2.Main Content
Training
She Writes
Could you be the next Nora Ephron?
A Training Programme for Emerging Women Screenwriters
STOP PRESS:
The application deadline for this programme has now passed. We are currently shortlisting and will be contacting the shortlisted candidates by Friday 5 February in order to invite you to join us for interviews on 11 & 12 February.
She Writes is a new training programme for women screenwriters co-presented by Birds Eye View and us here at The Script Factory, and supported by the Skillset Film Skills Fund. The programme, catering for eight emerging women writers, will take place over the course of 2010, during which time participants will enjoy a residential retreat, attend two specialist workshops, meet with mentors, gain a better understanding of the industry, have exclusive access to industry and training events at the Birds Eye View Film Festival and at our own preview events and masterclasses, and have the opportunity to workshop a feature screenplay project with actors.
Who’s it for?
She Writes will select eight women writers who must, as a minimum, have at least one drama writing credit (for a short film, a piece of TV or radio, or a theatre production) or had a feature film optioned or funded (although this doesn’t have to have been produced yet).
Why?
She Writes has been designed to address the remarkable statistic that only 12% of British films are currently written by women. According to UKFC research documents (Who’s Writing British Films?, UKFC 2007 and UKFC Scoping Study, 2006 both available to download here), film industry decision-makers tend to re-commission writers that they know, thus perpetuating the under-representation. Those same decision-makers are not conscious that women are so under-represented, thus do nothing to correct the imbalance. In addition, women writers tend to feel ill-equipped to navigate the UK film industry and so do not actively seek entry.
Birds Eye View training in actionBirds Eye View and The Script Factory have designed a training programme that addresses these factors, and which is, in its own right, an exciting and innovative creative project with an eye on the end result: getting women writers commissioned and impacting positively on that inexcusable statistic.
Who’s behind it?
She Writes is presented by us together with partners at Birds Eye View, an organisation which celebrates international women filmmakers via an annual Festival, training and event programme. She Writes is supported by the Skillset Film Skills Fund.
How does it work?
She Writes will engage its eight selected writers over a twelve-month period. During that time they will:
• Enjoy exclusive opportunities to connect with the industry with VIP passes to the Birds Eye View Film Festival (4-11 March 2010)
• Attend a three day residential Workshop exploring Story Development (28-30 April 2010)
• Attend a two-day non-residential Wider Industry Workshop (1 & 2 July)
• Attend a two-day non-residential Actors Workshop (Dec 2010)
• Benefit from one-to-one script development support from an industry mentor
• Enjoy a series of networking lunches during the year
• Attend two high-level masterclasses from women screenwriters during the year
• Attend a Pitch and Connect event at the Birds Eye View Film Fest (March 2011)
• See their work performed at public readings of the scripts-in-progress, also at the Birds Eye View Film Festival (March 2011)
• Attend selected Preview screenings/Q&As from The Script Factory/Birds Eye View annual programmes
• Be profiled on a ‘Talent List’ made available to the wider film industry
Mary Harron at her 2009 BEV masterclassWhat’s the cost?
She Writes is heavily subsidized by public funding. However, each participant is asked to contribute a total fee of £400 (inclusive of VAT) towards the programme for the year. This will be due upon acceptance of an offer, immediately after selection.
We have some limited bursaries available to assist with travel, accommodation and childcare costs. For more information about bursary support or for any other queries abot the proramme, please email SheWrites@scriptfactory.co.uk
How to apply?
To apply please download an Application Form and a Monitoring Form here (both are Word docs).
Please complete each form and send them, together with:
1. Copy of your CV
2. A reference letter from a professional in the industry who knows and can comment on your creative work
3. 1-3 page summary of a current screenplay idea
4. First 10 pages of your sample screenplay
to:
She Writes
The Script Factory
The Square
61 Frith Street
London
W1D 3JL
Application Deadline: 5pm on Friday 29 January 2010
The details above are also available to download here as a full FACT SHEET (this is a Word Doc).
Please note that applications must be mailed (or hand delivered) as hard copies - we can not accept either fax or email copies - apologies.
