Details, Eligibility Requirements and FAQs
Applications to Pilot 2024 are open from Tuesday 5th September 2023 at 10am to 12 noon on Tuesday 26th September 2023 for credited and/or agented writers.
ELIGIBILITY
DWriters must have at least ONE professionally produced piece of narrative scriptwriting work, a minimum of 30 minutes in length, in television, radio, theatre or film. Novels are ineligible and will not be accepted. ALTERNATIVELY writers must have an agent, supplying address and contact details.
- Writers are asked to submit an original spec script written for television (minimum 50 pages) and a one-page pitch outlining a potential television drama or comedy/drama series or serial idea for a BBC channel.
- The pitch needs to be a different idea from the spec script. It should be as distinctive as possible, bearing in mind the current, competitive TV landscape in the UK and abroad.
- The aim of the Programme is to give writers their first original television drama or comedy/drama series or serial commission.
- Writers must not have an original idea in development (beyond treatment stage) with BBC Television Drama. Writers in development outside the BBC are eligible to apply.
- Writers must not have had a previous original series or serial commission from BBC One, BBC Two or BBC Three.
- Writers must demonstrate a burning desire to write television drama.
HOW TO APPLY
- Writers will need to submit their CV highlighting produced credit or credits, an original spec script and a one page pitch (all saved as separate PDF files) via the BBC Writersroom E-Submissions System only. The spec script should be an original, full-length script (minimum 50 pages) written for television and not an episode of an existing drama series. For the initial stages of the selection process scripts will be read anonymously by our team of freelance readers so please remove any personal details (name, address, contacts etc) from the front page of the script or within the document itself.
- To make their submissions, writers must submit (PDF only) via the BBC Writersroom using the link at the bottom of this page.
Deadline: 12 noon on Tuesday 26th September 2023
TIMETABLE
- There are 10-12 places; and we shall be shortlisting 15-20 writers for the scheme.
- The first round of interviews will be held in early 2024 (dates tbc). Shortlisted writers will then have meetings with independent production companies in spring 2024.
- We will then inform the successful 10-12 writers.
- Selected writers must be free to attend a three day intensive workshop in 2024 (dates tbc) and available to write their script and attend a series of writing workshops, lectures and readings across the subsequent months. They will also receive notes on their pitches and each draft of their treatment and script.
SCRIPT FEE
- Writers will be commissioned to write a minimum of two drafts of a treatment and a minimum of three drafts of their original script. They will be paid a minimum script fee as agreed by the WGGB/PMA and the BBC on a favoured nations basis (currently £13,320 for 60 minutes).
ENTRY FAQS
- It is essential that applicants have an interest in and enthusiasm for television drama. Submissions will be assessed on the strength of the writing and the originality of the pitch.
- Applicants must be resident in the UK or Republic of Ireland. You do not need to have been born here, but you do need to have the right to work in the UK.
- The Logline, medium and genre on the E-submissions form refers to the spec script and not the pitch.
- Submissions must be the writer’s original work, and may not be based wholly or in part, on the work of any other person, whether known, published, produced, or not (i.e. no adaptations).
- As well as individual writers, writing partnerships of two (maximum) may enter. Scripts submitted must be written by the partnership.
- No feedback can be given on unsuccessful submissions.
ACCESSIBILITY AND SUPPORT
- Download an Easy Read document which explains the Pilot scheme and the application process
- See a preview of the E-submissions entry form so you can prepare your submission and answers to the questions in advance
If you have any questions, contact writersroom@bbc.co.uk
Read the full Terms and Conditions of Entry You will be asked to confirm that you have read these before submitting your entry.
Deadline: 26 September 2023
Source: BBC Writersroom