Writers Academy 3
Do I qualify to enter?
A few thoughts this week on what kind of writing experience will qualify you for the course...
You are able to apply for the Writers Academy if you can prove you have a "professional drama commission". In other words we want you to show us that you have been paid to write drama. It does not have to be for television - film, radio, theatre would all qualify.
The reasons for this are two-fold. Firstly, it keeps application numbers down to a manageable level. If we got several thousand scripts, instead of several hundred, we would not have enough people to read them and make a meaningful selection. But secondly, and more importantly, it shows us that you have had some experience of a collaborative production process. This is crucial, as television writing is all about working with others, and if you are unhappy writing to a brief, taking notes from others, or writing several drafts of your script, you are unlikely to thrive on or enjoy the course, and ultimately, the process of writing for television.
Here a list of examples of what I mean. I'm sure it's not exhaustive, and I'm always happy to consider others on a case by case basis:
Things that will qualify you to enter...
- A professional drama script commission in television, radio, theatre or film.
(This includes comedy, sit com, dramedy, comedy drama, drama with laughs etc...)
- Payment for a rehearsed reading of a drama script.
- A profit-share from a theatre production of your work.
Things that will not qualify you to enter...
- Completing a screenwriting course.
- Work done as part of an unpaid student film or theatre production.
- A commission in anything other than drama, e.g. a novel, article, factual programme, poetry.
What is "proof of commission"?
- Anything that shows that you were paid to write a piece of drama.
Examples: Writer's Contract, Letter from your agent, Letter from a production company or theatre company.
Any questions?
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~23~RS~)
Comments
Sign in or register to comment.
i've radio credits for sketch comedy and I've also tv credits for a childrens sitcom. I've also been paid a bursary by a theatre company to write a play. Do any of these count?
Thanks
Complain about this comment
Similar question, since I was under the impression that a professional non-factual writing credit was required, not restricted to drama.
I have credits for radio and children's comedy. My work is currently under consideration for an upcoming young childrens drama series. Again, would these count?
Complain about this comment
And just to back that up, from the writers' academy page:
"You are eligible to apply if you have had your work broadcast on television or radio, or performed professionally at the theatre. You will need to send in an original sample of your writing."
Apologies if these posts appear a little, um, icy :-) I'm just very interested (obviously) in the answer, and preparing to be very disappointed.
Cheers
Nic
Complain about this comment
Does the qualifying credit need to be a UK production, or are offshore credits fine?
Cheers
Complain about this comment
superjoxer and shinyford
Comedy scripts do count - but comedy sketches would not. (I'll amend the blog to clarify)
jamescleave
non UK credits are fine
Complain about this comment
In theory you could be paid for a drama commission by a rich relative or friend, regardless of merit.....
Complain about this comment
View these comments in RSS