As I thought of where to submit the spec, I knew AFF had a great reputation for bringing writers together.
Whether looking for a supportive community of writers or simply a deadline to motivate your craft, AFF is the perfect space to hone your skills and perfect your scripts. Meggie Spellman, 2023 Drama Teleplay Spec Award for her episode of The Great: “Death Becomes Him,” dives into the transformative experience she underwent when submitting to the festival as well as the benefits a looming deadline can provide.
As a kid, I loved musical theater but was more suited for off stage than on stage (or as composer William Finn once told me I should never sing in front of people, but that’s a longer story for a different time). However, this led me to study playwriting at SUNY Purchase’s Conservatory of Theater Arts and Film and to take sketch and improv classes at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theater.
Using my knack for the absurd, I decided to try my hand at a spec script for The Great. I had the idea for the script from the recent death of Queen Elizabeth. I found it fascinating that so many people would line up for hours to see her coffin.
It struck me as interesting how the death of a monarch could bring a country together. When I dove into the spec, it seemed fitting that Peter’s funeral not being entertaining enough would drive Russian peasants to revolt.
As I thought of where to submit the spec, I knew AFF had a great reputation for bringing writers together. The wealth of information from panels to chatting with professionals is stacked. I applied to AFF with no expectations other than to be part of that atmosphere and meet other writers. When I learned I was a finalist, I was impressed with how seriously they took the competition and how special they made the writers feel about their work.
One of the other reasons I applied was to have a set deadline to finish the script. My advice for deadlines is to not approach them as I do by putting them off until the last minute and then panic writing beforehand. Kidding aside, deadlines have always been my way of getting myself to sit down and work. If I know someone or something is waiting on me, it is far less likely I’ll put off writing.
Since my Austin win, I’ve used my win as an offshoot for querying and have had a few meetings with representation. I’ve set up coffee meetings with people I’ve met at Austin and other industry professionals, some of whom offered to read my winning script. I’m excited to see where it takes me next!
Discover the same community of support and inspiration as Meggie did by submitting your own script or purchasing a badge to attend the festival below.