2024 Submissions Now Closed
Each year Local Cinema Studios looks for next year’s script to bring from the pages to production through the Get on Set Initiative! The 2024 script submissions closed October 15, 2023.
Typically we accept feature film or pilot script submissions for our project that will be filmed from May-June. Priority will be given to scripts that features a female protagonist, and successful scripts can be made on a $100k budget.
If your proposed project is selected, the following is required:
workshop the script with the Local Cinema Studios team
hire 4-10 students from South Carolina Universities on the project
limit filming to twenty shoot days or less (aiming for ~10-hour/day), taking place in South Carolina
have a mentorship mindset and support that the educational process of making the project equal to the final product
fun! Just kidding — we can't mandate fun, but from our experience this collaboration will be hard work and a lot of fun for everyone involved
Submissions closed October 15, 2023 11:59pm ET. Stay tuned for details
The Process
Our team reads each submission. We evaluate them based on quality, ability to produce on a $100k budget, and the writer/director’s interest in education. This year we are prioritizing scripts with a female protagonist.
October 15: submissions due
November 20: finalists will be notified and we will meet with them to discuss how we could collaborate
December 15: selected project will be announced
January 2023: begin workshopping the script together
February/March 2023: select a crew and begin casting calls
May 2023: a mandatory one-week orientation for the entire crew (including you!), the week before filming
May - June 2023: film in Columbia, SC
How we Collaborate
The Local Cinema Studios team wants to co-create with you! How we collaborate is customized based on which script is selected and your experience. Finalists can expect that we will always have a producer on set and will be actively involved from pre-production through post-production. Our expertise is in hiring the right crew members, setting a fun culture, and keeping things on track for a successful project.
When we meet with finalists we will discuss expectations and collaboration upfront. Our team understands this is your creative project, often years in the making. We acknowledge it is important for you to have creative freedom and bring on a team you trust, and for us to support you creating your vision. Once your script is selected, we begin planning the filmmaking together, as partners.
