<News May 2006>


	SCRIPT is the West Midlands agency for dramatic writers.

SCRIPT NEWS - May 2006

TYPES OPPORTUNITY - WRITERS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

TYPES (Theatre for Young People Enrichment Scheme) is a programme for writers in the West Midlands, enabling them to develop their skills in the field of Theatre for Young People.

There are four main elements to the scheme:

1) Opportunity to develop a script for a public rehearsed reading at mac in July 2007. The script will be rehearsed and performed by professional actors and led by a professional director.

2) Individual writing mentoring over the scheme for each participant.

3) Visits to a wide range of performances of plays for young people, both regionally and nationally, to include meetings and discussion with practising artists.

4) A series of seminars/workshops at mac looking at aspects of writing for young people and hosted by leading practitioners.

There are five TYPES Writers places available. For further information about how to apply, please contact rachel@scriptonline.net

Deadline for applications: Monday 5 June 2006

TYPES is a joint initiative between Script and mac (the Midlands Arts Centre) and is supported by funding from Arts Council West Midlands.

TRAINING FOR WRITERS' GROUPS - UPDATE AND DETAILS OF 2 OPEN EVENINGS

Back in November, Script invited dramatic writers' groups to apply for free training sessions from experienced practitioners in the field. We were able to offer this, thanks to a grant from Awards for All.

We're pleased to say that Big Script, New City Playwrights, postSCRIPT and Swan Playwrights have all been awarded training. Swan Playwrights will be working with Colin Teevan. Lance Woodman will be delivering the training to postSCRIPT and Claire Ingham is leading workshops on film and tv with Big Script. Discussions are well underway with New City Playwrights to link them up with a trainer.

All four writers' groups are also holding open sessions, for potential new members or anyone who'd just like to find out a bit more about what goes on in dramatic writing groups. Information about the first two are provided below . Details of the Swan Playwrights and the New City Playwrights open sessions will be included in a forthcoming newsletter.

AN INVITATION FROM postSCRIPT - OPEN EVENING ONTUESDAY 30TH MAY

We're a writing for performance group that meets on the first, third and fifth Tuesdays of every month at The Old Joint Stock, Temple Row West (BIrmingham) from around 7.30pm. All are welcome, not simply writers, but also actors, directors, film-makers, producers and people who have an interest in scripts. We're very happy to see people even if they can only spare half an hour or so. It's an informal gathering, just pop in and look out for the table decoration. If we don't seem to be there, ask at the bar and they'll direct you upstairs where we'll be having a reading. If the reading is in progress, don't worry about disturbing us, just come in and find a seat.

postSCRIPT exists to bring together like-minded individuals to discuss new scripts with a view to improvement and polishing until there is a 'production ready' script. The process for this includes readings and feedback, with a view to running workshops and bringing in 'guest' speakers.

On our Open Evening we hope to welcome as many new people as we can, show extracts of what we've done so far, plan our day long courses and talk about the future.

BIG SCRIPT OPEN EVENING - THURSDAY 29 JUNE

Big Script are holding their open evening on Thursday 29 June 7pm in the Large Hexagon Room in at mac (Midlands Arts Centre, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham). It's worth letting the group's secretary, Doreen Gray know if you're planning to come along. You can contact her on 0121 449 2569.

Big Script would also like to invite Script newsletter readers along to script-in-hand performances of their work. The performances - titled 'On the Rocks' - will be taking place at mac's Hexagon Theatre on June 21 and 22 at 7.45pm.

OPPORTUNITIES AND COMPETITIONS

RADIO...

'IMAGINE' - A NATIONAL COMPETITION FOR NEW SHORT FORM DRAMA FOR BBC RADIO 2

The theme is this - Imagine an encounter with your own music legend and use it to create imaginative, original drama. Be funny, be bold, tell a great story in less than 10 minutes.

Turn your dramatic ideas into a radio drama between three and ten minutes long and it could be broadcast on the Mark Radcliffe show in the autumn.

The deadline for entries is noon on Friday 2 June.

For full entry details and FAQs visit:

www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/events/imagine/whatis.shtml

STAGE...

NEW LITERARY DEPARTMENTAT THE FINBOROUGH THEATRE

The Finborough Theatre is delighted to announce the launch of their new literary department under newly appointed Literary Manager, Alexandra Wood. From Tuesday 18 April 2006, the Finborough will accept unsolicited scripts for consideration, as part of a six month trial. They also welcome adaptations of novels and musical theatre.

Full details of their new writing poliicy is available at www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk

THE OXFORD SAMUEL BECKETT THEATRE TRUST AWARD 2007

Applications are invited for the Oxford Samuel Beckett Theatre Trust Award 2007. A grant of up to £32,000 (£5,000 of which should be spent on a R and D period) and a run at The Barbican (The Pit) as part of BITE in September 2007 will be awarded to an individual or company for a production of their choice.

Bold, innovative and challenging projects from emerging practitioners will be favoured. Artists from all disciplines are encouraged to apply.

Further support will be provided in the following areas:

Guidance and support from the Barbican.

One week of technical rehearsals at the Barbican (The Pit) prior to the run.

A mentor will be attached to the project.

Deadline: Friday 4 August 2006

For more information visit: www.osbttrust.com

EAST MIDLANDS COMPANY SEEK NEW WRITING

Fifth Word Theatre is a performance company based in the East Midlands. With an emphasis on new writing, they are currently looking for scripts for their forthcoming production.

Fifth Word is committed to developing more links with playwrights and is happy to accept examples of writing. They emphasize that this would only be the beginning of a long relationship. Working collaboratively is at the forefront of their work and Fifth Word will only enter into correspondence with writers whose scripts they are developing.

If interested, please submit your script with a title page and list of characters. Also include a short covering letter outlining your writing experience to date. Send an SAE if you wish to have your play returned.

Send to: Fifth Word Theatre, Blue Boy, The Annexe, Wiltshire Road, Derby, DE21 6EZ or via email to info@fifthword.co.uk

USANU THEATRE - CALL FOR SCRIPTS

Usanu Theatre, an experimental performance company, are calling for script submissions for their 2006/7 season. Due to the experimental nature of the company, the writing must lend itself to physical and visual exploration.

They are particularly interested in: Avant Garde/Absurdist writing. Feminist writing which explores the fefmale voice ad one-act female monologues. However, all submissions are considered.

For more information visit www.usanu.co.uk

Contact: Please send expressions of interest to Tamara Allen-Cousins at info@usanu.co.uk with SCRIPT SUBMISSION in the subject, with a covering letter, your CV and submitted writing. Postal submissions are accepted - email for the address.

SCREEN...

i-blink - NEW SCRIPTWRITING COMPETITION

i-blink is an international scriptwriting competition and film festival that is looking for 10 great scripts to make during 2006.

Prizes for the 10 winners include training at PInewood with Avid, professional scriptwriting software, Final Draft, and the loan of all the equipment people will need to make their films.

As well as this, the top 3 short films made will also be in the running to win a prize pot of £5000.

The competition is open to anyone with an original script including aspiring and established writers. All they ask is that the script is under 10 minutes in screen time and is achievable on a low budget.

This is a great chance for writers to see their scripts get made into a film.

The event is being run by Coventry University with partners Avid and the Screenwriters Srore in London.

Deadline: 19 June 2006.

For more information visit www.i-blink.org

INFINITUM FILMS - CALL FOR COLLABORATION - DIGITAL SHORTS 2006

Screen West Midlands will soon launch their strand of the 2006 Digital Shorts scheme and Infinitum Films is again launching its own search to find talented new writers or directors who would be interested in collaborating with them to produce a submission to this year's scheme.

The scheme nationally supports over 100 short films per year, ranging in length from 3-10 minutes.

If you're the author of a finished script or completed treatment for an exciting short; or a talented new director in need of a producer for a project, then Infinitum Films would like to hear from you.

Anyone interested in collaborating with them on Digital Shorts 2006 should send an email briefly introducing themselves and their project to: pitchdigital@infinitumfilms.co.uk

For more information about Digital Shorts past and present go to: www.screenwm.co.uk/production-and-development/digital-shorts/index.asp

SCREEN WRITER WANTED

www.lastindependent.com are looking for a local comedy writer to create an hilarious circa 3 minute script as a vehicle for their animated series - Three Wheels to Paradise www.3wtp.com

This is for submission to the next Screen West Midlands Digital Shorts scheme. Our submission will include the selected script and a short full colour animation that is currently being developed at the company's expense as a teaser. The lead animator is Sam Walsh.

The colour storyboard, script and soundtrack for the teaser as well as full character profiles are available at www.3wtp.com

NOTE: This is a deferred payment project. If succesful via Screen WM or other funding body the bulk of the funding will go to the cost of animation, but appoximately £500 will be set aside for the writer. The producers and series creators will take just a £1 fee.

Please take a look at the site to decide if you want to be involved.

Deadline: 1 August 2006

COULD YOU TELL A STORY OVER COFFEE?

'EXPRESSO', a 10-minute anthology of micro-shorts, based around the visitors to one table in a busy Starbucks coffee shop, is the working title for the next collaborative project from www.lastindependent.com

They are looking for writers to submit entertaining ideas, stories or scripts that explore relationships, make us cry or are just plain funny. They can range from ten seconds to 30 seconds but must take place as your characters take their turn to one table in a Starbucks coffee store.

Selected writers will be invited to the filming and TV and film actors are already lined up for cameo performances. The segments will be edited into completed movies of various lengths from 90 seconds to 10 minutes, for various festival submissions. Writers will also receive the completed work on DVD. There will also be a dedicated website showcasing the work and the writers.

If you're interested contact expresso@lastindependent.com

RAPID EYE MOVEMENT

Rapid Eye Movement, the showcase for film makers in the West Midlands, runs on Saturday 27 May at 1pm at Warwick Arts Centre.

If you have a film you wish to be considered for screening, please send it to:

John Gore

Warwick Arts Centre

University of Warwick

Coventry

CV4 7AL

Films should be no more than 20 mins in duration and should be on one of the following formats: 35mm, DVD, Beta SP or VHS and should be received by Monday 22 May.

For anyone attending the screening on 27 May, there is a special offer available which will allow you to see this programme and the 4pm showing of Debbie Isitt's 'Confetti' for a special price of £6.50.

SHORT CIRCUITS INTERRUPTED - CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

This is a Sheffield based creative project showcasing artists' film and video, live art, experimental film and live music. Artists and filmmakers are invited to submit film and video to be screened on 12 July at the Forum Bar in Sheffield.

Contact: jodiegoddard@hotmail.co.uk

Submissions: DV or DVD for films and supporting documentation of performances. Send with SAE and contact information if you'd like your work returned.

Send to: Short Cicuits Interrupted, 37 Highfield Place, Sheffield, S2 4UR.

Deadline: 28 June 2006

EVENTS...

STRATFORD PLAYWRIGHTS - CALL FOR NEW MEMBERS

After a quiet couple of years as primarily a script-reading group, Stratford Playwrights is relaunching itself with a new Summer Season of performances in 2006. Colleen Muldoon-Taylor has taken over the Chair, and will launch a series of short monologues, one-handers and two-handers to be put on around Stratford; all written by members of the group.

They are putting the call out for new members to join them: writers, actors, directors, theatre technicians. Whoever you are, whatever your level of skill, this is a great opportunity to be part of a dynamic performance based group. They provide a comfortable, supportive, democratic environment to try out new work, offering advice and guidance to help get that script into shape! Come along!

They meet once a month on a Sunday evening at the famous 'Dirty Duck' in Stratford (opposite the RSC). Next one is 4 June 6.30-9pm. Email colleen.muldoon-taylor@ntlworld.com for more details.

GRANTS FOR THE ARTS ROADSHOWS

Due to popular demand, Arts Council England, West Midlands will be holding four more Grants for the Arts Roadshows in venues around the region.

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. To find out more about these opportunities go along to one of the roadshows. Each event includes a presentation by Arts Council England Officers and a question and answer session.

Friday 19 May, 10am-12.30pm - Austin Court, Birmingham

Friday 19 May, 2-4.30pm - Austin Court, Birmingham

Monday 10 July, 11am-1pm - Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton

Thursday 20 July, 11am-1pm - Cox's Yard, Stratford

Thursday 21 September, 1-3pm - Brittania Suite, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent

In partnership with Coventry Education Authority and Creative Partnerships Coventry there will also be a roadshow with an education focus:

Tuesday 4 July, 4-6pm - The Herbert, Coventry

Booking for all roadshows is essential and places are going fast. To reserve a place contact Sarah Herbert on 0121 631 5721 or email sarah.herbert@artscouncil.org.uk

SWAN PLAYWRIGHTS - 'FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD' - A TRIPLE DECKER EVENING OF NEW PLAYS

'Breakfast with Tiffany' by Paul Merrell

'Forbidden Fruitcake' by Martin Drury

'Bad Taste Bites' by Pam Yarwood

Script-in-Hand plays directed by Ellie Parker.

Friday 19 May 7.30 - Rose Theatre Studio, Kidderminster.

Booking: 01562 743 745

Sunday 21 May 7.30pm - Worcester Arts Workshop, Worcester.

Booking: 01905 21095 or 01299 825 624

Tickets: £9.50 (£6 concs).

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