ASPIRING WRITERS LAUNCH INTO THE SPOTLIGHT WITH “THE SEVEN RAYS” AND FIRST-EVER “SCRIPT-A-SCENE” CONTEST

ACCLAIMED “BRING IT ON” SCREENWRITER JESSICA BENDINGER AND FINAL DRAFT OFFER WRITERS COVETED INDUSTRY OPPORTUNITY

11.15.2009 – In anticipation of the release of her new book The Seven Rays, celebrated screenwriter Jessica Bendinger (BRING IT ON, STICK IT, AQUAMARINE) along with Final Draft is launching “Script-a-Scene,” a first-of-its-kind screenplay adaptation contest. Participants can enter the contest by reading The Seven Rays, by choosing any scene from the book and adapting it into a 2-5 page screenplay using the Final Draft screenwriting software (free demo available for download on the Final Draft website). The contest opens on November 15, 2009 at 12:00am EST and closes on February 15, 2010 at 12:00am PST. The Grand Prize winner will get a personal, one-on-one script consultation for any screenplay they have written with Jessica Bendinger, valued at $10,000. Five (5) second place winners will have the opportunity to pitch their unique original work to a producer, agent, development executive, and Jessica Bendinger via iChat or Skype. (iChat or Skype interview with Jessica Bendinger is subject to talent availability. All prize details are at Sponsor’s sole discretion). Ten (10) third place runners-up will receive a copy of the Final Draft script writing software, valued at $249.

The contest presents an interactive opportunity for screenwriters of all ages to tap their creative efforts and gain exposure to the professional screenwriting world. Winners will receive personalized consultation from accomplished writer-director, Jessica Bendinger.

“Even though it’s a novel, The Seven Rays has so many cinematic elements to it,” said Bendinger. “I thought it would be fun to see how writers would bring it to life, as I am so close to it. This contest also gives me an opportunity to mentor and foster the work of aspiring screenwriters, which is something I love do. It’s challenging for new writers outside the industry to receive valuable insider feedback. I look forward to sharing my expertise and insights with the worthy finalists.”

The Seven Rays will be released on November 24, 2009 by Simon & Schuster. The story follows 17-year-old Beth Michaels, who uncovers elements of the supernatural on her journey of self-discovery. The words: “You are more than you think you are” mysteriously appear to Beth and ultimately drive her quest to discovering who she really is. The novel’s appeal reaches well beyond the interest of young adults, as it explores the universal question—“Are we making the most of our lives?”

All entries will be evaluated by industry professionals. Finalists will be assessed and the top entries will be read by Jessica Bendinger.

How to enter the Script-A-Scene contest:
1. Read The Seven Rays. Participants can download the first chapter for free on The Seven Rays website (http://www.thesevenrays.com/contest-rules/) or buy the book on Amazon (http://astore.amazon.com/thsera-20/detail/1416938397).
2. Adapt a scene of participant’s choice into a two to five page written screenplay using the Final Draft screenwriting software. If participant does not already own the Final Draft screenwriting software, they can download a free demo on the Final Draft website (http://www.finaldraft.com/downloads/demo-final-draft.php).
3. Submit entry by filling out The Seven Rays Script-a-Scene Submission Form online (https://www.withoutabox.com/login/8612) and pay the entry fee of $20 (if submitted electronically by the standard February 15, 2010 deadline). Entrants may submit multiple entries. Each submission must include its own “New Project Form”. Screenplays written by up to two (2) people may be entered in the contest. Only one (1) entry fee is required for such entries.

The first chapter of The Seven Rays is currently available for free download at www.thesevenrays.com . The book is available for purchase on Amazon.

A free demo of the software can be downloaded at http://www.finaldraft.com/downloads/demo-final-draft.php.

For additional contest guidelines and details, please visit: http://www.thesevenrays.com/contest-rules/

ABOUT JESSICA BENDINGER
Jessica Bendinger launched onto the scene with her original script Bring it On, which debuted at number one in the box office and remained there for two weeks. Named by Glamour Magazine as one of Hollywood’s Most Powerful Women Under 40, Bendinger was a writer on the Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning Season Four of Sex in the City. A former journalist for Spin Magazine and MTV News, her screenwriting credits include: First Daughter and Aquamarine. Bendinger has contributed to over 20 produced feature films. Most recently, she wrote and directed the teen gymnastics hit Stick It. Bendinger currently resides in Los Angeles with her two dogs, where she is writing her next movie and the sequel to The Seven Rays.

ABOUT FINAL DRAFT, INC.
Marc Madnick, co-founder and CEO of Final Draft, Inc., moved to Los Angeles in 1986 to follow his dream of being a screenwriter. Like many aspiring and professional screenwriters of the time, he found the process of writing a script trying and time-consuming. The problem was not a lack of ideas, but rather the lack of any word-processor capable of automatically formatting a script to Hollywood’s stringent standards. This experience led Madnick and former partner Ben Cahan to the creation of Final Draft, a fully dedicated scriptwriting software application that automatically formats your script to Hollywood’s industry standards. A very strategic marketer, Madnick knew that if he could convince Hollywood’s heaviest hitters (Tom Hanks, Oliver Stone, and Lawrence Kasdan, to name a few) that Final Draft software will save them time and money, he’d have a chance at success. Just five years after its inception and Madnick’s aggressive marketing campaign, Final Draft scriptwriting software had become the entertainment industry standard for scriptwriting and the market leader among its competitors worldwide. With the company now in its 20th year and the eighth version of the software, Final Draft, the application and its brand, continues to grow in popularity and into new markets throughout the world.

In 2001, Final Draft, Inc. released Final Draft AV, the first software application specifically designed for writers of documentaries, reality TV, and commercials written in the two-column script format. Final Draft AV was developed using the Final Draft philosophy of freeing the writer to write completely uninhibited by formatting constraints. In the same year, Final Draft, Inc. launched its Big Break Contest as a way to help aspiring screenwriters reach success. Today, the contest continues to flourish and is recognized as one of the most prestigious contests of its kind.
In 2006, Final Draft, Inc. acquired Script magazine, a bi-monthly publication comprised of writing tips, in-depth writer interviews, and articles about breaking into the business. Script is available in digital format, along with blogs, video podcasts, and 15 years of back issues on the magazine website. Final Draft, Inc. is positioning www.scriptmag.com as the “go to” place for anyone already in or trying to break into this market.

For more information about Final Draft, Inc. and its products, visit: www.finaldraft.com.

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Comments

Emily Ott says:: I was just curious, are there going to be more opportunities like this in the future?

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News Facts

In anticipation of the release of her new book The Seven Rays, celebrated screenwriter Jessica Bendinger (BRING IT ON, STICK IT, AQUAMARINE) along with Final Draft is launching “Script-a-Scene,” a first-of-its-kind screenplay adaptation contest.
Participants can enter the contest by reading The Seven Rays, by choosing any scene from the book and adapting it into a 2-5 page screenplay using the Final Draft screenwriting software.
The Grand Prize winner will get a personal, one-on-one script consultation for any screenplay they have written with Jessica Bendinger.
Second place winners will have the opportunity to pitch their unique original work to a producer, agent, development executive, and Jessica Bendinger via iChat or Skype.
Third place runners-up will receive a copy of the Final Draft script writing software.