I asked most of your questions at my panel today. Here's the nutshell version, since when you're moderator, you don't have time to take comprehensive notes. I know there's going to be a tape available (and a CD, too, I heard), so I'll post that info when I get it.

Becky, I'm sorry I didn't get to your question, but I do know from my own experience that there is no standard turnaround time between writing a script, shopping it, selling it, and (if you're lucky) seeing it produced.

Nutshell answers to the other questions:

Are contests the way to break in?

Per Paul Guyot (staff writer, JUDGING AMY): Possibly yes, if it's a well-known contest and you win it. The Nicholl Fellowships and the Austin contest were both mentioned as worth entering. However, watch out for scams--there are plenty of them.

I'd be interested in hearing the thoughts of a panel at this particular conference on where the modern detective movie is? Is this something we're just waiting to see reinvented? It seems to all be police procedurals now and that clue mysteries have taken a hike. Or am I missing them?

Per Josh Zeman (co-producer, THE STATION AGENT): The interesting stuff is being done in the indie scene, especially in the area of true crime. If you keep an eye out there, you can find the things that are pushing the boundaries, which will eventually trickle into the mainstream.

knowing how editing (digital editing) can totally change the flow of plot points and the shooting structure of the script, how true must one be to what is intended and what will actually end up on the screen?

Per everybody: Don't worry about what will end up on the screen. Tell your story as best you can. You have no control over what happens to it later, but you need to concentrate on telling a good story.

I think it went very well, with a lot of information flowing and a lot of good ad libs. As soon as I've got the information for the CD, I'll let you know.

And I'm posting this from Starbucks near the symposium location, so I'm going to finish up a little audio editing, pack up the laptop, and head back for the last couple of panels.

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