Missed the first couple of episodes of Sorry I Didn’t Know? You can now catch up on the series so far on the ITV Hub.
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Watch Sorry I Didn’t Know on ITV Hub
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WriterSlam with Amazon Prime Video!
Prime Video in search of new writers for paid development commission!
Building on the success of the 2019 partnership, WriterSlam have once again joined forces with Prime Video to offer one new writer the opportunity to develop a new script. The process will last for six months.
Whether your script is about telling a story we’ve never seen on TV before, or whether it’s simply a universal story told by a different voice, we want to hear from you. We want writers who represent the society that we live in, and who will offer different perspectives, experiences and opinions.
It doesn’t matter if you don’t have an agent, or have never written professionally before – if you are a UK resident that is over 18, and you’ve got an idea, we want to hear it.
Competition Details
The four selected finalists will have extracts of their work performed by actors at an online showcase event on Tuesday 15th December 2020, when the winner will be selected by Jonathan Lewsley, UK Head of Scripted for Amazon Studios. Industry guests will be invited to attend the online showcase, giving our finalist writers a further opportunity to share their talent.
One winning writer will be selected by Prime Video. Following their win, the writer will receive a paid development commission where they will be mentored by Jonathan Lewsley, UK Head of Scripted for Amazon Studios, for a six month period to develop their idea into a full episode script.
“We’re really excited to be partnering with WriterSlam again – we were delighted with the 2019 submissions and our winners Celia and Omari,” comments Jonathan Lewsley, UK Head of Scripted for Amazon Studios. “We know there is a vast reserve of writing talent in the UK that, for one reason or another, haven’t had the chance for their voice to be heard, and that needs to change. As an industry, there’s still a lot of work to do, but we’re committed to being part of that change.”
Please note: securing this placement does not guarantee a full commission.
For more information and to enter, please go to our WriterSlam page.
About WritersSlam
Building on the success of our MonologueSlam UK initiative for actors, WriterSlam UK is our programme to help TV production companies and broadcasters access UK based new and established writers from diverse backgrounds. These TV industry professionals then support the writers in their career development, providing tangible outcomes for participants.
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Announcing ScriptSearch Shortlist!
The ScriptSearch Shortlist has now been announced!
We are very excited to announce our shortlist for ScriptSearch in partnership with Greenacre Films. The shortlisted writers and their scripts are:
Alissa Anne Jeun Yi – Baby Dragon
Ben Peters – Ego City
Debbie Howard – Cold
Elaine Gallagher – The Jig Is Up
Eleanor Mason – Edinburgh Seven
Funmi Adebanjo – Melanation
Jingan Young – No. 2 Daughter
Karan Kaur – Bequeathed Biji Must Die
Katrina Smith Jackson – Queerly Beloved
Kellie Shirley – Lioness
Ray Grewal – Highland Games
Sumit Sahni/Diggi Singh – Churel
What Happens Now?
These finalists will be invited to take part in an online workshop on Friday 04 September with Greenacre Films and writer and Exec Producer, Fraser Ayres. The workshop will give the writers an introduction to Greenacre Films, as well as working on their 2 page pitches for their unique film ideas. They will then rework their pitches over the following week and deliver them to Greenacre Films.
The Next Stage
Following the delivery of the updated pitches, Greenacre will choose the projects they’d like to take through to the next stage. They will offer selected writers a fee to develop their idea into a 10 page treatment, before deciding if they’d like to commission a script. Writers who are asked to develop their idea into a full script will be paid industry standard fees.
Good luck to all our shortlisted writers, we’re looking forward to meeting you all at the online workshop!
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Update on WriterSlam with Audible!
For all those keeping on eye on the WriterSlam with Audible competition, we’ve got an update for you!
The new deadline for this competition is now 23:59pm on Monday 10th August. We’ve decided to move both the finalists workshops and the WriterSlam final event online, to make sure we can go ahead regardless of what restrictions are currently in place. The final will be taking place over Twitch, our first Twitch event, so we’re very excited. The new dates are as follows:
Deadline for Submissions: 23:59pm Monday 10th August
Finalists Announced: 11th September
Finalists Online Workshop: 19th September
WriterSlam Final Online: 27th October
If you’ve already submitted, don’t worry, all existing submissions will be included so there’s no need to resubmit!
Click here to go to the main WriterSlam page and to submit your idea!
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Get your feature idea into development!
Calling all writers! We’re launching #ScriptSearch with Greenacre Films, to help them find their next feature film project to develop.
We did of course consider delaying this programme until after the crisis, but we felt that it would be best to keep going and offer this amazing development opportunity for writers, especially as it will result in paid commissions.
If you’re stuck at home and looking to flex those creative muscles, check out all the details below and get entering!
Greenacre Films, producers of Netflix Original feature film Been So Long starring Michaela Coel and Arinze Kene, are looking for exciting new film ideas to take into paid development. It is free to enter, and all we need you to submit is a 2 page pitch of a feature film idea and 10-15 pages of the script.
Now, more than ever, it is hugely important to give a platform to unheard voices. Through Script Search, Greenacre are looking to provide diverse talent with a burning feature film idea the opportunity to develop that idea further with support from their team. We’re looking for stories that you feel haven’t been told before – in any genre at all. This is open to all, with or without literary agents. We want fresh, original projects that haven’t been out in the world yet, so bring us your newest work!
The projects are going to be developed over the next year or so, so please don’t be limited by current social distancing restrictions in your writing.
If you’ve been writing away on continuing drama, or working on short form content, this is your opportunity to get that feature film idea developed.
Greenacre will choose the projects they’d like to take through to the next stage. Selected writers will receive a fee to develop their idea into a 10 page treatment. If you are then selected to go through and are asked to develop the full script, you will be paid industry standard fees.
“We’re excited to be working with the Triforce Creative Network on #ScriptSearch. We’re keen to find exciting new projects – and it’s great to offer writers the rare chance to have their feature film idea developed” Nadine Marsh-Edwards, Greenacre Films.
We originally planned to invite 10 writers to a writing workshop in London, with Greenacre’s producers then select some projects to take forward into paid development. Due to the coronavirus, we are going to move this workshop online, which we intend to take place on Wed 02 Sept 2020.
Submissions are open from 08 June – 11.59pm on 19 July 2020. For more information on how to submit, go the entry page.
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Financial and Mental Wellbeing Support
How are you? No really, how are you doing? For the first time in ages, we actually mean that when we ask someone. We might not be able to see each other in person, but we’re spending more time on the phone and online connecting with each other: physical distancing, social solidarity.
But that doesn’t mean this isn’t a difficult time. Our industry runs on freelancers, from actors to runners, all the way to producers and directors. We’re used to uncertainty in terms of our careers and finances, but this is another level. Overnight, the industry closed down, and many of us are struggling to know where we’re going to get our next paycheck.
This is a tough time for the TCN too, but we’re trying our best to look at how we can support you through this time and be here for you when it’s all over.
We wanted to pull together a few resources around the financial support that’s available, from the government and other sources, as well as some pointers on where to access mental health support. A bit of a caveat: this list isn’t exhaustive, we’re sure there’s other sources of support available, so feel free to comment with any useful links! And particularly with the government support, criteria are changing as they respond to the criticisms that they’re leaving people out, so even if you think you don’t qualify, read the guidance available carefully and keep updated.
We hope this proves useful – in the meantime, stay safe and take care of yourselves. We’ll see you on the other side.
Government Schemes:
Self Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS)
This is meant to help those who are self-employed. You can claim if you’re a self-employed individual or a member of a partnership and you:
- have submitted your Self Assessment tax return for the tax year 2018 to 2019
- traded in the tax year 2019 to 2020
- are trading when you apply, or would be except for coronavirus
- intend to continue to trade in the tax year 2020 to 2021
- have lost trading profits due to coronavirus
Read the info carefully for the details – HMRC will aim to contact you by mid May 2020 if you’re eligible for the scheme and invite you to claim using the GOV.UK online service. You could get up to 80% of your monthly income for 3 months, up to £2500 per month. Grants will not be paid until June 2020. You can apply for Universal Credit while you wait.
There has been criticism that this scheme doesn’t cover directors of limited companies or people who have recently gone self employed and didn’t file a 2018/19 tax return. There could be changes to this scheme to address these issues. Keep up to date on the HMRC link below:
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
This scheme is for people on PAYE contracts. It should cover freelancers who move from job to job on short term PAYE contracts as well – there have been recent changes to the scheme to try and capture more of these workers. It’s still not perfect, but if you’d already been let go from a PAYE contact, it is worth contacting your last employer to see if they’d be willing to rehire you and furlough you, so you qualify for the scheme. This is up to them, it’s not a government requirement.
The scheme is administered by employers and they will decide who they offer furloughing to. Your employer will let you know if you’re going to be covered by the scheme. The government are offering up to 80% of your salary, with a cap of £2500 a month. It currently looks like this will be subject to tax and NI, just like the self-employed scheme. Some employers are topping up people’s salary but they are under no obligation to do so.
Check if you might be covered under the scheme: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-could-be-covered-by-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme
PACT’s most recent guidance to production companies: http://www.pact.co.uk/news-detail.html?id=covid-19-job-retention-scheme-q-a
Scotland Additional Support
If you live in Scotland, the government are offering additional support for small businesses and self employed people.
Details and how to apply: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-individuals-and-businesses-in-scotland
Universal Credit
Check out the information below to see if you might be eligible for universal credit and what you need to do to apply.
https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/how-to-claim
https://www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/employment-and-benefits-support/making-a-new-claim/
Charities and Industry Support
The Film and TV Covid-19 Emergency Relief Fund
The Film and TV COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund has been created in partnership with the BFI. We’re able to provide one-off grants from £500 to £2,500 to active workers in film, TV and cinema facing significant financial hardship as a result of the Covid-19 crisis.
There’s not a lot of time left to apply for this! Applications will close: 6pm Wednesday 22nd April 2020
https://filmtvcharity.org.uk/covid-19-help-advice/covid-19-relief-fund/
Arts Council Covid 19 Funds
The Arts Council have announced funds for individuals, non NPO organisations and funding for NPOs. Read their guidance here and apply before 30 April (if you don’t have a Grantium profile you will need to set one up by 27 April to apply).
Grants of up to £2500 are available for individuals and up to £35,000 for non NPO organisations.
https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/covid19
Audio and Radio Emergency Fund
Set up by the Radio Academy, AudioUK, the BBC, Audible and Reelworld, the scheme will give grants of up to £1,000 to individuals who need extra support during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as those in hardship who are receiving no government assistance; people who need help with radio or audio development projects, or those who need new equipment or software.
The fund will be open for applications from Monday 20 April.
https://www.radioacademy.org/audio-radio-emergency-fund/
Mental Health Support
These circumstances can take a toll on our mental health. The uncertainty and anxiety about what happens next are universal. There are ways we can all support each other, especially if you’re isolating alone. Make sure you take time to talk to your friends and family on the phone, do some exercise if you can. Don’t feel under undue pressure to be creative, bake banana bread or learn a new language during lockdown, for some people that will help, but for other’s it’s just an added pressure.
Here’s a couple of useful links to help you with your mental wellbeing from the Film and TV Charity. They have some oneline resrouces, but also, their 24 support line is still running and you can pick up the phone at any time to speak to someone or use their Live Chat option.
Mental Wellbeing Support: https://filmtvcharity.org.uk/covid-19-help-advice/mental-wellbeing/
Film and TV Charity 24 Hour Support Line: https://filmtvcharity.org.uk/we-can-help/support-line/
Phone Line: 0800 054 0000.
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Newcastle MonologueSlam Update
We are sad to announce that this year’s planned Newcastle MonologueSlam on 05 June 2020 at Northern Stage has been cancelled.
We feel that to push ahead with the event at this time would be irresponsible.
This means the auditions and Masterclass have also been cancelled.
We’re going to put a pause on all MonologueSlam events, until we’re a bit clearer about how we might be able to move forward. After all, MonologueSlam is all about bringing people together, so for the present, we’re going to need to find a safer way to do that!
We appreciate many of you will be disappointed (the auditions were full already), but I hope you understand that we have to put people’s safety first.
Keep in touch with us on social media and our mailing list for more updates as things develop.
Big love from all at team TriForce.
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TriForce Creative Network Covid-19 Update
Hi all,
There’s so much happening right now, and we know that many of those communities we represent are going to be hit the hardest by all of this. First and foremost, we’re sending warmth to all of you.
Like everybody, we’ve having to alter our plans for this year’s upcoming programme of work.
We are a small organisation with no core funding but we’ll try our best to maintain through this period and beyond, as we understand that many who can work still very much need to and once the dust settles, voices will need to be heard more than ever.
Things may change rapidly but whilst we can, we will.
MonologueSlam UK
All MonologueSlam events are currently on hold. If you have booked an audition for our Newcastle MonologueSlam, we and Northern Stage have taken the decision to postpone the auditions on 3rd and 4th April. As soon as we have a new date for the auditions, we will contact everyone who booked and invite them to rebook.
Currently the show is still planned for 5th June, but this a fast-moving situation and this may change.
WriterSlam UK
We and Audible have taken the decision to postpone the WriterSlam Finalists Workshop and the WriterSlam Final event which were planned for early May. We are hoping to move these events to early Autumn, depending on how the situation unfolds.
Rather than close submissions, (we think we could all do with a little something to occupy our spirits during this time…) we’ve decided to extend the submissions window for this opportunity. We were due to close submissions on 20 March, but the submissions will now remain open until a few weeks before the final. There is no need to resubmit if you have already submitted.
TriForce Short Film Festival
This year the TriForce Short Film Festival is planned for 28th November. We are working toward this event date and plan to open submissions as usual in April.
For more information please go to https://www.tfsff.com
Dandi Services
We are still getting people work and working to support the production companies and broadcasters that we work with during this difficult time. While production may have slowed down, do get in touch if you are working on development projects and I’m sure we can help with finding diverse, creative talent for you to work with – there’s lots of people who are happy to work from home!
If you’re crew or creative talent looking for work, create a free profile on the TCN Talent Pool. While there may be fewer jobs at present, as soon as production ramps up again we will be looking for lots of roles. https://thetcn.com/candidates/
This a fast-moving situation and plans may well change. We will keep you posted through our mailing list and social media as and when we know things. To make sure you remain informed, please sign up to our mailing list below:
Mailing List: https://us3.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=ec1692306ae5525449ed0309b&id=323793f2d4
Twitter: @TriForceEvents, @TriForceFest and @MonologueSlamUK
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TriForceCreativeNetwork/
Instagram: thetcn
For now, look after yourselves, one another, and mentally and physically, stay safe.
Big Love
Minnie, Fraser and the TriForce Team.
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A new spin on WriterSlam with Audible!
Calling all writers! Win a paid development commission with Audible!
Following the success of WriterSlam with Amazon Studios, we’re partnering with their sister company, Audible, to find new and exciting scripted projects that are perfectly suited for audio. With over 400,000 audiobooks, Audible Original dramas, podcasts and short stories, Audible are constantly on the hunt for new writing talent.
We’re looking for new voices who come from all backgrounds. We champion diversity of experience – if you include everyone, you don’t need to exclude anyone.
Through the WriterSlam, Audible is looking to provide fresh, diverse talent an opportunity to share and develop their untold stories in the form of audio drama with help from industry experts. We’re looking for ambitious and transformational stories that celebrate the medium of audio and spotlight themes of diversity and inclusion. We’re open to all genres with a particular love of Crime and Thriller, Fantasy and mythology (especially those tales inspired by non-Western traditions), SciFi, smart Horror, RomComs, dramatizations of true stories, and History that sheds light on the present. Beyond a great story we look for global appeal, series with the potential to return for multiple seasons, and worlds and characters that will inspire fandoms.
The winning writer will be selected by Audible’s panel of judges. The winner will receive a paid development commission and will work with Audible’s commissioning editors and casting team to develop a treatment and a one hour pilot episode. A successful pilot may even go on to be commissioned for a full series!
‘We’re so excited to be working with the Triforce Creative Network on WriterSlam.We know there’s so much fantastic writing talent out there, and we’re looking forward to celebrating original, emerging storytellers!’ Rachel Naughton, Audible.
The selected finalists will have extracts of their work performed at a showcase event in London on Thurs 14 May 2020, when the winner will be selected by a panel of judges. The event will be attended by industry guests and a limited number of tickets will be available to the public.
WriterSlam is open to everyone – you do not have to have an agent or have written anything before.
Make sure you have a listen to some series on Audible before you submit – you can adapt a script initially conceived for screen or stage or write an original one, but please think carefully about it being an AUDIO script – it is a bit different to it being for TV! Think about ways in which you can experiment with ambitious ideas that might be less achievable on screen.
Some tips for writing audio drama:
- The only limit is the listener’s imagination.
- Your audience can’t see! Be their eyes!
- Is your dialogue flowing while also providing necessary information?
- Aim for a variety of characters, voices, locations, and sounds.
- Don’t overpopulate scenes.
- Embrace silence as well as sound.
- Provide concise stage directions, but speech is the most important tool in telling the story.
- Use subtle signposts for changes in scene, location, and time.
- Keep things simple.
- Keep up the pace and hold onto your audience’s interest!
- There are always exceptions to the rules—be creative!
You can sign up for a 30 day free trial at https://www.audible.co.uk/
Submissions are open from Monday 10 February – 11.59pm on Sunday 22 March 2020. For more information on how to submit, go the WriterSlam page.