Element Pictures NI Writers Award 2021
Element Pictures x BBC Writersroom x BBC Drama Commissioning
DEADLINE: July 8, 2021
INFO: Element Pictures (Normal People, The Favourite), BBC Writersroom and BBC Drama Commissioning are looking for the next generation of television writers who have bold and original stories to tell.
Open to both emerging and established writers, this programme will offer the opportunity to develop an original series idea for BBC One, BBC Two or BBC Three with Element Pictures. Four writers will be chosen to write a treatment commission; from those four, one idea will then be developed into a full pilot script.
This scheme is looking for stories that haven’t yet been told about Northern Ireland: the emotionally powerful, thought-provoking, inspiring, celebratory, relevant or surprising narratives that reflect the variety and diversity of life there today – and also speak to a global audience.
WHO CAN APPLY?
To be eligible for this scheme, you must be able to represent Northern Ireland with authenticity (for example you may be from there or have lived/worked there). You must also be confident that you can demonstrate a clear understanding of the culture, telling relevant stories in a fresh and original way.
This scheme is aimed at writers who have already gained some experience in crafting stories, and are ready to step up to developing a series idea. You must have had at least one professionally produced fiction script, at least 15 minutes long, for television, radio, podcast, theatre or film.
Writers with an original idea already in development (beyond treatment stage) with BBC Drama Commissioning, or those who have already had an original scripted series broadcast by the BBC, are not eligible to apply. However, writers in development outside the BBC are welcome to apply.
All applicants must be aged 18 or over, and resident in the UK or Ireland at the time of application and for the duration of the programme.
Individual writers and writing partnership of two (max) may enter. For writing partnerships, both writers must fulfil all the criteria.
HOW TO APPLY: Applications must be made through the BBC Writersroom online submission system – a link to the application form can be found at the bottom of this page.
To apply, you must submit:
An original drama or comedy-drama spec script written for television, film, radio, podcast, stage or online platform which should be at least 30 pages in length. Please ensure that the script is properly formatted, and that the writer(s) name(s) and any other identifying information has been removed to allow the script to be read anonymously
A pitch outlining a potential series or serial idea for BBC One, BBC Two or BBC Three, which should not exceed 2 pages
A one-page writing CV to include a short personal statement introducing yourself as a writer
Only original work can be accepted; your sample and idea may not be based wholly or in part, on the work of any other person, whether known, published, produced, or not, i.e. adaptations will not be accepted.
Bearing in mind the current, competitive TV landscape both in the UK and internationally, the series idea should be as distinctive as possible.
The writing sample should not be related to the original series that you want to pitch if selected, but ideally have tonal similarities to your series idea.
For writing partnerships, the writing sample and the pitch must be the work of both writers.
HOW SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ASSESSED:
Stage 1: All submissions will be read and assessed by a panel of experienced readers. Preliminary rounds of the sift will be primarily based on the writing sample. Submissions that reach full read stage will also be evaluated on the series idea pitch. For the writing sample, the readers will be looking for originality and authenticity.
Stage 2: Eight writers will be longlisted and invited to a one-day workshop on 28 September 2021.*
Stage 3: The workshop attendees will be invited to submit a revised series pitch, and attend an interview with Element Pictures & BBC Writersroom between 18 – 22 October 2021.*
Stage 4: Four ideas will be commissioned to treatment by Element Pictures.
Stage 5: Element Pictures will commission a pilot script from one writer or writing partnership.
Your writing sample should be the best showcase of your writing talent and voice. We are looking for unique, well-crafted scripts that give us something that we haven’t seen before.
Through this process, we hope to find bold, unexpected and fresh stories that celebrate the variety and diversity of life in Northern Ireland but still speak to a global audience. While not ruling anything out, we are particularly interested in contemporary relationships, thrillers and grounded genre pieces. We are open to experiment with length, structure and format, but would prefer series ideas to singles or telemovies. Tonally, anything goes, although we always appreciate it when those with darker themes offer some light, hope or humour. We welcome ideas for BBC Three, as much as BBC One & BBC Two.
* Applicants must be available for interview and workshop if selected on the dates stated. Any writers not able to attend on the selected dates may forfeit their place.
FEES:
The writers selected for commission will be paid the minimum script fee as agreed by the WGGB/PMA/PACT agreement:
The treatment commissions will be paid at 10% of the script fee (i.e. £1,332 for 60 minute series ideas), deductible from the script fee. Writers will be commissioned to write a minimum of two drafts of the treatment.
The pilot script commission will be paid at a rate of £13,320 for 60 minutes (less the treatment fee). The writer(s) will be commissioned to write a minimum of three drafts of their original script.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/opportunities/element-pictures-ni-writers-award-2021
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2021 BLACK LIST X WOMEN IN FILM EPISODIC LAB
The Black List x Women In Film
DEADLINE: July 22, 2021
INFO: The Black List and Women In Film will invite six to eight promising non-professional television writers who are of an underrepresented gender (women, NB/GNC, and/or trans, and others) to the Lab. The Lab will run twice weekly for four weeks beginning on Tuesday, October 5, 2021 and will consist of script development, peer workshopping sessions and Master Classes with established writers and industry executives. Lab participants will have their final pilots read by agencies and networks. Writers who are Women In Film members can also submit their script directly to WIF. Sessions will be held on Zoom until further notice.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
The Program is subject to the following requirements:
You must post an episodic pilot script on www.blcklst.com (“Site”) for at least one week during the Program Submission Period and opt in to the Program Submission Call.
Such script must be wholly original to you.
You must be the sole and exclusive author of the script submitted for consideration.
You must be competent to contract and over the age of 18.
You must not have earned more than $25,000 in the aggregate in connection with any
prior television writing work.
If the script is written by a team consisting of one or more writers, each member of that
writing team must comply with these Submission Requirements, including agreeing to
the Submission Agreement as described below.
You must agree to these Submission Requirements, all terms relating to the Program
posted on the Site, and the Submission Agreement, which governs the submission of your script. The Submission Agreement includes important terms and conditions (including arbitration of disputes) you should read before accepting.
If selected for participation in the Program, you must be available to participate in the Program online during the month of October, 2021. Please note, in the event you are selected but are not able to attend the Program on such dates, The Black List will have the right, but not the obligation to offer participation in the Program to someone else.
If requested, you must submit the following, which are also governed by the Submission Agreement by a date to be determined by The Black List:
a one-page biography and personal statement;
a resume;
contact and other personal information; and
signed originals of the Submission Agreement
IMPORTANT DATES:
Submission Period Closes July 22, 2021
Short List Writers Notified July 23, 2021
Personal Statements Due July 30, 2021
Zoom Interviews August 30-31, 2021
Final Participants Notified September 1, 2021
Lab Begins October 5, 2021
* In order for new script evaluations to qualify for consideration for the Lab, they must be purchased by midnight on the Evaluations Deadline. Please note, purchase of an evaluation is not required for consideration to participate in the Episodic Lab.
Please note, applicants can apply through either the Black List or Women In Film, however instructions are different for each platform. Women In Film applicants must be active WIF Members in good standing and can submit directly via WIF.
THE SELECTION PROCESS
The selection process will work like this: Up to 25 writers will be invited, based on the strength of their pilot scripts, to submit a one-page personal statement and professional resume. From those submissions, up to 15 writers will be invited to interview. From those interviews, 6-8 writers will be selected by the Black List and Women In Film to participate in the Lab.
https://blcklst.com/partnerships/opportunities/97
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Nickelodeon Writing Program
DEADLINE: August 1, 2021 at 11:59 pm PT
INFO: Founded in the year 2000, the Nickelodeon Writing Program is a full-time, paid, yearlong development Program for television comedy writers with unique voices and from underrepresented communities. Join us at the studio in Burbank for classes and workshops to sharpen your skills, executive mentorship and networking to build your professional relationships, and the opportunity to work in the iconic live-action and animation writers’ rooms at Nick.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to dedicate yourself to the craft of writing and build your career from the ground up. The Nick Writing Program is not a writing contest – It’s a launching pad for diverse and emerging creatives. If you bring the unique voice and innovative ideas for kids’ and family content, we’ll help you launch a career with all the tools you’ll need to succeed in the industry for years to come.
HOW TO APPLY: Our submission period runs July 1st to August 1st. All submissions must be completed by 11:59pm PST on August 1st. No late submissions will be considered. You must be 18 years or older, and eligible to work in the United States to participate. To apply, follow the link under the “Apply Online” section, fill out the application through our submission portal, and submit two scripts: One spec from our Accepted Shows List which gets updated every year (watch our social media channels for announcements), and one half-hour original comedy pilot. If you have previously applied to the Program and were not selected, you are welcome and encouraged to apply again with a new spec script for each submission period.
Step 1: Pick a Focus
When you pick a focus, it helps us curate your experience in the Program to better help you reach your goals as a television writer. Picking a focus does not mean your time in the Program will be spent exclusively working on content for this audience, but simply helps us gauge your interests and set you on a course for success. Your spec and pilot submissions do not need to adhere to these audience age groups in any way.
Kids’ Content (Audience Age 6-11): This age group is Nickelodeon’s bread and butter. Most of Nickelodeon’s most iconic live-action and animated shows are developed for this demographic including SpongeBob SquarePants, Danger Force, and The Loud House.
Preschool Content (Audience Age 2-6): The Preschool age group (including “bridge” content for tots moving into early elementary school age) loves to laugh and play along with their content. They’re smart, engaged, and always ready for new shows to watch like Paw Patrol, Ryan’s Mystery Playdate, and Baby Shark’s Big Show.
Preteen/Young Adult (Audience Age 11-17): Nickelodeon shares its home in the ViacomCBS Kids & Family Group with our partners at Awesomeness who cater to a tween and teen audience. We’ll partner with ATV and the creators of Nick’s shows for a slightly older audience like Side Hustle, Drama Club, and iCarly to make this experience the right one for you.
Step 2: Script Preparation
All applicants must submit a SPEC SCRIPT and ORIGINAL COMEDY PILOT that adhere to the following guidelines:
Must be based on a television series from the Accepted Shows List (spec only).
Typed in standard Final Draft (or equivalent) script format.
In black type, 12pt courier style font.
Do not upload a cover page with your script.
The following information should be included in the header/footer of your spec script on the first or all pages:
Name of the show (center of the header).
Title of the episode (center of the footer).
File name should include only the name of your show and episode (Do not include your name or your submission will not be considered).
Do not put your name anywhere on the script, file, or file name.
THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED: Feature-length screenplays, reality-based comedies or dramas, treatments, outlines, plays, short stories, books, graphics, magazine/newspaper articles, poems, headshots, audio/video tapes, or other digital media. If it's not on the Accepted Shows list or your comedy pilot, please do not submit it!
Please note: Submissions that do not adhere to these guidelines will not be considered.
Step 3: Accepted Shows
A.P. Bio
Atlanta
Awkwafina is Nora from Queens
Baby-Sitters Club (2020)
Big Mouth
Black-ish
Bob <3 Abishola
Bob's Burgers
Breeders
Central Park
Dickinson
Dollface
Family Reunion
Gentefied
Grown-ish
Harley Quinn
Letterkenny
Mixed-ish
Mr. Iglesias
Mr. Mayor
Mythic Quest
Never Have I Ever
PEN15
Raven's Home
Rick and Morty
Saved by the Bell (2020)
South Park
Tacoma FD
Ted Lasso
The Conners
The Goldbergs
The Great North
The Last O.G.
The Neighborhood
The Unicorn
What We Do in the Shadows
Woke
Young Sheldon
Step 4: Apply Online
SUBMISSION MATERIALS TO INCLUDE:
Completed application questions - some of these are long, so start your application early.
One spec script in .pdf format (this applies to both individual writers and writing teams).
One original comedy pilot in .pdf format (this applies to both individual writers and writing teams).
One-page resume in .pdf format.
Completed and digitally signed Submission Release form and Schedule A for each script. These can be downloaded from the link above the document upload section.
COMPLETE YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION
Beginning July 1st, you can start your application for the Nickelodeon Writing Program. Submissions must be uploaded before 11:59pm PT on August 1st.
All submission materials should be completed and uploaded to the Nickelodeon online submission platform Coverfly. All necessary forms can be downloaded via links embedded in the application.
Once in the platform, fill in the form with your "Project Info" about your spec from the Accepted Shows List.
Projects written by writing teams should only be submitted once. On the first page of the checkout form, writers will have the option to add one additional writer by clicking on the plus sign (+) next to the name fields.
Upload a .pdf of your spec script following the provided instructions. Leave off all identifiable information. At this stage, you will be asked to provide a few additional details about the script.
Choose the Program "Package" and "Add to Cart."
Give us some "Additional Info" including your contact details, a signed Schedule A form, and a signed Release form (one for each member in the case of writing teams) for each script you submit (spec and pilot). Both forms can be downloaded from the link above the document upload section.
We'll also need a resume in .pdf format. Please be sure to fill out all required fields and answer all questions or you will not be able to submit your application.
Finally, "Check Out" (at no cost) to complete your submission.
Don't wait until the last minute! We advise that you give yourself at least two weeks prior to the August 1st deadline to complete your submission. No exceptions will be made for late submissions regardless of circumstances.
If you are experiencing problems with the online application, please contact the technical support team at Coverfly by scrolling to the bottom of their site homepage and clicking "Contact."