CBBC Shortlist Names & Script Titles

Just in case anyone is interested, here are the names of those shortlisted for the CBBC comp, and the lovely, interesting titles. A bit about the Masterclass, too:

WRITERSROOM LINK

CBBC - Link to Writersroom Blog About Recent Comp

Paul Ashton says: "We did receive a fair proportion of scripts that showed promising writing and writers - but that just didn't really connect with the brief and the potential audience. In fact, we received a lot of scripts in general that didn't have central characters below the age of 12, that were unsuitable for a 6-12 audience, that weren't particularly imagined and told from the child's point of view. We also received a lot of scripts covering very similar precincts and ideas. For example, school - first day of school, bullying at school, geeks at school, weird conspiracy/sci-fi/alien/monster at school. We had a lot of portals into other dimensions, plenty of time travel, a fair few goblins/monsters/aliens."

MORE HERE:

WRITERSROOM CBBC BLOG LINK

Look Who's Being Commissioned!!

BROADCAST COMMISSIONING LINK

Who is buying WHAT??

Do you Outline or Not?

I was looking over at Scott Myers' BLOG, which always fascinates me. He's discussing outlines, and links to a post he wrote a while back: LINK HERE TO HOW PAUL SCHRADER OUTLINES, THEN RE-OUTLINES

Personally, I tend to write lots of notes about my idea, then write a short story of sorts, and then start the script. Sometimes, I don't need to refer to my notes, because the actual writing of the notes, then the story, has fixed things firmly in my mind, and I then feel free to write it in script form.

HOW ABOUT YOU??

Writing Neuroses ... mine are rare, yours may be legion

Writing Neuroses ... mine are rare, yours may be legion LINK

I loved this post when i read it on Kay Sexton's Blog, which I discovered through a link on my mate Quillers' Blog. LINK TO QUILLERS' BLOG

CBBC - Well done to the Twenty - On to the Next Thing

I didn't hear anything from CBBC, so I'll take it that my script didn't get to a second reading, though I know two people whose scripts DID make it through to a second read, so WELL DONE to: LINK TO BANG2WRITE'S BLOG AND: SOFLUID'S BLOG

ALSO, there's mention of MATT SINCLAIR who DID make it through: LINK TO JEZ FREEDMAN'S BLOG

Well done to the above writers, and onwards and upwards onto the next project. I mean, there were over 700 entries, so that's absolutely brilliant to have made a second reading.

I'm thinking about what to write next, and my idea that I mentioned earlier, is still fermenting, so, that's the objective for today - think some more, start with notes, take it forward.

CCBC - Anyone Heard Anything?

The suspense is killing me!! I feel all jittery and strange. Hope that's a good omen.

I know on one bit of the Writersroom rules it said: Will hear BY Friday, then somewhere else it said bluntly: Will hear ON Friday.

Come on! Get in there!

That's a cheer for ALL OF US!

New Idea

I have an idea for my next project. It's a tv drama, but veering towards comedy/drama, so maybe a black comedy? Heck, I dunno.

Anyhow, I have the idea, though not yet written notes, which is always my first job. But it got me thinking...do I know what i'm going to do with this at the end? I always like to be working towards something, writing to some purpose. So, first off, I'm going to scout around some of the deadlines calendars, and seek out an opportunity. Once I've found something that might be suitable to send the script to, I shall begin my noterly scribbles.

CBBC - Over 700 Entries to the Comp

WRITERSROOM CBBC LINK

Wow! That's a LOT of entries. If we, fellow Bloggers, get through to the shortlist, we deserve a very big pat on the back. That is a large amount of scripts to sift and sort, but hope still reigns supreme.

CBBC Script Finished & Ready To Go!!

All I can say is Phew!

I have to thank Michelle (Sofluid) MICHELLE'S BLOG and Paul PAUL's BLOG for crtiquing my first draft. The critiques were enormously helpful and I then embarked on a re-write. I ditched some of it, added to it and overhauled a lot of it.

I now think the script reads like an action packed, children's tv script, rather than a story that lacked oomph.

Anyway, it's bagged and tagged and ready to go to the BBC tomorrow morning. It's cutting it fine, but it should get there.

Hope one of us is successful.

CBBC Q & A From BBC Writersroom

This is absolutely invaluable!!

BBC WRITERSROOM Q & A LINK

CBBC - First Draft Finished!

It's late, but I had to post that I've finished the first draft. It's been quite hard going today, but worth it.

I'm pleased with it, although it needs tweaking and a good going over, to check facts, and edit, edit, edit, then I may just have a decent script to send in to the comp.

Yowzers!

CBBC - Over Halfway There...ribbon in sight...

I'm feeling better about this project. I'm really into the flow now, and am over halfway there. More writing tonight, then once finished, tidy up and chip away at unnecessary evils.

Writing for children isn't as easy as it sounds. You have to first of all think about the budget, amount of lines children can cope with, fitting adult scenes in to break it all up, speak from a child's point of view, have plenty of action and less dialogue. Yes, it's not at all easy, but then, if it was, we wouldn't need to work on our scripts like we do, and really, that's half the fun, or angst, whichever way you look at it. Bit of both for me, actually.

I read some useful info from fellow Bloggers about the CBBC Q & A session held recently in London, so here are the links to those posts & those brilliant Blogs:

LINK TO SOFLUID (Michelle's) CBBC Q & A BLOG POST.

LINK TO NEIL BAKER'S CBBC Q & A BLOG POST

LINK TO KATIE MCCULLOUGH'S CBBC Q & A BLOG POST

CBBC - Deadline Looming

I really am trying, I am! I keep going off on tangents, creating new ideas, making things so much more difficult than they should be. Or am I? Isn't it meant to be difficult anyway, this process of putting ideas and characters into a readable, gripping format??

I'm nowhere near finished, but I do like working this way, with not much time left. It kind of forces me to keep on, to make sure I puff and pant my way to the winning post, break the ribbon, shout Hurrah!

Just letting you know, I am trying.

CCB Script - So Far So Good

Well, I've started proper. I scribbled an outline, filled it in a bit, then started thinking about characters - who they are, what they like etc. I've now started writing the body, and have been offered a script exchange with Sofluid, so that's given me the impetus to get it right, because somebody will be having a look at it. Yeah!

Brussels Film Festival - Film Story Competition

Well, I saw the link for this on BBC Writersroom, promptly posted it on Twitter, then somebody informed me that the deadline was next day (today - Friday). Must pay more attention in future. Of course, I didn't have time to write anything new, but seeing as they seemed to be looking for a story premise rather than a fully fledged script, I sorted through my story files and sent two to them last night.

The prize is a free place on a Script Factory course of your choice. That would be quite nice.

I don't think I'll have a chance, but hey, at least I sent something, and you never know.

Newsjack - BBC New Topical Sketch Show

It's open to everyone to write for. Newsjack takes a comical look at the week's news stories.

Check out the BBC Writersroom Link below

LINK TO THIS OPPORTUNITY AT BBC WRITERSROOM

Meet Head of CBBC in London Re: CBBC Script Opportunity

To tie in with the launch of the CBBC New Writers competition to find exciting new writers for Children's Drama, BBC writersroom is proud to present the new head of CBBC Drama Steven Andrew in conversation with Kate Rowland.

BBC WRITERSROOM LINK

Know Any Young Fiction Writers?

Here's a fiction writing comp for ages eight to eighteen:


LINK TO YOUNG FICTION WRITER COMP


Credit to Womagwriter, on whose Blog I found the link: LINK TO WOMAGWRITER'S BLOG

Script Call for UK Horror Film

Found this on Danny Stack's brilliant site:

LINK