Metro Ecosse and The List Short Film Competition 2008
Competition open, Entries Deadline 15th February
Metro Ecosse and The List Short Film Competition 2008
Following the success of One Minute Wonder script competition in 2007 Metro Ecosse and The List Short Film Competition 2008 has now opened for entries. The competition format has changed but the aim is still to discover Scotland’s brightest new writing talent. The deadline for entries this year is 15 February 2008.
We want your colleagues, families, and friends to enter and have a chance at seeing their idea turned into a film.
THE COMPETITION
This exciting opportunity is open to all Scottish residents over the age of 16 who have not previously had a broadcast or cinema credit.
The competition has a theme that must be incorporated in to the script; in 2008 the theme is BIG! Think big ideas, not big budgets – the script should be achievable in a one day shoot so try to avoid things like huge crowd scenes, moving vehicles and car chases.
This year the scripts need to be between one and three minutes in length.
We have focused on creating a major new training element for this year’s competition. Award winning screenwriter and director Adrian Mead will host a weekend training workshop as part of the short-listing process. Twenty writers will be chosen to attend this Intensive development weekend. Go to www.meadkerr.com to see testimonials from previous attendees of Adrian’s courses.
After the development weekend the twenty writers will submit new drafts of their scripts for the next round of the selection process.
Nine finalists will be selected for interview with the jury.
The jury will then choose 3 scripts to be filmed by professional directors and crews.
The completed films will be screened during the Edinburgh International Film Festival, followed by a party to celebrate all that creativity being discovered!
Metro Ecosse and The List will support the films throughout 2008 by entering them to film festival competition across the World and providing media support. Already the 2007 films have been selected for three film festivals, screened at T in the Park and in the Edinburgh International Film Festival. Last years films can be viewed here:
http://www.list.co.uk/article/5804-one-minute-wonder-minute-masters/
Metro Ecosse is Scotland’s leading broadcast and events production company, providing solutions for films, TV and corporate companies as well as major outdoor events. The List is the arts and culture magazine of Edinburgh and Glasgow with award winning film journalist Paul Dale.
Metro Ecosse and The List Short Film Competition 2008
§ Metro Ecosse and The List Short Film Competition is a writing competition to unearth the country’s undiscovered talent
§ Metro Ecosse and The List Short Film Competition is run by media professionals who want to encourage new talent
§ 2008 competition is now open for entries
§ Entries close 5pm Friday 15 February 2008
§ Scripts must be between one and three minutes in length and incorporate the theme BIG!
Q&A
1.
When
is the entry deadline?
A:
Friday
15 February 2008.
2.
Who
is on the jury?
A: Paul
Dale, the film editor of The List chairs the jury. On the jury are: Oscar Askin
(Managing Director of Metro Ecosse), Claire Kerr (Producer of Meadkerr
productions), Matthew Lloyd (Programmer of Short Films for the Edinburgh
International Film Festival) and Robbie Allen (Development Executive of Scottish
Screen).
3.
Which
film directors might be shooting my script?
A: The
chosen film directors for 2008 are: Alison Peebles, Adrian Mead and Barry Paton.
4.
How
long should my script be?
A: One
to three A4 pages written with script software. The following link http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom will take you to the
BBC
Writer's Room. Here you can download SCRIPTSMART, free screenwriting
software. You can make your own
version of the formatting by using word. Write using 12 point courier font and
copy the indenting and capitalising of the example scripts. The scripts must
follow this format. Any scripts submitted that are longer than three A4 pages
will not be considered.
5.
What
is the 2008 theme?
A:
The
2008 theme is BIG!. All scripts must incorporate this theme in either a visual
or voiced context.
6.
Who
can enter the competition?
A:
Any
Scottish resident over the age of 16 years who has not had a broadcast or cinema
credit.
7.
Where
and when is the training workshop?
A:
The training workshop will take place in Edinburgh on the 8th
and 9th March. Entrants must be able to attend the workshop.
8. Who will pay for my travel and accommodation if I was to get on the workshop?
A: It may be possible to source travel and accommodation costs from local authorities. We will help advise applicants how and where to apply for the funding.
9. What will happen on the training workshop?
A: The
training workshop will be two intensive days of script development with award
winning screenwriter and director Adrian Mead. Part of the workshop will involve
professional actors reading from two of the selected scripts. After the workshop entrants will have the
chance to redraft their scripts before they go forward to the jury for
semi-final assessment.
10.
What
are the key dates of the competition?
A: Key
dates for The Metro Ecosse and The List Short Film Competition 2008
are:
· Entries deadline Friday 15th February
· Workshop Saturday 8th – Sunday 9th March
· Jury interview Thursday 10th April
· Filming Begins Monday 5th May
· Screening and party Between 18th-29th June
11. How many writers will the jury meet with?
A: Nine writers will be chosen from the re-submitted scripts to meet the jury.
12.
What kind of questions will the jury
ask?
A: The
jury wants to hear about your passion for filmmaking, why you want to write and
how you think your idea will work on the screen. The jury don’t receive any
payment for being part of The Metro Ecosse and The List Short Film Competition
2008, they are part of the initiative to encourage new writing talent.
13.
How
involved will I be in the filmmaking process?
A:
All writers will meet with their assigned directors before filming to draft a
final shooting script.
The writers will be invited to the set for the filming days. Writers will not be involved with editing the made film. The winning scripts will be made into a short film (3 mins max), produced and directed by experienced industry personnel with professional crew and cutting edge equipment supplied by Metro Ecosse
14. Where are the films screened?
A: The first screening will be at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. Industry delegates like producers, press and distributors will be invited to attend the screening along with the writers and their families. From there Metro Ecosse and The List will enter the films to film festivals on behalf of the writers.
15. Which film festivals do the films get entered in to?
A: The films are entered in to film festival competitions across the world. Already the 2007 films have been accepted to a number of festivals:
16. What rights do I have on the script once I have entered it?
A: Metro Ecosse and The List will possess a licence to use the scripts and finished films for the promotion of The Metro Ecosse and List Magazine Short Film Competition. The ownership of the script will remain with the writer
17. Are there any further rules?
A: All entrants should note the following:
· Plagiarism will result in immediate disqualification
· All winners and short listed finalists will be expected to participate in publicity stunts, interviews and photography surrounding the competition
· One entry per applicant
· Entry level applicants only, i.e. writers who have no broadcast or cinema credits
· The script must be set in Scotland
· Think big ideas, not big budgets – the script should be achievable in a one day shoot so try to avoid things like huge crowd scenes, moving vehicles and car chases.
· No animation or special effects allowed
· Runner up scripts will be published along with winning scripts, on the List website
· There will be no cash alternative to the prizes
18. How do I apply?
A: Firstly download an application form from The List website:
http://www.list.co.uk/article/6028-the-list-announces-new-short-film-competition/
then write a creative script incorporating the theme BIG!. Send your script and the completed application form in the following formats:
· Email: shortfilmcompetition@list.co.uk
· Post: Short Film Competition
The List
14 High Street
Edinburgh, EH1 1TE
· Fax: Fax your script and the completed application form to
The List's Edinburgh Office on 0131 550 8700
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