<September 2007>


	SCRIPT is the West Midlands agency for dramatic writers.

SCRIPT NEWS - September 2007

INTRODUCTION TO SCEENWRITING COURSE

An in-depth, well-resourced course that offers the definitive introduction to the art of writing the short screenplay.

Course leaders are experienced film-makers specifically trained by Phil Parker to deliver this course. Using team workshops, lectures and discussion groups, the course explores stages of development, script format, genre, and how to get your script made into a film.

The course lasts four days spread over a number of weeks, offering a valuable opportunity for feedback on your own screenplay with opportunities for rewrites in-between sessions.

Suitable for complete beginners, for those who have some experience of writing, and for anybody who just needs the inspiration to get going! Age 16+

Courses are running at these venues:

Artrix

Bromsgrove

10, 11, 17, 24 November 2007 (10am-5pm)

Tel. 01527 577 330

www.artrix.co.uk

Herbert Media Centre

Coventry

12, 13, 19, 26 January 2008 (10am-5pm Saturdays

and 12noon-5pm Sunday)

Tel. 024 7683 2310

www.theherbert.org

Cost: £90 (and £60 concs) at both venues.

To book, please call the venue of your choice.

INTRODUCTION TO PLAYWRITING WORKSHOP

Saturday 6 October

In association with Warwick Words Festival

Caroline Jester, Literary Manager at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, leads an inspiring workshop on writing for the stage. From her extensive experience as a theatre director and dramaturg, Caroline will offer valuable advice to budding playwrights.

Saturday 6 October

Friends Meeting House, High Street, Warwick 10am-1pm

Tickets: £12

Refreshments provided.

To book: There are only 12 places avaialable for this popular workshop - please book in advance through the box office on 01926 776 438 or visit www.warwickwords.co.uk

BIRMINGHAM BOOK FESTIVAL

11-21 October 2007

The programme for the Birmingham Book Festival 2007 is now available.

For more information or to join the festival's email list, contact sara@birminghambookfestival.org

Booking is now open for this year's Writing Workshop programme. All workshops are priced at £17 (£14 concs) unless otherwise stated.

The Festival Office telephone number is (0121) 246 2792

www.birminghambookfestival.org

READERS AND WRITERS DAY

Saturday 22 September 2007

Birmingham Libraries, in partnership with publishers Bloomsbury and Faber & Faber, are hosting a Readers and Writers Day at the Library Theatre (adjacent to Central Library, Chamberlain Square).

Part of the Reading Agency's Reaching Readers initiative, this event will offer advice on how to get published, what agents and publishers are looking for, as well as readings and Q&As from new and established writers (and readers)!

For more information, contact nikki.bi@birmingham.gov.uk or Sue Needham on (0121) 464 2690

JOBS

LITERARY ASSISTANT

Birmingham Repertory Theatre

Birmingham Rep is currently looking for a Literary Assistant, initially on a fixed term contract until the end of July 2008.

For more details, please see the advert on the Guardian website

To obtain an application pack, telephone (0121) 245 2000 or email stage.door@birmingham-rep.co.uk

Closing date: 17 September 2007

DEVELOPMENT PRODUCER

Bridge + Tunnel, South Shields (Tyne & Wear)

The role is responsible for the fundraising, planning and management of a series of unique cultural media projects. The post is three days a week at £25K pro rata.

For more information or to download an application pack, visit: www.bridgeandtunnelproductions.com/

Closing date: 10 September

OPPENHEIM-JOHN DOWNES MEMORIAL TRUST

Grants for writers and funding for small projects

The Trust offers financial assistance to 'deserving artists of any kind' who are based in the UK and who would otherwise be unable to pursue their vocation.

The maximum grant offered is around £1,000 and awards are made in December.

Closing date: 15 October 2007

Download the application form at www.oppenheimdownestrust.org/index.html

OPPORTUNITIES, TRAINING AND COMPETITIONS...

STAGE...

THEATRE FUTURES

In December 2007, Rose Bruford College will host a new writing festival aimed at writers who live in south-east England and Kent.

For more information, email enquiries@theatrefutures.org.uk

Deadline for applications: 1 October 2007

PEOPLE'S PLAY COMPETITION 2008

New Writing North and The People's Theatre have announced the launch of the 2008 People's Play.

The award is to find an exciting new play that will be produced for one week in the studio theatre at the People's Theatre in Heaton, Newcastle. The winning writer will also receive an award of £2,000.

Writers are invited to submit a synopsis of their play (no more than 500 words) and the first 20 pages, along with a short CV detailing their experience to date.

Submission deadline: 5pm on Monday 5 November 2007

Send submissions to: peoplesplay@newwritingnorth.com (Email entries only, with the writer's name as the subject heading in the email)

For full guidelines on applying, see www.newwritingnorth.com

CALL FOR SCRIPTS

Artspace Lifespace, Bristol

Artspace Lifespace is planning a season of events at the pro-Cathedral in Clifton from mid-September until the New Year and invites submissions from Bristol writers for this.

Scripts, outlines, or proposals for performances (to be no shorter than 3 and no longer than 20 minutes) should be emailed as an attachment to: charles.lewsen@btinternet.com with 'Pro-Cathedral project' in the subject line.

Ideas that reflect the life of Bristol, the abolition of the slave trade, Indian independence, or other current local issues are particularly welcome.

PLAY DAYS WRITING COMPETITION

Tynedale Writers' Festival and Cloud Nine Theatre Company

As part of Tynedale Writers' Festival, Cloud Nine Theatre Company are running a scriptwriting competition. Plays can be on any subject and should be approximately 20 minutes in length, with a maximum cast of five.

Three winners will have the opportunity to see their scripts performed during the festival weekend 2-4 November, at the Queen's Hall in Hexham.

To submit your script for consideration, send a typed copy (double spaced, A4, single sided) to:

Tynedale Writers' Festival

4 Seal Terrace

Hexham

Northumberland

NE46 3BZ

The script should have a guide in minutes at the foor of each page, and the author's name and address at the top of the first page.

Closing date: 17 September

Entry fee: £5 (cheques made payable to 'Tynedale Writers' Festival')

PLAYWRIGHTS WANTED

Burning House Productions/Write Side of the Brain festival

Contributions are sought for the Write Side of the Brain festival in January 2007 (www.misfitproductions.org)

Burning House will produce a number of plays during the festival, each running for three nights.

If you are interested in contributing, send 10 pages of an existing script plus an outline of the play you are proposing for the festival to: burninghouses@gmail.com

The plays should be 2 or 3-handers suitable for performance in the upstairs of a pub. The company would like to meet all applicants to discuss their projects and ideally would like the applicant to see the venue before writing the play.

Closing date: 15 September

CALL FOR SCRIPTS

White Room Theatre Company

White Room Theatre Company is a new professional company producing new work in the city of Leicester. They are actively seeking scripts, work in progress and proposals for production in 2008.

Please post scripts or ideas to:

White Room Theatre Company

93 Harris Road

Leicester

LE4 0QW

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

R ESIDENTIAL DRAMA COURSE

Drama: The Next Stage

8-13 October 2007

Held at Ty Newydd - The National Writers' Centre for Wales at Llanystumdwy, The Next Stage is designed for writers who may not have attended a course before but have some experience of writing for the theatre and wish to deepen their understanding and practice.

With Sarah Dickenson, Kaite O'Reilly and guest Sam Boardman-Jacobs.

To book a place on this course or for more information, contact Ty Newydd on (01766) 522 811 or post@tynewydd.org

BELGRADE THEATRE RE-OPENS 3 SEPTEMBER 2007

The Belgrade Theatre in Coventry will re-open its doors on the 3rd September, with a series of Open Days from Monday 3 to Saturday 8 September.

This will be a chance to visit the reinvigorated theatre, find out about the Belgrade's history, and learn all about the upcoming shows.

Details of these and advanced booking for shows can be found online at: www.belgrade.co.uk

UPCOMING SHOWS AT BIRMINGHAM REP

For more details of upcoming shows, see the Rep website at: www.birmingham-rep.co.uk

SUNBEAM SUCCESS STORY

Grand Theatre Wolverhampton

Thursday 20-Saturday 22 September 2007

The success story of Wolverhampton's world-famous Sunbeam Company is coming the stage, thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund, Wolverhampton City Council's Gifted and Talented Department, local Rotary Clubs and others.

Wolverhampton Central Youth Theatre has researched the story and appointed Redditch playwright Peter Roberts to help create the play.

Tickets can be purchased from the Box Office: (01902) 429 212

TAPS MASTERCLASSES

Script Editing - 5/6 October 2007

For more information regarding this workshop, email gemma@tapsnet.org

Closing date: 17 September

BRIAN WAY AWARD

This year, Theatre Centre is funding and administering the Brian Way Awar - an award for playwrights who write for young people, which was established in 2000 by Arts Council England.

There is an award of £6,000 for the winner, with a runner-up prize of £1,000.

Plays submitted should be aimed at young people up to the age of 18, and must be at least 45 minutes long.

Importantly, they must have been professionally produced between 1 July 2006 and 31 August 2007 and this may be a first, second, or third production of the play in the last ten years.

Deadline for submissions: 31 October 2007

To find out more about how to apply, visit www.theatre-centre.co.uk/brian_way_life.asp

PURPLEPATCH #4

In January 2008, The New Works will be producing Purplepatch #4, the latest in an annual series of workshops and readings for young writers.

Submissions are invited from writers of all ages from across the North West of England.

Writers can send their scripts, marked 'Purplepatch', to:

Chris Fittock

The New Works

13a Hope Place

Liverpool L1 9BQ

More information is available online at www.thenewworks.com or by phoning (0151) 709 4332

TEN IN A BED THEATRE

Ten in a Bed Theatre seek new theatre writing to premiere as rehearsed readings at their regular monthly event in the Clerkenwell Theatre. If you are a budding or emerging theatre writer with a script that you would like produced as a rehearsed reading, they want to hear from you.

Ten in a Bed Theatre can only accept scripts submitted by post. As well as plays, they will also consider excerpts, works-in-progress, sketches, sit-coms and radio plays. As they are dedicated to new writing, they cannot consider any work that has received a full professional production.

For more information, including how to submit your manuscript, please visit www.teninabedtheatre.org

RADIO

CHANNEL 4 RADIO

Channel 4 plans to take on BBC Radio with a slate of new dramas on its forthcoming digital stations. The broadcaster won a licence from Ofcom to launch three branded radio stations, including Channel 4 Radio and E4 Radio, which are expected to feature new dramas and comedies.

SCREEN...

CREATIVITY WORKS

B3 are alwayson the lookout for new films to showcase through Creativity Works, their mash-up night for cross media projects which range from viral shorts (30 seconds) to shorts (up to 10 minutes).

The next event will take place on Wednesday 19 September at the Curzon Soho. For more information, please join their mailing list at www.b3media.net

INTERACT LOOKING FOR SCRIPTS

InterACT Productions is looking for screenplays for a short film to be made in 2008. Screenplays should be between 15 and 60 minutes in length and may be on any subject. All characters in the play must be English-speaking.

This will be InterACT's first film-making project, so the budget is very small. They are currently only able to offer £50 for rights.

Please send a synopsis of your script, along with a character breakdown, to renbigby@hotmail.com or visit www.laurenbigby.me.uk for more information

EUROSCRIPT WRITERS' RETREAT

La Maison Verte, Roujan, France

8-15 September 2007

Euroscript's residential writing retreat in the Languedoc region of France offers writers the opportunity to progress their projects in an inspiring environment.

The retreat includes one personal tutorial with further feedback sessions available by arrangement with the two resident Euroscript consultants.

Price: £395 per person (B&B). Concessions available.

For further information, email enquiries@euroscript.co.uk or telephone +44 (0)7803 369 414

To book your place, visit www.euroscript.co.uk

SHEFFIELD DOC/FEST 07

Friday 9 November - Saturday 10 November

Calling all documentary makers! Pitch your ideas at Sheffield Doc/Fest MeetMarket. MeetMarker provides an opportunity for original ideas to be pitched to buyers in a structured setting.

Filmmakers, producers and content developers must upload a one-minute pitch trailer with a clear explanation of their idea to the Doc/Fest website. These videos will be available online to local and international buyers prior to Doc/Fest. After viewing, buyers will meet with chosen filmmakers during the festival.

MeetMarket is open to documentary makers and producers from around the world. Doc/Fest welcomes everything from feature documentaries and television series to specialized genres like natural history, science, arts and cross platform.

Projects need to have international appeal, can be at any stage in their development and do not need to have existing financial backing.

Successful applications to the MeetMarket must be:

- Fully registered as a delegate for the Doc/Fest

- Available for meetings on both days of the MeetMarket

Guidelines, application form and further details are available from www.sheffdocfest.com

Closing date for MeetMarket project submissions is 14 September 2007

THE SINGLES: NEW SCOTTISH DRAMA

BBC Scotland Television Drama and Scottish Screen are launching a new slate of television plays; 60 minute single films of up to a maximum of £450,000 for broadcast on BBC Scotland.

All ideas must be submitted by a producer with a track record in film or television. Submissions should contain a detailed outline of 4-5 pages, along with a writing sample, producer's CV or company resume and details of any other key talent or relevant information.

For more information contact gaynor.holmes@bbc.co.uk

Closing date: 14 September 2007

CHANNEL 4 TALENT: 2 DAYS LATER

The competition invites entrants to devise, shoot and produce a chilling short film in less than 48 hours. Entrants can access the competition brief at www.2dayslater.co.uk.

There is also a lively community page at www.myspace.com/2dl

This year's Award Screenings and Presentations will be held on 27 October at the Georgian Theatre Royal in Margate. Awards will be given for Best Film as voted by an industry panel; Best Film as voted by the audience; Best Student Film, plus awards for Best Screenplay, Cinematography, Sound, and Special Effects.

Closing date for entries is 5pm Sunday 21 October 2007

FILM STREET INTERN

www.filmstreet.co.uk

Do you have the flair and ability to write engaging, interesting copy for primary aged children? Do you want to learn how to write for the web?

Filmstreet.co.uk is an interactive website that teaches children under 12, their parents and teachers how to get creative through filmmaking.

They are now looking for an enthusiastic and creative individual who is training to be a writer or journalist, to spend one or two days a week producing copy for their Film Mag and to keep their website fresh and relevant to the target audience.

Expenses will be paid and the intern will also get to attend screenings of children's films around the country.

For more information and to the download an application form visit the First Light Movies website www.firstlightmovies.com

EVENTS...

WRITERS' GUILD OF GREAT BRITAIN AWARDS 2007

www.writersguild.org.uk

The Writer's Guild of Great Britain is re-launching its writers' awards and holding a ceremony at the Writers' Guild Centre in Kings Cross on Sunday 18 November 2007.

Writers' Guild members are currently sending their nominations to the Guild office. Nominated writers must be British or work in Britain. Eligible programmes/plays/books must have been released, published, performed or broadcast during the period 1 June 2006-31 May 2007 inclusive.

WRITERS' GUILD VARIETY NIGHTS

Tuesdays 7-9.30pm at the Writers' Guild Centre

A series of regular events at which writers can showcase their work or just come along and network with each other in an informal 'industry' environment.

Performance slots are open to everyone but Guild members are given preference. Each performer will be given a five minute slot. Tickets cost £2 for Guild members and £3 for non-members and will be sold on the door.

Places are limited, so please book in advance by emailing Moe at moe@writersguild.org.uk or on (0207) 838 0777

DO YOU HAVE SOME NEWS YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH THE SCRIPT MEMBERSHIP? If so, then e-mail info@scriptonline.net by the end of the month and it will go into the following month's Newsletter.

DISCLAIMER

Script asks you to note: These listings are drawn from varying sources, all current at time of publishing.

Script endeavours to investigate and validate all information and opportunities listed here. We advise you to make contact with companies before submitting scripts.

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