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Get Paid To Write, Direct and Review With Amazon Studios

By , About.com Guide

Amazon joins the crowd-sourcing craze with Amazon Studios, a website that provides opportunities for screenwriters, filmmakers and movie enthusiasts get paid for collaborative filmmaking. The Amazon Studios workflow begins with an idea, and can end with a feature film that could be considered for production by Warner Bros. Pictures. Read on to learn more about creative opportunities with Amazon Studios.

Overview of Amazon Studios:

Amazon Studios is interested in giving a voice to original screenplays that wouldn't usually have a chance to be heard. Screenwriters can submit an original screenplay either publicly or privately, and it will enter a 45 day review period. If the screenplay was submitted publicly, other Amazon Studios users will be able to contribute comments in addition to those made by Amazon. If the script is approved, the writer receives $10,000, and the script is moved to the Development Slate. Here, suggestions will be made to the story to prepare it for the big screen.

Here's where the opportunities for directors and movie fans are. Once the script is brushed up, it's turned into a test movie that will give reviewers a better idea of the look and feel of the final film. Directors get paid to make test movies, and fans get paid to give feedback on test movies to make them better. If the test film is chosen to be made into a feature film, the original writer will receive another $200,000.

Get Started With Amazon Studios:

You'll sign in to Amazon Studios with the same account you use to make Amazon purchases. If you don't have an account, you'll need to make one to get started. Once you've logged in, you'll see lots of opportunities on your home page, including trailers to be made, open-writing assignments, and scripts to review. Check out the Opportunities tab to see what's currently going on in the studio.

Uploading Your Work:

In the upper-right hand corner you'll see a blue button labeled 'Upload'. Click here to submit your original scripts, proposals, and trailers.

If you're a filmmaker, this is where you can upload a trailer for ideas that are currently on the development slate. Your trailer will need to use MPEG-4, MPEG-2 or H.264 compression. Detailed instructions for uploading your video content can be found here. You can also submit short promo videos to pitch an idea for a series, as Amazon Studios is looking to develop content for Amazon Instant Video.

If you're a writer, there are plenty of opportunities for you to submit your work. You can upload an original screenplay or series idea, revise current scripts on the Development Slate, or write for an existing series. Since it's free to upload content, and every submitted script will be reviewed by Amazon Studios, you don't have much to lose!

Applying For Paid Opportunities:

Another way to get involved with Amazon Studios is by checking out the Opportunities section. If you don't have any original content you're dying to submit, or just feel overwhelmed by all the opportunities on the site, this will give you a list of the current paid assignments for writers and filmmakers alike. Each of the assignments will be accompanied by a value and deadline so you know how much you'll earn and when to submit. Recent paid assignments include rewriting movie a movie script for $33,000 - $10,000 up front and $23,000 upon completion, and directing a trailer for a Facebook comedy for $10,000. Be sure to follow the assignment details closely since they're different for each listing. Also, there's a chance that Amazon will request a feature writing sample from some writers. A sample would be requested within six weeks of the submission, and would need to be a feature-length screenplay.

If you're looking to get a foot in the door of the movie industry, but don't live in New York or Los Angeles, Amazon Studios is a great way to get involved without breaking the bank.

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