COURSE OVERVIEW
If you're an up-and-coming writer, this is an opportunity not to be missed!
With a focus on building a more inclusive film and television industry, Left Bank Pictures and the NFTS, with support from Sony Pictures Television, are looking for four up-and-coming screenwriters from lower socio-economic backgrounds to join a paid writers’ development programme.
The eight-week Diverse Writers’ Development Programme engages writers in writing exercises in order to generate television drama concepts that are commercially viable. Concepts may be considered for further development by the studio, but this is not guaranteed.
As well as the opportunity to work alongside other writers on professional briefs, the selected writers will also benefit from a curriculum designed to strengthen their creative and professional development, as well as overall knowledge of the Studio production process from script to screen. The Programme will provide access to production executives from Left Bank Pictures and potentially other production companies, as well as other industry professionals.
The Programme is operated with additional editorial and financial support from Sony Pictures Television.
Sony Pictures Television’s backing of the Diverse Writers’ Development Programme comes through the SPT Creative Diversity Fund (‘CDF’), which was established in 2021 by Sony Pictures Television’s International Production division to support the recruitment, development and retention of under-represented talent within the television industry. The CDF now forms part of Sony Pictures Entertainment’s ongoing D&I activity, working towards bringing meaningful, substantial change to the industry. The initiative has created over 150 real-world individual career advancement opportunities for diverse talent on real projects: from first breaks, to ‘step up’ opportunities, to attaining show credits, and aims to foster long-lasting relationships between this talent and SPT. The CDF has also partnered and collaborated with nearly 20 industry schemes and initiatives which accelerate opportunity and exposure for underrepresented talent.
Left Bank Pictures is a SPT-backed company.
Content Tabs
Four participants will work in a writers’ room together on four series ideas from a set brief. Each writer will lead the room for a single week with an experienced writer who will support the participants and help guide/lead the room.
Before the programme begins, each writer will be given a brief with a number of categories (for example, ‘a contemporary international thriller’), from which they will choose two categories and pitch two ideas. One idea from each writer will be selected. Then across four weeks, the four selected ideas will be worked on collaboratively to develop a pitch, bible and episode breakdown of each of the writers’ proposed show.
At the end of each room the writers will pitch the finished series ideas to executives from participating companies, who will have the option to pick up the concepts for further development.
During the course of the Programme four full series ideas will be developed and pitched.
Writers selected to participate in the programme will be hired by the NFTS and paid £1,000 per week gross, less applicable deductions required by law for eight weeks and will sign an agreement requiring a non-exclusive but full-time commitment during the term of the Programme.
Should a writer’s material or the material co-developed during the Programme be identified as having development potential, an option to acquire the writer’s material during and at the end of the Programme may be activated by Left Bank Pictures. If any of the ideas developed as part of the writer’s rooms are picked up then a template option agreement (which all the writers will have signed up to at the outset of the Programme) will be used to acquire the writer’s material.
The scheme is for screenwriters from lower socio-economic backgrounds who are on the cusp of taking the next step in their career. Our expectation is that the experience of working with executives from NFTS and Left Bank Pictures will give participants unparalleled exposure to professional briefs, enabling them to refine their skills and expertise in a real-world context.
In order to qualify for the NFTS Diverse Writers Development Programme, applicants must meet the criteria below. For further information please visit the FAQs. You must:
- Be from a Lower Socio-Economic Background (LSEB).
- Have the right to work in the UK. (If you are shortlisted you will need to provide proof of your right to work in the UK).
- This is not an entry level opportunity, we are looking to work with writers with some experience who are ready to take the next step.
- Be available to participate in the Programme from April 2025.
You are NOT eligible to apply if you have done any of the following:
- Written a theatrically-distributed, scripted, non-documentary feature film.
- Written one or more scripted, non-documentary episodes of a television, or premium streaming series.
- 17th February 2025 – Application deadline
- Mid April 2025 – In person interviews and participants selected
- End April 2025 – Announce participants and meet with Left Bank executives
- Mid May 2025 – Programme begins
- Mid July 2025 – Programme ends
To apply, please send the following four elements (in one email) to diversewritersprogramme@nfts.co.uk.
- A one page CV detailing your professional work, education and filmography. Please include a covering letter that outlines why you would like to join the Programme, why you consider yourself to come from a Lower Socio-Economic Background (LSEB) and why it’s the right juncture in your career to do so.
- A writing sample of up to fifteen pages, that showcases your unique tone and voice. This can be a short script or an extract from a longer script. (If it is an extract, it should be accompanied by a brief - one page maximum - outline of the whole script). This sample can be from any genre. The sample must be a scripted, live action, narrative work with dialogue. All scripts must be submitted via PDF in a format consistent with industry standard.
- A completed Equality Monitoring Form.
We are looking for original writers with a distinctive voice, so AI should not be used in your work or your application.
If you are called to interview you will be sent a copy of the contract you will sign to be employed by the NFTS for eight weeks and a copy of the option agreement.
The closing date for applications is Monday 17th February 2025 at midnight.
After applications close the selection process will take place as follows:
Stage 1
A panel from the National Film and Television School will read all eligible applications submitted material by the end of March 2025.
We will be looking for applications who are at the appropriate stage in their filmmaking careers to benefit from this opportunity, whose work shows passion, real promise and excites the panel.
The NFTS panel will shortlist 12-15 people for interview.
Stage 2
12-15 applicants will be shortlisted to attend an interview to discuss their application with both the NFTS and Left Bank. You will be notified by early April 2025 if you have progressed to this stage.
Bursaries are available to help those in need of financial support to meet the out of pocket expenses of attending the interview.
PAID OPPORTUNITY
Writers selected to participate in the Writers’ Development Programme will be hired by the NFTS and paid £1,000 per week for eight weeks, less applicable deductions required by law, under an agreement requiring a non-exclusive but full-time commitment during the term of the programme
- Frequently Asked Questions
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Q: Where will the programme be based?
A: In Central London.
Q: When is the closing date for applications?
A: Monday 17th February 2025 (at midnight).Q: The course info says applicants must be from Lower Socio-Economic Backgrounds (LSEB), how do you define this?
A: This year, we are focusing on the accessibility of this programme to those from Lower Socio-Economic Backgrounds (LSEB). We recognise that those from LSEB’s can sometimes face challenges entering the industry and that a lack of an industry network or professional connections can often contribute to this. We are particularly encouraging applicants from LSEB’s and you are welcome to share information regarding your socio-economic background in your application, should you feel comfortable to do so.For further guidance on socio-economic backgrounds please refer to the links below:
Simplifying how employers measure socio-economic background: An accompanying report to new guidance
The National Statistics Socio-economic classification (NS-SEC)
Q: What happens if I apply after the deadline has closed?
A: Your application will not be considered.Q: Can I continue with my existing employment and participate in the Writers Room?
A: No. The eight weeks of the programme requires full time attendance and engagement. Writers will be paid £1,000 a week throughout the programme, less applicable deductions required by law.Q: Can I apply if I am outside the UK?
A: No, you must be physically present in the United Kingdom to apply.Q: Will the NFTS/Left Bank pay my travel, housing and transportation costs during the programme?
A: No. The NFTS/Left Bank will not provide travel, housing and transportation arrangements during the programme. The £1,000 stipend per week should be put towards any direct costs incurred.Q: Who owns the written material produced as part of the room?
A: Left Bank Pictures shall have the option to develop anything you write as part of the Programme and you shall be attached as a writer. If a work is not picked up for further development, the rights to the work shall be re-assigned to the relevant writer(s).
