!) OR, do you have way too much? (Don’t describe characters’ feelings, camera shots, or back story.) And, break up blocks of description into easily digestible bites.

Old or new, your story must stand out, with new insights into universal themes or compelling characters or perspectives. At the same time, know your cliches and tropes, and when to use or lose them.

Make sure your story effectively uses the visual and auditory aspects of storytelling for the screen. (Note: use music references with care; referencing unlicensed songs can reveal lack of screenwriting savvy. Suggest only, i.e. “She sings something like [song name]…”)

TWL doesn’t require a woman protagonist, but we definitely notice scripts that pass the Bechdel test, and wince when female characters are introduced solely as “gorgeous/hot/pretty/curvy.” This applies to gender across the spectrum. TWL isn’t interested in gender clichés, tokenism or stereotypes. We champion complex and compelling characters, and stories that provide an authentic experience and point of view.

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By email, using at contact@thewriterslab.nyc