Contest rule compliance: responsibility.

Well, I guess the question has been answered by the email we got.  But how about this.  The judges should read 1,000 words and no more.  And base the story on the first 1,000, like our teachers used to do (or one teacher I had.  You can write more than a page, but I will read only 1 page)...  Just a thought.  It would make this more even.  Because this 10% thing isn't fair really... I have to say I did not read the rules before and I just assumed the 1,000 words was super strict, and that no one would break it... I'm not upset by those who did break it (that was your risk to take, knowing the rules), but when you read the email and it says, "congratulations on submitting a 1,000 word story" then the contest should really enforce the 1,000 word limit...

Yes, I spent the $35 and yes, I can chose not to again, if this bothers me enough... I still enjoyed participating though.  And, this conversation right here sparked the NYC midnight people to do something and get some things straight for next time.  THis is the first of this kind of contest, and they still have things to iron out.  By the 10th year they will have it more controlled, I would imagine.  And we will have helped shape it, with our views. 


Edited by mhponce - 09 Sep 2008 at 1:33pm

I am the "douche" offender. That said, the screenwriting forums get naaaasty!!

I like the idea of anything over 1,000 being disqualified.  That way, you can be sure, there won't be any, and everyone will have worked equally hard to be sure of that.  One less thing for judges to worry about.  On the other hand, it really doesn't matter to me.  I'm in this to get inspiration and learn (both happened in abundance in this contest). This has been so much fun.  I'm glad for this string, because now I will go and ask to read the top stories (hadn't considered doing that) and learn even more.  And thanks for the links, I'll check them out too.