OPEN CALL: MICRO-COMEDY SHORTS

Tees Valley Screen is an exciting new programme of activity delivered by Northern Film + Media and designed to support talent, ambition and growth across the screen industries in the Tees Valley.

As part of this programme Northern Film + Media has teamed up with BFI Network to find six Tees Valley based filmmakers to make exciting, sharable, fresh comedy stings. These shorts are a chance to be playful, experiment, take risks and give new talent the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with regional crew and producers.

We will commission 6 x 90 second films with a budget of £1000 each and support filmmakers to find the right team, plug skills gaps and engage with industry mentors.

Key Criteria:

• WRITER-DIRECTORS: Must be based in the Tees Valley (Middlesbrough, Hartlepool, Stockton-On-Tees and Darlington) only. Directors can come from any filmmaking background both fiction / non-fiction. We also welcome applications from people with track records in other creative areas such as theatre, stand up, digital, marketing etc.
• PRODUCERS can apply to manage the slate or just one. Producers can be based anywhere in the North East.
• All applicants must be over 18 years old and not in full time education.
• Producers and Directors must be available take part in a training workshop in the Tees Valley wk commencing 10^th June. Led by an established producer, the session will cover all the key areas they must be across inc. health + safety, insurance, rights issues etc. This will also be an opportunity to address any issues particular to their films.
• Submissions will be selected by Northern Film + Media and BFI Network.
• Films must be a max of 90 secs in length.

MICRO SHORTS TIMELINE

Launch // May 2^nd 2019

Pre-application surgeries // 21st May 2019 – to signup for a surgery to discuss your ideas email roxy@nfmarchive.northeastscreen.org

Deadline for apps // 10am 3^rd June 2019

Short-listing // 1 week

Commissions announced // 10^th June 2019

Training Workshop // 15^th June 2019

Development sessions // wk beg 17^th June

Production window // 4 weeks

Rough assembly /  7^th July 2019

Final delivery // 15^th July 2019

Screening // September 2019

HOW TO APPLY

Directors

Please submit the following information in PDF format to applications@nfmarchive.northeastscreen.org by 10am on the 3^rd June 2019:

• Script of your comedy short (max 90 secs)
• A one page document including a short synopsis of your idea. A description of your approach as a director touching on tone and visual ambition and any info on cast/talent if you have it. A short biography and one link to a previous film/creative project of your own. Your address and contact details.

Producers

Please submit the following information in a one page PDF doc to applications@nfmarchive.northeastscreen.org by 10am on the 3^rd June 2019:

• Outline how many of the films you would be interested in producing – this can be one, two… or all six
• Tell us why you are interested in producing comedy shorts and how it would benefit your development
• A short biography of you / your company +
• Your address and contact details

Image by Kev Howard courtesy of Andy Berriman