Spark Scriptwriting Scheme
Our Spark scriptwriting scheme is for new and emerging writers with demonstrable commitment and a passionate desire to develop a screenwriting career. Spark provides talented screenwriters with the opportunity to develop their skills and originate marketable projects that have broad appeal. At the end of the scheme all projects will be assessed on merit, Screen Yorkshire will make available up to £10,000 in support of further development for those that are considered to have the potential to be commissioned and produced.
Following a record breaking number of applications, we are delighted to announce the successful applicants to SPARK 2007/2008. The programme kicks off on 12 October, with the first writers residential weekend in Hebden Bridge. Congratulations to the writers listed below alongside the title of their project.
TV WRITERS
Nicky Cowan - Neighbourhood Watch
Stephen Hallett - Stowaway
Matthew Cooper - Sporting Men
Jan Ruppe - Guarding The Scene
Sal Fulcher - Eurorail
FEATURE FILM EXPERIENCED
Susan Everett - Breaking The Spell
Brian Martin - The Enemies Within
Prakash Patel - Wanted
Michael Stewart - Slap Happy
Margaret Rogerson - Camp X
FEATURE FILM NEW WRITERS
Shai Hussain - Til Jihad Do Us Part
Boff Whalley - Waiting For The End Of The World
Mark Oswin - No Future
J.C Marshall - The Gates
Finn Dudaniec - Paris
We would like to say a big thank you to everybody that applied to this year's scheme - the outstanding number of applications made the selection process a big challenge. Make sure you keep up to date with future schemes relevant to writers - register and sign up to our monthly e-bulletin here.
If you have any queries regarding the scheme please contact Will Massa on will@screenyorkshire.co.uk or call 0113 294 4410
Case StudyAnnie Watson took part in Spark 2006
Annie Watson's script Invisible was selected as one of the two scripts to be developed as part of Screen Yorkshire's Spark scheme. It is a psychological thriller about a mother at the end of her tether with three young children and an unappreciative husband. She feels invisible and then actually becomes invisible and enters a parallel world full of invisible people. She discovers a great deal about herself, not all of it so good, and finally must decide if she wants to dissolve into an 'abyss of nothingness' or fight to become visible again and be with her family. ‘It's a happy ending!' says Annie.
Annie Watson said the following about her experience on Spark:
‘Spark was an incredibly useful, inspiring and enjoyable scheme which came at exactly the right moment for me, having struggled to write a feature script in the previous year. The structure of meetings and homework worked well and having specified time to just think and write was such a pleasure! I learnt so much about the importance of genres and structuring and cannot imagine that this information will cease to be useful for my future writing projects. Thank you Screen Yorkshire.'
