Script Submissions
Information
The XV (fifteen) Anthology is a new web series being developed out of Dallas-Ft. Worth. Each episode of XV takes place in roughly 15 minutes of real time, and results in a 2-4 minute short film. Each episode can be of practically any genre and are only limited by the vague scope of each volume that episodes are housed under (see below).
Our producing team wants to creatively work with many filmmakers from all over. XV is designed surrounding a script-submission process, in which selected scripts are completely produced as films and posted to the web once they are complete. Each production cycle of XV (which roughly lasts two months) results in two narrative short films posted to the web, made from submissions from writers like you! As a result, a writer has the unique opportunity to have a full and professionally made short added to their portfolio.
This premise has been refined as to create an opportunity for episodes to really focus on storytelling, and thus create strongly made films. Longer short films have a tendency to not be as effective – we want to make films that tell impactful stories, and we believe the way is to be critical of the stories we tell. The best part about the submission process is that every submission will receive feedback (even if it takes us a long time). This is valuable in case a screenwriter wants to submit more entires in future cycles.
XV is unlike most web series in that it is organized into *never-ending* volumes and each volume represents a different theme.
Volumes
V. I
END OF THE WORLD
What would you do if you only had 15 minutes until the end of the world? In this volume, worlds are created in which the main protagonist must navigate the end of the world and everything that it entails.
V. II
CONNECTION
This volume explores a substantial 15 minute interaction between characters. This can include anything from pets to people, friendship to romance, and everything in between.
V. III
THE BEST / THE WORST
How we respond to change defines us. This volume examines the exact moment a character’s situation changes – for better, worse or both.
V. IV
PERSPECTIVE FILM
Treat a specific aspect of filmmaking like a character in your script. This volume pays homage to famous anthologies like The Twilight Zone and Black Mirror.
V. V
MICROSHORT
Sometimes the smallest of ideas also need to be told narratively through filmmaking. Your submission must create three *titled* acts, each lasting only 15 seconds, or a total of 45 seconds. If you need extra time, we’ll let you double it (30 seconds per act = 1 minute, 30 seconds). Your total film will only last this long, so don’t write more than you can chew.
Requirements
MAXIMUM OF FOUR PAGES
We suggest a length of 2-3 pages. It’s difficult to write a short script,but you’ll thank us later!
PROPER SCREENPLAY FORMAT
Whether you write it in Final Draft, Fountain, Celtx, etc. it doesn’t matter to us. What does matter is that it is formatted as a screenplay!
FITS AN XV ANTHOLOGY VOLUME
You must write your script in accordance of one of our volumes. There are five to choose from, and you can write in any genre you wish!
ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION
Your submission should include: a short bio, a logline for the script, and a brief script synopsis.
PROPER CRITERIA
Please DO NOT include a title page in your script. Name file: “XV_V1_ScriptName” where V1 = the volume you chose.
A $15 SUBMISSION FEE
Which is handled through FilmFreeway. This fee includes feedback from our team, even if your script doesn’t make the cut!
Assessment Criteria
The selection process is built to give fair evaluation and critique for all submitters.
Scripts are reviewed in two steps:
I
INDIVIDUAL CRITIQUE
Each member of the producing team, as well as key participants involved in the web series, receive a script without knowing who the author is. Each script is independently read and critiqued on a scale of 1-10 for the below factors. Comments and ratings are collected anonymously from readers and compiled.
Judging Criteria: Story, How it fits the chosen XV theme, Budget, Feasibility
II
GROUP SELECTION
After all individual critiques have been compiled, the producing team meets to select two scripts for each cycle. Scripts chosen may not have the highest “score”; rather, the individual critique period is to allow honest feedback and to determine how strong a script is to be produced. Additionally, more than two scripts might be chosen, in which any script beyond the two for the cycle would be produced in a future cycle.
Assessment Results
Success
This script has been chosen to be produced for the current cycle. The script moves into rewrites with the producer team.
Success, but Postponed
This script has been chosen to be produced for a future cycle. The script moves into rewrites.
Future Resubmission with Discount
The producing team thinks the script has promise. Producing team will send feedback to the writer to re-submit in a subsequent cycle with a $5 discount.
Rejection
The producing team rejects the script with feedback. We encourage future submissions!
Ready to Submit?
