Coming Up - Channel 4 Opportunity

There you go. Another opp.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/opportunity/coming_up2.shtml

Coming Up is the only talent scheme currently in the UK where emerging film-makers have the opportunity to make an authored drama with a guaranteed network broadcast.

Now in its tenth year, Channel 4 and Touchpaper TV, part of the RDF Media Group, continue their commitment to innovation, experimentation, and new voices.

They will make up to seven eye-catching, innovative, challenging films from the best fresh talent in the UK. Each film will be for a half-hour slot on Channel 4, and they are looking for:

* Bold, original and surprising ideas with strong voices - unafraid of ambition, wit, urgency and fearless entertainment.
* Films that can be shot in 4 days on a limited budget

This scheme is open to all writers who have NOT had an ORIGINAL single, series or serial broadcast on UK television; writers who have contributed episodes to series or serials (eg a long-running soap) are eligible.

Deadline: 9 June 2010

Good one Mikey - fanks for sharing.

That's a ridiculously short-notice deadline.

Dan

Not for a man of your talents Dan. Radio 4 credit looming I think.

Having read the blog linked from the WR page it seems they aren't looking for a finished script, just a synopsis and a sample of your work. If selected, you work on the project for the next twelve months or so.

I'll be checking out more on the C4 web site when I get a chance, could be interesting.

Last year, they put this up on WR in February, with the June deadline.

For some reason this year they only put it up this week. (shrugs shoulders)

And yeah, Steve's right. The blog says they want a sample script (anything) that best shows your voice, plus a 2 page treatment outlining your idea for a script, which, if picked, will then be developed into a 24 minute Coming Up production.

Oh, right. Misread it -- thought they wanted a 30-page script!

Ta

Dan

60 pages max. for the writing sample, but what's the minimum? Will a 10 minute film script be acceptable?

I've seen three of the 'Coming Ups' that C4 have made in the past. They were all terrible. Risible and boring. Everyone should have a chance with this.

60 pages max. for the writing sample, but what's the minimum? Will a 10 minute film script be acceptable?

It has to be 10 pages minimum I do believe, but they'd rather see a longer piece.

I've seen three of the 'Coming Ups' that C4 have made in the past. They were all terrible. Risible and boring. Everyone should have a chance with this.

I entered last year. Didn't make the shortlist. The ones that did were subjects like brain tumors and child abuse.

The script I entered last year (available on my website to read) was The Quiet Ones

Quote: Mikey Jackson @ June 3 2010, 6:04 PM BST

I entered last year. Didn't make the shortlist. The ones that did were subjects like brain tumors and child abuse.

The script I entered last year (available on my website to read) was The Quiet Ones

View original

Looks like I've found a platform for my script about a child who gets abused by somebody with a brain tumor.

Well I posted my entry this morning. I figured that I could send it first class on Monday and it would probably get there for Wednesday morning but if I left it until Monday I would no doubt have to spend my entire lunch hour queuing at the post office so decided instead to get up a bit earlier than usual this morning and get it finished and posted off. I think my pitch is good but I doubt my biography will excite any publishers. The script I sent was a 15 page short film script (comedy)which was shortlisted in another competition. I think my chances would be better if it had been a 30 minute drama but nevermind. It could have been a bad omen when the guy at the post office asked me if my envelope contained anything of value.

Good luck.

I'll be posting mine tomorrow. (Monday)

I'm sending them the treatment and the actual 30 minute script that the treatment is about. (As you're allowed to do that)

what do you put in the CV/Biography thing?

I mean, how detailed do they want it? surely they aren't going to want to know about me dressing as Marshal the Dog for kids parties at Megabowl when I was 18 are they? 5 years experience as a paper boy and shit?

I don't think I'm capable of writing an extensive CV just about writing experience.

We just did a paragraph each.

Dan