Short Steps Back in Time 2013-14

CALL FOR SCRIPTS

Northern Ireland Screen is now seeking short film scripts to develop for its portmanteau film scheme Short Steps Back in Time 2013-2014.

A portmanteau film is a feature length film made up of a short framing story and up to four short self-contained stories that relate to the framing story through location or characters.

Scripts for the FRAMING STORY only are being sought. The framing story is the context through which the other stories are told. For example, in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, each pilgrim tells their own story however, the pilgrimage itself is the framing story. It introduces the characters and the context that allows the characters’ stories to be told.

Only Northern Ireland resident writers who have previously been selected for Short Steps between 2003 and 2011 are eligible to apply. For the avoidance of doubt “selected for Short Steps” in this context means a writer whose short film script was selected to be developed as part of the Short Steps scheme in the years 2003 to 2011 inclusive.

This is a script development call; a producer and director are not required at this stage. Scripts with producers, directors and production companies attached are not eligible.

Short Steps Back in Time short films are to be made on a budget of £10,000 or less, so scripts must be written taking that into account. Scripts whose ambition exceeds the practical possibilities of low-budget short filmmaking will be deemed ineligible.

Up to eight writers will be chosen to create and develop collectively a slate of short films between October 2012 and April 2013 with the intention of selecting up to five short films for further development and, hopefully, production between April 2013 and March 2014. The intention is to select five short films that can stand alone but also work cohesively as a portmanteau feature film.

Short Steps Back in Time intends to fund up to five short films. However, Northern Ireland Screen reserves the right to choose to fund or not fund production at its sole discretion.

Applicants should send:

• A hard copy their short framing story script (15 – 20 minutes) in a standard industry script format in Courier 12 pt font.
• The script cover page MUST have the project title, the writer’s name and full contact details including email address clearly on it.
• 1 page (in Courier 12 pt font) synopsis of the script with suggestions of how other stories will fit into it.
• Their full CV.
• A completed Application Form.
• Completed Monitoring Questionnaire.

Treatments are not acceptable.

• The Application Form can be downloaded here.
• Guidelines can be downloaded here.
• Monitoring Form can be downloaded here.

Applications, together with all requested documentation, should be posted to:

Christine Morrow
Short Film Co-ordinator
Northern Ireland Screen
3rd Floor Alfred House
21 Alfred Street
Belfast BT2 8ED

Please mark the envelope clearly with “SSBIT/13-14”. Emailed applications will not be accepted.

Deadline for receipt: 17:00, Friday 31 August 2012.

Please note: proof of posting is not proof of receipt.

For any questions on clarification of eligibility or rules, please email Christine Morrow

Briefing:
Northern Ireland Screen has organised a seminar and screening concentrating on writing for portmanteau films to run alongside this initiative. The seminar will only be open to those who are eligible to apply and will be held on Thursday 28 June 2012 at The Crescent Arts Centre. To secure your place, please email Christine Morrow before 17:00 hrs on Friday 25 May.