I made it to the Quarters but got a dink today.

I didn't even make the quarters.

Damon Lindelof, co-creator of Lost, was a semifinalist in 1999, but didn't make it any further. It is thought that that may have been how he broke in, because he started on Nash Bridges soon after.

Scott the Reader from --

http://alligatorsinahelicopter.blogspot.com/

made it to the Nicholl's semifinals this year. Yay, my guy is gettin' some love! Scott the Reader has a low cost coverage service which is excellent for those so interested...

Having competed in years past, though not this year, I have A LOT of respect for all who complete a script and submit it to Nicholls. And dude, it ain't cheap!! And through the process I'm learning to take loosing more graciously -- or at least stetch my faculties in that area -- at least gimme that!!
(Kidding)
Hopefully, the Nicholls raises the bar and gets better movies to air at the multiplex. Can't believe ANY Nicholl's entry wouldn't make a better film than "Final Destination 3."

- E.C. Henry from Bonney Lake, WA

I got into the QFs, but kicked out yesterday...

Made the QF, didn't make the SF. Oh well, there's always next year...

Same here. Made the Quarters but not the Semis. First year I've ever entered though, so I still feel wonderful about making the Quarters.

I entered 3 times- maybe 4? Made the first cut twice. Both times, got very nice letters about how I was near the cut. Now, I've shockingly made too much money writing to compete anymore. The limit's five grand, I think. I really miss entering.
I have mixed emotions about that. 5K is not that much...unless you've never made anything at all. I think it's good that 'virgins' (never been paid for screenwriting) can get this break. But if somebody's cheating- wow, that'd bug me! And, as I said, I sure miss it.

And, looking at that list, I'm not overwhelmed with jealousy.
Did I mention that I miss it?

Made the QF but not the SF. Leveraged the placement and got two producers to request the script. Exactly what I was after by entering the Nicholl. Success!

Question for Scott:

(I wanted to put this in your "Open Forum" section but I wasn't sure exactly how to go about that)

So, it seems that a fair number of your readers have made the Quarterfinals or better in this year's Nicholl Fellowships in SW... including myself.

But I'm wondering if this title of "Nicholl Quarterfinalist 2009" is really enough...

Will adding this to a query letter really make that much of a difference? Or is Nicholl Semifinalist/Finalist/Fellow really where it's at?

I'm asking because I'm not really sure what to do with this slight accomplishment.

It seems that being one of the 321 screenplays out of this year's record-breaking 6,380 should carry a lot of weight. But then again, being one of the 207 that were cut for the Semifinal round says a lot as well.

So, is "Nicholl Quarterfinalist" really all that it's made out to be? Or is it just a good sign that we're on the right track and that we're not quite ready just yet?

... Long post, I know. But it's a heavy question, I think.

I'm a QF and since the Nicholl list was sent to producers last week, I've gotten 5 requests fro my script, including one from Benderspink. Even if nothing comes from these, it at least gives me the confidence to send the script out to other producers and agents.