Factory News
Upcoming Writers' Factory events

Opportunities
Screen writing competitions and other opportunities

Events
Screen writing events and classes

E-BULLETIN: March 2011

Welcome to the Writers' Factory's E-Bulletin for March 2011.

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@writersfactory.co.uk by the end of the first week of each month.

 
Factory News
About The Writers' Factory
Writers' Factory - Introduction to Screenwriting Express
A Guide to Writers Factory Courses
Read more...

Opportunities
The Network
Scottish Mental Health Festival Film Submissions
Intermediate Screenwriting
Creative Scotland - Investing in Screen
Bafta Rocliffe New Writing Forum
The Pixel Lab
Cannes Feature Film Script Competition
£15,000 Short Film Funding Competition
Newsjack - Call for Weekly Submissions
Call for New Feature Length Scripts

Read more...

Events
Celtic Media Festival 2011
Scottish Screenwriters - Welcomes New Members
ScreenGRAB - Available Online
BAFTA - Screenwriters on Screenwriting Channel
Thirteen Week Course in Filmmaking
Euroscript - Screenwriting Courses and Events

Read more

Factory News

 

The Writers’ Factory receives investment from Creative Scotland and Playwrights’ Studio, Scotland are coordinating the programme. For more information about The Writers' Factory, please visit the website
www.writersfactory.co.uk

 
Writers' Factory Introduction to Screenwriting Express
Edinburgh Skillset Screen & Media Academy
Location: Edinburgh, UK
Dates: 14 and 15, 28 and 29 May 2011

Develop your ideas into stories on this intensive double weekend course

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.

Visit http://bit.ly/h2Fmxg to book and for more details.

 
A Guide to Courses with The Writers' Factory

The Writers’ Factory courses have been highly successful in developing screenwriters, many of whom have gone on to produce short film scripts or pursue their interest in writing at Film School. All courses are screen-industry approved and are delivered by experienced screen industry professionals.  Courses offered through the programme include:

Introduction to Screenwriting Express
Run over 2 weekends, this course is designed to help students explore storytelling instincts and the craft of screenwriting and offers the opportunity to develop and write a commercial ten minute film. 

Introduction to Screenwriting
Delivered over 22 weeks, this course is designed to help students develop a range of skills and critical facilities in the field of screenwriting and offers them the opportunity to develop and write a short screenplay.

Feature Film Course
Delivered over 22 weeks, this course is designed to help emerging screenwriters to develop a range of skills in the field of feature film writing and offers them the opportunity to write a feature length screenplay. 

*You must have completed the Introduction To Screenwriting course or have a relevant qualification in order to participate on this course.

Training for Trainers
These courses are open to experienced screenwriters, script consultants and development producers who would like to run courses training emerging writing talent.

Visit www.writersfactory.co.uk for details on current courses

Opportunities

  Scotland
 

The Network
MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival
Location: Edinburgh, UK
Deadline: 15 April 2011

The Network is the charitable arm of the MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival.   The Network is open to those aged 18 and over and provides the opportunity to attend four days of FREE training in Edinburgh preparing delegates for a career in television.  Supported by the TV industry, The Network helps those that want to take their first step in TV.

Successful applicants get the opportunity to meet and work with the best TV talent from behind and in front of the camera and gives them a comprehensive introduction to TV through masterclasses, workshops, networking events and careers talks.

With the exception of travel to and from Edinburgh, everything else, from accommodation and food to the actual workshops, is entirely free.  Applications are sought via the website at http://bit.ly/idKCeM


Scottish Mental Health Festival Film Submissions
Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival
Location: Scotland-wide
Deadlines: 6 May 2011

The Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival is committed to finding and celebrating the work of filmmakers who explore mental health in film. Its annual open film submission gives filmmakers the opportunity to share their work and ideas with audiences across Scotland and internationally.

The closing date for entries is Friday 6th May 2011. Entry is free. Please email smhaff@gmail.com for submission guidelines and entry form or visit http://bit.ly/fWlzpH for more information.


Intermediate Screenwriting
Edinburgh Skillset Screen & Media Academy
Location: Edinburgh, UK
Dates: 11 May - 13 July 2011

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 30 mins 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 find out more, visit http://bit.ly/ffY01A


Creative Scotland - Investing in Screen
Creative Scotland
Location: Scotland-wide
Deadlines: Rolling

Creative Scotland invest in the development and promotion of Scotland’s screen industries in a range of initiatives, projects and activities designed to develop talent, audiences and businesses across the country.

Unless otherwise stated, application to all investment strands are accepted on a rolling basis until funds are committed.

For further information, please visit http://bit.ly/g5kpIv

  UK and Worldwide
 

Bafta Rocliffe New Writing Forum
Bafta
Location: UK-wide
Deadline: 25 March 2011

Bafta is accepting scripts for the next two BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Forums, London on the 9 May and Edinburgh with the Edinburgh International Film Festival on 16 June.

Entries should be sent to Alex Cook, BAFTA, 195 Piccadilly, London W1J 9LN.

At submission stage your script extracts will be read by a panel of established industry members made up of producers, script developers, directors, literary agents, actors who are looking for new writing talent. Should your script be selected for the event, it will be performed by professional actors to an audience including BAFTA members, agents and industry executives - a fantastic way to get noticed!

Submission of a script confirms the entrant's acceptance of the terms and rules outlined on the entry form

For more details, visit http://bit.ly/hdSzIs


The Pixel Lab
Power To The Pixel
Location: Potsdam, Germany
Deadline: 1 April 2011

For its second year, Power to the Pixel's leading cross-media course, The Pixel Lab, will be held in Potsdam, Germany from 26 June to 2 July 2011.

The Pixel Lab provides European film and media professionals with essential training in creating, financing and distributing cross-media projects to build sustainable businesses and become competitive in the international marketplace. The course looks at the whole digital ecosystem for film and media businesses - how the way audiences are engaging with films across platforms is affecting the way that we will create, finance, distribute film and TV properties of the future.

Power to the Pixel will select up to 40 European producers, decision-makers and executives to attend a residential six-day workshop from 26 June to 2 July 2011 with a focus on developing stories that can extend across film, television, online, gaming and mobile platforms.

For further information please visit http://bit.ly/gBZ3z2


Cannes Feature Film Script Competiton
Prequel To Cannes
Location: International
Deadline: 10 April 2011

Following on from the success of the Sequel to Cannes Short Film script competition, this year an additional category has been added for a Feature film script.
 
There are cash prizes of £500 and £100, production company readings by two small independents looking to develop a script and written feedback from a professional film industry script-reader.
 
Full terms and conditions along with the official entry form are on the website http://bit.ly/i1MZVN


£15,000 Short Film Funding Competition
The Television Consultancy Company
Location: UK wide
Deadline: 1 May 2011

The Television Consultancy Company is calling all filmmakers to enter into a competition to win a £15,000 to production grant to produce the next instalment of their short film 'Entangled', a comic horror film about wires and plugs taking over the world.  

To enter, submit either a script (either dialogue or treatment script) of no more than 2,000 words outlining what happens next.  The winning team will win production finance to see their idea transpire to film, with the full support of an established production company.

Email your entries to helena.reed@tvcgroup.com or call 020 7535 5800.


Newsjack: Call for Weekly Submissions
Newsjack
Location: UK wide
Deadline: 29 June 2011

Series four of topical comedy sketch show Newsjack begins on 7th February 2011 for six weeks and they're once again holding an open call for new material. Newsjack seeks to comically scrutinise the news, views, and issues of the day. It aims to be irreverent and satirical, a kind of younger brother to the more "grown up" Radio 4 topical shows like The Now Show and The News Quiz. The production team accept sketches and short jokes every week of the six week run. The best submissions will make it into the show. The production team read and select material on Monday and Tuesdays. The show is broadcast on Thursday nights.

Deadline for sketches: Mondays by 12pm. Deadline for one-liners: Tuesdays by 5pm. To find out more and send them your work, visit http://bbc.in/e6YIyj or email newsjack@bbc.co.uk


Call for New Feature Length Scripts
Squarebox Yellow
Location: UK wide
Deadline: 31 December 2011

Production company Squarebox Yellow - with access to funding and distribution - are searching for their next project. If you have a feature length script you are looking to get produced then please get in touch with them on mara@makingugly.com

For examples of their work please visit
 http://bit.ly/gPOsz4


Events

  Scotland
 

Celtic Media Festival 2011
Celtic Media Festival
Location: Western Isles, Scotland
Dates: 13-15 April 2011

In 2011 the Celtic Media Festival returns to its birthplace of the Western Isles of Scotland. With some of the most scenic views to be found in the United Kingdown and beyond, the landscapes of the Islands roll from the sea to the mountains. Flights to several major cities operate seven days a week and multiple ferry routes make reaching this beautiful part of the world easier than you think.

The main venue for the Celtic Media Festival 2011 is the An Lanntair Arts Centre in Stornoway. A modern, purpose-built facility, An Lanntair will be a high-tech and comfortable base for delegates and guests attending the event. Please visit www.lanntair.com to see more.

Festival activities are expected to take place in various venues around the town. Please visit http://bit.ly/fhXHmH for more details.


Scottish Screenwriters - Welcome New Members
Scottish Screenwriters
Location: CCA, Glasgow

Scottish Screenwriters meet on the second Monday of each month normally at The Centre for Contemporary Art, 350 Sauchiehall St, Glasgow.

Most meetings will start off with a short Industry Talk and Question and Answer session, followed by workshopping of scripts and outlines in the second part of the evening.

Meetings are suitable for everyone with an interest in learning about Screenwriting, from those with no experience at all, to working professionals. Bring along work on the night and each piece to be workshopped should be no more than 10 pages.

For details of all the meetings, visit http://bit.ly/e1EHtW


ScreenGRAB - Available Online
Edinburgh ScreenWORKS
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland

Issue 1 of screenGRAB, Edinburgh screenWORKS' new monthly film and digital media e-magazine is now available online. It features articles, reviews, competitions and more.

To find out more visit http://bit.ly/dKlHWu

For more information, contact info@edinburghscreenworks.co.uk

  UK and Worldwide
 
BAFTA - Screenwriters on Screenwriting Channel
British Academy of Film and Television Arts

BAFTA have recently launched the new ‘Screenwriters on Screenwriting’ channel, an area dedicated to raising the profile of screenwriting.

For the launch, BAFTA asked six leading screenwriters with credits including Atonement, The Devil wears Prada, Frost/Nixon and Slumdog Millionaire, to give their opinion on the craft, the films they have written and their career so far.

The result is a series of exclusive videos, clips and profiles providing a fascinating insight into the discipline and culture of screenwriting.

Visit http://bit.ly/ihjxqh for more details.


Thirteen Week Course in Film Making
IMT Hurricane
Location: London or Essex, UK
Dates: Rolling

IMT Hurricane are offering a free thirteen week course in film making, including script writing, story boarding, cinematography and video editing.

You will also have the opportunity to gain practical experience within the industry working with actual film makers, and the chance to complete a short film for your own show reel.

The course is free to New Deal clients from the London and Essex area, and offered at a very competitive rate to everyone else.

To make sure you live in a funded area, visit http://bit.ly/fMwFEg email fm@imthurricane.org or call 02086911900 and ask for Ben

For more information, visit http://bit.ly/fMLcWZ

 


Screenwriting Courses and Events
Euroscript
Location: London
Dates: Ongoing

Euroscript’s goal is to facilitate the production of highest quality marketable screenplays for film and television. Euroscript comprises a team of experienced and diverse industry professionals including producers, working screenwriters, script consultants and film-makers

Training is at the heart of the Euroscript programme. They offer a wide range of courses and events to help develop your screenwriting, marketing and networking skills no matter your level, using experienced industry practitioners giving personal feedback on your work.

Euroscript offer a diverse range of: Day and Weekend Courses, Evening Courses, Project Development Workshops and Free Events

For all upcoming courses and events, please view the Euroscript monthly calendar http://bit.ly/h9BcMv

 

The Writers Factory is supported by:

Writers' Factory @ 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