FAQ's
How do I apply?
1. How do I apply to the fund?
There is a simple application form to complete – one for first time feature filmmakers or one for established filmmakers. If you're a first time filmmaker, then you can apply online. If you're an established filmmaker, then you can only apply by way of hard copy. There is a small amount of information that we need to process the application and it is clearly explained on the forms.
2. How long will an application take?
The application form will be acknowledged within 14 days and an acknowledgement receipt sent. If we are interested in your proposal/project we will contact you as soon as possible - depending on the volume of applications – to discuss it further. We may ask you to send in further materials such as a complete example of your work to help us in the assessment.
3. Can I talk to someone about my project? Or come in and pitch it to you before applying?
It is not usual to be able to discuss a project without you giving us some brief written details about the project first, which you can do by completing the application form. If we feel the project has potential, we will contact you to arrange a meeting or find out more on the phone.4. What projects are you looking for?
We are not prescriptive about projects. We are looking for good material from talented people that has the potential to get made well and be seen in the cinema. We are aware that this can come in many forms.5. My project is not set in the UK – is it eligible?
It is not necessary for projects to be set in the UK but there must be some UK elements to the project – eg personnel, story, subject matter. If there is a production company attached to the project already, that company must be based in the UK or a member country of the EU.
6. Can I apply with more than one project?
Yes, but each one has to come with its own application form and will be judged separately.
7. Can I apply by myself?
Yes, so long as you're writing the project. Producers and/or directors cannot apply without someone who is going to write the project.8. The First Feature Film Development awards are announced quarterly. So when should I apply? Is there a deadline? Will I stand a better chance if I apply just before the award is going to be announced?
There is no deadline for applications and when you apply makes no difference to the chances of success. The best time to apply is when you feel absolutely ready. There is no point rushing your application and sending in something with which you are unhappy.
Which stream do I apply for?
1. I've never made a film before, can I still apply?
You should apply to our First Feature Film Development Programme.
2. I've made some short films before, which stream should I apply for?
To our First Feature Film Development Programme, which is for everyone who has yet to have a feature film released theatrically in the cinema or broadcast on TV.
3. I've made a feature film, which stream should I apply for?
Has the film been released in the cinemas or broadcast in TV? If it has, then you should apply to the Feature Film Development Programme. If it hasn't then you can still apply to the First Feature Film Development Programme.
4. I'm a commissioned writer in television / a playwright / novelist / journalist. Which stream should I apply for?
If you haven't yet written a feature film that's been released in cinemas (or broadcast on TV), then you should still apply for the First Feature Film Development Programme.
5. I don't have an agent, can I still apply?
Yes.
6. What if one of my team is experienced and the others are not?
It depends on who that member of the team is. First Feature Film Development Programme is primarily intended for writers and writer/directors who have not yet had a feature film broadcast on TV or released in cinemas. If your writer is the experienced member of your team you cannot apply to the First Feature Film Development Programme.
7. If I am an experienced producer working with a first-time writer/director where do I apply? Should I apply to the First Feature Film Development Programme?
You're technically eligible for both but as the First Feature Film Development Development Programme is all about nurturing new talent, we'd encourage you to apply to this stream. It's an award structured on friendly terms, which enables the writer to write their idea without it costing you anything. It can be simpler to administer so you can get started on the project as soon as possible.
8. What's the audiovisual arena and why is there this exception to first-timers in the Feature Film Development Programme?
The audiovisual arena refers to the other creative arts with a dramatic and visual storytelling basis to them. We realise there are exceptional circumstances where, although you may not have made a film before, you could be very experienced in a different area of the arts and that the cost of achieving your objective for a feature film may exceed the development costs that we can normally award in the First Feature Film Development Programme. In such rare instances, you should give a detailed explanation of why you are applying to the Feature Film Development Programme rather than the First Feature Film Development Programme. We will accept your application in this stream at our discretion.
9. Can I apply to both funding streams at once with the same project?
No. In the very rare instances when an applicant would be eligible for both, they should only apply in one stream alone. If in doubt, apply to the first film programme and we will reassign you if appropriate.
What are the application requirements?
1. Should the half page summary on why I want to make the film be from the writer or producer?
Ideally it should be from the writer. They're the ones who have to write the script and we want to know what their take is on it.2. If I'm applying to the First Feature Development Programme for funding, why do I have to write the first 15 to 20 pages of my film for free?
This is your opportunity to show off your talent as a cinematic writer, as well as showing the potential of your idea. We want to see the talent, passion and commitment you will bring to this particular project.3. In the First Feature Development Programme, why do you only ask for the first 15 to 20 pages of the script?
We get a high volume of applications, and the first 15 to 20 pages of your screenplay - combined with a treatment for the whole film, a half page synopsis, a vision statement and a logline – gives us enough information to assess whether the writing and idea are of a sufficient quality to investigate further. .4 . Why do you ask for different length synopses, treatments, etc? Isn't one enough?
We want to get a sense of your idea and its potential. Sometimes in the development process, an early draft screenplay fails to convey the strengths of the idea. But a treatment, synopsis or a logline might. These different materials are a series of different opportunities for you to tell us what your film is going to be.
How much money can I ask for?
1. How much money can I ask for?
For First Feature Film Development awards, the maximum amount is £25,000. You don't need to specify on the form how much you want or how you want to break this figure down.
2. Do I have to have match funding?
You do not need match funding to apply for the First Feature Film Development Programme.
Who actually looks at my application?
1. Who looks at my application?
At least two people will have looked at your application.2. Why might you only read a portion of my creative materials?
We hope to read everything you send in to us. But we may only review a portion in order to assess the creative merits of your writing. It needs to have something that keeps us reading – a self evidently good idea, a flair for dialogue, good jokes, well drawn characters, well constructed scenes, intriguing images, a sense of mystery, dramatic potential, etc.
Why did my project get declined and can I get feedback?
1. Why did my project get declined?
We will have concluded your application is not suitable for development funding from us on creative merit or other subjective grounds, against which there is no appeal. At least two of the Development Fund team will have looked at your application. In the interests of fairness, everyone will receive a standard declination letter. Please note that due to the volume of applications received, the Development Fund does not provide feedback on the creative merits of projects that it chooses not to support.2. Can I apply again?
Applicants are always welcome to apply to either strand of the Development Fund, regardless of whether you have applied before. However, please note, in the First Feature Film Development Programme, you cannot re-apply with the same idea.
Other questions
1. You used to have a different funding system. Why have you changed?
We decided to create separate funding streams to help applicants. People with similar levels of experience will therefore be assessed together. So a first-time writer will not be competing for funding with a multiple Oscar® winner – they will be assessed under different criteria.
We've also changed the terms under which money is awarded. So there is no longer a development premium, no longer a requirement for a trust account for individuals applying on their own so the money may be awarded more quickly to you.
2. Will you help me find an agent?
Who an agent represents is up to them and so there's only so much we can do to help with that sort of thing. If your application to us is successful you are of course going to be a more attractive proposition to an agent.
3. Can you help me find a writer?
It's not really what we do. Yes, we know writers but it's far better if you pair up with them directly as we want you to hit it off and not feel forced into an uneasy marriage because we said you'd get on.
Also, please bear in mind we do not accept applications from producers without a writer. We want to hear their take on the material and know that it's something they want to do.
4. Can you help me find a producer?
If your application is successful we will help the project in every way we can but we don't have the resources or the time to offer an introduction service.
5. Can you help me find a director?
If your application is successful then we will help the project in every way we can but we don't have the resources or the time to offer an introduction service
7. Are you doing any more 25 Words or Less competitions?
We currently don't have any more 25 Words or Less rounds planned.
What are the basics of writing a script?
1. I've never written a screenplay before, how do I go about formatting it?
There's quite a specific way of formatting a screenplay which we would like to encourage when applying to the Development Fund. In the commercial sector, screenplays are often rejected simply because they're not formatted correctly.Take a look at the example of an industry screenplay format in the BBC Writersroom.
2. What is a treatment?
Different people define a treatment in slightly different ways. For our application purposes, it's a 3-5 page document about your film that should outline the story in detail – how it starts, develops and resolves, who the characters are and what they want. It should evoke the final film and be engaging enough to be read in one sitting.
If it's not a narrative film in the traditional sense, then outline its guiding principle and its key moments (ie what happens).
3. How do you learn how to write a good screenplay?
The first three things to do are
i) Watch lots of films
ii) Read some screenplays
iii) Keep practicing. Write and write and write.
Think about what works and what doesn't. Read screenplays of films you love, read screenplays of films you hate – what is it in those screenplays that evokes those feelings in you?
There are also various screenwriting books on how to do it, which often use lengthy analyses of famous screenplays.
Finally, there are various courses that you can take. Skillset (http://www.skillset.org/) have more information on courses.
