Bonzo
Wednesday 18th March 2015 12:57pm
London
861 posts
Hello - this is in their terms and conditions:
Length
We accept scripts that are at least 30 minutes long, which is a fair length of time to assess a writer's work - it's extremely hard to judge a writer's abilities with a view to BBC broadcast slots if their work is shorter than this. As long as your script is equivalent to at least 30 minutes in length, we will consider it.
The minute-to-a-page measure of classic screenplay format is a useful rule-of-thumb, but isn't a cast iron formula as it ultimately depends on the style of the piece. Generally speaking a half-hour sitcom would come in between 30 and 35 pages, an hour-long drama between 50-70 pages, and a feature film between 70-120 pages. The best way to judge the length of your script is to time yourself reading it, allowing extra space for action. A group reading or performance is even more useful since each reader, like an actor, may deliver their lines of dialogue at different paces.
We do not accept any of the following
Scripts written for existing or previously produced shows/characters - we only want to see your original work. If you are an agented writer find out about submitting a script for one of the BBC Continuing Drama shadow schemes.
Samples or extracts from scripts - we only want to see a full script or episode.
Full series or serials - we only want to see one episode. The only exception to this is that we will read the first two episodes from a proposed 15 Minute Drama serial for Radio 4, which usually span five fifteen-minute episodes. If you are submitting a sample script for Children's TV you are welcome to submit 2 x 15 min episodes as a single PDF document.
We do not read further episodes of a series or serial if we have already rejected, or given feedback on a previous episode.
Short stories - these can be sent to BBC Radio 4's Opening Lines when it is open for submissions.
Novels, unpublished prose manuscripts, or another writer's work you wish to see adapted.
Comedy sketches - we only read narrative comedy series and sitcoms or full sketch shows of at least 30 mins in length. BBC Radio 4's Newsjack and Radio 4's The Show What You Wrote both accept submissions of sketches.
Short film scripts - we only read scripts longer than 30 pages/minutes.
Adaptations for broadcast of another writer's idea - we want to see your original work. (The only exception to this if you have adapted your own work from another medium.)
Poetry
Scripts from overseas - we are looking for writers with whom the BBC can develop a strong working relationship and who have something to say that will appeal to British audiences. 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.
Submissions by email - when Script Room is open for submissions, we can only accept scripts online via our E-Submissions system or by post if writers are not able to submit via the website.
Resubmissions of work previously considered, even after rewrites - make sure you make your script as good as you possibly can before sending it to us. We also do not read further episodes of a series or serial if we have already considered a previous episode.
Scripts submitted to other BBC Writersroom talent searches and competitions, the old unsolicited system or previous Script Room submission windows.
Ideas, pitches, outlines, synopses, or treatments on their own - we must always receive a script with every submission.
Multiple submissions at one time. We can only accept one script from each writer/writing team in a given submission window. Alongside the Script Room, will be various specific talent searches which writers may also enter.
DVDs, videos, CDs, audio tapes, or any video/audio material accompanying, or instead of, a script.
The BBC reserves the right to disqualify entries that are inconsistent with the BBC Editorial Policy Guidelines or which may bring the BBC into disrepute, including any entries which profit from criminal activity.
The BBC reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions at any stage, including changing or substituting the selection process and the development opportunities. In this event, a notice will be posted on the following website: www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/