Factory News
Upcoming Writers' Factory events

Opportunities
Screen writing competitions and other opportunities

Events
Screen writing events and classes

E-BULLETIN: February 2010

Welcome to the Writers' Factory's E-Bulletin for February 2010.

These monthly bulletins contain information about future Writers' Factory courses as well as information relevant to screen writers across the UK and internationally. The Writers' Factory E-Bulletin is divided into three sections: Factory News, Opportunities and Events.

We would appreciate any feedback you have on our
E-bulletin and if you have any information that you would like circulated to our subscribers, please email this to info@playwrightsstudio.co.uk by the end of the first week of each month.

Events
Writing A Short Film
Glasgow Short Film Festival
From One Line To Prime Time
Short Cuts To Comedy Writing
MA Television Fiction Writing
The L.A.B. - Learn @ BBC Scotland
Screenwriting For Short Film Course
Project Development Workshops
Selling Your First Script (And Your Next...And Your Next...)
De Montfort TV Writers Day
Further Steps In Screenwriting
The Sitcom Weekend
Sitcom Saturday - Short Sitcoms Wanted
Scriptwriters' Conference
The Absolute Beginner's Guide To How To Write A Screenplay
Writing Low Budget Films
Writing For Television
Writers' Lab
Comedy-Crossing the Boundaries
Read more...

Factory News

The Writers’ Factory is funded by Scottish Screen and the Scottish Arts Council and is coordinated by the Playwrights’ Studio, Scotland. For more information about The Writers' Factory, please visit the website
www.writersfactory.co.uk

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

Opportunities

writerSearch UK - Highlands and Islands
TAPS
Location: Inverness, Scotland
Dates: 19-21 February 2010

writerSearch UK is a multiplatform writer development programme, teaching skills necessary to produce content for the internet, mobile phones, games, film television and radio.

writerSearch UK is a multiplatform writer development programme, teaching skills necessary to produce content for the internet, mobile phones, games, film television and radio.  The course for newly established freelancers includes instruction on the use of ITC and is supported by Skillset and BBC Training & Development. If you are a writer with experience or potential from the age of 16 upwards living in the Scottish highlands and islands you can apply to the course by submitting your original story. Please make sure that your story could work as a 10 minute film. Your story needs to be no more than one side of A4.  

Please Note: We do not need your story to be in script format as we will help teach you how to format your script on the course.
Date – 19th, 20th, 21st February 2010
Venue – The Waterside, Inverness, IV2 4SF
Price – £450 + VAT (£517.50 in total)*
For more information please visit the website: http://www.tapsnet.org/course.html?courseid=340

The deadlines for submissions to the 2010 Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) have been extended. There are three ways to submit:

• Online through the EIFF website at www.edfilmfest.org.uk/submissions
• Download a form from the EIFF website and post it
• Via Withoutabox at https://www.withoutabox.com/login/1360

The 64th EIFF will take place from 16 to 27 June 2010 in Edinburgh. The Festival is internationally regarded as a focus for discovery, a celebration of cinema, a centre of debate and a catalyst for new films. EIFF is committed to screening high quality new short and feature film and video work in all genres from around the world.

Please note all submitted films should be no more than 12 months old by June 2010 and EIFF requires at least UK premiere status.

For further information on EIFF rules and regulations, submission fees and FAQs, please visit the website www.edfilmfest.org.uk. To contact a member of the EIFF Submissions team email submissions@edfilmfest.org.uk or call the office on 0131 228 4051.

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

From 19 January 2010 onwards, the Clore Leadership Programme are inviting applications for 2010/11 Fellowships on the Clore Leadership Programme. Each Fellow will have an individually tailored programme which will include:

• Two intensive residential leadership courses in Sep 2010 and June/July 2011
• Professional development through mentoring, coaching, training and group learning
• Time for reflection, discussion and debate
• A period of secondment, including experience of managing a challenging project

The closing date for applications is Friday 12 March 2010

For further information and to use the online application form, please visit the website http://www.cloreleadership.org

Screen Story Competition
Euroscript
Location : London
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

European Entrepreneurship Video Award 2010
Location: Europe
Deadline: 9 April 2010

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

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

Script is delighted to announce a programme of screenwriting activity over the next few months. The programme is funded by Screen WM and delivered in partnership with Red Room Films, Animation Forum West Midlands and Hello Digital.

The programme 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. 

Delivered at venues across central Birmingham, the programme is an ideal opportunity for writers to get to grips with the film-making industry in the region and to further develop their careers.

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

If you’re looking for work as a screenwriter, story editor, comedy writer – or even work within movie and TV production – take a look at the Screenwriting Goldmine Blog.

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

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

Events

Write Camera Action
Location: CCA, Glasgow
Dates: 18 January - 17 May 2010, 6pm - 9:30pm

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

To find out what's on, visit http://www.glasgowfilmfestival.org.uk/shorts

How do people, programme ideas and scripts become television shows? Where are the opportunities? How long does it take? What’s the best way in? How come THAT got made?This one off workshop is designed for writers, performers and creatives who want an insight into the development and commissioning process for comedy programming. With practical advice, case studies and accessible entry points, participants will have all the set ups required when it comes to delivering knockout punchline pitches.

Delivered by Gavin Smith (Head of Development -The Comedy Unit)
 
Tickets £5.

Visit http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/gilmorehillg12/whatson/?action=details&id=5170 for more details

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

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

Delivered by Joe Hepworth, Screenwriter and Visiting Lecturer at the Northern Film School, this course provides the chance to develop your short film script from concept through to first draft. There will be regular screenings and discussions of short films to help understand the genre, and the opportunity to expand on the basic screenwriting principles covered in the introductory sessions. There will also be an opportunity to speak to specialists at regional screen agency Screen Yorkshire to find out what to do with your finished script. For more information call 0870 70 10 201.

Project Development Workshops
Euroscript
Location : London
Date : From 1 February 2010

Develop your script from initial idea to final draft. Euroscript is committed to helping you make your work the best it can possibly be - whether feature-film, short, sitcom, TV drama or series.

Whatever stage you’re at, from an idea that hasn’t even been put onto paper yet, to a draft of a script, bring your work along and receive constructive criticism to help you develop it further.

To find out more about these workshops, visit http://www.euroscript.co.uk/project_development.html

Selling Your First Script (And Your Next...And Your Next...)
Euroscript
Location : London
Date : 20 February 2010

Most screenwriters fall down not for lack of talent or of trying, but from not knowing how to market their ideas. Often it takes only the smallest shift to turn a script or series proposal from good to compelling, to make your work saleable without selling out.

On this intensive one-day workshop for a small group, there will be practical exercises and personal feedback to help you prepare your script for the market, track down the right cinema and TV producers and make the best possible deal.

Visit http://www.euroscript.co.uk/selling.html for more details

A day long event consisting of keynote speeches, question and answer panels and fantastic networking opportunities hosted by the University’s MA Television Scriptwriting team.

For more information on how to book a place please visit the website at http://www.dmu.ac.uk/faculties/humanities/postgraduate-courses/courses/ma-television-scriptwriting/tv-writers-day.jsp 

This course is for writers interested in building on their existing screenwriting skills (including those who have completed the Introduction to Screenwriting course), and who are interested in learning how to develop a feature idea.

This course will run for 8 sessions. For more information visit the website at  http://www.lighthouse.org.uk  

The Sitcom Weekend
Euroscript
Location : London
Date : 27 & 28 February 2010

In this intensive weekend you'll develop your own sitcom while you master the machinery of this very distinctive genre to create classic characters, settings and plots.

You can use the carefully constructed exercise on the course to work on ideas you bring with you, or to help you develop completely new material from scratch.

You'll leave the weekend with a portfolio of original, enduring characters; ideas for episodes and further series, and a bullet point first draft of your own sitcom.

Price : £150 (£135 concessions).

Visit http://www.euroscript.co.uk/sitcom_weekend.html for further details.

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

The Universities of Bolton and Huddersfield are collaborating again to host the second Northern Student Scriptwriters' Conference.

This two day conference is an exceptional opportunity for undergraduates, postgraduates and new writers to learn about the mechanics of the scriptwriting industry and to participate in workshops and garner advice from successfully established writers and producers of new writing.

Enquiries can be made via e.spenwyn@hud.ac.uk or 01484 472839.or visit www2.hud.ac.uk/northern-student-scriptwriters-conference.php

Conference Price (including tea, coffee and lunch): £80 (Concessions: £30)

The Absolute Beginner's Guide to How to Write a Screenplay
Euroscript
Location : London
Date : 13 & 14 March 2010

During this weekend, you'll cover the fundamentals of how to write a screenplay.

If your ambition is to write a film script, or you need a refresher course because you're stuck, then this intensive, hands-on workshop will give you the tools you need.

By the end of the weekend you will have the beat outline of your first feature script, stepped out structurally from beginning to end, and you'll have the expertise you need to begin writing the screenplay.

Price: £150 (£135 concessions)

For more details, visit http://www.euroscript.co.uk/absolute_beginners.html

Writing Low Budget Films
Euroscript
Location : London
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

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

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.

'Comedy Crossing the Boundaries - 360 Ways to be Funny' is a 3 day workshop for comedy writers wanting to forge a career in comedy entertainment. It is run in association with Skillset and BBC Training & Development.

This is a three day writer development programme for established freelancers, teaching skills needed to address multiplatform comedy content for internet, mobile phones, games, film, television and radio.  Writers will also learn how to pitch a multi-platform brief. 

Submit an idea for your own comedy TV sitcom, internet clip or mobile upload and watch your words come to life (or death) as professional actors read your lines and discuss your ideas in a constructive workshop environment.

Date - 5th, 6th and 7th March 2010
Venue - The Atrium, Cardiff, CF24 2FN
Price - £450 + VAT (£517.50 in total)*
For more information please visit the website: http://www.tapsnet.org/course.html?courseid=341

Playwrights' Studio, Scotland
CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3JD
Telephone: 0141-332-4403 Textphone: 0141-332-3208
info@playwrightsstudio.co.uk www.playwrightsstudio.co.uk
Charity No: SC036767