The purpose of the course is to offer 12 writers new to television drama an insight into how the industry works and to provide a “dry-run” of what it can be like to write under a television drama commission, specifically for one hour series and serial drama, and to work with them as they write an original drama script.
Writers will be expected to write an original C4 / E4 one-hour drama series or serial pilot episode, and 2-3 page outline / pitch for the series / serial as a whole.
Each writer will be assigned a script editor, who is currently working in the industry, to guide them through this process.
DATES
23rd and 24th January 2021 / 12th and 13th June 2021
Writers must ensure before entering that they are available to attend both these weekends, and are free to write at least two drafts of an original one-hour television drama between 25th January and 1st June 2021.
ELIGIBILITY:
Only writers who do not have a broadcast credit as a television writer or theatrical release as a feature film writer may apply (although produced short films – 20 minutes or less – are exempt).
HOW TO APPLY:
Visit the Channel 4 Screenwriting Course website
and submit the application form together with your CV and writing sample (saved as a PDF file).
The writing sample can be a screenplay (film or TV), stage play or radio play, minimum length 20 pages (novels, treatments, short stories, unfinished screenplays and “shorts” are not acceptable), maximum length 130 pages.
The scripts should be original, not episodes of existing drama series.
NB FOR 2021 ONLY, YOU CAN SUBMIT THE SAME SCRIPT YOU HAVE SUBMITTED IN PREVIOUS YEARS.
FEE:
Writers will be paid a fee for participating in the course and for completing two drafts of a one hour script. All writers will be required to grant Shelley Productions a first option for Channel 4 to acquire all rights in their script and will be told within six months of delivery whether Channel 4 wishes to exercise this option.
DEADLINE: 2 October 2020 at 5pm
Source: BBC Writersroom