Staging a Reading
Once your screenplay is selected, Chicago ScriptWorks will provide the following at no additional cost:
- Casting director, audition session, and actors
- An experienced director
- Rehearsal time and space
- Space and set-up for a one night performance
- Promotion for the reading
Benefits include:
- Public forum
- Public record
- Q&A with audience
- Audio recording of the reading
- Written audience feedback
CSW engages its screenwriters by including them in the casting and rehearsal processes. The role of the screenwriter at this stage is primarily to observe what happens when other interpretive artists take the story beyond the written page. In keeping with the collaborative tradition of filmmaking and in order to maximize the benefits of the CSW experience, screenwriters are not permitted to direct their own readings.
Submission Guidelines
Chicago ScriptWorks will consider screenplays of any genre; both features and shorts.
The screenplay must be the original work of the writer submitting it.
Feature-length scripts cannot exceed 120 pages. Shorts cannot exceed 30 pages.
If your script is selected you may be asked to modify it to fit the live reading format. We reserve the right to make cuts where necessary, for pacing and stage worthiness. A separate reading script will be developed, paring down narrative and removing slug lines, camera angles and sound effects/music cues. Reading scripts usually run 100 pages or less.
Submission Fees:
$30 Features (up to 120 pages)*
$15 Shorts (up to 30 pages)
The fee covers administration costs associated with CSW's open submission policy. CSW does not return materials.
When mailing, do NOT request signature upon delivery since the address is a P.O. Box. No one will be able to sign for your package and this will delay receipt of your submission.
You may be subject to a short interview prior to acceptance. All applicants will be notified as to the status of their submissions by December 1st, 2009.
