BBC Writersroom Script Room COMEDY 2020- Opens 23rd March

BBC Writersroom’s annual window for unsolicited comedy scripts (TV, film, radio, stage or online) will open between 10am on Monday 23rd March.

At the end of the process, a group of writers (usually between 10 and 15) will be selected to join the BBC Comedy Room writer development group for 2020/21. The Script Room open calls are not competitions but a means by which the BBC seeks out the best writing talent in either Drama or Comedy. They look for writers with the strongest potential to be developed and produced for BBC broadcast. You could be new to writing or new to the BBC but equally, you may be a playwright looking to write for TV, or you’ve written for radio and would like to try your hand at writing for CBBC. They will also consider whether scripts have real potential to be developed further towards production. If they believe a script could be developed further by a BBC department, they will send it to them with the writer’s knowledge. Original scripts written on spec’ are produced extremely rarely, and writers should not send them in with the expectation that they will be produced. However, original spec’ scripts are the means by which writers get noticed, so you should always write your script with the same level of commitment as if it were for production.

 

Criteria 

  • Comedy scripts written for Film, TV, Radio, Stage, Online and Children’s TV/Radio
  • Writers can submit individually or as part of a writing team of up to a maximum of 2 people. If entering as duo, both entrants must meet the entry requirements.
  • One script from each writer/writing team in a given submission window.
  • Samples or extracts from scripts are not eligible either. We want to see a full script or episode. If your idea is for a series or serial, you may include a brief outline (1-3 pages) of further episodes and the series/serial as a whole within the same pdf document but this should not be included in your 30 page count.
  • You may be a non-British-born writer, but you must be resident in the UK or Republic of Ireland. If you are currently living overseas, only consider submitting your script when you return to the UK or Republic of Ireland.
    Scripts from writers under the age of 16.
  • They look for what the script tells us about the writer-talent, ability and sense of humour.
  • They are especially looking for distinctive voices – and scripts that express those voices. It’s not necessarily about finding precincts or situations that have ‘never been done before’ but having an original take on stories that have the potential to have wide breadth of appeal.
  • Characters who are well rounded and consistent and who drive the comedy rather than serve it. A sense of storytelling ability – handling of pace, climax, mood.
  • They want to see the best possible draft you can achieve. Only submit to the Script Room when your script is ready, even if it means waiting for a later Script Room submission window.
  • Scripts must be at least 30 pages in length. It’s extremely hard to judge a writer’s abilities with a view to BBC broadcast slots if their work is shorter than this.
  • They cannot accept scripts submitted to previous Script Room windows.

 

Deadline:

Monday 20th April 2020 at 5pm

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/opportunities/script-room

Contact Details

writersroom@bbc.co.uk

Published on:
30 Jan 2020

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