Location: CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow
Date: 17 April 2010

Whether you are an aspiring or emerging writer, someone interested in seeing exciting new pieces of theatre, or keen to pick up a bargain in our Bookshop - there is something for everyone at our Up Close event.

Events on the day

Introduction to Playwriting (10.30am - 12.00pm) – useful guidance for aspiring playwrights and interested members of the public. No experience necessary.

Making Applications & Proposals (11am - 1.30pm) - Cultural Enterprise Office's practical workshop for individuals on making applications and proposals for funding, commissions and residencies. This workshop covers planning and structuring your approach, the key information you need for your application, discussion on what funders and commissioners are looking for and the materials required to support your proposal. The workshop will be delivered by playwright and theatre producer Tim Nunn, Cultural Enterprise Office's Specialist Performance Adviser.

BBC Scotland Radio Drama (12.30pm - 2pm and 2pm - 3.30pm) – for anyone interested in writing for radio, led by David Ian Neville

Further Skills for Playwrights (2.30pm - 4pm and 4.30pm - 6pm)- for those with some experience of playwriting, or who have attended an Inspire session in the past.

De-Mystifying Writing for Television (4pm - 6pm) - BBC Scotland Drama Department along with a panel of Scottish Screenwriters discuss their experiences writing on long running and returning series.

Informal Play Reading (6pm - 7pm)  – a reading from a group of Scotland’s writers and actors working together.

Since booking opened on 1 March, we have been delighted with the overwhelming response. We have added some more workshops and are working to try to accommodate as many people as possible. If you would like to contact us with your name, email address and telephone number stating your prefered sessions, we can get back in touch with you about any spaces that may become available.

There are still limited places available on:

Introduction to Playwriting – 10.30am

Making Applications and Proposals – 11am

De-Mystifying Writing for Television – 4pm

Play Reading – 7pm

For further details, please email info@playwrightsstudio.co.uk or call 0141 332 4403

How do we forge a sense of community between individual artists?  How do we share our thoughts and reactions to the world around us, and explore the richness of our experiences? 

The Playwrights’ Studio, Scotland, invite you as writers from all levels of experience to join us for I’ve Been Thinking..., a series of informal gatherings and discussions every other month. Speakers will talk about a topic on their minds, leading to conversations, discussions and debate over a drink.

Following the success of our Iran discussion, held on 24 February, where Julie Ellen (Creative Director, Playwrights' Studio, Scotland) was joined by Nazil Tabatabai-khatambakhsh and Maryam Hamidi to discuss life and culture for artists in Iran, and reactions to the situation there, we invite you to come along to our future sessions in April and June, with fresh topics shaping each event.

For further information regarding the next conversation on 28 April, please contact to Alice Chinn at alice@playwrightsstudio.co.uk

19th Meyer-Whitworth Award

Nominations Now Being Accepted

We are delighted to announce details of the 19th Meyer-Whitworth Award, awarded and funded by the Royal National Theatre Foundation and managed by the Playwrights' Studio, Scotland in association with the UK Playwrights Network.

With a prize fund of £10,000, the Meyer-Whitworth Award is one of the largest annual monetary prizes for playwriting in the UK. It is intended to help further the careers of UK playwrights who are not yet established.

The award is made to the writer whose play, in the Judges’ opinion, most satisfies the following description:

• a play which embodies Geoffrey Whitworth’s dictum that “drama is important in so far as it reveals the truth about the relationships of human beings with each other and the world at large”
• a play which shows promise of a developing new talent
• a play in which the writing is of individual quality

The Judges reserve the right to advise that no script meets the required standards of the award and that therefore the award should not be made.

Nominations must be made by directors of professional theatre companies.

Plays nominated must be in the English language and have been produced professionally in the UK for the first time between 1 November 2008 and 30 November 2009.
Candidates will have had no more than two of their plays professionally produced, including the play submitted.

How to nominate a Play
Contact Playwrights' Studio, Scotland on info@playwrightsstudio.co.uk or +44 141 3324403 to request an application form.

The deadline for entries is 31 March 2010

For more information on how to submit a play to Fuse please visit our website at www.playwrightsstudio.co.uk/fuse.html

• To write in a working environment
• Meetings with other writers, press and producers
• Round the table script development
• Reading Room with access to our well stocked Plays Library

Use of the space is subject to availability. To book a time to use the space, please contact Emma on 0141 332 4403 or emma@playwrightsstudio.co.uk

Off The Page
Citizens' Theatre
Location: Glasgow, UK
Dates: 11 - 25 March 2010

Informal afternoon play-reading sessions at the Citizens Theatre.

Informal and sociable meetings aimed at those who are young at heart and mature in years (although all are welcome)!  This season, join in reading from Arthur Miller’s seminal play All My Sons.

These sessions are all about giving voice to the characters from the comfort of your seat, and talking about the story and the people in it.

Over three sessions, meeting weekly on Thursdays from 2-4pm, the group will explore scenes from the play, leaving you time to see a show in the evening or beat the rush hour home.

To find out more, visit http://citz.co.uk/whatson/info/off_the_page/

2010 Edinburgh Festival Programme Launch
Edinburgh International Festival
Location: Edinburgh, UK
Dates: 17 March 2010

Save this date - the excitement is building! You will be able to browse the online brochure, Festival diary or download your own copy when the programme for the 2010 Festival is unveiled at 10.00am on Wednesday 17 March. Tickets go on sale to Friends and Patrons that morning and then to the general public on Saturday 27 March at 10.00am.

To book online, visit www.eif.co.uk or call the box office on +44 (0)131 473 2000.

Creative Arts Tutors Wanted for Street Arts Project.

WHALE Arts Agency in Wester Hailes, Edinburgh would like to hear from you if you have experience of delivering outreach sessions to young people in visual art, photography, Parkour, Beat Boxin’ or street poetry/writing workshops.

Artists will be required to plan and deliver a creative outreach session in their chosen art form, engaging with hard to reach young people between the ages of 10-19 years old as part of an exciting Street Arts Project.

The Street Arts project is looking to recruit several new artists to continue the success of this challenging youth led arts project.

If you are interested in applying please send a covering letter to the Arts Development Officer by Thursday 25th March 2010, outlining your experience and detailing several ideas for sessions along with your CV and including two referees to:

Caroline Muirhead (Arts Development Officer, Children and Young People)
WHALE Arts Agency,
30 Westburn Grove,
Edinburgh,
EH14 2SA

For further information please email youth@whalearts.co.uk telephone 0131 458 3267, or visit http://www.scottisharts.org.uk/1/jobs/1007059.aspx

Mono's next Monosyllabic event will be held at Mono Café on Thursday 25 March. The featured performer will be LOKI – renowned Glaswegian rap artist & poet. Mono are currently booking writers for the March event, and sketches are particularly welcome.

If you would like to perform please call 0141 553 2400, and to sign up to Mono's email list, please visit http://www.monocafebar.com/about.php

IdeasTap has launched the latest round of Ideas Fund Innovators. This scheme supports people at the beginning of their creative careers who want to take their projects to the next stage. IdeasTap offers ten awards of £1,000. The awards are open to submissions from any creative discipline by 16 to 25-year-olds based in the UK.

IdeasTap is a creative network and funding body for emerging arts talent. A not-for-profit organisation, IdeasTap brings creative people together and offers cash funding, exclusive opportunities and a platform to showcase new work.

For details and to apply please visit www.ideastap.com

Proposals are currently being invited from artists and performing companies who would like to participate in this year’s Imaginate Autumn Exchange to take place at Howden Park Centre in Livingston on 27 and 28 October 2010. Autumn Exchange is the key meeting place for all those involved in the performing arts sector for children and young people. It offers a unique and enjoyable opportunity to view a snapshot of the latest productions available by Scottish based companies and to hear from invited guest speakers.

Artists can apply under 2 strands: Tour ready Work and Work in Progress. The closing date for applications is 31 March 2010. For further information and an application form please see http://www.imaginate.org.uk/corporate/events.php

The Scottish Arts Council supports the Robert Louis Stevenson Fellowship which offers writers the opportunity to spend up to six weeks in a self-catering studio in France. Travel and accommodation are paid for plus a grant of £300 per week which is awarded to successful writers for the duration of their stay.

Applicants must be published writers who are based in Scotland. They must be free to spend up to six weeks between June and August 2010 at Hôtel Chevillon International Arts Centre in Grez-sur-Loing. Successful applicants will be selected on the basis of the quality of their writing and the potential benefits the residency might offer them.

Applicants must submit:

• A completed application form
• Up to 3,000 words of original work (in progress or recently published)
• A statement explaining the potential benefits of the fellowship; this must be no longer than 2 sides of A4 but should provide the panel with sufficient information to help make a decision.
• A short outline of their writing career to date.

For full application details follow this link: http://www.scottisharts.org.uk/1/artsinscotland/literature/notices.aspx

If you require any guidance please contact Fiona Graham on 07748 782 058

WACtheatre - WACfest Weekend
WACtheatre
Location: Aberdeen
Dates: 17 - 18 April 2010

Aberdeen-based WACtheatre are an organisation set up specifically to produce new work and to create opportunities for writers and actors in North East Scotland, particularly around Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. WAC hold weekly meetings (WAC Wednesdays) to bring together playwrights and actors based in Aberdeen and the Shire to read plays and discuss how they can be developed.

WACtheatre are holding their first writing festival this April with performances, readings and workshops. For further information, visit http://www.wactheatre.co.uk/downloads/WACfest.pdf

WAC are also on the lookout for new plays - so if you've got an idea, a dog-eared script or just want some help getting to grips with script writing, drop them a line. Guidelines/script layouts are available for submitting unsolicited scripts. Download them from http://www.wactheatre.co.uk/downloads/WACScriptGuidelines.pdf or contact them for details.

NB: please DO NOT send unsolicited scripts to WACtheatre without reading the Guidelines.

A workshop by leading Scottish playwright Linda McLean on visual art as an inspiration for playwriting. This daylong event will commence at the National Gallery of Modern Art
and then transfer to the Traverse Theatre.

Pre-booking with Traverse box office essential. £16 (£8 Concessions)

To find out more, visit http://www.traverse.co.uk/shows_lindamclean.htm

With specially designed workshops, the LPC offers an environment conducive to creativity and open to new ideas and methods. The LPC extends its activities from writers' group and work-in-progress performances to networking events and outreach workshops as well as partnering up with outside theatre companies to create more opportunities for playwrights.

Visit http://www.londonplaywrights.co.uk/ to find out more about the LPC's schedule of events for March 2010.

Writing for Screen

Write Camera Action is a series of unique workshops bringing together writers, directors and actors in an informal environment to enhance their skills and learn from each other.

Running on the third Monday of the month in 2010, anyone with a passion for film is welcome. Come along, be inspired, get practical hands on experience and have FUN!

Adult: £5.00, Students / Consc / GMAC Members: £3.00

Venue: CCA 1 / CCA 4 (cinema) / CCA 5 / Cafe/Bar / Clubroom

Ages: 18 and over

To find out more, visit http://cca-glasgow.com/index.cfm?page=236B7D10-868E-4F86-A306909B378E5655&eventid=13F23A5E-7576-1045-AD6912B7FF189280

Writing comedy is often said to be ‘1% inspiration and 99% perspiration’.

The aim of this workshop is to show how the comedy writer’s mind works once he’s had his 1% of inspiration for the day! The workshop provides a professional’s practical approach to writing jokes and comedy sketches for radio and TV.

Delivered by Niall Clark (Senior Script Editor - The Comedy Unit)

Tickets £5.

Visit http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/gilmorehillg12/whatson/?action=details&id=5171 for more details

Scotland : Write Here, Write Now
BBC Scotland
Location: Scotland
Deadline: 26 March 2010

As part of the Scotland Writes initiative, the BBC Scotland Comedy department is launching a brand new competition – SCOTLAND: WRITE HERE, WRITE NOW – to seek out the country’s most exciting new comic writers.

The competition is open to Scottish and Scottish-based writers. They want you to write the opening 10-15 pages (no more than 2000 words) of a contemporary comedy drama or a sitcom. Set your script in Scotland with at least one Scottish character in the cast. They want to hear a contemporary Scottish story, whether it’s from Oban, Orkney or Edinburgh.

Email your script sample to bbcscotlandcomedy@bbc.co.uk by Friday 26th March 2010. accompanied by a completed application form, which can be downloaded from the BBC Writersroom website www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom

Alternatively post your script sample and completed application form to Scotland: Write Here, Write Now, BBC Scotland, Comedy Department, Zone 2.12, 40 Pacific Quay, Glasgow, G51 1DA. If you do not have access to the internet then please send the following information (typed) along with your script: name, address, date of birth, email address, contact telephone number & confirmation that you were either born or are resident in Scotland.

For more information, visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/opportunity/scotland_write_here_write_now.shtml or the Scotland: Write Here, Write Now Facebook page at www.facebook.com/scotlandwriteherewritenow

This long-awaited 22 week intensive evening class will have its first run at the CCA in Glasgow in Spring 2010.

Devised by UK screenwriting guru Phil Parker and intended for committed screenwriters, the course is heavily workshop based and includes new thinking on the craft, particularly relating to the central importance of genre and theme.

The workload for participants will be significant throughout the 22 weeks, the aim being to move from idea to completed rough draft feature film screenplay within a supportive developmental environment. Ideally, participants will begin the course with a new idea rather than reworking extant material.

The course will be taught by writer, director Eleanor Yule in collaboration with Scottish Screenwriters.

Scottish Screenwriters are administering this course and if you have any query about eligibility, or would like to enquire about participation please contact Jerry Brannigan jerry@passengerproductions.co.uk or John McShane mcshane.john@gmail.com

If you’ve a head full of ideas but are pushed for time, this course is for you. It’s an express version of the Introduction to Screenwriting course and runs over two non-consecutive weekends. Writers Factory tutors devised the course content in response to demand from new writers who have been unable to attend the full version but want a rigorous overview of the craft from industry professionals. Over the two weekends, you’ll develop a premise and outline for a five to ten-minute screenplay.

To book your place on the course please visit http://www.essama.org/content/writers-factory-express

If you’ve already written several short film scripts and are confidently aware of and able to utilise basic screenwriting principles, then this is a great opportunity to build your skills and portfolio through writing longer format (up to 30mins duration) screenplays. Or you may want to develop your ten-minute screen work more fully.

This course was devised after much demand from emerging professionals. Designed to follow directly on from the Introductory Screenwriting course, the Intermediate programme is workshop-based and uses peer-to-peer review and feedback sessions with experienced industry professionals in conjunction with lectures and short film screenings. Don’t let your ideas sit there. Get them working!

To book your place on the course please visit http://www.essama.org/content/may-20-writers-factory-intermediate-screenwriting

It focuses both on writing and analysis, as these are essential skills for a career in the television industry. Successful students will graduate with both a masters degree and at least one project or script ready to take to market. Competitive, industry-sponsored scholarships are available.

To find out more, visit http://www.gcal.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/courses/television-fiction-writing-8997.php

Do you want to make a film, TV programme or try audio podcasting? Come and try a workshop at the L.A.B. - Learn @ BBC Scotland

Contact The L.A.B. on 0141 422 7896 or labscotland@bbc.co.uk or visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/learning/lab/ for more information

RealDeal Theatre will again be bringing together writers, actors and directors for the live rehearsed readings of six fifteen-minute sitcoms, with the aim of introducing new audiences to the best new writing. The fourth Sitcom Saturday will take place at Westminister Library, London on 12 June 2010.

They are accepting scripts from writers aged 16 years and over between March 1 and March 31 2010. Please do not send scripts outside these dates. Scripts should be sent to scripts@realdealtheatre.org.uk

For further information, full rules and links to making sure your script is for a sitcom and not a short play see http://realdealtheatre.webs.com/events.htm

This is a unique opportunity for writers to try out ideas with a professional creative team and test-drive new comedy writing. Big Telly is looking for writers who are interested in trying their hand at writing comedy to take part in a ground-breaking project which gets short pieces professionally produced and performed in front of a range of audiences.

Introductory Workshops (15 – 20 March)
Designed for writers at any level and which focus on theatrical processes, styles and the art of writing comedy. Writers are then invited to submit ideas for plays or short samples of writing.

Rehearsals (21 st – 28 th April)
Five shortlisted writers come together with the director, dramaturg and four professional actors to each develop a short piece which will be rehearsed and put together as part of a series of extracts.

The Comedy Hijack (29 th April, 30 th April, 1 st May)
These pieces are then performed at hijacked events for unsuspecting audiences already assembled for a completely different purpose – for example conferences, Country and Western Nights and student lectures

There will be an opportunity to discuss the project after the last performance, and to talk to the company about possibilities for the future. The company is also working closely with the development manager of Kudos /Generator films, who are particularly keen to develop comedy writers for TV.

Cost: £10 (£5 concession)

For more information, please email admin@big-telly.com or visit http://www.big-telly.com/workshop_comedyhijack.html

Euroscript Cannes Evening
Euroscript
Location: London, UK
Dates: 16 March 2010 7.00pm - 9.30pm

If you're going to Cannes, or just thinking about it, this evening is a must. Euroscript will give you the inside story on how to prepare, who to see and how to make the best use of your time. This is a unique opportunity to network amongst producers and gain advice about securing commissions.

Cost: £25 (concessions £22)

For more information, please telephone 020 7435 1330, or visit http://www.euroscript.co.uk/cannes.html

A series of 3 professional development workshops led by experts in the field who will provide you with insider information about your chosen topic.

17 March: Marketing yourself as a writer: Web 2.0 for Writers
Jacob Sam-La Rose is a working poet, workshop tutor and web consultant. During this two hour workshop, he’ll guide you through the basics of getting online and marketing yourself as a writer.

24 March: Planning, Funding and Managing projects for writing and the arts
David Gaffney is a published writer who also devises, funds and manages writing projects – including one person show at Edinburgh Festival and a live literature promenade project at a railway station. During this session, he’ll introduce you to the nuts and bolts of the topic from initial proposals to managing the money and working with producers.

29 March: Next Steps - finding freelance writing work in the UK
Sophie King is a nationally recognised novelist, freelance writer and columnist. Writing under the name Jane Bidder she’s written for many national newspapers, and during this workshop, will introduce you to the secrets of finding freelance writing work through pitching, networking and getting commissions.

Places are free but strictly limited. Priority will be given to attendees from Lancashire.

For more information, visit www.lancashirewritinghub.co.uk

Creative Lancashire’s full site can be seen her www.creativelancashire.org

Writing Low Budget Films
Euroscript
Location : London, UK
Date : 20 March 2010

There is a greater demand than ever for scripts that work really well at low budget level both for cinema and for TV. In this one-day workshop, you will learn how to develop scripts that work to maximum effect with minimum money and become a much more powerful - and employable - writer as a result.

Visit http://www.euroscript.co.uk/lowbudget.html to find out more

Script Reading and Assessment
Euroscript
Location : London, UK
Date : Tuesdays 23 March - 20 April 2010 6.15pm - 9.30pm

This five-session course will give students a full grounding in script assessment, looking at dialogue, characterisation, structure and genre, and suggesting ways of deciding whether or not these are working in a given script.

Students will be given a strong sense of the opportunities offered by script reading in the UK and the ways in which readers can extend their range into editing and development. By the end of the course students will have a portfolio of reports in a variety of formats to demonstrate their skills to prospective employers.

Cost: £215 (£195 concessions)

For more information email ian.long@euroscript.co.uk or telephone 020 8455 6166

Day School with Michael Chaplin, Debbie Horsfield & John Yorke to be held on Saturday 27th March at Newcastle University. The course runs from 10am to 4pm and lunch and refreshments are included in the cost.

For more information see the website: www.ncl.ac.uk/ncla

IdeasTap has launched Ideas Fund Shorts, £40,000-worth of funding to help young people realise short film projects. Recognising the wealth of talented young filmmakers in the UK, IdeasTap is offering eight awards of £5,000 each for the most original, engaging ideas. Entries must be for films no longer than five minutes and can include documentaries, conceptual pieces, trailers for features, music videos, fashion films and animated shorts.

Aiming to make the funding process easier for young people, the Ideas Fund is dedicated to providing opportunities for up-and-coming talent.

For more information and to apply please visit www.ideastap.com

Screen Story Competition
Euroscript
Location : London, UK
Deadline : 31 March 2010

Winners of the Euroscript Screen Story Competition write three drafts of their script within a specified time period.  Working one-to-one with a script consultant they receive as much face-to-face and written feedback as is required to complete each of the three drafts.  Once each draft is complete, they receive a full script report, usually running to five or six pages, together with an annotated script.  At the end of the process they are offered marketing advice

To find out more, visit http://www.euroscript.co.uk/about_competition.html

The European Commission is encouraging enterprising film lovers to prove their creativity and skills by producing a short video that deals with the following questions: What is entrepreneurship all about? What could encourage people to become entrepreneurs? What could counteract old prejudices and offer new visions of entrepreneurship?

All you need to do is produce a short video (one to two minutes) in the category of your choice by 9 April 2010, upload it on the internet or mail it to the organisers and register on their website. For terms and conditions, news on the jury and Q&A, please visit http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policy/entrepreneurship/video-award/index_en.htm

ScreenLab: Structure For Screenwriters
Euroscript
Location : London, UK
Date : 10 April 2010

In this stimulating one-day workshop you will see what effective structure means in practice and what it can offer a cinema feature, TV drama or series, with personal feedback to help you strengthen your work.

Places are strictly limited to ensure maximum opportunities for participation and feedback.

Cost: £85 (concessions £75)

For more information, visit http://www.euroscript.co.uk/structure.html

Do you want to write for film or television? How do you go about learning the best way to tell your stories in script format? What books (and scripts) should you read? Do you need to do a degree in scriptwriting or can you do short courses? Who should you submit to and what should you submit? Are film and television writers different from novelists?    

This Masterclass will answer all these questions and more. So if you want to write for film or television, don’t miss this event with a distinguished panel from film, TV and books.

Cost: £40 including VAT

To find out more, visit http://www.londonbookfair.co.uk/page.cfm/Action=Seminars/SeminarID=112

This programme of screenwriting activity is funded by Screen WM and delivered in partnership with Red Room Films, Animation Forum West Midlands and Hello Digital.

This programme of screenwriting activity is aimed at writers who would like to develop their skills and learn the tools of the trade.  It offers a wide variety of opportunities for writers to hone their skills with input and support from writers and producers currently working in the industry. Topics will range range  from developing ideas for film, how to format your screenplay, writing sitcom, writing for animation, and feature film genres.

The programme is an ideal opportunity for writers to get to grips with the film-making community in the region and to further develop their careers.

For more information and booking details, visit www.scriptonline.net/screen.html  or contact Script at catherine.edwards@scriptonline.net

For the fourth year running the Muslim Writers Awards is calling out for creative, interesting, and exciting submissions from writers across the country. All entrants must be Muslim and work should be submitted in the English Language. Submissions do not need to be centred on topics of Islam or Muslim identity, however this is equally welcome.

The screenplay category accepts short films (10-20 pages), feature-length scripts (over 60 pages), and TV episodes (30 pages).

To find out more and apply, visit http://muslimwritersawards.org.uk/submit-work/unpublished-categories

Write A 10-Minute Short In One Day
Euroscript
Location : London
Deadline : 16 May 2010

Intensive, concentrated and hard work, this workshop will drive your characters and plot through brainstorms, exercises and rigorous feedback so that you'll leave with the first draft of a fully-tested idea.

If you are currently stuck on your short film script, please bring it along to the workshop. If you aren't working on anything at present, you will brainstorm new ideas for a script.

Cost: £85 (£75 concessions)

For more information, visit http://www.euroscript.co.uk/ten_minute_short.html

Focusing on developing exciting new approaches to the classic sitcom format, this course will encourage writers to cultivate a strong, individual comic voice. Tutored by Graham Duff and James Payne, along with guest David Nobbs. There will be practical sessions involving brainstorming, table readings of students’ work and polishing of scripts. It will also focus on the key stages of getting your script from raw idea to final draft.

Cost: single room - £595, shared room - £545

For more information telephone 01422 843714 or email lumbbank@arvonfoundation.org

Beginners and more experienced screenwriters alike will benefit from this course which will take students through the development process from first idea to complete script. The cpurse is led by Jez Butterworth and Allegra Huston, with guest Patrick Marber. You will explore all aspects of storytelling on screen with workshops, discussions and screenings of films to help students develop their original scripts or adaptations.

Please note, this course is fully booked. Please contact the Arvon Foundation if you would like to be put on the waiting list or to discuss other courses.

For more information, please call 01409 231338, or email totleighbarton@arvonfoundation.org

What is the Scheme?

The University of Bolton is developing a writer's programme in association with a number of production companies in the North West (AbbottVision, Red Productions, Lime Pictures,  BBC writersroom, LA Productions, Made In Manchester, R.S.J. Productions). This is a scheme for writers that want to develop their skills working in an industry context.  Writers will develop an original script as well as learn about team writing and producing.

In order to develop the scheme effectively we are offering free places to 16 new writers from the North West.  This pilot scheme will put writers into direct contact with the best TV, radio and web producers in the region. 

Who can apply for this scheme?

The scheme is open to writers based within the North West region who have already had a script commissioned or had a professional reading of their work (for any platform, film, radio, stage, TV or the web) or had material published.  You will be expected to be able to work effectively on scripted material from the start of the project.  This is not a scheme for beginners.

Applicants must be over 18 and not in full-time education.

If you wish to discuss the project further, please contact the University of Bolton on infowriterslab@bolton.ac.uk  Alternatively,  you can speak to Jane Stuart on 01204 903331 or Anna Zaluckzkowska on 01204 903237.

Experienced script editor Hayley McKenzie would like to invite new and emerging writers to visit her new website.
 Hayley is keen to help writers to improve their scripts and also to help them to develop their skills and move forward as professional screenwriters.
 
Hayley has over ten years experience as a script editor in the UK television industry.
 
To find out more please visit her website www.scriptangel.co.uk

If you’re looking for work as a screenwriter, story editor, comedy writer or even work within film and TVproduction then you may want to look at the Screenwriting Goldmine Blog.

The pages take adverts from quite a few internet sources and should automatically update as the vacancies are posted.

To find out more, visit http://www.screenwritinggoldmine.com/

Radio Fiction
Arvon Foundation
Location: Moniack Mhor, Inverness-shire, Scotland
Dates: 4 - 9 October 2010

Radio is an ideal medium for fictional characters to come to life and tell their story. This course is about listening and noticing, welcoming and letting characters lead your writing on a great adventure. Discover the freedoms and disciplines of radio.

Single room: £595
Shared room: £545

For more information or to book, visit http://www.arvonfoundation.org/pc543.html

Promises Promises by Douglas Maxwell
Random Accomplice, On Tour
Thurs 11 February - Thurs 25 March 2010
Click here

Clutter Keeps Company by Davey Anderson
Birds of Paradise Theatre Company
Tues 16 February - Mon 22 March 2010
Click here

Battery Farm by Gregory Burke
A Play A Pie and A Pint, Oran Mor
Mon 15 - Sat 20 March 2010
Click here

Tfd : Mr Write by Rob Drummond
National Theatre of Scotland @ Tron Theatre
Tues 16 - Sat 20 March 2010
Click here

Tfd : Empty by Cathy Forde
National Theatre of Scotland @ Tron Theatre (and touring)
Tues 16 & Wed 17 March 2010
Click here

The Slab Boys by John Byrne
Ramshorn Theatre, Glasgow
Wed 17 - Sat 27 March 2010
Click here

Tfd : The Miracle Man by Douglas Maxwell
National Theatre of Scotland @ Tron Theatre (and touring)
Thurs 18 - Sat 20 March 2010
Click here

Every One by Jo Clifford
Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh
Fri 19 March - Sat 10 April 2010
Click here

A Prayer by Selma Dimitrijevic
A Play A Pie and A Pint, Oran Mor, Glasgow
Mon 29 March - Sat 3rd April 2010
Click here

SCRATCH Night
The Arches, Glasgow
Tues 30th March 2010
Click here

The Garden by Zinnie Harris
A Play A Pie and A Pint, Oran Mor, Glasgow
Tues 30 March - Sat 3 April 2010
Click here

Tonight David Ireland Will Lecture, Box and Dance by Sandy Grierson
A Play A Pie and A Pint, Oran Mor, Glasgow
Mon 5 April - Sat 10 April 2010
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Flatrate presents Initial Itch
13th Note, Glasgow
Mon 5th April 2010
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Bear On A Chain by Sue Glover
A Play A Pie and A Pint, Oran Mor, Glasgow
Fri 12 April - Wed 17 April 2010
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I Was A Beautiful Day by Iain Finlay Macleod
Alabaster Productions @ The Tron Theatre
Wed 14 - Sat 17 April 2010
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Mish Gorecki Goes Missing
Tron Theatre, Glasgow
Wed 14 - Sun 25 April 2010
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WACfest Weekend
WACtheatre’s first writing festival - performances, readings and workshops
Sat 17 and Sun 18 April 2010
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Casablanca (The Lunchtime Cut)
A Play A Pie and A Pint, Oran Mor, Glasgow
Fri 19 - Wed 24 April 2010
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The Playwrights Network

The Playwrights Network links regional organisations which work to develop playwrights (and sometimes writers working in other media too) across the UK.
Click here to find an organisation in your area.

The Scottish Society of Playwrights (SSP)

A professional members' organisation that represents, develops and promotes the interests and craft of professional Scottish playwrights working within the theatre sector. To become a member or for more information about the Society, please see their website www.scottishsocietyofplaywrights.co.uk
or email scottishsocietyofplaywrights@gmail.com

Note: Could any member who has recently changed address or contact details please send in their most up to date information?  Thank you.