<newsmay07>


	SCRIPT is the West Midlands agency for dramatic writers.

SCRIPT NEWS - MAY 2007

SPECIAL FEATURES

In our latest special feature Ali Oxtoby talks about her experiences with Brummiewood.

WRITE LIVE 2007 - Submissions now closed!

OPPORTUNITIES, TRAINING AND COMPETITIONS...

STAGE...

THE CHURCHILL THEATRE 9TH ANNUAL PLAYWRITING COMPETITION

The competition invites writers to submit a short play based around the theme of '30' Scripts should be no more than fifteen minutes in length and for a maximum of six characters.

The winning entries will be performed at a rehearsed reading on the evening of 19th July. Entry fee: £10

Deadline: 1st June

To enter contact: 020 8464 7131

Email: liamshea@theambassadors.com

VERITY BARGATE AWARD 2007
Soho theatre and Writers' Centry have announced the launch of the 2007 Verity Bargate Award

Every two years Soho Theatre launches a national competition to find the best new play by an emerging writer. The winner will thrill London audiences with their imaginative, daring and relevant work

The winner will be given £5000 (in respect of an exclusive option), a residency at Soho Theatre and the chance to have their play producedat Soho Theatre. Plays must be full length and unproduced. Entries are limited to one per writer.

For more information visit: www.sohotheatre.com

Deadline: 6th July 2007

Warehouse Theatre- International Playwriting Competition 2007
Warehouse Theatre Company's International Playwriting Festival celebrates 22 successful years in 2007.
The festival is held in two parts.
The first is the competition with entries accepted from all over the world and judged by a panel of distinguished theatre practitioners...
The second is the festival itself which showcases the selected plays from the competition.
The festival takes place on 24 &25 November 07
For more information visit: www.warehousetheatre.co.uk
Deadline: 30 June

LIVE THEATRE'S SHORT CUTS

Live theatre is currently closed for refurbishment, but they are still inviting scriptwriters to showcase their work through the online Short Cuts intiative.

Following on from the theatre's popular open access Short Cuts nights, the online platform allows a writer to submit their script for comment and feedback by other writers.

For more information visit: www.live.org.uk

INSPIRING WRITER SOUGHT

Immediate Theatre seeks script for up to 20 youngsters (13-19yrs) that explores the effects of conflict in a way that is pertinent to their lives. The group, recruited from East London's BMER communities present a wide range of abilities and who are at risk of being socially and/or educationally excluded. We are looking to engage a skilled writer with experience of this group who will help the young people to realise this project.

Further Details: 020 7012 1684

ONE MINUTE PLAYS WANTED

Screaming Media presents:G160, the World's only Interactive, International Theatre Festival.

For more information visit: www.screamingmediaproductions.com

New Works of Merit Playwriting Contest
Now accepting scripts through June 30, 2007 for new works that:
1) Enhance self-realization
2) Support peace and social justice
3) Foster new understanding of minority issues that focus on racial, ethnic and gender discrimination both in the United States and abroad
4) Empower youth to build healthy inner foundations
5) Educate to gain further insight into healthy social/emotional living
6) Shed new light on religious, spiritual, and cultural differences and issues
7) Build respect for cultural expression and identity in a world that is experiencing rapid globalization
8) Explore the widening gap between the values this country was founded on and the values we present to the world today
For Guidelines and Application Form: www.PlaywritingContest.cjb.net

THEATRE IN THE POUND

The Cockpit Theatre run a monthly scratch night to enable new plays to be seen and developed. Theatre in the Pound is principally a not-for-profit night. The audience pay only £1 for their tickets!

For more information visit: www.cockpittheatre.org.uk/pound

or email:pound@cockpittheatre.co.uk

A NEW SEASON AT ARVON

The Arvon Foundation have just published their list of courses for 2007. Courses run from April until December and have a maximum of 16 students a week. All courses are resitential and run from Monday afternoon to Saturday morning. Courses cost £475 which includes tuition, food and board.

For more information visit www.arvonfoundation.org

CLELLAN AWARD 2007

Scripts are being accepted for McLellan Award 2007 Play Competition. Plays shouldb e 60-90 minutes long and be in any form of Scots of dialect and be acpable of being performed buy no more than 5 actos. The prize is £100 and a production of the play by Netshell.

Deadline 15th June

For more information visit: www.mclellanfestival.com

SCRIPT WRITER WANTED FOR MUSICAL COLLABORATION

I have written a musical play titled “PLAIN JANE” which is a light hearted musical revolving around a Fashions Store telling of the loves and laughs and woes of the proprietor and staff working there and of some of their customers.
I Know I sound cranky but shortly I will reach the age of 75 and there would be no greater joy in my life just to hear or see some of my work published or performed
The musical was written by me some time ago and when I took it around to agents there was quite a lot of interest shown and at times I had a lot of difficulty getting my work back.
I have run a fashion business for over 54 years and never found the time to promote myself which is what I am trying to do so now.
The music is on a disc sung by professional singers with a detailed synopsis but I need a good script writer with lots of imagination to collaborate with me and add the necessary humour and update the play.

Can you help?

Contact: betty.freedman@btopenworld.com
See Betty at her website www.doreenfashions.com

NOT/APPLICABLE SEEKING SCRIPTS

Not/Applicable is a newly emerging and exciting theatre company that exists to promote performance which goes against the status quo. Not/Applicable aims to make fresh new work that challenges an audience's preconceptions.
They are currently seeking new scripts to read with the view to mounting a production of a new full-length play in a small-to-mid-scale London theatre in late 2007. They will consider all genres of script and are particularly interested in work that is new and challenging.
Unfortunately Not/Applicable are unable to enter into correspondence regarding the plays, and therefore ask that you only send plays that are ready for production.
Find out more about Not/Applicable on their myspace page.

Email scripts: notapplicable-theatre@hotmail.co.uk

Deadline: 31st May 2007

The loneliness of the mother?
Rachel Sambrooks has just been awarded Arts Council England funding to write a radio play and research and develop a community performance. She's writing a comedy drama about the loneliness and isolation of new motherhood part of which is comedy poetry which she'd like to turn into a performance at local health centres/mother and toddler groups. If you're doing something similar she'd like you to get in contact!
Email: cosmicjokewriter@yahoo.co.uk.

RADIO...

bloc - ECSTASY MONOLOGUES

Writers' website bloc are looking for original and entertaining monologues between 800-1000 words, suitable for broadcast, on the theme of Ecstasy. From religion to raving, from sex to childbirth, the word ecstasy conjures up many images. What does it mean to you?

For mor information visit: www.bloc-online.com

WATSON'S WIND UP

a topical weekly radio show broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland, is inviting submission of topical sketches drawn from the week's news.

Rules: Sketches must relate to that week's news.

Ideally sketches should have Scottish slant but not essential for bigger news stories

Deadline: midday on Thursdays (for recording Fridays and airing Saturdays)

Duration of sketches: 20 seconds to 2 minutes

Send to: philipdiffer@comedyunit.co.uk (put your name on every page of material)

SCREEN...

BRITISH SHORT SCREENPLAY COMPETITION (BSSC)

The BSSC is now accepting submissions for their sixth annual competition and it will be the biggest and the best. This year for the first time the BSSC will not produce one winning screenplay but THREE winners will go into production. No other screenwriting competition in the world offers a bigger prize package to one winner let alone three!

Early deadline: 27th April 2007

Final Deadline: 22nd June

For more information visit: www.kaosfilms.co.uk

Screenwriters' Festival 2007
The International Screenwriters' Festival returns to Cheltenham from 3 to 6 July, boasting an impressive programme of events and speakers. Prices £200 - £364.

For more information: www.screenwritersfestival.com.

BBC Drama Production Writers Academy 2007

Do you want to write for EastEnders, Casualty, Holby City and Doctors?

If you have had your work boradcast on television or radio, or performed pofessionally at the theatre, then visit:

www.bbc.co.uk/jobs

Deadline: 14th May or Call: 0870 333 1330

BBC WRITERS ROOM

BBC writersroom identifies and champions new writing talent and diversity across BBC Drama, Entertainment and Children's programmes. Always a useful place for resources and information.

Website: www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom

SUSTAINED MAGIC CALL FOR WRITERS

Sustained Magic is asking for submissions from East Midlands based writers.

For more information visit: www.sustainedmagic.com

EVENTS...

The Worcester Pilgrim Audio Walks
Would you like to be a part of The Worcester Pilgrim?
Can you spare 10-15 minutes of your time?

Writers Charlie Goodwin and Kate Chapman (creators of Walk With Me - Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham 2005) are developing two original audio walks.

They would like to ask you about what you see around you as they take you on a gentle 10 -15 minute walk in the city. Your recordings will inform the writing and dramatisation, which will then be used for the Worcester Pilgrim Audio Walks this coming August.
The Commandery, Sidbury, Worcester WR1 2HU
If you are free at any of these times
Friday May 11th from 11am-4pm
Friday May 18th from 11am-4pm
Saturday May 19th from 12-4pm

If you would like to do this then please contact Charlie to book your slot: charlottegoodwingoodwin@btinternet.com

Generation Txt
Get ready to experience literature from the frontline in a whirlwind journey from scars to scrap-bins; from tea smuggling to suicide.
Following the success of acclaimed new poetry anthology Generation Txt, penned in the margins is taking the six gifted young poets featured in the book on a national tour to fourteen venues.

Tickets £5/£4 – available from www.macarts.co.uk

Or: 0121 440 3838

When: 1st June

Where: MAC, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham B12 9QH
Visit: www.myspace.com/generationtxt or www.pennedinthemargins.co.uk

PLAYING LIFE AT THE MAC
Deep Impact Theatre Company presents another exciting original play by Birmingham playwright, Nowell Wallace. Featuring specially commissioned music by Artur Lawrenz and Directed by Kerry Murdock. Playing Life is set into the backdrop of a jazz club.

Deep Impact works with young people all over the West Midlands, touring schools with plays and workshops which address some of the difficult issues which affect young people today, in a positive, informative and supportive way. The company, a registered charity, depends on the support of charitable trusts and ticket sales for its continuing work.
Playing Life will also be on tour at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival from 13th – 26th August.

When: MAC, June 19th – 23rd at 7.30pm
Box Office: 0121 440 3838
Visit: www.macarts.co.uk
For more information call: 0121 449 3511

Shrewsbury Heritage Celebrations is commemorating the Civil War
The centrepiece of the commemoration is the community play - about the anguish and heroism of this disturbing epoch in Shrewsbury's (and British) history. Regional playwright, Peter Cann has crafted an edgy, enthralling drama, which highlights the role of women in this dark period, when men took up arms to fight for King or Parliament. The Women of Shrewsbury and the Women of Wem provide not only a chorus but definitive actions in these turbulent years. At the Siege of Wem, it was the women who saved the day, donning cooking pots and skillets to persuade the attacking Royalists that the town was heavily defended.
Tickets can be obtained from Shrewsbury Music Hall - 01743 281281

One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest
After receiving subsidization from the Arts Council Birmingham Alexandra are in a fortunate position to be able to pass this offer on to the young people in your area, so please allow me the opportunity to send your organization this great Arts Council funded special offer for One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. Best available seats will be £5 as stated for the show at The Birmingham Alexandra on Mon 7th to Thursday 10th of May.
When taking up the offer please quote “Youth tickets”13-25 age group. Please do let as many young people as possible know about the offer via email / intranet etc. We are trying to encourage new visitors to the theatre!
There are also available excellent Education packs for teachers / youth workers that might request them and some workshops available for block bookings.
All people that take up this offer will have a special reception after the show when a member of the cast will come and meet them, there will also be a draw to win an ipod!
Enjoy this fabulous production.
Dates: May 7th - May 10th, Birmingham Alexandra
Call the box office on: 0121 643 5536

University of Wolverhampton Dance Department
Radical, Neo Moves Dance Company
A collection of works inspired by the theme of 'Modernism' combined with inspiration from different art genres.
Thursday 17th and Friday 18th May at 2pm and 7.30pm each day. Tickets £5 (£3).

Fleeting Impressions, First Year Choreography Students
This evening's show consists of first year student dance pieces created on Impressionist paintings.Influenced by the artists' abilities to capture 'fleeting moments' in everyday life, the dances portray varying images of Parisian streets, theatres, gardens, and evening skies. Impressions of light glancing across water contrast to the darker side of a woman's violation. The bustle of people hide a person's private thought.
Wednesday 23rd May at 7.30pm.Tickets £5 (£3).

Dance Advance
A showcase of some of the best of the work produced by dance students over the last year, featuring live and recorded performance from gifted young dancers.
Friday 25th May at 7.30pm.Tickets £5 (£3).
Visit: www.arenatheatre.info

ITC Midlands Members' Meeting
Join us for an open discussion on the latest topics, including Grants for the Arts cuts, sustainability of the sector, national and international touring policies, sick pay requirements, etc. (please feel free to propose any other item you wish to discuss).
The meeting will be followed by the launch of The Africa Consortium, a network of venues, companies and individual artists who are committed to engaging with the performing arts from Africa and the African diaspora: 5 - 7pm Centenary Suite followed by wine reception.
To top it all up, special tickets will be available at the discounted price of £10 for attendants of both events who want to stay on for the first night of Nothing But The Truth of John Kani at the Rep.
When: 23 May, 2.30 - 4.30pm
Where:The Birmingham Rep, Centenary Suite
Email: a.dicapua@itc-arts.org
(please specify if you wish to attend all three events)

Pitching and Cannes Survival guide
Screen Forum is the Light House’s regular meeting of practitioners and agencies who are involved in screen based creative industries within the region. Together with BAFTA, Screen WM are supporting May’s forum which will focus on pitching and will provide a timely opportunity for those thinking about taking their ideas to Cannes later in the month. The event will include a workshop/talk from some of the most experienced people in the business followed by a pitching session when you can get to pitch your ideas to a panel of experts. There will be plenty of networking opportunities and exclusive prizes for the best pitch.

The evening will continue after the talks and pitching with drinks and networking in the bar.
For more information contact Angela Slater, 01902 716055

Or visit: www.plotonline.co.uk, www.light-house.co.uk,
Dates: Thursday 10 th May, 2007, 5.45 – 9.30pm

GRANTS FOR THE ARTS ROADSHOW IN WEST MIDLANDS

If you are an artist or an arts organisation, or if you use the arts as part of your work, funding could be available for you.
We provide Grants for the arts for activities that benefit people in England or that help artists and arts organisations from England to carry out their work.
To find out more about the opportunities come along to a Grants for the arts Roadshow at a venue near you. Each event includes a presentation by Arts Council England officers and a question and answer session.
Thursday 17 May, 4-6pm - Chelmsley Wood Library Theatre
Monday 11 June, 11am-1pm - Rugby Museum and Art Gallery
Wednesday 18 July, 11am-1pm - The Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton upon Trent
Wednesday 26 September, 10-12noon - Birmingham Voluntary Services Council, Digbeth
Wednesday 17 October, 11am-1pm - Worcester Porcelain Museum
Booking is essential for these events. To reserve a place, contact: Mathew Hanratty on 0121 631 5737

Or email mathew.hanratty@artscouncil.org.uk

Or visit: www.artscouncil.org.uk

FOR FREE ANIMATION TECHNIQUES COURSES
Are you interested in developing your animation skills? Are you over 19, unemployed and residing in the West Midlands?
Light House is offering a selection of FREE animation techniques courses throughout 2007 and 2008.
For more information visit: www.light-house.co.uk/training.htm

BUY TICKETS FOR SCREENWRITERS' FESTIVAL 2007
See Diana Ossana, Anthony Horowitz, Shawn Slovo...
Hear about 'The Screenwriters Manifesto' and 'Diversity in FIlm'
Talk with agents, producers, developers and sales agents about your script.
Tickets are now on sale for the Screenwriters' Festival 2007 at the Manor by the Lake at Cheltenham Film Studios, Cheltenham UK.

Dates: 3rd-6th July 2007

Visit: http://www.screenwritersfestival.com/

GETTING YOU & YOUR SCRIPT A ONE2ONE MEETING WITH THE DEAL MAKERS
Selling a Spec Script can be very hard work. You could have the best idea and a full script, but you still can't get anyone to read it. Well, the Screenwriters' Festival is here to help. We want to get YOUR script into THEIR hands, someone that can maybe help develop it and, hopefully, eventually get it made.
Cost: £68 (and purchase tickets to Screenwriters' festival 2007)
Closing Date: 11th MAY 2007
For more information visit: www.screenwritersfestival.com

ADVANCED SCREENWRITING WORKSHOP
Castano del Robledo, Spain 2007
This residential workshop is for writers who have already written a first draft of their screenplay and have received some feedback and development from one of our previous courses or from another similar course or organisation, or through a producer, script editor, or script report. The aim of the advanced workshop is to help writers to take their script to the next level .

For more information go to: www.euroscript.co.uk/workshops.htm

or call: Anne Woods on 07803 369 414

DEALING WITH WRITING - KENT

Classes, workshop and weekend residencies lead by the playwright Noel Greig. Based in Kent.

For more information visit: www.dealingwithwritnig.com

JIM ELDRIDGE WORKSHOPS

Jim Eldridge is an award-winning script writer with 35 years experience. He runs affordable writing workshops in Bowness on Solway in Cumria. Each is limited to 10 people and costs £29 for the day.

Next workshops:

Saturday 12th May:Writing Drama and Comedy for Radio

13th May: Developing Characters and Stories

For more information visit: www.jimeldridge.com

WRITING ON HOLIDAY - IN TURKEY

Dave Simpson and Diane Whitely run writing holidays at their villa in Turkey where you can combine sun and scribbling. Course coming up include:

May 21-28 - Starting to Write Drama

June 18-25 Writing for Television

For more information visit: www.writeonholiday.co.uk

In conversation with David Edgar
Guild member, David Edgar is a playwright and fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. His recent works include Albert Speer, based on Gitta Sereny's biography of Hitler's architect, first staged at the Royal National Theatre, and The Prisoner's Dilemma, an exploration of the nature of modern conflict, for the Royal Shakespeare Company. He continues to write for the stage, radio and television and has taught at Birmingham University since 1989.

Tickets for this event will be £5 for Guild members and £7.50 for non-members. Please join us after the event for a free glass of wine and a chance to mingle with fellow guests. Places are limited so please book in advance through the Guild office. To book please send a cheque payable to the Writers' Guild, to ‘In conversation with David Edgar’, Writers' Guild of Great Britain, 15-17 Britannia Street, London, WC1X 9JN.
When: 7th June
Where: Writers' Guild Centre in King's Cross

BLOGS

WRITERS GUILD OF GREAT BRITAIN

Provides up-to-the-minute information for writers.

Visit: writersguild.blogspot.com

GUARDIAN THEATRE

Features responses to the newspaper's main articles, critics, playwrights and directors on all aspects of theatre.

Visit: blogs.guardian.co.uk

OTHER NEWS

APPLYING FOR AN ARTS GRANT?

If you're about to apply for an arts grant - do download and read these helpful guidelines.

For more information visit: www.writersguild.org.uk

WONDERING HOW TO FIND AN AGENT?

If you're looking for advice on how to approach an agent, and which are the best to target, then ScriptScout have just added a new article to their website with everything you need to know.

For more information: www.scriptscout.co.uk

ARE YOU HAVING AN ARRANGED MARRIAGE?
MTV are making a documentary about YOUNG LOVE in the UK and we want your stories. MTV are planning to follow a selection of young people for a new one hour documentary.
We want to look at love from all angles and we are looking for a young people with interesting stories or experiences relating to love – this is a monster subject but if you’ve got a killer tale then let us know.
We also want to find people who have had interesting experiences around this subject. If something around this issue affects you then let us know.
For information contact: love@mtvne.com

LOOKING FOR ACTORS?

Equity are keen to help publicise work which can be done through their Equity meetings which occur once a month. Also through the monthly newsletter (deadline is usually 20th). They can also send a direct request to those members that have email and this can be sent anytime - which can be handy for short notice. Equity will only promote work that is paid at the correct rate and on a contract.

Contact Equity secretary: Su Hallcroft on email: birminghamequity@blueyonder.co.uk.

Do you want to work as a life Coach?
Being a Life Coach gives you a real buzz, the chance to make a positive difference in people’s lives and helps you to live your own best life.
Your clients are coached in face to face or telephone sessions.
An exciting, professional, fully accredited qualification course is now available in The Midlands
Diploma in Life Coaching
3 month diploma course - you attend on all of these dates:
18(eve) 19, 20 May 07// 29 (eve) 30 June 1 July07 // 20 (eve) 21, 22 July 07
VENUE Barnt Green, Fee £1,500
To book or for more information please contact, Meg:01206 823723, Lynette:01255 507708
Or email: meg@megreid.co.uk, lynette@lynetteallen.co.uk

X PRESS BOOK PUBLISHING MENTOR SCHEME

Are you enthusiastic about writing? Do you have a fascinating tale to tell but you’ve never been published?

Britain’s most prominent publisher of African-Caribbean literature, The X Press, with support from Arts Council England, West Midlands, and Birmingham City Libraries will be publishing an anthology of brand new and exciting short stories in 2007.

Previously unpublished writers from the African-Caribbean, Asian or Chinese communities in the West Midlands region, are invited to submit vibrant and innovative stories from 2,000 to 4,000 words on any theme, use your imagination to weave a compelling, creative yarn aimed at readers aged 16 to 25.

Deadline: May 31st

Email your stories to: ava.ming@birmingham.gov.uk

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.

ARCHIVE

To view previous editions of Script News, please click on the links below

April 2005

May 2005
June 2005
July 2005
August 2005