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30 Second Interview with…..Robert Llewellyn

Posted in 30 Second Interview With...., tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 25, 2012| 8 Comments »

 
James Lipton and the Actors Studio did it for fun with the actors…..Now, I’m doing it for fun with the writers.
 
Before I start on Robert, I must just tell you this. Many years ago, I was fortunate to attend one of his personal appearances. I remember a story he told like it was yesterday. That story is this. Robert’s friend had (decades earlier) offered him the chance to invest in a little unknown venture called ‘the internet’. Robert didn’t think it would amount to anything, and declined the generous offer. Thank god he did or today he may have been too busy counting his zillions to take part in the ever popular 30 Second Interview.
 
1956 saw the birth of one Robert Llewellyn. He never had any desire to perform and at the age of 16, was expelled from school and became a ‘hippie’.
 
At 24, and with only a Christmas charity puppet show under his ‘belt of experience’, Robert entered the world of show business.
 
What began as a hobby, Robert’s amateur cabaret evenings in a riverside warehouse overlooking London’s Tower Bridge, soon became a great success. Together with Bernie Evans, Nigel Ordishand, and Graham Allum, Robert formed the alternative comedy group, The Joey’s. The first year alone would see them tour the UK and Europe, clocking up a massive 260 performances; thousands more over the following four years.
 
Spurned on by their success, Robert turned to novel writing. But ‘All Quiet in the West End’ was never published. A good thing according to Robert, “as it was total trash.”
 
Robert was an avid writer for the show, and as their success grew, so did their singing talents.
 
After the Joey’s split, Robert, along with Chris Eymard, wrote and starred in Channel 4’s comedy, ‘The Cornerhouse’. Robert remembers it as a “true disaster that just wasn’t funny.”
 
Undeterred, and inspired by Paul Verhoeven ‘Robocop’, Robert wrote comedy play ‘Mammon’. It premiered in 1988 at the Edinburgh Theatre Festival and was a great success.
 
‘Mammon’ was seen by Paul Jackson, the then producer of Red Dwarf, who immediately offered Robert the part of ‘Kryten’. But Robert’s show, ‘Mammon’,  had been commissioned by Channel 4 and he nearly declined the offer.
 
Luckily, he didn’t. In 1989, Series three of Red Dwarf aired. Robert joined fellow cast members Craig Charles and Chris Barrie, and stayed until the show ended in 1999, five series later.
 
But, Robert’s career didn’t stop there. As well as appearing in TV classics such as  Bottom, Discovery Channel’s How Do They Do It?, and the ever popular Scrapheap Challenge, Robert started a web series called Carpool. Carpool  was simple. Robert picked up a ‘famous’ person and drove them to work. During their journey, Robert and his passenger would chat and laugh. The series was an instant hit and in November 2010, UKTV began broadcasting the show on Dave.
 
 
So, now for the long awaited questions. A funny man with very funny answers.
 
1.  What is your favorite word?  Cunnilingus
 
2. What is your least favorite word? Ananas
 
3. What turns you on?   Hands
 
4. What turns you off?   Touchiness
 
5. What sound do you love?   Laughing
 
6. What sound do you hate? Diesel Engines
 
7. What is your favorite curse word?   Tosser
 
8. What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?   Sewage Work
 
9.  What profession would you not like to do?  Singer
 
10. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?   “Tosser. In you come.”
 
   
        
  
Contact Information

For more information regarding Robert Llewellyn, please check out his Website, Facebook, twitter

If you want more of me, I can be found on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Linkedin

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Competitions and Writing Opportunities Round Up #20

Posted in Classes, Competitions and Writing Opportunities, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 16, 2012| 1 Comment »

This weeks competitions that have caught my eye:

FICTION: Via First Writer

Choc Lit Short Story Competition
Category:   Fiction
Closes:   31st January 2012
Fees:   £3 for one entry.
Prizes:   £200 for first place. £50 runner up. Also online publication and a box of chocolates.
Details:   For short stories up to 1,500 words on the theme of chocolate.
Contact:   Short Story Competition, Choc Lit Ltd, Penrose House, Crawley Drive, Camberley, Surrey, GU15 2AB
Country:   United Kingdom
Email:   info@choc-lit.co.uk
Website:   http://www.choc-lit.co.uk/html/choc_lit_short_story_competiti.html

Stella Kupferberg Memorial Prize
Category:  Fiction
Closes:   2nd March 2012
Fees:   $25 for one entry.
Prizes:   $1,000 for first place. Also ten-week creative writing course.
Details:   For short stories on the theme: objects of desire.
Contact:   Selected Shorts Contest, 2537 Broadway at 95th Street, New York, NY 10025
Country:   United States
Email:   shorts@symphonyspace.org
Website:   http://www.selectedshorts.org/extras/writing-contest-2

Stories Space fiction contest
Category:   Fiction
Closes:   12th March 2012
Fees:   $0 for one entry.
Prizes:   $100 for first place. 2nd prize $75, 3rd prize $50
Details:   Stories must be based on the theme: New Beginnings. As an additional challenge stories must also contain one (or both) of the following items: A family heirloom and/or a set of keys. Stories, poems and songs are all eligible to enter and you can submit as many entries as you like.
Country:   United States
Email:   lisa@storiesspace.com
Website:   http://www.storiesspace.com

Twisted Stringybark Short Story Award
Category:   Fiction
Closes:   4th March 2012
Fees:   $9.75 for one entry. Discounts for multiple entries.
Prizes:   $300 for first place. Additional cash prizes.
Details:   All genres accepted. There are only two constraints. Firstly, that the story must have a nifty twist at the end that surprises the reader and secondly, that the story must have some link, no matter how tenuous, to Australia. International entries encouraged.
Contact:   PO Box 851 Jamison Centre ACT 2614
Country:   Australia
Email:   judges@stringybarkstories.net
Website:   http://www.stringybarkstories.net

Five Stop Story January Competition
Category:   Fiction
Closes:   31st January 2012
Fees:   £4 for one entry. £4 for 1 entry, £7 for 2, £8 for 3.
Prizes:   £50 for first place. £150 prize for overall winner of 2012 league table
Details:   Stories up to 3,000 words; Open to international entrants aged 16 and over
Country:   United Kingdom
Website:   http://www.fivestopstory.com/write

Next Generation Indie Book Awards
Category:   Fiction
Closes:   24th February 2012
Fees:   $75 for one entry.
Prizes:   $1,500 for first place.
Details:   Calling all indie book authors and publishers – including small presses, mid-size independent publishers, university presses, e-book publishers, and self-published authors who have a book written in English released in 2011 or 2012 or with a 2011 or 2012 copyright date to enter the most rewarding book awards program.
Contact:   Next Generation Indie Book Awards 511 Wilkinson St. Chelsea, MI 48118
Country:   United States
Email:   info@indiebookawards.com
Website:   http://www.indiebookawards.com

Ledge Fiction Awards Competition
Category:   Fiction
Closes:   28th February 2012
Fees:   $12 for one entry. $6 for subsequent entries.
Prizes:   $1,000 for first place. $250; $100. Also magazine publication.
Details:   For unpublished short stories up to 7,500 words.
Contact:   The Ledge 2012 Fiction Awards Competition, 40 Maple Avenue, Bellport, NY 11713
Country:   United States
Website:   http://www.theledgemagazine.com/Annual%20Contests.html

Crystal Magazine Children’s Story
Category:   Fiction
Closes:   1st October 2012
Fees:   £3 for one entry. £2 each subsequent entry.
Prizes:   £50 for first place. Prizes for children.
Details:   Write one story, up to 1,000 words for children aged 6 to 9. Theme: Jumping For Joy. Three sections: £50 plus books and DVDs for children. First section is aimed at very young children and includes an artist tool box and drawing pad. Decide which section to enter on the prizes offered. You may enter all three, using one copy of one story. Or request money only. Send stamped sae for entry form.
Contact:   3 Bowness Avenue, Prenton, Birkenhead CH43 0SD
Country:   United Kingdom
Email:   christinecrystal@hotmail.com
Website:   http://www.christinecrystal.blogspot.com

Tom Howard Short Story Contest
Category:   Fiction
Closes:   31st March 2012
Fees:   $15 for one entry.
Prizes:  $3,000 for first place. Total prizes of $5,550 will be awarded.
Details:   20th year. Seeks short stories, essays and other works of prose, up to 5,000 words. Both fiction and nonfiction accepted. Submit entries online or by mail. Entries may have been previously published. Winners are published online.
Contact:   Winning Writers Attn: Tom Howard Short Story Contest 351 Pleasant Street, PMB 222 Northampton, MA 01060-3961
Country:   United States
Email:   johnreid@mail.qango.com
Website:   http://www.winningwriters.com/contests/tomstory/ts_guidelines.php

Reynolds Price Short Fiction Award
Category:   Fiction
Closes:   3rd February 2012
Fees:   $15 for one entry.
Prizes:   $1,200 for first place. $150 x 2.
Details:   For short stories up to 5,000 words. Open to men and women.
Contact:   Amy Knox Brown, Director of the Salem College Center for Women Writers, 601 South Church Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Country:   United States
Email:   cww@salem.edu
Website:   http://www.salem.edu/community/cww/international-literary-awards-guidelines

Scenes of the Apocalypse
Category:   Fiction
Closes:   8th February 2012
Fees:  £5 for one entry.
Prizes:   £0 for first place. Book voucher from a major retailer for the winner.
Details:   Calling all writers to submit a short story on how do you imagine the end of the world. Will humanity be engulfed by nature? Will wars and crisis turn us against each other? Let your imagination flow and captivate us with your scenes of the apocalypse. Length: 1000 words maximum (2 pages approximately).
Country:   United Kingdom
Email:   project2012exhibition@gmail.com
Website:   http://project2012exhibition.blogspot.com

FICTION

The Bridport Prize 2012
Poems/Shortstories/Flash fiction
NEW CLOSING DATE: 31st May 2012

The Bridport Prize is the richest open writing competition in the English language – with £5000 first prize for a short story (of up to 5000 words); and £5000 first prize for a poem (of up to 42 lines). The category of Flash Fiction attracts £1,000 to be won for the best short, short story of under 250 words.

The Bridport is also known as a tremendous literary stepping-stone – the first step in the careers of writers such as: Kate Atkinson, Tobias Hill, Carol Ann Duffy and Helen Dunmore.

Anyone can enter – so long as the work is previously unpublished. It costs £8 per story, £7 per poem or £6 per flash fiction and the NEW closing date is 31st May 2012

Each year the prize is judged by well known writers – this year we are delighted to announce that Gwyneth Lewis will be judging the poetry, and Patrick Gale, the short stories and flash fiction

The 2011 anthology of winning entries is available for just £12 or £15 overseas (including postage and packing). The 2010 and 2009 anthologies are available in limited numbers for £7 and £5 (£10 and £8 overseas).
Enter online at: www.bridportprize.org.uk
Or download an entry form: www.bridportprize.org.uk/entryform.pdf
Or email for a pdf entry form: frances@bridportprize.org.uk
Or send an SAE for an entry form to be posted to you: The Bridport Prize, PO Box 6910, Dorset, DT6 9BQ. UK.

SCRIPTS/PLAYS: Via First Writer

Pint-Sized Plays
Category:   Scripts
Closes:   31st May 2012
Fees:   £5.50 for one entry.
Prizes:   £0 for first place. Plays will be performed in the Festival.
Details:   2012 will be the fifth season: 5 to 10 minute plays for no more than three characters, suitable for performance in a pub. Six winning plays will be performed during the Festival and go on to a Script Slam competition where the audience vote for their favourite play. For full details please visit the website.
Country:   United Kingdom
Email:   info@pintsizedplays.org.uk
Website:   http://www.pintsizedplays.org.uk

ROMANCE WRITERS OF AMERICA:

Spring Into Romance Contest
Sponsor: RWA San Diego
Fee: $25.00 Non Chapter Member/$20.00 Chapter Member
Deadline: March 17, 2012
Eligibility: Non published or not in the last five years.
Entry: First 25 pages of novel.
Categories: Historical, Single Title, Young Adult, Series Romance, Romantic Suspense, Paranormal, Romantic Elements.
Judging: Chapter members (trained/one published).
Final Judges: Editors and agents.
FMI, rwasd.contests@gmail.com.

SCRIPT WRITING OPPORTUNITIES Via The Screenwriters Cove

SEVEN PICTURES – Television Pitch Writer
We are looking for completed one-hour television scripts from writers with experience pitching television projects and writing one-sheets. Note that we are looking for writing samples to gauge writers’ voice and sensibility in a potential writer-for-hire opportunity; we are not looking for scripts to option.
Budget is irrelevant. WGA and non-WGA writers may submit.
Our credits include “Necronaut.”
To submit to this lead, please go to: http://www.inktippro.com/leads/
Enter your email address. Copy/Paste this code: akf4n0k6tx

MISCHIEF MAKER STUDIOS – Teen Comedy Scripts
We are looking for completed feature-length teen comedy scripts from writers with a strong knowledge of High School life as samples for a possible writer-for-hire opportunity. We are developing a zombie teen comedy feature, so if you are pitching a teen comedy sample and have a zombie one, we’d prefer to read that. The emphasis is on being skilled at writing hilarious teen comedy, so we’re not open to samples about adult characters. If your pitch interests us, we will request the sample script for further consideration.
Budget will not exceed $4 million. Both WGA and Non-WGA writers may submit.
Our credits include “The Graves” (Tony Todd).
To submit to this lead, please go to: http://www.inktippro.com/leads/
Enter your email address. Copy/Paste this code: xzeqfmqzme

GTMG – Espionage, Contemporary Only
We are looking for completed feature-length contemporary espionage scripts. Stories can be set anywhere, but they must be contemporary, we are not open to cold war period pieces. Please re-submit to this lead if you already submitted to this particular mandate.
Budget will not exceed $5 million. Only non-WGA writers may submit.
Our credits include “Death and Cremation” and the upcoming “The Employer.”
To submit to this lead, please go to: http://www.inktippro.com/leads/
Enter your email address. Copy/Paste this code: unwbgjum1e

ALIEN KINGDON – currently looking for screenplays.
Length: Feature
Genre: Action and/or Thriller / Fantasy
Compensation: % of budget
Looking for films that can be made in the 750K – 1.5 million dollar range.
Please submit a Query Letter to query@alienkingdom.net
Please do not send scripts.
Thank you.

SCRIPT WRITING OPPORTUNITIES Via ISA:

Singapore Production Company seeks feature scripts
Singapore-based independent feature film production company is calling for scripts for projects 2012. We are looking for exciting feature film length scripts from any genre with a character-driven story. Please only submit scripts, which are completed. Submit your script(s) directly to scripts@action.ms in PDF file format only! Please do not submit treatments or loglines only. Any other file format than PDF will be deleted immediately. Thank you very much!

Producer seeking high concept screenplays
Amply credited producer (IMDB Link: http://pro.imdb.com/name/nm1056990/ ) seeks high concept screenplays (horror, thriller, drama, comedy) for production consideration. Maximum budget = $4m. MUST HAVE INTERNATIONAL APPEAL. Please email log-line only at this time. Send to: praterpix@gmail.com. If we are interested, we will contact you for more information. Thank you.

Think Boy Think is seeking niche feature scripts
Do you have the next great film script but no one else seems to know it yet? Too niche for others to invest? Then we want to read them! Think Boy Think Productions is looking for undeveloped film scripts of 60 minutes or longer to develop into proposals for production. Currently in post production on their debut feature film, Think Boy Think Productions are wanting to find the next films to take from the page and stick up on the big screen. We are looking for lower budget films to be produced in the near future, and larger productions for the development for investment. No genre, style or approach restrictions. We are hoping to meet writers also interested in a long term association. Please visit http://www.thinkboythinkproductions.com/Think_boy_Think_Productions/ScriptSearch.html for more details. Email us at info@thinkboythinkproductions.com.

Looking for low budget horror script
I am a director looking for my next project. You can view my last project here at www.thescamthemovie.com. I am looking for a low budget horror script that is great and different than the other stories that have been told out there.
I prefer something that is simple and not that many locations and actors. Please email me a logline and a synopsis of your script at perdellproductions@gmail.com. If we like it, I will email you for the script to read. Thank you.

Seeking fellow screenwriter to collaborate with
I wish to find a fellow screenwriter to collaborate with on screenplays. I have repeatedly received indications from studios and/or directors/producers directly that they were more inclined to favor collaborated work, especially work that has crossed some international culture differences. Any level is ok, just need the passion to work hard and get things done with me. If interested, please let me know ASAP by contacting me at anthony_spicer@hotmail.com.

Seeking fellow screenwriter for collaboration
I am looking for a fellow screenwriter who would be interested in collaborating with me on a true story I have for a future film.  We would collaborate together on the screenplay and bring it to someone/film company to bring it to life.  If you are a screenwriter looking to write for a new feature film here is your chance.  This is a true, very original, unique story that would be a great experience to write.  I want to collaborate with somebody who I know will be willing to work with me and take the it to heart.  This story could be called a murder/mystery with a flair but the truth is, it is much more than that.  It is a story unlike any other,  If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me at sarahangelrose@yahoo.com.

Santa Barbara CA Company looking for screenplays
Studio 2050, a Santa Barbara Based production company is currently looking for live action screenplays to review. Our goal is to begin production this year, 2012. We are interested in genres including Drama, Romantic Comedy, Family and Romance. Story could include some fantasy elements provided they are not period or special effects driven. We are interested in scripts that are light, feel-good or positive in nature. We are not interested in scripts that are dark in nature, period pieces or heavily special effects driven. Our goal is to shoot in Santa Barbara and the surrounding Santa Barbara area. This would include beach, Mountains and foothills, ranches , rural, wineries and any of the Santa Barbara land marks ( Mission, Downtown area, high end real estate etc.) Please email logline, 1-3 page synopsis and script to scripts@studio2050.com. Please include all contact info including: name, email and phone.

Looking for fellow screenwriter to collaborate
I am a director and looking for a fellow screenwriter who would be interested in collaborating with me to enhance the script which I already developed. The current draft version is 2. This is going to be very low budget feature film. I would offer 5% of the Director’s net profit. This is a romantic comedy so if you are good at comedy and dialogues, this will be a good opportunity. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me. Please contact me at chandu@moviebuffcreations.com for further details. Serious writers apply!

Looking for ultra low budget rom com scripts
Looking for Ultra Low Budget ROM COM scripts. Please send a logline to Cary at info@carysandovalfilms.com. Very interested in scripts that take place in New York City. Thank you.

EFish Entertainment is calling for scripts
Efish Entertainment is expanding their development slate and is now calling for scripts in the genres of Action, Thriller, Mystery, Sci-fi, True stories, Book adaptions and very uniquely done horror. No conventional horror please. We are acquiring scripts from known and unknown writers to be set into immediate development. Please do not send the script. It will not be read. Please only send the following: no more than a 1/2 page synopsis; plot point outlines (if applicable); resume of writer/s; contact information. After reviewing the material, we will request the script for coverage. Send your materials to: info@efishentertainment.com. Thank you.

Seeking fellow screenwriter for collaboration
I am looking for a fellow screenwriter who would be interested in collaborating with me on a idea/story I have for a feature film. We would collaborate on the screenplay together and bring it to someone/film company to bring it to life. If you are a screenwriter looking to write for a new feature film or a writter that would like to dabble with in the art of screenplay here is your chance. This a very original, very unique idea/story that will be a very fun experience to write and a nice addition to add to your resume. I gurantee you this is something you have not done before or will ever do in the future. It is a horror/comedy film with a B movie flaire. I want to collaborate with somebody who I know will be willing to work with me on crafting this story and not planning to place it on a shelf. We are working on the screenplay together. I am not just giving you my work so it is your problem. I want to work with someone who work with me on this and we do everything possible to have it made. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask me. Please contact me at abandonsinner@aol.com for further details. Serious writers apply!

Seeking scripts for low budget production in 2012
Ambitious production company is taking submissions of scripts to be produced on a low budget in 2012. We are interested only in following genres: thrillers, crime, adventure, action, horrors, family and comedy films. No sci-fi or period pieces. No docs, webseries, pilots. Email is contact@manager4actors.com. Please send only logline, 1 page synopsis and character breakdown. Don’t send the script, we will request it. Thank you.

Please remember to check out legitimacy of all contests before you enter and to copyright all work.

Good luck and let me know how you get on.

If you want more of me, you can also find me on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Linkedin

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Competitions and Writing Opportunities Round Up #17

Posted in Classes, Competitions and Writing Opportunities, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 19, 2011| Leave a Comment »

This weeks competitions that have caught my eye:

FICTION:

Express Yourself 2012 – Write your world 
Category:   Fiction
Closes:   12th January 2012
Fees:   £0 for one entry.
Prizes:   £150 for first place.
Details:   For fiction or any other type of creative writing by a deafblind child or adult, a carer, or any other individual on the subject of deafblindness.
Contact:   Colin Anderson, Sense, 101 Pentonville Road, London, N1 9LG
Country:   United Kingdom
Email:   colin.anderson@sense.org.uk
Website:   http://www.sense.org.uk/media_centre/latest_news/august_2011/express_yourself_2012

The FFW Flash Fiction Contest
Category:   Fiction
Closes:  9th March 2012
Fees:   £0 for one entry. Multiple entries, all free.
Prizes:   £25 for first place. 2nd £15 and 3rd £10.
Details:   Flash fiction stories up to 1000 words in any theme.
Country:   United Kingdom
Email:   comp@flash-fiction-world.com
Website:   http://www.flash-fiction-world.com/flash-fiction-contest.html

World Audio Short Story Writer 2012
Category:   Fiction
Closes:   31st March 2012
Fees:   £3 for one entry. £3 until 31st December 2011. £4 thereafter.
Prizes:   £0 for first place. Professional recording of winning story plus promotional author podcast with interview and reading.
Details:   Theme: Open – any genre/theme. Word Limit: 1500-2000 words. Rules: stories must be written in English; must be previously unpublished in text (including internet)or audio form; the entrant must own the copyright to the story they have submitted.
Contact:   Wyndam Granite, PO Box 1302, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire HP4 9AE
Country:   United Kingdom
Website:   http://shortstoryradio.com/short_story_competitions.htm

Emerald Writing Workshops
Category:   Fiction
Closes:   31st August 2012
Fees:   £1.80 for one entry. 3 entries for a fiver.
Prizes:   £65 for first place. Second £20; third £15; three runners-up win a book of short stories.
Details:   Maximum 500 words excluding title. Open theme so you can write about anything you like. Maximum 3 entries per person. Open to anyone in the world of any age. Postal entries only.
Contact:   4 Abbott Street, Long Eaton, Nottingham NG10 1DF
Country:   United Kingdom
Email:   edwardjohnwalsh@hotmail.com
Website:   http://www.emeraldwritingworkshops.co.uk

Malahat Review 2012 Novella Prize
Category:   Fiction
Closes:   1st February 2012
Fees:   $35 for one entry. $40 (US); $45 (RoW).
Prizes:   $1,500 for first place.
Details:   For works of fiction between 10,000 and 20,000 words.
Contact:   The Malahat Review, University of Victoria, P.O. Box 1700, Stn CSC, Victoria, B.C. V8W 2Y2
Country:   Canada
Email:   malahat@uvic.ca
Website:   http://www.malahatreview.ca/contests/novella_contest/info.html

ROMANCE WRITERS OF AMERICA:

More Than Magic
Sponsor: Romance Writers Ink
Fee: $25–27.00
Deadline: March 2, 2012
Entry: All romance books with a North American copyright date of 2011.
Judges: Romance readers.
E-mail: jackie.rwimagic@netscape.com
Website: http://www.rwi-rwa.com

BBC:

Little Pieces of Love
Deadline: 20 December 2011
Writers are invited to submit their short plays for a Valentine’s themed event at the Southwark Playhouse.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/opportunity/little_pieces_of_love.shtml

Immersive Writing Lab Competition
Deadline: 21 December 2011
Create a cross-platform storyworld and win a £6k development fund.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/opportunity/immersive_writing_lab_2011.shtml

Red Planet Prize
Deadline: 16 January 2011
£5,000 cash prize and entry to a mentoring scheme for an original TV script.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/opportunity/red_planet_prize_2011.shtml

Script Space 2012
Deadline: 31 January 2012
Open competition that invites submissions of new, unperformed one-act plays from UK-based writers.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/opportunity/script_space_2012.shtml

Theatre Trail Writers Competition 2012
Deadline: 31 January 2012
Have your play performed at next year’s Arundel Festival Theatre Trail.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/opportunity/theatre_trail_2012.shtml

One Act Playwriting Competition
Deadline: 31 January 2011
The Drama Association of Wales’ One Act Playwrighting Competition is now open for submissions.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/opportunity/one_act_playwrighting_comp.shtml

The BBC Writersroom Future Talent Award for Writers
Deadline: 01 February 2012
Opportunity for north-based student/recent graduate drama writers to access development opportunities and mentoring from the BBC.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/opportunity/future_talent_award_for_writers.shtml

TenFour Theatre presents – A Table for Six
Deadline: 20 February 2012
TenFour is now accepting submissions of monologues for its Spring production of A Table for Six.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/opportunity/tenfourtheatre_spring20121.shtml

Saturday Shorts 3 – Scriptwriting competition
Deadline: 01 March 2011
Bristol Folk House are looking for fifteen-minute scripts for a performance event in summer 2012.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/opportunity/saturday_shorts_2012.shtml

The Windsor Fringe Kenneth Branagh Award 2012
Deadline: 05 March 2012
The Windsor Fringe is now accepting unpublished one-act plays from amateur playwrights for its 2012 Award.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/opportunity/windsor_fringe_2012.shtml

SCRIPT WRITING OPPORTUNITIES Via ISA:

New Devil Productions Looking For Next Short or Feature Project
We, New Devil Productions, are looking for our next project.  We are in post for a short film called “the party” and have worked with AmericanDreamMachine Productions and have worked with the producers of the film Echoes.  We are looking for any projects that would be of interest to us and create a world just around that script/story.  Please contact us with ideas any genre any type of script but no tv shows or anything like that.  Shorts are welcomed. Once we can get funding for projects there will be funds. Send inquiries to us at Brandonsndp@gmail.com. Thank you.

Indie Film Production Company Looking for it’s Next Project
Seattle area  indie film production company looking for its next project. We are in post production of our current film and looking forward to our next project. We have a good idea about the setting and other elements but we need someone to bring the script together. If you have a flair for situational comedy and catchy through-line (possible McGuffin) then contact us! We’re paying in percentage of future revenue. We want someone who wants to see their script made into a film. While we have some ideas about the story, the script would be yours and credited as yours. Call Michael at 206-372-7274.

Looking for Experienced Writer to Collaborate on Script
I am a film maker trying to put a story together for my new short film “Love on the Dance Floor.” I am looking only for an experienced writer to collaborate on the script. We will be shooting on canon 5D MII, and sending it out to the film festival circuit. It is a no budget short film so its unpaid project but in consideration for your collaboration, we can provide you with credits and film material for your show reel. If you are interested, please send me your CV and samples of your work to info@shadikhalilvisuals.com.

Seeking Female Scriptwriter in New Jersey/Philadelphia Area
Seeking a New Jersey/Philiadelphia area female script / screen writer to work with the executive producer of an original musical. College seniors and recent graduates ok. For more info write to musicjarproductions@gmail.com. Thank you.

Looking for a Horror/Fantasy Script
New York Film Academy producer seeks original horror or fantasy screenplays for potential production. Chosen screenwriter(s) will partner with a NY Film Academy producer who will create an entire producer’s package for the script. Which package will include a business plan, a look book, a budget, a schedule, and a marketing and distribution plan. Please submit a log-line and synopsis in the body of an email message to Muriel Moraes at script.nyfa2011@gmail.com. If the project is funded compensation will be at customary low budget independent film rates.

Seeking Collaborator/Writer for High Concept Political Thriller
Looking for experienced writer to help develop and write political thriller. Must have experience in this genre with a good sense of story and structure. Please send BRIEF (10 – 15 pages) writing samples in .pdf or Word format to links2movie@gmail.com.

Looking for Drama/Comedy Screenwriters for Feature Film Script
Director/Producer looking for a great writer in the drama/comedy genre to collaborate on a feature film script. The subject involves a struggling band set in LA during the 1970s. Knowledge of that era is a plus, but not a must. Looking for a writer with a dry sense of humor. The film would be a “Bottlerocket” meets “Almost Famous” meets “Spinal Tap.” For more information write to Brandon LaGankea at brandonlaganke@gmail.com.

Looking for Character Driven Short Scripts
I am a director/producer searching for a simple 5-10 minute script. More than anything, I am looking for a character driven piece with no more than 3 locations, containing 2-4 characters. My preferred genre for the script is either comedy, drama, horror, crime or action. The reason for this is because the big budget FX of science fiction or fantasy are way out of my budget. My desired script would be a strong dialogue driven comedy/drama, but I will consider any crime, horror or action stories depending on what FX they require. As long as the FX occur on-screen and do not break the bank too much then I will consider your script. If you are based in or close to Manchester then that is a plus but don’t worry too much if you aren’t. Please e-mail your scripts to jonnycof@hotmail.com.

Looking for Gritty, Original British Short Scripts
Independent Filmmaker requiring original Short Films Scripts (Up to 20 mins long) to be made on a low/no budget basis. I am looking for Gritty British scripts of any genre that contain: Minimal characters (2-5); Minimal dialogue; Only a handful of locations; Gritty themes (Love, sex, loss…etc) Low budget scripts only – you must know a rough estimate of how much your script would cost to make, so please only send your script if you think it could be made for practically nothing. The film will be shot on a Canon 550D camera and edited on Final Cut Pro. Please send formatted scripts and story breakdowns via email to filmprojectuk@gmx.com and we will get back to you with further details.

Seeking Romantic Musical Story for Hindi Feature
Kopy Cat Films ‘N’ Entertainment is registered with WIFPA and going to make a Romantic Musical Hindi Feature Film. We need a good Romantic Musical Story from writers. Please send us One Line Story idea. The shortlisted story writers will call for detail story sitting. Payment will be as per industry trend. You can mail your story idea to script.kopycatfilms@gmail.com.

Seeking Collaborators/Writers for Dynamic Youth-Action Flick
A dynamic, action and sports based digital feature film, starring kids in their late teens and early twenties, is looking for above line collaborators. We have an immediate opening for an experienced co-writer to become part of the development process and work with the director/producer and his writing partner. Will offer equity for the right person, possible stipend upon funding.
If you have a great sense for structure and are a team player, we invite you to help us combining the best ideas into a great story before we write the scenes. The shoot and story is based in NYC, the genre is action/comedy/drama; and it features skateboarding, stunts, teen slang, hacking, gadgets and MAVs. Please send your links/info to nospa3-00@yahoo com.

Please remember to check out legitimacy of all contests before you enter and to copyright all work.

Good luck and let me know how you get on.

If you want more of me, you can also find me on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Linkedin

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30 Second Interview with….L.J. Smith

Posted in 30 Second Interview With...., tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 23, 2011| 18 Comments »

James Lipton and the Actors Studio did it for fun with the actors…..Now, I’m doing it for fun with the writers.

Mention the names Stefan and Damon Salvatore, and teenage girls (along with most middle-aged woman), will squeal in delight. But who’d have thought these two dreamy vampires were the creation of a kindergarten teacher.

Lisa Jane Smith, or L.J. Smith as she is known worldwide has had an amazing, if not strange route into writing.

While attending high school, L.J. wrote The Night of the Solstice, and in 1987, she passed the handwritten novel, which filled seven lined note books, to a first time agent who typed the scribbles into manuscript form and sold it to MacMillan.

Although it received good reviews, sales were poor. And in 1990, second book Heart of Valour was released.

The following year, HarperPaperbacks released a novel, which would go on to become one of the 21st Century’s biggest paranormal hits. Four volumes of The Vampire Diaries hit bookshelves in 1991: The Awakening, The Struggle, The Fury, with Dark Reunion released a year later in 1992. Immediately, the Salvatore brothers were instant hits.
 
L.J. Smith followed this success with The Secret Circle triology, and Nine volumes of the ever popular NightWorld Series.
 
But in 2005, another vampire inspired novel hit bookshelves across the world, and within weeks of it’s release, Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight was number #5 on the NYT Bestsellers list.
 
Over the years, the success of Twilight has been clouded by much controversy, and it’s uncanny resemblence to The Vampire Diaries has fans asking ‘Did Meyer steal the story?’ L.J. Smith declines to comment. 
 
In 2009, following Twilight’s  2008 box office success, The CW network released The Vampire Diaries onto the TV screen. The pilot attacted the largest audience of any series premiere since the network began in 2006.
 
The 2011 TV adaption of The Secret Circle was an instant hit with fans, clearly making L.J. Smith a force to be reckoned with within the world of writing.
 
So, for a lady who refuses to even divulge her age, what would we find out about her in 30 Seconds?
 
1.  What is your favorite word?  Sisterhood
 
2. What is your least favorite word?   Slut
 
3.   What turns you on?   Starlight
 
4. What turns you off?   Clowns
 
5. What sound do you love?   Zhay
 
6. What sound do you hate?   Ach
 
7. What is your favorite curse word?   Spit
 
8. What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?   Physicist
 
9.  What profession would you not like to do?  Plumber
 
10. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?   “Welcome Wanderer.”
 
   

Contact Information

For information regarding L.J. Smiths books and publishing company please visit the website: http://www.ljanesmith.net/www/

Blog: http://www.ljanesmith.net/www/blog

 

You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Linkedin

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What Is The Write Path?

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 2, 2011| 17 Comments »


I used to wonder if there was a correct path I had to follow to become a successful writer.

I’m sure that isn’t unusual. After all, haven’t you all wondered the same at some point or another? And, wouldn’t you also admit to having listened to many writers tell their story in the hope of finding the answer?

Let’s take J K Rowling. Every writer knows that story; the woman who invented ‘Harry Potter’ on a delayed train from Manchester to London. In 1993 she was a single parent living on benefits. In March 2010 she was listed in Forbes as the 12th richest woman in Britain with a fortune of £560 million ($798 million).

Okay, so I have taken the most extravagant of examples, but was her path an easy one? ‘Hell no!’ (I bet she’d use those exact words if you asked her :D).

She was turned down by nearly every major publishing house until finally being accepted by an editor who worked for a then not-so-well-known Bloomsbury.

Or, what about Stephanie Meyer? She apparently had a dream and wrote a book called ‘Twilight’, solely for her own entertainment. On her sister’s insistance, and ignoring every submission guideline known to man, she sent her manuscript to fifteen agents. Bagged one, and sat back to let the publishing auction commence. In 2010, Forbes ranked her as the 59th most powerful celebrity with annual earnings of $40 million. No wonder her husband has quit his job.

For any writer whose just starting out, it seems there are certain rules one must follow. Those rules are:

1)      Write a book. This is self-explanatory, and if I have to explain it further then you really should think of a career change.
2)      Find an agent. Some argue this. I personally think (if you find the right one) they are worth their weight in gold.
3)      Send your agent a query, synopsis, or even a chapter or two.
4)      Your super agent will have your book published within months.
5)      Count your millions as they roll in.

Okay, so there are a few holes in 5 and 6 but, in essence, these are the rules we, as writers, are told to follow.

So what is the reality?

Honestly? I think it’s a lot to do with luck. Of course you have to be able to write, although I’ve read a few books and asked myself the question ‘how the @%$*?’

But how many of you out there have found an agent via a chance meeting, word of mouth, being in the right place at the right time, or just by holding your breath and taking that brave leap of faith?

The pathway to success is a maze. There are twists and turns and lots of dead ends. We get scratched by overgrown hedges, worn out from all the walking and if we fall we get totally mud splattered. However, if you perceivere and you’re carrying with you a good idea that’s even 75% well written, I really believe you will conquer that maze and exit into publishing madness.

My current story? The novel I’m working on at the moment is an adaptation of a script I wrote with fellow writer Natalie Duggan. We were asked over to LA where I was told ‘get it written as a novel’. Two days later I was at the DFW writers convention pitching it to an agent. I was nervous, unprepared, had no chapters, no synopsis….nothing. But, he liked it and requested I send him the first few chapters once I’d drafted them. Was this down to talent? Maybe a little. After all,the LA trip was based on a pilot we’d written. Was this down to luck? Again, probably. The script had been sent to our lawyer who read it just as our manager telephoned regarding an unrelated matter, and just happened to mention she was looking for new writers. Hell, maybe it was just good old fashioned Fate stepping in.

It certainly helped that this agent had worked with our manager before. It certainly helped that I had the ‘TV pilot’ angle to ‘glitter and dazzle’ the pitch. Hell, it helped that the agent didn’t seem to mind the complete unprofessionalism of pitching a book I hadn’t even started to write!

I was told by author, Linda Regan, that a big part of being accepted by an agent is YOU. If you are interesting, then you are half way there.

Now – This is my favorite part of blogging. I love reading your comments and stories….. So, I want to hear your stories – good, bad or just downright cringeworthy. You tell me the things you have done to try and win the heart of an agent or publisher – no matter how embarrassing – and the success stories involving luck, fate and a sprinkle of bravery.

(Like my Facebook page and join myself and other writers for a natter – to my American friends, that means ‘chat’.)

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Facebook Vs Twitter

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 29, 2011| 25 Comments »

Months ago, probably some time before Christmas, I recorded a programme on Sky called Facebook vs Twitter. Not the usual thing I tape on Sky, I’ll admit, but something about the title intrigued me. However, being the busy bee I am, and this has nothing to do with my lack of organisational skills or my need to watch The Mentalist, Supernatural, Rookie Blue or Hawaii Five-O first, I never got around to watching it. Then, this past weekend, something strange happened. I had an hour to spare. I know, me having a whole uninterrupted hour. It’s unheard of. Anyway, I decided to watch it, mainly so I could delete it and increase my 3% remaining recording time. 

With a cup of tea hot in my hand, I settled myself on the sofa and pushed play on the controller. I was met with a curt message stating I had to subscribe to watch the chosen channel. (This was a channel I’d found totally by accident while rummaging the listings, and which had some obscure name I can’t even remember). So, after clicking ‘select’ a few more times just to be sure, I deleted it…..regaining one measly percent in the process.

Now I was bothered. I wanted to know which was the more popular. Twitter or Facebook? And as a member of the female population, what we want we usually get, right?

The only way I would satisfy my curiosity and find out for sure was to look at my own use of the two internet phenomenons.

Facebook:

A few years ago I succumbed internet pressure and joined Facebook. Up until that moment in time I’d been frequenting Friends Reunited, which I thought was the crème da la crème of the social networking world. I’m not embarrassed to admit that when it comes to computers, I’m the least nerdy person I know. I fumble my way through the cyber world on a daily basis and Facebook was no different. I err…, *cough cough* struggled.

BUT, and oh yes this is a big BUT…. once I’d got to grips with the site I absolutely loved it. Friends Reunited, I’m sad to say – oh okay, I’m not sad because now I find it utter rubbish – was cast aside like an ex-boyfriend. By joining Facebook, I found so many more friends and some of whom I’d long since forgotten. It was like reliving my youth all over again.

Twitter:

Then along came twitter. I’d just got to grips with Facebook and to take on another computer based task was daunting and stupid and one I first resisted. But everyone was talking about it and the name ‘twitter’ was thrown at me from every angle. Everywhere I looked I saw its name, luring and daring me to join so, and not one to back out from a challenge, I did. No one was safe from my @-ing and I followed everyone famous I could think of. I ended my fourteen day campaign with; go on guess how many followers? None. I know, I gasped too. It’s a surprise, right? I couldn’t fathom why Ricky Gervais or Eliza Dushku didn’t follow me back. I mean, me? Come on! Distraught, I blamed my laptop, called twitter a ‘loser’ and, on bended knee, grovelled my way back into the arms of Facebook where I felt happy and secure.

But I wasn’t happy. I am and not one who likes to be beaten, and especially by a website, so I revisited twitter a few weeks later. I tweeted about my running the 2010 London Marathon, I tweeted about TV’s Supernatural (don’t ask), and I tweeted about writing. Suddenly I was conversing with other tweeps.

I managed to get a few followers (no they were not all family members or offers of Viagra), these were actually legit followers, and what’s more, I was having fun. I was tweeting over the moon!

Twitter is where I first met author and social media guru Kristen Lamb and was invited to become a Warrior Writer. Then I read her book ‘We Are Not Alone – A Guide To Social Media’ and my life was transformed. Suddenly, ‘Donna Newton’ was a brand with a Facebook Fan Page and somewhere I could chat with other writers and update what I was up to.

I also met my co-writer Natalie Duggan on twitter, which led us to L.A, a TV pilot, and a manager.

Plus, twitter is fun, fast, and quick. I like to talk and I like to ramble, so twitter is perfect for me. I still get a buzz every time I see one of my tweets RT’d (retweeted).

On the other hand, Facebook allows me to talk more – something I really do like doing. 😀 I love conversing with other writers and I like being able to find links and other information easily on one page.

So, Facebook vs Twitter?

That is the million dollar question and one I don’t know the answer to. I do know that both should come with a health warning: “These sites are addictive and bad for time managing your writing.”

So, now tell me which you prefer. Give each a mark out of 10 and we will tally the ratios and see which one fairs.

My verdict is        Facebook 7/10   :     Twitter 8/10

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Writing Success – Talent or Luck?

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 14, 2011| 5 Comments »

Does our success as writers have more to do with luck than talent? Or do you think talent prevails over luck every time?

Well, speaking on behalf of my own experiences, I know it has a little to do with both; talent cannot function without luck and vice versa.

Recently, I co-wrote a Supernatural TV pilot, called ‘The Legend’. I had never written a script before, knew nothing about layout and formatting, but dug in, worked hard, and voila, a pilot was born.

At the end of February, my co-writer friend and I were attending the DFW Writer’s Conference in Texas. Now, I class myself as a thrill seeker, but my co-writer went a step further and thought it would be an excellent opportunity to stop by L.A. and ‘pitch’ the TV idea to some Hollywood bodies. Laughingly, and if not just to humour her, I agreed.

We queried everyone we could think of and arranged some meetings. One meeting in particular surprised me. It was with an entertainment lawyer. I asked my friend why she had contacted an entertainment lawyer, to which she simply replied, “why not?”

That entertainment lawyer read our script and loved it. At around the same time a manager contacted this lawyer, and at the end of their telephone conversation asked if he knew of any ‘new’ writers. He looked at our script and emailed it over to her. She read it, loved it, and promptly contacted us.

Two new script-writers left her office a week later with several projects and ideas to write; she wanted to see anything and everything we wrote.

In essence – we had a manager.

All that came from querying a lawyer. Now I’m not telling you email every lawyer you can think of; we also met with an actor and a producer – both of which have attached to the project. But with each person we met, we were recommended to someone else, and each contact is now a person we have met with personally and can email ideas and projects without the need of a query letter. Hence we have a VIP backdoor where only solicited work is allowed to enter.

So yes, I believe your career is made with a mixture of luck and talent:

Luck – Maybe we didn’t go about querying in the correct manner, but we did it politely and professionally…..and we got the face to face meetings we wanted.

Luck – We happened to be liked, and first impressions seem to be everything in this business.

Talent – That all important synopsis were our hook, and led our readers into wanting the script.

Talent – The script is why wanted people to meet us.

Without these key ingredients, I would not be sitting here now, blogging about my experiences. I walked away from L.A. a very busy girl, but having my writing described as very well written and with strong voice was a boost to an area of writing I am very new at, and being praised as audacious was fun – I mean, me, audacious? Honestly 😀

So, tell me if a mixture of luck and talent has led to any of your successes.

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A Characters Life

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 30, 2010| 14 Comments »

When I look back at the first book I wrote, I feel a twinge of guilt for my characters; all five of them to be precise, if I want to be picky and count the minions.

Why do I feel guilty? Because, unforgivably, I neglected to give them a life. I just dumped them on the wintery London streets of Shad Thames and said “Right, off you go and do this.”

To their credit, they did what I asked, but not to the best of their ability, and that is solely down to me, because I did not spend the time in getting to know them. A year ago, I would have sworn different. I would have told you my heroine was an independent woman, owned a bar and lived a relatively normal life with only her handsome neighbour next door for support. The hero, and her love interest, was an actor who was quiet and thoughtful and ……. Oh my God, so boring!!!

Then I met Kristen Lamb. She told me to write a back story for my antagonist, so I did. I proudly wrote four pages and emailed them over to her. Her reply? “Crap, do it again.” I was mortified. How could it be rubbish? (Yeah, ok, you can stop laughing.) But she was right. It was absolute tosh. Oh, how naïve I was back then.

The reason it was rubbish, and it’s so clear now that I cringe every time I think about letting Kristen read it, was this. My first antagonist was a nice, wholesome, little rich girl who went nuts because the guy she liked was in love with someone else. There was no venom about her. She was kind to others, well liked, popular at school – you get the picture. But my reasoning for creating this totally unrealistic girl, who went off the deep end, was because Glenn Close had done it in Fatal Attraction. If a block busting movie could do it, why couldn’t I? The problem was, Glenn Close was not the normal, hard working, successful woman she appeared to be before Michael Douglas slept with her. If you look closely, she was actually a borderline psychotic and her back story would have backed this up with actions, events and certainly haunting issues.

I was guilty of analysing the plot of a story too much and just letting the characters roll along for the ride. Now, however, and much to my husbands annoyance, I analyse and pick holes in everything on TV. Still, men are there for us women to annoy so I think it is a win-win situation. 😀

So, this is what I have been taught, and would strongly recommend to anyone creating a character:

It starts with their creation. They need a look, a height, and a style. Personally, I look for a picture of an actor or actress and go from there. Then give them a home, a childhood, parents, siblings, pets, school proms, jobs, friends, enemies, lovers, fears, stressors.…. you get the picture. What they do with them after that is then up to you. They can use them, annoy them, play with them or kill them. They can go to jail or become President, but their back story must lead them to the moment you start your book. You cannot have, like I did, a nice antagonist who turns in to a crazy, killing machine, because it is convenient to the plot.

If you are stuck, then I would suggest writing your own biography first. Start with where you were born, who your parents were, if you have any siblings. Remember your childhood memories, relationships, good and bad. Jobs you’ve liked and jobs you’ve hated. Gravesides you have stood at. Tragedies you’ve had the misfortune to bear. All these things define who you are now.

Oh, and one really important thing I have learnt is this. Your protagonist does not have to be perfect. Perfect is BORING! Give her a flaw. Make her human. I guarantee your reader will not dislike them for it.

Look at Mel Gibson in the first Lethal Weapon – he was a suicidal drunk. And Frasier, from the TV show of the same name, has serious commitment issues, but do we hate either of these characters? Do we ‘eck. In fact we become more compassionate towards them.

Now, as always, I want to know something. I want to know who your favourite protagonist is and what flaw they have. Hmmmm….. has that got you thinking?

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