This was sent out by Film New Zealand:
Dear Ms Crane,
Please find attached a press release for the story competition we are running for MARZA, the new animation arm of Sega-Sammy holdings, the Japanese games company.
They are looking for stories from undiscovered writers with a global vision for feature length animated, English language films. This represents a very good opportunity for new writers to get their works into development with a major studio.
If you could get this out to writers in New Zealand we’d very much appreciate it.
If you could reply to this e-mail and let me know if there is a way for you to get the information out, I’d be most grateful.
Sincerely,
Saki Watanabe, 100 Meter Films
John Williams
CEO, 100 Meter Films
Original Story Competition ／ Call for Entries
MARZA ANIMATION PLANET INC. (CEO: Koichi Fukazawa), the new film production arm of Sega
Sammy group, and 100 Meter Films (CEO: John Williams) are pleased to launch the MARZA Story Circus competition.
MARZA’s company vision is to produce:Delightful stories for children all over the world!
MARZA aims to produce feature-length CGI animated films for global distribution. We are looking for original and entertaining stories for children and families with contemporary themes and positive messages, set in any culture or period.
100 Meter Films, Saneicho Mansion 201, Saneicho 4-12, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0008, JAPAN
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Eligible Entrants
The competition is open to both professional and unpublished writers.
Writers may submit as many stories as they want.
HOW TO SUBMIT A STORY
In the first instance please send a synopsis of your original story along with the application form by e-mail.
Please download the application form at http://www.100meterfilms.com/en/story_competition/
Synopsis Format: Microsoft Word format, A4 sized paper (Maximum 3 pages), Size: 12 font
How to Apply
All submissions should be sent by e-mail to the following address: info@100meterfilms.com
Please write "Story Circus Submission" in the subject line.
Notes
Please read the terms of agreement carefully before submitting your work.
Submissions must be written. No illustrations or character designs will be accepted.
Submissions must be in either English or Japanese.
Please retain a copy of your file as we cannot return them.
All submissions must be made by e-mail.
100 Meter Films, Saneicho Mansion 201, Saneicho 4-12, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0008, JAPAN
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Submission Period
July 1st to July 30th 2010 (Materials must arrive by the 30th of July)
Announcement of the Results of the first round: September 15th
Writers whose stories are selected in the first round will be notified by e-mail.
The Selection Process:
Numbers of works selected in Round 1 - 20 (Option Fee: 50,000 yen)
Numbers of works selected in Round 2 - 10 (Option Fee: 100,000 yen)
Numbers of works selected in Round 3 - 5 (Option Fee: 200,000 yen)
Selected stories will be developed for adaptation into films.
(This does not however guarantee that the film will be made.)
Organizers:
MARZA ANIMATION PLANET INC. （SEGA SAMMY GROUP）
Contact:100 Meter Films, Saneicho Mansion 201, Saneicho 4-12, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0008, JAPAN. TEL: +81.3.3358.3411, info@100meterfilms.com
http://www.100meterfilms.com
Round 1 Submission Deadline: July 30th 2010
Please indicate on the application form if the story is a translation
into English from another language.
Character designs and illustrations will not be accepted.
Announcement of results: September 15th
Writers selected in the first round will be notified by e-mail, and asked to submit a longer treatment of the story for the second round (5 to 6 pages) .
*Writers selected in the first round will be asked to sign an option agreement.
First Option Agreement
While the moral rights belong to the writer, the agreement to the terms stated in the option agreement shall mean that MARZA holds the exclusive rights to develop the story.
Option Fee: 50,000 yen
Option valid for: 6 months (from the date of signing)
Round 2
Writers selected in the second round will receive feedback on their second treatment and be asked to submit a 10 page treatment which reflects this feedback.
Writers selected in the second round will be asked to sign a second option agreement.
Second Option Agreement
Option Fee: 100,000 yen
Option valid for: 6 months (from the date of signing)
Final round
The writers selected in the final round will be asked to sign a third option agreement. The stories that are selected in the final round will go into development with the aim of producing a script that is the basis for an animated feature film. MARZA will either buy or license the rights to develop the project or sign a writer's agreement with the writer to complete a draft or drafts of the script, further to the signing of the third option agreement.
Depending on the project, the writer must be willing to agree that another writer or other writers may be involved during the development process. In this case the writer is ensured an "Original Story by" credit.
Third Option Agreement
Option Fee: 200,000 yen
Option valid for: 1 year (from date of signing)
<Other details regarding the selection process>
The stories will be read by employees or affiliates of 100 Meter Films and MARZA
All stories will be read by the judges anonymously.
100 Meter Films and MARZA will be unable to answer any questions regarding the selection.
Personal Information will be handled with respect and care and will not be used for purposes other than this competition.
DETAILS AT:
http://www.100meterfilms.com/en/story_competition/index.html