Comedy writing programme announced
A comedy writing programme has been launched by the Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund (CTBF) to find emerging UK comedy writers.
The Betty Box and Peter Rogers Comedy Writing Programme - named after the producers of the Doctor and Carry On series - is being run in partnership with Big Talk Productions and LOCO London Comedy Film Festival.
Four writers who are in need of industry assistance will be selected. They will get £10,000 each and six months of support as they develop a comedy feature or TV series.
Each writer’s work will be developed by Big Talk Productions and the process will culminate in a live table-read of their material to an industry audience at the 6th LOCO London Comedy Film Festival in May 2017.
“The Betty Box and Peter Rogers Comedy Writing Programme provides an exciting opportunity to discover those hidden gems of comedy writers who need support to realise their creative potential,” said Barry Jenkins OBE, president of the CTBF.
“Both Big Talk and LOCO are at the very forefront of the UK’s thriving comedy landscape, ideally placed to support the next wave of talent in the genre.”
Submissions are welcomed until 26 August 2016 and applicants can send in their material as indicated here.
Also on The Knowledge
Joe Lycett to take on water companies
Channel 4 has ordered a new documentary that will see presenter Joe Lycett investigate the UK’s waterways have become so polluted and why water companies have been allowed to pump out sewage.
ITV launches trio of diversity funding pots
ITV has opened up a trio of diversity funding pots for TV writers, as part of its overall Diversity Commissioning Fund that launched earlier this year.
Studios Spotlight – Behind the Scenes at The Depot, Liverpool
The latest focus in our Studios Spotlight is Liverpool’s The Depot which, in the two years since it opened, has hosted several high-profile film and HETV shoots, including Paramount+’s much-anticipated Sexy Beast prequel series.
Shinfield Studios nears final phase of construction
Shinfield Studios, due to become the UK’s largest film and TV studio development, is nearing completion of its final construction phase.
Stephen Graham, Phil Temple back prize for working-class writers
Stephen Graham and Hannah Walters’ Matriarch Productions and Phil Temple’s StudioCanal-backed Birdie Pictures are teaming up on Grass Routes, a new initiative to help writers from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds kickstart their careers and gain proper access to the TV industry.
Building sustainable productions requires financial incentives say experts
"There are lessons that can be taken from other industries that are further ahead in the [sustainability] agenda."
