This new scheme offers five successful applicants £20,000 each to be trained and guided through the development process of writing their own original screenplay. It is aimed at Black, Asian and minority ethnic writers, who are currently under-represented in the UK screen industry.

Over the course of three months, each writer selected will write either a TV pilot or a feature film script. During the writing process, each bursary recipient will be encouraged and guided by the development team who will provide one-to-one support to develop their screenplay with confidence. Each applicant will submit a treatment, first draft and re-write within the writing period and will be able to discuss and gain advice at each stage. Neal Street may work with the successful applicant/s to develop the screenplay further.

They will meet with film and theatre director and company director, Sam Mendes, along with TV and film producers and company directors, Pippa Harris and Nicolas Brown. These meetings will provide an opportunity to reflect on and discuss their work creatively, discuss goals and ideas, and gain career advice.

They will also be given access to industry networking opportunities with established writers and commissioners.

CRITERIA

In order to be eligible to apply for the Bursary, you must meet the following criteria:

• You must be a legal resident of the United Kingdom and be able to provide sufficient evidence to verify such residency upon request
• You must be aged eighteen (18) years or older at the time of your application for the Bursary and be able to provide sufficient identification to verify this age upon request
• You must not have received a screenwriting credit on any television production or feature film at the time of your application for the Bursary (NB: You can have produced work in other formats, including short films, and have received a credit with respect to the same)
• You must not be a recipient of any other television or film bursary or scholarship as of the date of your application for the Bursary (or at any time thereafter, until the end of the Writing Period
• You must not be receiving payment as a screenwriter from any other company/broadcaster as of the date of your application for the Bursary (or at any time thereafter, until the end of the Writing Period
• The Bursary is available to Black, Asian and ethnic minority candidates

Deadline

9 October 2020

7 – 11 December 2020: Ten successful shortlisted applicants will be interviewed and will each receive a copy of the most recent version of Final Draft.

11 – 18 December 2020: Five successful applicants will be selected and notified they have been successful and are accepted onto the Neal Street Screenwriting Bursary.

December 2020 – April 2021: Writing process. To include meetings with Neal Street’s development team and company directors.

April – June 2021: Neal Street may work with the successful applicant/s to develop the screenplay further.

https://www.nealstreetproductions.com/bursary