| SCRIPT
NEWS - October 2007
STAFF
CHANGES AT SCRIPT
Managing
Director Peggy Paterson left Script at the end
of September after four years of sterling service.
We wish her all the best for the future.
Rachel
Taylor will assume the role of Acting Executive
Director from October. Rachel will be familiar
to writers in her previous capacities of Administrator
and Programmes Director at Script.
Catherine
Edwards is joining Script in the role of Acting
Programmes Director. Catherine was previously
the Literary Assistant at Birmingham Repertory
Theatre.
WRITE
LIVE 2007
Many
thanks to everyone who applied for the Birmingham
Repertory Theatre's Attachment Scheme this year.
Eight writers have now been invited for interview
and the successful candidates will be announced
shortly.
We have
written to all applicants with script reports
(if requested), but the letters may have got caught
in the October postal strike. Please bear
with us!
INTRODUCTION
TO SCREENWRITING 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.
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
YOUR
VIEWS WANTED!
Researchers
at the University of Ulster are investigating
the role of the dramaturg in UK theatre. They
are looking for input from writers at all stages
in their careers (from non-professionals to well-established).
If you would like to take part, please complete
this Questionnaire
and return it to Rosalind Haslett at roshaslett@hotmail.com
by 31st October 2007.
OPPORTUNITIES,
TRAINING AND COMPETITIONS...
STAGE...
SUBMISSIONS
WANTED FOR MENAGERIE THEATRE COMPANY
East
Anglia's premiere new writing company is searching
for the best new talent in the region.
If you
have a script that you would like us to consider
for a rehearsed reading or even for the Hotbed
Festival 2008 then please send the following:
- a
covering letter
- a
one-page plot synopsis, including character
outline
- a
10-15 page extract from your script
- a
self-addressed stamped envelope
Menagerie
is also holding several workshops with award-winning
playwright Fraser Grace (currently under commission
to the National Theatre). All writers, however
experienced, are welcome to attend, and the course
is a good opportunity to get to know Menagerie
in advance of commissioning opportunities for
Hotbed. For further details, please visit the
website:
www.menagerie.uk.com
UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA - INTERNATIONAL SCRIPT COMPETITION
The
University of California announces the 3rd International
Competition with $10,000 prize for plays about
science and technology.
Submitted
plays must explore scientific and/or technological
stories, themes, issues or events. (The
competition is not open to plays written in the
genre of science fiction). Entries must be postmarked
by December 31st 2007. The winning play
will be announced in July 2008.
Website:
www.cnsi.ucsb.edu/stage
Email:
stage@cnsi.ucsb.edu
PRO-SESSIONAL
A professional
development day for practitioners of dramaturgy
in British Theatre
What:
Pro-sessional is the first British event
to focus on practical support, skills sharing
and professional development for artists engaged
in the dramaturgical development of new work.
The programme includes hands-on workshops, open
rehearsals and fora led by some of the country's
leading theatre practitioners. With a particular
emphasis on alternative theatre processes as well
as text, this will be an essential event to support
your creativity in supporting new work development.
When/Where:
Monday 12 November, Soho Theatre
Who
is it for: Dramaturgs, literary managers,
creative producers, directors and artists working
as mentors or facilitators in the development
of new work.
Cost:
£40 (£30 conc)
Further
information, please visit: www.gabz.co.uk/Development/prosessional/pro-sessional_info.html
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.
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
BRIAN
WAY AWARD
This year, Theatre Centre is funding
and administering the Brian Way Award - 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
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...
CALLING
ALL MIDLANDS BASED WRITERS...
Write
for TV
Midwest
Media Ltd, in conjunction with Screen WM, are
looking for local writers interested in adapting
classic British legends for television.
Each story will be 10 minutes long and should
appeal to a family audience.
You
should have writing experience but a TV background
is not necessary as you will be working with an
experience Film and TV Writer as your Script Executive.
We are
particularly looking for stories that have a high
visual impact and will benefit from Computer Generated
Imagery to bring them to life.
Please
email your contact details and a sample of your
work to: trevorwest@midwestmedia.co.uk
by 14th October.
4Talent
- PILOT
PILOT
is an opportunity for drama screenwriters to win
the chance to have their work produced and screened
on Channel 4. They are inviting exciting,
talented writers to submit a treatment for a six-part
drama series, an outline for a pilot episode for
that series, and a script for a sample scene from
that episode.
12 writers
will be selected to take part in a packed weekend
of industry workshops and masterclasses.
They will then be hot-housed in one of three Scottish
independent productions companies, where mentoring
producers and Channel 4 script editors will help
them develop their series idea and complete a
first draft script. After 8 weeks of paid
training, each writers will pitch to a selection
panel. Only one idea from each production
team will be selected. These 3 writers,
along with their producesr, will hotfoot it down
to Channel 4's HQ in London to pitch to 4Talent
and the Channel's Commissioning Editor for Drama,
Sophie Gardiner.
For
further details, please visit: www.channel4.com/4talent/pilot
Closing
date: 23rd November 2007
EUROPSCRIPT
SCREENLAB
Putting
the Story on the Screen
Writing
the Best Pictures and Sounds
Saturday
20th October 2007, 10.30am-5.30pm
Come
and tune up your descriptive and editing skills.
As a
screenwriter, you must create cinematic impact
on the page, developing your personal descriptive
style for film and TV. In this workshop you will
learn to use pictures and sound to fire the emotions
of both reader and audience, to create atmosphere
and drama.
Location:
The Diorama Arts Centre, 3-7 Euston Centre,
London
Cost:
£85 (concessions £75)
Contact:
020 7435 1330, euroscript@blueyonder.co.uk
SCREEN
WEST MIDLANDS - DIGISHORTS 07/08
digishorts
offers you the chance to develop and produce a
short film with support from Screen WM and the
UK FIlm Council, including a budget of up to £10.500.
The scheme is open to film-makers with at least
one short film on a showreel already, or moving
artists, designers, animators etc with at least
on equivalent piece of work to view.
This
year there are two deadlines:
5pm
Monday 26th November 2007 - apply to
this deadline if you have not made a Digital
Short previously.
5pm
Monday 28th January 2008 - apply to this
deadline only if you have made a Digital
Short with us previously, and do not wish to develop
your idea with us through the lab.
For
further details and entry guidelines, please visit:
www.screenwm.co.uk/production-and-development/digital-shorts/index.asp
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
EVENTS...
SOUND
INTERPRETATIONS AT THE PICTURE GALLERY
Playwright
Vanessa Oakes was commissioned earlier this year
to write responses to three paintings in the permanent
collection at Nuneaton Museum and Art Gallery
in celebration of 90 years of art in the town.
The
sound interpretations are on permanent display
and the Museum and Art Gallery is open at the
following times:
Tues-Sat
10.30am-4.30pm
Sunday
2pm-4.30pm
Admission
Free
OVER
THE RAINBOW - THE EVA CASSIDY STORY
Brian
Langtry's play commenced its 7th UK/Ireland tour
on 30th September. Starring in the role
of Eva is ex 'Steps' singer Faye Tozer and the
tour stops off at the Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham,
on Thursday 11th October.
Further
tour information: www.theatre-productions.com
GROWING
UP AN ALIEN
12-13
October
MAC,
1pm, 7.30pm (4.30pm on Sat 13th)
In the
company of mesmeric accordionist Janie Armour,
Aoife revisits her nomadic childhood, exploring
the relationships that bind all families together
and the secrets and sorrows that divid them.
Only
30 tickets are available per performance, so call
now on 0121 440 3838 to guarantee your place.
CINEMATIC
SHORT FILM FESTIVAL
16-17
October, 7pm
IMAX
Cinema, Millennium Point
A platform
for creativity and film-making talent, irrespective
of the production budget available. Student and
independent films are shown alongside funded shorts
from established production companies.
Reserve
your free seats now, contact Nina Parmar on:
0121
331 5400, or cinem@tic.ac.uk
www.myspace.com/cinematicfestival
PROTECT
THE HUMAN: THE WINNING PLAYS
17-19
October, 8pm
Soho
Theatre, London
Rehearsed
readings of the three successful plays entered
for the competition run by iceandfire in conjunction
with Amnesty International UK. It showcases
imaginative, muscular, dynamic plays which explore
stories of displacement and conflict, highlighting
the power of the "ordinary" individual
voice.
Cost:
£5 (£3 concessesions)
Bookings:
0870 429 6883, or www.sohotheatre.com
THE
LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF NICHOLAS NICKLEBY
adapted
by David Edgar
23-27
October (times vary)
Birmingham
Hippodrome
Nicholas
Nickleby was originally presented by the RSC in
1980 and became a landmark production, winning
the Olivier and Tony Awards for best play.
Last year, history repeated itself when the Chichester
Festival Theatre presented the first ever major
revival, which played to rave reviews and packed
houses. Nicholas Nickleby has been adapted by
Birmingham-based writer David Edgar, one of the
country's leading playwrights.
Box
Office: 0870 730 1234
Online
bookings: www.birminghamhippodrome.com
B3
in association with Contact invites you to attend
the:
IDENTITIES.TV
SHOWCASE
Identities.tv
is a unique UK-wide experimental pilot project
bringing together artists working across spoken
word, screen based media and music/sound design
to collaborate to produce new work around themes
of identity.
The
screening will include a Q&A with film-makers
and a chance to find out about other digital short
film commissions, including Blank Slate.
Date:
Wednesday 24th October 2007
Time:
7.30pm (for 8.00pm start)
Venue:
Contact Theatre, Oxford Road, Manchester,
M15 6JA
Booking
and info: 0161 274 0600, www.b3media.net/identities
COLLIDE
FESTIVAL PRESENTS:
DUNIA
YETU AND CROSSROAD COLLISION
Thursday
25th October, 7pm
The
Drum
This
breathtaking tale In his shadow fusing
theatre, music and dance, is a poignant account
of life in a small village set in present day
Africa. With the help of a sorcerer, Kanakiki
is chosen to go to England in the hope that he
will return with new skills to uplift his village.
Cost:
£8.50
Box
Office: 0121 333 2444
SRATFORD PLAYWRIGHTS
Following
the success of last November's pub theatre, Stratford
Playwrights will be putting no another performance.
The theme is "Serendipity" and will
feature five 15-minute extracts from members'
work.
Location:
The Dirty Duck, Stratford
Date:
25-26 October 2007
Time:
7.45pm
Cost:
Free
CIVIC
PRIDE by Jefny Ashcroft
1-3
November, 7.30pm
A site-specific,
promenade play using the intimate venue of Bantock
House, Finchfield, Wolverhampton.
Even
Victorian businessmen have feelings...
Cost:
£7 (£4 concessions)
Contact:
Bantock House on 01902 552195 for more
information and tickets
IINTO
THE LIGHT: AN AFTERNOON WITH TERENCE DAVIES
MAC
Saturday
3 November 2007
2.30pm
Distant Voices, Still Lives (with intro
by Terence Davies plus Q&A)
6pm
The House of Mirth (with intro by Terence
Davies)
MAC
Cinema and swish are delighted to announce that
acclaimed and award-winning UK film maker Terence
Davies will visit MAC Cinema, Birmingham to accompany
the screening of his films of Distant Voices,
Still Lives and The House of Mirth.
In this special presentation, he will introduce
both films and discuss his career in a Q&A
after Distant Voices, Still Lives.
A must
for anyone interested in contemporary UK Cinema.
MAC
Booking information: 0121440 3838
OUT
OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE by Steve Waters
11-12
October, Luton Hat Factory (01582 878100)
1-2
November, The Junction, Cambridge (01223
511511)
8
November, Lakeside Theatre University of Essex
(01206 873261)
Inspired
by the feverish homeward walk of the 19th Century
poet John Clare from a lunatic asylum in Essex,
Waters has crafted a unique theatrical treat full
of humour and passion illuminated by Clare's own
verse and prose.
Visit
www.menagerie.uk.com
for further details
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
FUNDING...
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
DISCLAIMER
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.
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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