V03-BRSC24 - 04 Mar 2024

BAFTA ROCLIFFE COMPETITION 2024

HOW TO ENTER, GUIDELINES, TERMS AND CONDITIONS

DEADLINES

TV Comedy - Sitcom or Sketch - this includes Sitcom or Sketch shows that are live action or animation.

Applications for TV Comedy open on 15-Feb-2024, 12pm.

Bursary applications - use the bursary form*. This must be submitted by 11-Mar-2024, 11am.

Script call closes - 21-Mar-2024 - 5pm.

Virtual Showcase Event Summer - 2024.

Film will return in 2024.

TV Drama and Children & YA will return in 2025.

Submission reports are sent to all entrants up to one week before the Event.

PRIZES

SHOWCASED WRITERS OR FINALISTS
Complimentary Access to select BAFTA events and networking for 12 months.

Industry Online Showcase at BAFTA with professional actors & directors.

One-to-one development discussion.

A bespoke career planning and profile building session to provide support in navigating the industry.

Exposure to the industry and feature on BAFTA & ROCLIFFE Websites.

Become part of the BAFTA Rocliffe Alumni with ongoing support.

BAFTA and Rocliffe endeavour to facilitate meetings with third parties i.e. agents, development execs and production companies for the selected writers, but all subsequent negotiations with writers following those meetings are between the writer and the third party.

The seven SHORTLISTED WRITERS will be announced in the Rocliffe Newsletter and in the BAFTA handout posted on the BAFTA and Rocliffe websites.

APPLYING FOR A BURSARY

(SEE NOTE BELOW**)

If you cannot afford the entry fee you can apply by filling in a bursary form up to 11-Mar-2024, 11am. If your bursary application is successful, you will be asked to accept within 24 hours and must submit your entry by midday on 15-Mar-2024 - please note that this is earlier than the final deadline.

If you are successful you will be contacted by phone by 12-Mar-2024: we will only contact you if you have been awarded a BURSARY. Unsuccessful bursary applications will not be informed: we will post on social media when these have been allocated.

Once you have been awarded a bursary, fill in the online form but you will not need to pay for your application when prompted to do so. Your bursary will be applied by BAFTA and Rocliffe representatives after you have submitted as they have the list of approved bursary entries.

You will need to submit your entry by midday on 15-Mar-2024 which is before the closing date. If you choose not to submit, please let us know as we have a waiting list and this early submission deadline gives them the chance to enter before the general deadline.

THE ENTRY PROCESS

https://apply.bafta.org/entrant/

Create an application for the BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Competition.

Ensure you find and select the correct category.

Pay (please follow the below steps to pay for your application).

PAYMENT PROCESS

Entry is £58 per submission.

We charge one submission fee per script.

There is no maximum submission limit per writer, however each submission will incur an entry fee.

Each script extract entered must include a non-refundable fee.

Payments are made after you have submitted your application form.

You must make your payment within 48 hours of submitting your application.

To pay please follow these steps:

After you have submitted your application you will be taken to an ‘Application Submitted’ page.

Select ‘Preview invoice’.

You will be taken to a page showing your invoice.

Select ‘Continue to payment’.

You do not need to enter a PO Number; please leave this box blank.

Type ‘I AM SURE’ where indicated.

Proceed to payment.

NOTIFICATIONS

You will receive a notification from BAFTA and this is acknowledgement of your entry with your Entry ID.

You will not hear from us again until up to two weeks prior to the showcase date. We inform ALL entrants if they were successful or not. Queries prior to this date will delay the process.

TECHNICAL QUERIES ONLY - contact apply@bafta.org for technical queries if any information is incorrect: we will do our best to accommodate changes but cannot do so after the closing date.

REPORTS

All entries will receive a feedback report from our readers.

This is sent up until the week before the showcase. The aim is to help the writer to progress to their next draft.

All feedback reports are sent via email up to one week before the showcase event date. Reports will only be available for 3 months after they have been sent.

Do not contact BAFTA regarding reports, as it is not responsible for the content of these reports; they are an independent service organised by Rocliffe. Rocliffe works with readers who have read for leading production companies and industry initiatives.

Please contact office@rocliffe.com after the showcase date if you haven’t received your report.

OTHER RULES ABOUT ENTERING

Entrants retain the copyright to any script or pitch idea developed by the entrant as a result of being selected.

The copyright of all scripts sent to us remains with the writer.

Similarities will occur and we are often surprised by the number of similar ideas, concepts and themes in a call.

We will not pass the work of any writer to third parties, outside of the panel or jury, without first contacting the writer.

We do not retain copies of scripts that have been unsuccessful.

Entries must be the original work of the entrant, and must not infringe the rights of any other party.

BAFTA & Rocliffe accept no liability if entrants ignore these rules and entrants agree to fully indemnify BAFTA & Rocliffe against any claims by third parties arising from breach of these rules.

Entrants must be available to attend the event (if selected by the judging process).

Entries received that do not contain ALL materials outlined (see YOUR ENTRY) will be judged on what you submit and ONLY if payment has been made.

Entrants can enter individually or as part of a writing team. All writers will be acknowledged in the billing.

It must be one of the writers who submits the work.

All entries must be written primarily in English with translation provided for any foreign language sections.

Entering the BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Forum constitutes permission to use the writers’ names, script title, short synopsis to be used for publicity & handouts without additional permission being sought.

BAFTA and Rocliffe reserve the right to cancel the BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Forum and propose a new date or to amend these terms and conditions at any time. If this is deemed necessary, a notice will be posted on: www.bafta.org and www.rocliffe.com.

Writers do not perform in or direct their own work.

BAFTA and Rocliffe reserve the right to reject any entry for any reason at their absolute discretion. BAFTA and Rocliffe’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Submission of an entry confirms that the entrant's acceptance of the terms and conditions are governed by the laws of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

We respectfully remind entrants that verbal or written abusive language will not be tolerated or excused.

ELIGIBILITY

The writer submitting must hold a UK passport or be able to prove you have resided in the UK for two years prior to the final closing date.

Writers must not have series creator credits on major platforms and broadcasters.

We are looking for new voices - here is the experience permitted: micro budget feature (more than three years old), webisodes, shorts, writing on existing shows, documentary credits. These will not exclude you from entering: if in doubt write to office@rocliffe.com.

You must be 18 or over one month before the closing date.

Previous finalists are not eligible to enter.

You must not be a BAFTA or Rocliffe employee.

Proof of age and identity for eligibility may be requested.

BAFTA & Rocliffe’s decision as to the eligibility of individual entrants will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.

SUBMISSION MATERIALS

▪ Script Title

▪ Short synopsis (25 words)

▪ Treatment (300 words max): this is an overview of the entire series - NOT JUST THE EXTRACT.

▪ Character breakdown of featured characters in extract (50 words per character max).

▪ Introduction to extract that sets the scene (100 words) – what happens before the extract to provide necessary context to the reader. State the genre(s) and if it is animation or live action. State what is appropriate: do not include biographical information or inspiration, and write in the third person. Please include the genre, setting and period.

▪ TV series/Sitcom must include 3 - 6 episode guides at 30 - 50 words each.

▪ Ten page extract from the script - this can be anywhere from the script.

WE DO NOT REQUIRE THE WHOLE SCRIPT.

NOTES ABOUT THE SUBMISSION MATERIALS

Please ensure your file is a PDF.

Materials are uploaded as part of the submitted application form; please do not email them separately.

Please name your files: ‘Your Script Title – Extract’ and ‘Your Script Title – Supporting Materials’

You can find an example of layout of supporting materials at: https://www.rocliffe.com/BRNWFExampleSupportingMaterials.pdf

‘Submission materials’ should contain the following in the below order (3 pages max, font size 12, Arial/TNR/Courier)

For the ‘Extract’ standard script formatting as per BBC Writersroom guidelines.

Submit with the un-marked materials.

Consecutive scenes within a 10-page extract of the script that can come anywhere in the script

The extract must end at 10 pages, subsequent pages will not be considered. Any further pages beyond 10 (excluding title page) will not be read.

Font size no smaller than 12

Script pages should be numbered 1-10

Script extracts should be typed and follow standard script formats (Rocliffe recommend Celtx or Final draft software)

Do not send full scripts - we won’t read beyond the first 10 pages

Support materials must not exceed three pages.

It is the responsibility of the writer to ensure their entry materials are correct and present.

Please do not include artwork, illustrations or casting suggestions.

FOR TV Drama or TV Comedy we will be accepting TV Series, features and shorts. They can be animation or live action.

FOR Comedy Sketch Shows: These are a series of sketches which can have recurring characters: examples are FAMALAM BBC 3 or the CATHERINE TATE SHOW

FOR SitCom - This is a serialised comedic program where each episode revolves around a different situation: examples are MUM or MOTHERLAND or THE YOUNG OFFENDERS.

Please ensure your name is not provided on any submitted materials. If your name is provided your application will be unsubmitted and sent back to you. You will be asked to re-submit.

JUDGING CRITERIA & PROCESS

The readers, panellists and jurors are not told the name, gender or experience of the writer. Only the work is judged and on the following criteria:

The originality of the voice and strength of the idea.

The accomplishment and quality of the writing of the sample script extract.

The strength of the voice and potential in the writer.

All scripts are read and go through the following process:

Stage One – Entries are distributed to the readers. The readers will assess the entry against the above criteria and recommend entries to form part of the long-list they deem to have the most potential.

Stage Two (Long-list) – An industry panel reads all reader recommended entries and selects a short-list of up to 10 to be distributed to the Jury. Entries need to be recommended by two panellists to go to the long-list.

Stage Three (Short-list) – The shortlisted writers are given up to five days over a weekend to rewrite their extracts and supporting material in light of feedback. Writers are not permitted at this stage to share their status of being shortlisted, as this could jeopardise the anonymity of the selection process.

Stage Four (Finalists) – The redrafted entries are read by the industry Jury who discuss the entries and select three finalists.

All writers will be notified of the status of their entries and informed whether they were SHORTLISTED ONLY. The three showcased writers or finalists will be informed and their scripts performed at a showcase hosted by BAFTA and Rocliffe.The Jury’s decision is absolute. We cannot provide any feedback to writers beyond their reader reports.

Our readers also remain anonymous so no further feedback can be given beyond the initial feedback report. We also cannot facilitate connecting you with the reader once the competition is over, in order to protect the identities and anonymity of our readers for their services for the BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Competition.

This is a competition and showcased writers are referred to as “showcased writers, finalists and winners of the BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Initiative ie. “Comedy - Year”. Showcased writers are part of BAFTA Rocliffe initiative alumni.

No reference should be made to it as an “award” or having “won an award”.

BURSARY QUALIFYING FACTORS**

Applicants who have dependents, are carers, are in receipt of benefits, are in education, who work less than 16 hours a week, or are on minimum wage can apply for a bursary to cover the cost of entry. We also make allowances for people outside of this scope.

To apply for the bursary fund, please fill in an application form found here - bursary form - before the Bursary Deadline (see DATES AND DEADLINES) and wait to hear from a Rocliffe representative regarding the status of your bursary application before taking any further steps.

Should be successful, you will then need to fill out a competition application form: do not pay for your application when prompted to do so after you have submitted. All information is treated with discretion and respect.

The Bursary Deadline is listed in the DATES AND DEADLINES section.

You must email us with your script ID once you have submitted.

Failure to do so will mean the opportunity will be passed on to the next person in the waiting list and you will no longer be eligible.

The recipients are at the discretion of BAFTA and Rocliffe.

BAFTA and Rocliffe’s decision with regards to the bursary recipients will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Please let us know before the final deadline if you are unable to take this up. As we then have time to offer it to another candidate.

If your bursary application is not successful you will be contacted and required to submit and pay for an application in order for your application to be considered.

HAPPY ENTERING & BEST OF LUCK!

ROCLIFFE & BAFTA

V03 3 Mar 2024