by Marjorie Baumgarten
Screenwriter Max Adams is a very hot talent, whose fees these days are said to
be in the mid-six figures (or that’s what Universal is reputed to have paid for
her new untitled romantic comedy just a few weeks ago). But back in 1994, Adams
was an unknown writer who made a huge name for herself by winning two
prestigious (and rewarding) screenplay competitions: the Nicholl Fellowship in
Screenwriting for her script My Back Yard, and the Heart of Film Screenplay
Competition for Excess Baggage (which was optioned by Columbia at the
conference; the completed film is due out in August and stars Alicia
Silverstone, who also produced). What made me think of Adams is that both these
competitions have entry deadlines that are fast approaching. There’s not much
time left to do more than dot your I’s and fill out the application forms, but
the meteoric success of Max Adams proves that the effort could be well worth
your while. First up, deadline-wise, is the Nicholl competition, whose entries
need to be postmarked no later than May 1. To receive an application form and
entry rules, send a stamped and self-addressed business-size envelope to: The
Nicholl Fellowships, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, 8949 Wilshire
Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA, 90211-1972. Or download the application form and get
more info on their website: http://www.oscars.org/academy/nichollindex.html. As
soon as you drop that in the mail, don’t stop to relax because the deadline for
the Heart of Film Screenplay Competition is May 15. The fourth annual
conference is scheduled for October 2-5 here in Austin and the May 15 date is
also the early registration deadline for receiving the best rates ($275) on
attendance. Feature-length screenplays are accepted in two categories:
adult/mature, and children/family. For an entry form and more details write:
1600 Nueces, Austin, TX, 78701, or call 800/310-FEST… The Great Plains Film
Festival is seeking narrative and documentary features and shorts from
filmmakers in the region they define as stretching from Texas to Saskatchewan.
Films should relate to the Great Plains theme and the submission deadline is
May 30. For more info call 402/472-9100 or see their website:
http://www.unl.edu/mrrft… Frame of Mind is a monthly television showcase for
independent film and video produced by Denton/Dallas/Fort Worth’s KDTN.
Although we don’t get the signal in the Austin area, the show is soliciting
TV-broadcastable work of 28 minutes or less from Texas-based producers. Send
films and videos to: Bart Weiss, Frame of Mind, KERA/KDTN, 3000 Harry Hines
Blvd., Dallas, TX, 75201… Emmy-nominated writer Sandy Fries is conducting a
workshop on writing for television and movies Sat., April 19, 10am-5pm on the
UT campus. Call 471-0270 for registration info… The Austin Film Society
presents Sam Fuller’s Underworld USA on Tue. April 22, 7pm, Texas Union. The
Israeli Film Festival presents its final two events: a screening of The
Distance with director Dan Wolman in attendance on Wed. April 23, 7pm, Dobie
Theatre, and a free lecture by Wolman on contemporary Israeli cinema the
following day, April 24, 4:30pm at Flawn Academic Center 21 on the UT campus.
This article appears in April 18 • 1997 and April 18 • 1997 (Cover).