UK independent production company Red Planet Pictures have partnered with ITV Drama on The Red Planet Prize 2018, in the new search for emerging writing talent who can create fresh and inspiring popular TV drama content. The winner of The Red Planet Prize, initially launched in 2007, will get a script commission and development opportunities with ITV.
Red Planet Pictures is home to popular dramas including Dickensian, The Ark to Death in Paradise (by a previous Prize finalist), whilst ITV has always played a vital part in the landscape of British drama with shows including Cracker and Band of Gold, to the more recent Liar, Cold Feet and Broadchurch.
The Red Planet Prize 2018 is looking for writers who can create characters that make audiences sit up and unmissable stories that demand to be watched. Writers will be asked to think big, think bold, think how they can make their idea stand out in a competitive marketplace.
Eligibility: Screenwriters must be based in the UK and the original TV idea should not be in development with another broadcaster or production company.
What to submit/How to apply:
- an existing original spec script, full length and could be for any medium; TV, film, radio, theatre
- a one/two-page pitch for an original TV serial/series idea for ITV
- a short CV highlighting any previous writing credits (these are not essential to enter)
Up to ten shortlisted writers will then be invited to a pitching master-class with Red Planet Pictures CEO Tony Jordan (Life On Mars, Hustle, Dickensian) and ITV’s Head of Drama, Polly Hill and Victoria Fea, ITV’s Senior Drama Commissioner, who, along with actor Adrian Lester OBE (Riviera, Hustle, and next year’s new ITV three-part drama, Trauma, alongside John Simm), make up the judging panel.
Hopefuls will then be asked to write the first ten pages of their original idea, and hone their pitch and series outline. The strongest ideas will have development input and up to four writers will be invited to final interview, from which the ultimate winner will be chosen. The successful writer will get a script commission and development opportunities with ITV.
Submissions are open from Thursday 1st February 2018 with deadline Friday 9th February 2018 via the Red Planet Pictures website.
Deadline: Monday 12 February 2018 Friday 9 February 2018* (*Note: submissions window does not open until Thursday 1 February 2018)
Source: BBC Writersroom