To accompany the short paragraph, writers will need to explain what they are hoping to get out of the program if they are successful (250 words maximum).Īs aforementioned, you do need to be a UK resident to submit to the Open Call. Most importantly, they want to see a writer’s passion. The BBC also points out that for the Open Call, writers do not need to have any existing credits or professionally produced work. With each submission, writers are required to write a short paragraph (250 words maximum) on their writing history.
This is the same for a short film, where you can submit up to two, provided the collective length is once again, 30 pages minimum. As many examples of these formats are under 30 pages, you are able to submit multiple episodes as long as the length is at least 30 pages collectively. There are some contingencies if you are submitting the latter: an online or children’s TV script. The BBC doesn’t accept outlines, treatments, loglines or script samples.
Scripts can be film, TV, radio, online or children’s TV, and shouldn’t include any personal details on the front page, as all scripts are read anonymously to ensure a fair evaluation. Unfortunately, they won’t accept a script written for a pre-existing format or character. When the Open Call submission window opens (usually towards the end of the year to close in December), you are able to submit an original script within the drama or comedy genres of at least 30 pages or more. Currently, there are five groups running, a varying number of writers in each.Īcross four months, writers in London, Scotland, Belfast, Wales and the North of England attend workshops and masterclasses with industry experts.Įach and every one of these opportunities not only allows writers to develop their screenwriting skills, but also to network with each other and with some of the best within the television industry in the UK. The BBC also focuses on writing talent in different areas of the UK. Related Celtx Blog: Why Is The First Episode Called a Pilot? Voices Writers are required to submit a sample drama or comedy TV script between 30 and 100 pages, as well as a 1-page pitch document and a personal statement. The Pilot submission runs separately to the Open Call due to this, and is usually open during the month of September. This opportunity does require writers to be represented by a literary agent or have had a piece of their work produced in radio, television, film or theater. The BBC then seeks to develop these scripts in-house into a serial or series. This is a one-year development scheme in which 10-15 writers are paired with independent production companies to produce a TV pilot script.