Amazing, well done to the 13 super talented screenwriters who have made the final list for the 6th Edition of the Canadian Short Screenplay Competition.

Exciting times!

I trust you enjoyed the exhilaration of seeing your name included on the shortlist. That’s a really nice moment to cherish.

The next 17 days will go both quickly and slowly. That “ticking clock” will rack up the tension until Announcement day at the Yorkton Film Festival’s Golden Sheaf Awards Gala on May 24th.

2 ½ weeks of conflicted voices will run around in your heads. Your calm voice will tell you that it is a real achievement just to have made it this far (and it is). “It is nice to be nominated.” And another more excited inner monologue will urge you to prepare for the possibility of winning — just in case, what if? And unlike in the cartoons, these voices won’t chat to you politely in turn, one at a time — they will banter simultaneously, constantly, persistently and sometimes in contradiction. And maybe even in your sleep!

You may choose to play it cool, of course. Outwardly. But inside, every day from now until the May 24th will be like waiting for Christmas! These moments in life are wonderful — a celebration of talent and hard work. But the suspense of waiting is no doubt a little tortuous! But it comes with the territory.

Contests are a staple of our film industry. I think I will avoid a look at the sports genre — as there are just so many of these I adore, I could go on for hundreds of words……But there are other great Contest movies. I can’t think of too many that focus on screenwriting, but the world of music and dance has thrown up some great films to enjoy and learn from. Early examples such as Cover Girl with Rita Hayworth spring to mind — through to more recent examples such as Whiplash or the delightful Pitch Perfect. These are all fine films.

Contest movies contain many vital components for great heightened drama. Someone has to win of course — which means someone doesn’t get to take home the top prize. Dramatic conflict and excitement is baked into the situation. There is adrenaline to be mined in the process of the decision to get to the winner.

The best Contest movies also include a skillful appreciation of the role Time plays in heightening the tension. Decisions don’t happen straight away. There are often rounds to be navigated — all provide opportunity to delay the denouement, put barriers in the way of the key characters — and keep audiences on the edge of their seats.

Time also enables plenty of space for character development and progression. Nervous characters grown more confident. Arrogant protagonists become more humble and appreciative. Judges can change their minds — they spot abilities not evident in the earlier rounds. There is so much space to delight and surprise. It’s not too much of a shock that the best of these movies go on to become personal favourites.

One of the absolute joys of this genre is School of Rock. I wish I had the time to re-watch it now, but sadly I don’t! Not only is it wonderfully funny with a great soundtrack, it is also a fabulous example of how to structure a screenplay. Dewey (Jack Black) is frustrated in his own ambitions to become a Rock God, and when he falls into an underhand opportunity to turn a disparate bunch of young kids into a Band it opens up opportunities for both him and his young musicians.

I think this works so well, because the initial cynicism in Dewey’s character is not too intense or one-dimensional. The young kids are not exploited to further his personal ambitions, but become his equals as they grow their own confidence — and of course playing some great tunes.

No matter how many times I have seen this, I always end up clapping and cheering at the end. And big spoiler alert if you have not seen it — the school band do not win the contest. Like the first Rocky movie the trophy goes elsewhere. The lessons have been learned from creative participation and acceptance, not the triumph.

Good luck to all the screenwriters on the shortlist. And importantly, if you didn’t make this cut: keep going, keep writing. Participation brings its own awards. Don’t sell your (metaphorical) guitar… If you don’t believe me, dig out the School of Rock DVD and press play.