CALLING ALL BUDDING WRITERS!

North West Vision and the UK Film Council Development Fund, in partnership with the First Film Foundation, are pleased to announce the launch of a new and exciting initiative to develop feature film writers from the North West region.

This is a fantastic opportunity for new writers to receive both script development funding and high quality industry supports, by taking part in an intensive six month programme to develop strong feature film scripts. The final scripts will be submitted to the UK Film Council who will be seeking to option the best scripts for further development.

Helen Bingham, Head of Production at North West Vision said:

“This is a wonderful new scheme in which we want to uncover the hidden talented writers in the North West. We are looking for people that have a secret passion and flair for writing. This scheme will give these talented individuals the chance to unleash their potential with the guidance and support of industry professionals.”

If you want to find out more then please attend one of the workshops in Liverpool, Manchester or Cumbria. North West Vision and First Film Foundation will provide training /advice on how to put together a strong submission. The workshops will cover the fundamentals of what is a synopsis, log line, outline and treatment and will focus on how to turn a great idea into a great proposal and eventually a great script.

If you have a great idea and you are interested in finding out more about the scheme please come along to one of the workshops.

Liverpool City Centre - Tuesday 21st October 2003 (9.30 - 5.30)

Manchester City Centre - Wednesday 22nd October 2003 (9.30 - 5.30)

Kendall, Cumbria - Sunday 16th November 2003 (9.30 - 5.30)

Interested? Want to know more?

Places are limited, so to book your FREE place on one of the above days by sending an email to First Film Foundation at: info@firstfilm.co.uk.

Please note:
First Film Foundation, not North West Vision will be handling all enquires for the workshops. Please contact First Film on Tel: 020 7580 2111 and ask for Jeremy Cliff, Project Co-ordinator.

North West Vision will release the schemes full guidelines and application form on its website next week.

To be eligible to apply you must:

- be interested in writing a feature film
- aged 18 or over
- live or work in the North West Region (Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside)
- companies or organisations are not eligible
- Students are not eligible

What experience do I have to have to apply?

Applications are only open to writers who have not previously had a feature script commissioned by a UK body. Short film and TV writers will be welcomed.

Who is First Film Foundation?
First Film exists to help new British writers, producers and directors make their first feature film. First Film provides a range of high quality and unique development programmes that give the filmmakers the skills, knowledge, experience and contacts they need to develop a career in the film industry. Website: www.firstfilm.co.uk.

How many workshop places are available?
The workshops in Liverpool and Manchester can take up to 36 participants and the workshop in Kendal will be restricted to a maximum of 15 participants.

When will the Guidelines and Application Form be available?
These will be on North West Vision's website by 15th October 2003

How many writers will be selected?
Initially 20 writers will be selected to undertake individual one to one sessions with a script consultant.
These one to ones will be held in Manchester and Liverpool on December 15th, 16th and 17th December 2003. Then from these 20, 5 writers will be awarded £1,000 each (plus development support) to produce a full treatment. From these 5 treatments two writers will then be selected to produce a first draft. For this they will be awarded £4,500.

How do I apply?
The deadline for submissions will be 1st December 2003. We will ask writers to submit
Log Line (2/3 sentences)
250 word Synopsis
Outline of no more than 2 pages
A writing sample of no more than 10 pages (this could be a short film script or a selection of scenes)
To find out more about what we expect to be submitted book a place onto one of our websites