The programme has been designed for Northern Irish writers of comedy Drama and narrative comedy by Creative Skillset and Grand Scheme Media.
If shortlisted, submitted scripts will be performed live at the Belfast Media Festival in November of this year. Scripts must be suited to staging at the festival.
The writing programme officially opens to writers today, Tuesday the 11th of July, with a deadline of the 3rd of August. Entrants are permitted to enter one script not exceeding 25 minutes in duration.
Six shortlisted writers will be announced on Friday, September 2nd, who will be connected with industry professionals to prepare for the showcase of their work.
In addition organisers of the programme anticipate a sustained effort to bring new scripts and talents to the screen.
This new and exciting programme has been created by Grand Scheme Media, in association with key funding partner Creative Skillset and supported by Northern Ireland Screen and BBC Northern Ireland. Also closely involved will be BBC Comedy Commissioning, the BBC Writersroom, the Belfast Comedy Writers group and the Belfast Media Festival team.
Scripts should be submitted to hollie @ grandscheme.tv.
Further information on the programme:
The Mission
KICKSTART a new era of television writing and production in Northern Ireland.
CREATE a landmark event, one that flags Ireland as being home to amazing talents.
CONNECT diverse local talent to the British and Irish television industry.
- To connect diverse, emerging writing talent from Northern Ireland* with the wider UK production industry, including independent producers, commissioners and broadcasters.
- To provide practical advice, education and contacts for that talent.
- To help nurture a new generation of narrative television writers which in turn will increase production output from Northern Ireland.
The Project
- As part of the 2016 Belfast Media Festival (BMF), six writers from Northern Ireland will have their works performed, read or screened on stage in a special Showcase.
- Directed and performed by Northern Irish talent, these works will take the form of script extracts from completed narrative works in the Comedy Drama or Comedy genres.
- Writers will submit their work for assessment by a small panel of professional producers and script editors. A shortlist will then be released.
- Each writer will work with a professional mentor who will help edit his or her work for the showcase.
- The final pieces will be rehearsed in Belfast and prepared for the event by a professional director.
How will it work?
- Eligible writers submit scripts to a judging panel of industry experts.
- Scripts will be no less than 15 minutes and no longer than 25 minutes.
- Scripts will be comedy drama, situation comedy or sketch comedy, must be written for the screen, and suitable for live reading.
- Scripts will be original comedy ideas and feature no more than six main characters.
- GSM and their approved Script Editors will read submissions and prepare a shortlist of 6 scripts which will be announced at the Festival.
- Each writer will receive professional advice on his or her work. Writers will be able to write several drafts prior to the final showcase.
- Shortlisted works will be performed at the 2016 Belfast Media Festival. We anticipate this event taking no more than 75.00 minutes with one interval.
- Industry professionals from the main broadcast channels, indies and online platforms will be invited to attend.
- Writers will have a chance to network with industry professionals and receive professional guidance.
Northern Ireland writers relates to those based in the region, from the region or who regularly work in the region.
