WFTV KAY MELLOR
SCREENWRITERS’ LAB 2023
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SPONSORED BY
the next round of applications will open in MAY 2024
ABOUT THE LAB
To spotlight and support emerging female writing talent in film and TV, Women in Film & TV UK launched the inaugural WFTV Kay Mellor Screenwriters’ Lab 2023, sponsored by Miss Scarlet Ltd.
WFTV is on the hunt for emerging writers working on original scripts. This opportunity is for writers looking to attract industry interest in their work to take them to the next stage of their career and achieve their first film or TV screenwriting credit; whether that’s to be represented by an Agent or pitching their project to independent production companies.
This 5-day writers’ lab is a fully-funded opportunity for 13 screenwriters taking place at the Arvon Foundation’s Lumb Bank house in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire.
The 2023 programme consisted of craft writing masterclasses, tutor-led workshops and independent writing time. In addition, across the week there will be evening sessions with special guests from the industry, including Happy Valley creator and writer, Sally Wainwright OBE.
The WFTV Kay Mellor Screenwriters’ Lab is an opportunity for you to work intensely on one script at final draft stage and develop it over the course of the lab to be pitch ready, create a network of peers and industry colleagues, build confidence in your craft and develop your writing voice in a supportive and distraction free environment.
ABOUT KAY MELLOR
Born and bred in Leeds, Kay Mellor was a unique talent in the industry, creating some of the most talked about TV and stage shows in the country. A director, actress and executive producer as well as a writer, Kay was perhaps best known for creating ground-breaking drama series such as Band of Gold and Girlfriends.
Kay was always passionate about mentoring emerging talent – she worked closely with new writers to develop their ideas for television and stage through schemes with the BBC and Leeds Playhouse.
Rollem came from her desire to tell real stories, to work with local people and to shine a spotlight on creativity. Rollem continues along the trail she blazed to honour her incredible legacy and ensure the next generation of writing talent get their voices heard.
Kay was awarded the BAFTA Dennis Potter Award in 1997 for Outstanding Writing for Television. She was appointed an OBE in the 2009 Birthday Honours, and in 2014 she was awarded the Writers Guild Award for Outstanding Contribution to Writing. She also received a Fellowship for significant contribution to television from the Royal Television Society in November 2016.
APPLICATION PROCESS: WRITER SUBMISSIONS
CRITERIA FOR APPLICANTS
The WFTV Kay Mellor Screenwriters’ Lab is an opportunity to spotlight and develop emerging female writers who have some writing experience and are looking to take the next step in their career to achieve their first screenwriting credit in either Film or TV, whether that is finding an agent or pitching their project to an independent production company.
On this occasion, we are not accepting applications from represented writers or writers who already have a film or TV screenwriting credit.
This 5-day writing retreat will be an opportunity for writers to work in a focussed and supportive creative environment on one project of their choosing in a distraction free setting.
We are looking for writers who showcase a talent for crafting rich characters, exciting stories, fresh perspectives and who have a distinctive writing voice. The writers will aim to breakthrough into the industry and take their next step in their career to help them achieve their first film or TV screenwriting credit.
The lab is for writers who do not yet have any industry writing credits (in either feature film or TV) and are actively working on a script (or more than one project) that is at final draft stage and who have further speculative ideas for future projects, which have the potential to be developed in production.
Writers taking part in the lab will be required to select one of their scripts to develop and work on across the week. The script/screenplay selected by the writer must be original work but can be a series (episode), feature film or short film for either Adult or Young Adult audiences.
To be eligible to apply to take part in the Kay MELLOR Screenwriters’ Lab you must meet the following criteria:
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This opportunity is for writers who are unrepresented by an Agent or Manager and do not yet have a professionally produced writing credit in film or TV.
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If you receive a film or TV writing credit during the application process or before the Screenwriters’ Lab date your application will no longer be eligible, meaning we can offer this opportunity to another writer.
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You must be at least 18 years of age at the time of your application.
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You must be a permanent/full-time resident of the UK, but do not need to have been born in the UK or have UK citizenship.
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If your script is co-written, it is your responsibility to receive permission from your co-writer before you submit it to the WFTV Kay Mellor Screenwriters’ Lab.
APPLYING TO TAKE PART IN THE WFTV KAY MELLOR SCREENWRITERS’ LAB:
Please read the below guidelines carefully.
As part of the application process candidates must complete the below form and submit the following supporting documents which will be read by an industry jury:
1. Sample script of your work (maximum 7 pages, page count does not include the cover page)
2. An accompanying pitch document outlining the project (maximum 2 pages, page count does not include the cover page)
We strongly recommend that you write and save your responses to the application questions on a word processor such as Microsoft Word, Pages or a Google Document first before copying and pasting them into our Typeform application form.
Please note that you will not receive an email confirming receipt of your application.
Incomplete applications will be ineligible.
WFTV reserves the right not to read applications and scripts which do not meet the eligibility criteria. WFTV reserves the right to make the final decision on places awarded to the WFTV Kay Mellor Screenwriters’ Lab.
Tips on HOW TO APPLY
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Applicants must complete the below application form.
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This is an opportunity to tell us about yourself, career to date and why you are applying to the WFTV Kay Mellor Screenwriters’ Lab.
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As part of the application form you will be asked to upload a writing sample of your own original work.
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This sample must be an extract from a script and must be no longer than 7 pages (the page count excludes the cover page) at final draft stage.
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Your sample script can be an extract of an original series (episode), original feature film or short film for either Adult or Young Adult Audiences.
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Sample scripts must be in PDF format and including only the title of work on the cover page. Please do not include any identifying details on the cover page or within the script so we can ensure the application process is as fair as possible.
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In addition to a sample script, applicants must also submit an accompanying pitch document for the project outlining the story synopsis, logline and intended audience and broadcaster or SVOD.
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This pitch document is an opportunity for you to pitch and position your script within the current film or TV landscape.
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Pitch documents must be no longer than 2 pages (page count is excluding cover page).
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Pitch documents must be in PDF format and including only the title of work on the cover page. Please do not include any identifying details on the cover page or within the document so we can ensure the application process is as fair as possible.
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Please ensure both documents are saved under the following file name format “FIRST NAME-LAST NAME-SCRIPT TITLE”.
Applicants who are longlisted will be contacted and asked to submit a copy of the full script to be read by an industry panel.
Final round of candidates will then be considered by an industry jury, who will award places on the WFTV Kay Mellor Writers’ Screenwriters’ Lab. The jury will be made up of experts from across the Film and TV industries.
FAQs
What IS CONSIDERED A PROFESSIONAL WRITING CREDIT?
For this opportunity a professional writing credit is any work you have been credited on, and received payment for, as a writer, co-writer or if you have been part of a writers room for a film or TV project. On this occasion we’re not defining self-funded short films as a professional writing credit.
Why is a script sample and pitch document required as part of the application process?
This opportunity is for writers who are currently at final draft stage of a script with a developed project idea and are looking to take the next step to achieving their first film or TV screenwriting credit, whether that’s finding representation or pitching your project to a production company.
Over the course of the lab, writers will be working on and developing one script across the week.
Your script and pitch document will be read by an industry panel and jury to get a sense of your writing style and project idea so the jury can determine whether it is at the right stage to benefit from the opportunity.
What’s the selection process?
All eligible application forms (i.e. those that meet the selection criteria and have complied with the submission requirements) are reviewed by WFTV. Longlisted candidates will then have their scripts read by a panel of industry figures who work in scripted Film and TV. Applications of shortlisted candidates will then be reviewed by a jury of experienced industry figures who will award the 13 places to writers.
I’m freelance and don’t know my work schedule – what happens if I can’t make the Lab dates?
In order to make the most out of the lab, all writers awarded a place must be available to attend the course for the full five days, Monday 02 – Saturday 07 October 2023.
Of course, we all understand that life gets busy and sometimes work commitments can’t be altered however to make the most of this opportunity candidates must be available to attend the full retreat and we encourage you to keep the dates pencilled in your diary.
What happens if I receive a screenwriting credit in Film or TV before the Lab takes place?
If you receive a film or TV writing credit during the application process or before the Screenwriters’ Lab date your application will no longer be eligible, meaning we can offer this opportunity to another writer.
Is there an age restriction for applicants on the scheme?
Not at all.
I would like to submit a script I have co-written with another writer, should we submit a joint application form?
No. Applications must be made on an individual basis and for one writer only.
Writers can submit a script/project they have co-written with another writer as an example of their work. Please note if your script is co-written, it is your responsibility to receive permission from your co-writer before you submit it to the WFTV Kay Mellor Screenwriters’ Lab.
If you are awarded a place on the lab and you submitted a script which is co-written, only the writer whose name is on the application form will be offered a place.
Can WFTV accommodate access requirements?
At WFTV we’re keen to ensure that all our programmes are accessible for everyone. If you have any access requirements, please let us know within the application and we will happily accommodate you. Please contact admin@wftv.org.uk if you’d like to discuss in more detail.
do I have to pay a fee to take part in the Screenwriters’ Lab?
All places on the WFTV Kay Mellor Screenwriters’ Lab are fully funded.
For the opportunity to be financially accessible to all candidates, a discretionary bursary is available for limited contributions towards travel and access if this is a barrier to attending.
Is it possible to save my answers on the Typeform application form?
Unfortunately it isn’t. We strongly recommend that you write and save your responses to the application questions on a word processor such as Microsoft Word, Pages or a Google Document first before copying and pasting them into our Typeform application form.
Should I have received a confirmation email after I have submitted my application?
Please note that you will not receive an email confirming receipt of your application.
Do I have to be a member of WFTV to apply?
No. You do not have to be a member to apply. If you are awarded a place on the lab we would expect you to become a member by the time the programme starts in October.
Key Terms for entering the 2023 WFTV Kay Mellor Screenwriters’ Lab:
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This opportunity is for women and people who identify as women who are unrepresented by an Agent or Manager and do not yet have a professionally produced writing credit in film or TV.
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If you receive a film or TV writing credit during the application process or before the Screenwriters’ Lab date your application will no longer be eligible, meaning we can offer this opportunity to another writer.
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You must be at least 18 years of age at the time of your application.
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You must be a permanent/full time resident of the UK, but do not need to have been born in the UK or have UK citizenship.
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If your script is co-written, it is your responsibility to receive permission from your co-writer before you submit it to the WFTV Kay Mellor Screenwriters’ Lab.
Applications received after Wednesday 24 May, 17:00 (BST) will NOT be considered.
Due to the high number of applications we receive it is not possible to give individual feedback on unsuccessful applications, however we will let you know if your application is unsuccessful. Successful applicants agree to participate in any relevant publicity.