Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
FILM PROJECT WRITING SUBMISSIONS - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the timeline for the project?
We are hoping to figure out a story/outline in the next few months. The whole process from beginning to finished film could take anywhere from a few months to a few years, depending on the scope of the story we decide to tell in the film.
Is the film a documentary or narrative film?
It will most likely be somewhere in between. The main performers in the film will probably play characters very closely based on themselves. Some scenes will be all documentary-style, some may be more constructed based on the outline we create for the story of the film.
If I am sending a submission as a writer, can I also be considered to be in the film or on the crew?
Yes, absolutely! Please let us know when you send your writing submission if you are interested/open to being involved in more than just writing and story development. If you want to be on camera or behind the camera, we want to know.
Can I submit work in languages other than English?
Yes, absolutely. You are also welcome to submit writing in a mix of multiple languages.
How many people's writing work will be used? How will the work be credited?
We won't know the answer to this question until we review the submissions. Everyone who shares a writing submission will be listed in the credits of the film, even if your work is not used. Anyone whose ideas and/or writing are used in any way will be credited on the film for their writing work. A few people may be selected to be part of a writing team to continue working with us to develop the script/story outline for the film. Those people will receive writer and/or story credits for their work on the film.
Will I need my parents to sign a permission form to be involved with this project as a writer, performer, and/or crew-person?
Yes, if you are under 18 and any work from your submission is selected to be part of the project, you will need permission from a parent or guardian to continue working on the film and have your work included. You do not need permission to send us the first submission. The same goes for being part of the cast or crew. You do not need permission to be considered for those roles, but you will need permission once selected to be a part of the project.
What happens with the film once it is finished?
Once the film is finished, we will send it to film festivals and hope to have it premiere at a big festival like Sundance or South by Southwest. We will raise money in order for all key writers, crew, and performers to attend the festival premiere. Everyone involved in the project in any way would also be invited to attend and celebrate the premiere. Sometimes at film festivals, a film distribution company will acquire the film for further distribution, either in theaters, on digital platforms, or for TV. Even if the film is not acquired by a distribution company, we will do our best to distribute it independently, mostly through online platforms like Amazon and Netflix and theatrical screenings for communities and organizations who are interested in the film.
Will I receive community service credit or any financial compensation for working on the film? If the film makes a profit, who will get that money?
These are questions we don’t have answers to yet that will be answered in detail for selected writers (and all performers and crew) before you commit to participating in the film. That said, your motivation for being involved in this project should really be based on the opportunities for learning and experience and playing a part in a unique and collaborative film project.
If I change my mind later about participating, will you remove my work?
Once your writing is selected to be part of the film, then you will have to decide whether or not you want to commit to being part of the project. From that point on, you will be making a commitment to us and your student collaborators to see the project through. That said, it’s very important to us that everyone feels happy and comfortable with their participation in the film. If any issues come up along the way and you don’t like something that’s happening with your work, we want to hear about it and work with you to resolve it.
I’d like to write a movie synopsis or outline for my submission but I’ve never written one before. Can you provide more guidance about how to approach it?
There are many ways a film outline or synopsis can be structured, but one structure that might be helpful to think about for this is the idea of a character with a dream or goal and then a series of obstacles or challenges standing in their way. Sometimes in the pursuit of the dream or goal, the character changes permanently, often in a different way than they or the audience were expecting.
So if you are considering writing a film outline as part of your submission, it may helps to think about these questions:
I really want to submit something but I have no idea what to write about. Help!
What is the timeline for the project?
We are hoping to figure out a story/outline in the next few months. The whole process from beginning to finished film could take anywhere from a few months to a few years, depending on the scope of the story we decide to tell in the film.
Is the film a documentary or narrative film?
It will most likely be somewhere in between. The main performers in the film will probably play characters very closely based on themselves. Some scenes will be all documentary-style, some may be more constructed based on the outline we create for the story of the film.
If I am sending a submission as a writer, can I also be considered to be in the film or on the crew?
Yes, absolutely! Please let us know when you send your writing submission if you are interested/open to being involved in more than just writing and story development. If you want to be on camera or behind the camera, we want to know.
Can I submit work in languages other than English?
Yes, absolutely. You are also welcome to submit writing in a mix of multiple languages.
How many people's writing work will be used? How will the work be credited?
We won't know the answer to this question until we review the submissions. Everyone who shares a writing submission will be listed in the credits of the film, even if your work is not used. Anyone whose ideas and/or writing are used in any way will be credited on the film for their writing work. A few people may be selected to be part of a writing team to continue working with us to develop the script/story outline for the film. Those people will receive writer and/or story credits for their work on the film.
Will I need my parents to sign a permission form to be involved with this project as a writer, performer, and/or crew-person?
Yes, if you are under 18 and any work from your submission is selected to be part of the project, you will need permission from a parent or guardian to continue working on the film and have your work included. You do not need permission to send us the first submission. The same goes for being part of the cast or crew. You do not need permission to be considered for those roles, but you will need permission once selected to be a part of the project.
What happens with the film once it is finished?
Once the film is finished, we will send it to film festivals and hope to have it premiere at a big festival like Sundance or South by Southwest. We will raise money in order for all key writers, crew, and performers to attend the festival premiere. Everyone involved in the project in any way would also be invited to attend and celebrate the premiere. Sometimes at film festivals, a film distribution company will acquire the film for further distribution, either in theaters, on digital platforms, or for TV. Even if the film is not acquired by a distribution company, we will do our best to distribute it independently, mostly through online platforms like Amazon and Netflix and theatrical screenings for communities and organizations who are interested in the film.
Will I receive community service credit or any financial compensation for working on the film? If the film makes a profit, who will get that money?
These are questions we don’t have answers to yet that will be answered in detail for selected writers (and all performers and crew) before you commit to participating in the film. That said, your motivation for being involved in this project should really be based on the opportunities for learning and experience and playing a part in a unique and collaborative film project.
If I change my mind later about participating, will you remove my work?
Once your writing is selected to be part of the film, then you will have to decide whether or not you want to commit to being part of the project. From that point on, you will be making a commitment to us and your student collaborators to see the project through. That said, it’s very important to us that everyone feels happy and comfortable with their participation in the film. If any issues come up along the way and you don’t like something that’s happening with your work, we want to hear about it and work with you to resolve it.
I’d like to write a movie synopsis or outline for my submission but I’ve never written one before. Can you provide more guidance about how to approach it?
There are many ways a film outline or synopsis can be structured, but one structure that might be helpful to think about for this is the idea of a character with a dream or goal and then a series of obstacles or challenges standing in their way. Sometimes in the pursuit of the dream or goal, the character changes permanently, often in a different way than they or the audience were expecting.
So if you are considering writing a film outline as part of your submission, it may helps to think about these questions:
- Who is/are the main character(s) of the film?
- What do they want at the beginning of the film?
- What things are stopping them from reaching their dream/goal?
- What are some important events that happen in the film in pursuit of the dream?
- How do those events permanently change the main character(s)?
I really want to submit something but I have no idea what to write about. Help!
- If you're stuck and need ideas or inspiration, here are a few writing prompts:
- Write a poem or letter to/about Laredo
- Write about the most life-changing event in your life so far
- Write about your biggest dream/goal and/or your deepest fear
- Write about the history of your family and any old stories about your ancestors that have been passed down through generations and how they influence your family
- Write a scene or short story incorporating sci-fi, fantasy, or magical realism that is set in Laredo
- Write about an experience at your favorite place to go in Laredo
- Write about people from your life or imagination who you think would make unique and memorable movie characters and why
- Write about someone you know (including yourself) with tremendous artistic talent, dedication and drive to succeed in their artform, as well as the obstacles they face in pursuing their passion
- Write about any events/images/experiences/places that are unique to Laredo and how they are connected to growing up in Laredo
- Write about the most important person or people in your life
- Write about the country, state, city, neighborhood, and house that you live in -- imagine you are writing about them to someone who has never been to the U.S., to Texas, to Laredo, or to your neighborhood or home
- Write about a noteworthy event or news story taking place in Laredo that you think would be an interesting backdrop for a movie (doesn't have to be about teenagers)