London, 30 March: The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) and Rocliffe have today announced a call for scripts from emerging comedy screenwriters for the BAFTA Rocliffe New Comedy Showcase event. For the fifth consecutive year, three selected writers, or writing partners, will showcase their work in front of some of the biggest names in the US television industry at the New York Television Festival (NYTVF) in October.
The event features professional actors performing extracts of the writers’ scripts to an industry audience, with feedback from a leading US writer, director or producer. Previous chairs of the event include: Stephanie Laing, Executive Producer of Veep and Eastbound and Down; Greg Daniels, writer/producer/director of The Office and Parks and Recreation; and Jenni Konner, writer/producer of Girls.
Applications for BAFTA Rocliffe New Comedy Showcase are open (here) to UK-resident comedy screenwriters who have not yet had a television series commissioned, although they may have broadcast writing credits. The successful entries will be selected by an industry jury of comedy professionals. In 2014 the jury included: Fiona McDermott, Commissioning Editor, Channel 4 Comedy; Ben Boyer, Head of Development, Sky Comedy; Saskia Schuster, Commissioning Editor, ITV Comedy; writer David Quantick (Veep, The Thick of It); producer Jack Bayles (Russell Brand’s Ponderland, The Mimic); writer/producer Anil Gupta (Citizen Khan, The Office); and director Jamie Jay Johnson (Fresh Meat, An Idiot Abroad).
BAFTA, with its local branch BAFTA New York, and Rocliffe are offering this opportunity in partnership with the NYTVF. In addition to the showcase event, the successful writers will receive:
- A New York Television Festival ‘Official Artist’ pass;
- Travel and accommodation for the festival for the lead writer;
- A year’s free access to BAFTA’s Learning and Events programme;
- Access to bespoke industry networking opportunities including development mentoring sessions with UK comedy commissioners and independent production companies, and one-to-one meetings with top talent agents.
The early bird deadline for entries is Saturday 25 April 2015. The final deadline for entries is Saturday 23 May 2015. Applicants must submit a ten page extract from their sit-com or sketch show for consideration for the showcase. For full application details, and terms and conditions, go to: http://bit.ly/BAFTARocliffe. All writers who submit will receive an industry standard report to enable them to progress their idea.
Last year’s winning writers have built on their BAFTA Rocliffe success to develop their careers in the industry. Writing pair Daniel Brierley and Nicole Paglia, whose script, American Nails, was showcased at the NYTVF last year, won development deals with Channel 4 and Investigation Discovery, and are developing an idea for Sundance TV, who they also met at the festival. Individually, Nicole is now Story Editor on BAFTA-winning animated series The Amazing World of Gumball whilst Daniel has been commissioned to develop a treatment for a new sitcom starring Alex Macqueen (Inbetweeners, The Thick of It). Daniel and Nicole said: “The NYTVF was an amazing experience…the whole process opens up so many doors – suddenly people are getting back to you, answering your calls and reading your scripts. It’s a great shot in the arm. The NYTVF also gives you the chance to pitch ideas directly to broadcasters, which is invaluable.”
Andrew Newman, Chair of the BAFTA Television Committee, said: “The BAFTA Rocliffe New Comedy Showcase has become a key way for BAFTA to identify and support budding British comedy talent, giving brilliant writers the chance to break in to the industry by presenting their work in New York and pitching to some of the most influential figures in the business. It’s always exciting to discover new voices in comedy writing, and even more so to be able to champion them internationally.”
Charles Tremayne, Chairman of BAFTA New York, said: “We are delighted that this event has grown every year so that it is now a high point of our events calendar in New York. It is the perfect illustration of what BAFTA is all about – giving emerging writers the chance to come face to face with people who have made it to the top in comedy. It’s true creativity at its most positive. We can’t wait to review the entries for this year’s event.”
Terence Gray, Founder and Executive Director of the New York Television Festival, said: “We’re thrilled and honoured to partner once again with BAFTA and the Rocliffe Forum to bring outstanding comedy writers to the New York Television Festival. In the first four years of the program we saw exceptional success from the selected participants and we look forward to sharing this year’s finalists with our industry partners.”
Farah Abushwesha, Founder of Rocliffe, said: “I’ve always believed that new voices are needed to sustain an industry. This initiative helps newer writers cut through the noise, giving them a foot in the door to develop their voice and educate them about the business of the industry. The advantages we offer aren’t easy to find. This is not just a script showcase; we assist writers in creating careers.”
Further Information
For further information, please contact Kindred
- Daisy Jestico | Tel: 020 7010 0843 | Email: Daisy.Jestico@kindredagency.com
- Hollie Rendall | Tel: 020 7010 0829 | Email: Hollie.Rendall@kindredagency.com
