My Mind Words Paper [Search results for scriptwriting] 

Date: 31 March 2012

Compelling and effective scenes lie at the heart of successful television drama. This course looks at what makes scenes work – and how you can write them.

Allaboutwriting’s Essential Scriptwriting: The Scene is an intensive one-day exploration of scenes as the basic building blocks of television – or indeed, any – drama.

We’ve built the course around a series of exercises that challenge participants to write three increasingly complex scenes.

We outline the specific demands and constraints of writing for television, before showing the writer’s role in the collaborative process. The writer’s job on a typical daily drama is to interpret in dramatic form the story that the team’s story-liners have dreamt up.

We show how to structure a scene, how to animate it, and how to bring the characters to life through what they do and say.

By the end of the course, you’ll have learned to avoid the pitfalls, and to write compelling and memorable scenes.

WHY SHOULD YOU DO THE COURSE?

• To master a skill absolutely fundamental to dramatic writing of all sorts
• To hone your scriptwriting skills
• You need to write compelling and convincing scenes for your script to succeed.

• Anyone who wants to understand the nuts and bolts of TV drama
• Junior writers working on soaps or television dramas
• Anyone who wants to break into the world of television drama
• Aspirant screenplay writers
• Even writers of fiction and creative non-fiction will find an understanding of scenes an immense benefit to their writing

Time: 9h00 to 16h00

Venue: Parkview, Johannesburg.

COST AND BOOKING DETAILS

Cost: R1250 which includes lunch and teas

To book your place please email admin@allaboutwritingcourses.com

COURSE OUTLINE

Allaboutwriting’s one-day course, Essential Scriptwriting: The Scene, introduces participants to the central importance of scenes in drama. Our focus is on the demands and challenges of television drama, but the skills we’ll help develop are of practical use to all story writers.

We explore the need to

• Know your characters
• Know the world of your characters
• Know your audience
• Know your story

We view a number of dramatic scenes drawn from some of the best television dramas of the last few decades, then analyse what the components of a great scene are.

• The characters
• The story
• The structure
• The business
• The dialogue

We focus in our final session on dialogue writing, and start by viewing a few scenes distinguished by the excellence of their dialogue. We explore the attributes of fine and compelling dialogue:

• How to write in character
• How to write efficient and effective dialogue
• How to suggest sub-text
• How to write convincing dialogue that borrows from, but is not a slavish imitation of, real dialogue.

Throughout the day, we’ll give kind but honest feedback on the scenes participants have written.

For more information or to book your place please email admin@allaboutwritingcourses.com

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For inquiries: admin@allaboutwritingcourses.com

Website: http://allaboutwritingcourses.com

Deadline: 21 May 2012

Welcome to Mini Operas, ENO’s global search for new creative talent. We’re after the most creative, innovative and interesting writers, music makers and film makers out there, whatever your level of experience or knowledge.

THE SCRIPT COMPETITION

Writing for opera doesn’t have to be scary. That’s why we’re swinging the Coliseum doors open and handing the chief job over to you – yes, you!

To ignite your imagination we’ve enticed three of the most inspiring writers to provide Mini Operas’ seed stories: Will Self, A.L. Kennedy and Neil Gaiman.

Neil Gaiman’s Story- The Sweeper of Dreams

A.L. Kennedy’s Story – On Paper

Will Self’s Story – The Death of a Government Inspector

Here’s what we want you to do. Read the three seed stories and pick the one that interests you most. Then write a script for a 5-7 minute opera based on that story. When it comes to inspiration, anything goes: a single word, title, a mood or even a character name.

In May we’ll pick 10 scripts to go through to the next round. Those scripts will become the seeds that we will ask people to compose a soundtrack for in the next competition. Remember that your writing will be set to music by someone else and that words can take a lot longer to sing than to read, so less is definitely more.

At the end of the Mini Operas competition we’ll choose three lucky people to participate in a new mentoring scheme with Jeremy Sams, Nico Muhly or Leo Warner.

But for now, just get writing. You’ve got until 21 May to write your own script and enter it via our online form.

If you’re stuck on how to approach them, don’t panic. Our resident author Tamsin Collison has written us an example for each story. You might choose to do something completely different – it’s up to you. We’ll be adding more expert help to the site so come back soon for further inspiration.

WHAT IS MINI OPERAS?

Mini Operas is a three-part competition from ENO that aims to find new creative talent for opera. We’re out to find creative and innovative writers, composers and filmmakers.

WHO CAN ENTER?

Absolutely everyone. As long as you have a story to tell – whether that’s in words, music or pictures – we want to hear from you, whatever your age, whatever previous experience you have and wherever you live in the world.

You can enter as an individual or as a group; we just ask that you seek a parent or guardian’s permission to sign up if you’re under 16.

BUT I DON’T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT OPERA. WHERE DO I EVEN BEGIN?

Part of our aim in creating Mini Operas is to question and perhaps even redefine what “opera” can be. That’s why we’re not putting any restrictions on what you create and send in to us. We’ll be posting examples of how you could approach each competition along with lots of expert advice, but anything goes. So as long as your piece is your own original work created specifically for Mini Operas and hasn’t already been published elsewhere, we want to see and/or hear it.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?

Like we said, we want to identify new creative talent and shine a light on it wherever it might be. People around the world will see your work including our judges and mentors, who include visionaries such as Terry Gilliam, Nico Muhly, Jeremy Sams and many others.

IS THERE A PRIZE?

In addition to being a major platform to getting your work seen, at the end of Mini Operas we will select three entrants who we think have special talent and could benefit with close personal help from some of the industry’s best people. Jeremy Sams, Nico Muhly and Leo Warner have each kindly agreed to mentor one of our three winners for an academic year. You’ll get to discuss and develop your work with one of the most exciting people in your field.

OK, ALL CLEAR SO FAR, BUT HOW WILL THE WHOLE THING WORK?

Here’s Mini Operas in a nutshell:

We have three excellent writers who’ve each kindly given us a story that will serve as the seeds for the whole run of Mini Operas. We want you to read their stories and choose one you want to base your own script on. Then write a script for a 5-7 minute opera and enter it into the competition.

We’ll choose 10 winners whose scripts will go through to the composing competition, where we’ll ask all you music-makers out there to write and record a soundtrack for the script of your choice. What you compose is up to you – it might be anything from a piece for orchestra to the sound of traffic outside your window, or anywhere in between. Just make sure it’s your best effort at setting the words to music as you think best fit.

Round three works the same way: 10 winning soundtracks will go through and then we’ll ask filmmakers to visualise the soundtrack and script in some way. Again, it might be live action, animation or something else – it’s up to you.

We’ll come out the other end with 10 film winners.

CAN I SUBMIT MY PIECE IN A LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH?

No. All work must be in English.

WHEN EXACTLY DOES MINI OPERAS OPEN AND CLOSE?

Mini Operas is made up of three linked competitions so there are six dates to keep in mind:

The scriptwriting competition comes first. It opens on 26 March 2012 and closes to entries on 21 May 2012. Soundtracks are next – that competition opens on 4 June 2012 and closes 23 July 2012. Finally, the filmmaking competition is open from 6 August 2012 to 24 September 2012.

WHEN WILL THE WINNERS BE ANNOUNCED?

Our scriptwriting winners will be announced here on 4 June 2012. Winners in the music making competition will be revealed on 6 August 2012. And the lucky 10 filmmakers who make it through will be named on 8 October 2012. Winners of our mentorships will be announced in October 2012 (date tbc).

IS THERE A WORD LIMIT FOR THE SCRIPT WRITING COMPETITION?

No. We want you to write a script for a short opera around 5-7 minutes in length. Now that’s slightly difficult to quantify, but if you have a look at the examples we’ve made, you’ll get an idea of what we’re looking for. Bear in mind that they’re only examples and you might choose to write something much shorter. Be sure to give the composer who comes after you enough to work with but generally speaking, less usually really is a bit more.

IS THERE A LIMIT TO HOW MANY PIECES I CAN ENTER?

No, you can enter as many scripts, soundtracks or films as you like.

I’M FINISHED! HOW DO I SUBMIT MY ENTRY?

For the scriptwriting competition, we want you to post your finished script to your blog and then come back to the Mini Operas website to tell us who you are and where we can find your script. Don’t worry if you haven’t got a blog already – they’re easy and free to set up. You can use any blog you like, but www.wordpress.com, www.blogger.com and www.tumblr.com are ones we particularly like.

THE SCRIPT JUDGES

Neil Gaiman Author, Contributor, Judge, Script Judge

Neil Gaiman is the bestselling author of the novels Neverwhere, Stardust, American Gods, Anansi Boys and Good Omens (with Terry Pratchett); the Sandman series of graphic novels; and the short story collections Smoke and Mirrors and Fragile Things. He is also the author of books for readers of all ages including the Newbery Medal winning novel The Graveyard Book, in addition to the bestselling novels Coraline and Odd and the Frost Giants. He is the winner of numerous literary honors, including the Hugo, Bram Stoker, and World Fantasy Awards.

A.L. Kennedy Author, Contributor, Judge, Script Judge

A.L. Kennedy is a writer of novels, short stories and non-fiction. An Associate Professor in Creative Writing at University of Warwick, her novels include Looking for the Possible Dance, So I Am Glad, Paradise and 2007’s Costa Book of the Year, Day. Kennedy has produced eight short story collections including Tea and Biscuits, Original Bliss and What Becomes, and three non-fiction publications: Life & Death of Colonel Blimp, On Bullfighting and Luwak Care and Breeding. In addition, her screenwriting credits Stella Does Tricks and Dice received critical acclaim, as did her selected radio plays, notably Confessions of a Medium which was broadcast as the Saturday Play on BBC Radio 4 in 2010.

Will Self Author, Contributor, Judge, Script Judge

Journalist, critic and fiction writer, Will has penned both novels and short fiction including the critically acclaimed The Quantity Theory of Insanity which won the Geoffrey Faber Memorial Prize; How the Dead Live which was shortlisted for the Whitbread Book of the Year; and 2010’s Walking to Hollywood. During his career he has pursued a career as a cartoonist for the New Statesman and has even tried his hand at stand-up comedy. He has made many appearances on British television, notably as a panellist on Have I Got News For You and a regular on both Shooting Stars and Grumpy Old Men. Will was appointed Professor of Contemporary Thought at Brunel University in February 2012.

SUBMITTING YOUR SCRIPT

Excellent – you’ve written your script and you’re ready to send it in to us. Here’s what you need to do to submit it to the competition.

First, post your script to your blog. If you haven’t got a blog, they’re quick, easy and free to set up. We particularly like WordPress, Tumblr and Blogger but you can use any one you like. Next, fill in the form below to tell us about yourself. Please be sure to use the same user name if you send in more than one piece.

We’d also like you to write a very short description of your script – just a sentence or two that sums it up – and include that below. Finally, enter the web link direct to your script on your blog.

Once we’ve received your script we’ll post it here on the Mini Operas site so be sure to check back and share your entry with your friends.

The scriptwriting competition closes to entries at 17:00 GMT on 21 May 2012 and winners will be announced on 4 June 2012.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For submissions: via the submission form here

Website: http://www.minioperas.org

Deadline: 21 May 2012

Welcome to Mini Operas, ENO’s global search for new creative talent. We’re after the most creative, innovative and interesting writers, music makers and film makers out there, whatever your level of experience or knowledge.

THE SCRIPT COMPETITION

Writing for opera doesn’t have to be scary. That’s why we’re swinging the Coliseum doors open and handing the chief job over to you – yes, you!

To ignite your imagination we’ve enticed three of the most inspiring writers to provide Mini Operas’ seed stories: Will Self, A.L. Kennedy and Neil Gaiman.

Neil Gaiman’s Story- The Sweeper of Dreams

A.L. Kennedy’s Story – On Paper

Will Self’s Story – The Death of a Government Inspector

Here’s what we want you to do. Read the three seed stories and pick the one that interests you most. Then write a script for a 5-7 minute opera based on that story. When it comes to inspiration, anything goes: a single word, title, a mood or even a character name.

In May we’ll pick 10 scripts to go through to the next round. Those scripts will become the seeds that we will ask people to compose a soundtrack for in the next competition. Remember that your writing will be set to music by someone else and that words can take a lot longer to sing than to read, so less is definitely more.

At the end of the Mini Operas competition we’ll choose three lucky people to participate in a new mentoring scheme with Jeremy Sams, Nico Muhly or Leo Warner.

But for now, just get writing. You’ve got until 21 May to write your own script and enter it via our online form.

If you’re stuck on how to approach them, don’t panic. Our resident author Tamsin Collison has written us an example for each story. You might choose to do something completely different – it’s up to you. We’ll be adding more expert help to the site so come back soon for further inspiration.

WHAT IS MINI OPERAS?

Mini Operas is a three-part competition from ENO that aims to find new creative talent for opera. We’re out to find creative and innovative writers, composers and filmmakers.

WHO CAN ENTER?

Absolutely everyone. As long as you have a story to tell – whether that’s in words, music or pictures – we want to hear from you, whatever your age, whatever previous experience you have and wherever you live in the world.

You can enter as an individual or as a group; we just ask that you seek a parent or guardian’s permission to sign up if you’re under 16.

BUT I DON’T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT OPERA. WHERE DO I EVEN BEGIN?

Part of our aim in creating Mini Operas is to question and perhaps even redefine what “opera” can be. That’s why we’re not putting any restrictions on what you create and send in to us. We’ll be posting examples of how you could approach each competition along with lots of expert advice, but anything goes. So as long as your piece is your own original work created specifically for Mini Operas and hasn’t already been published elsewhere, we want to see and/or hear it.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?

Like we said, we want to identify new creative talent and shine a light on it wherever it might be. People around the world will see your work including our judges and mentors, who include visionaries such as Terry Gilliam, Nico Muhly, Jeremy Sams and many others.

IS THERE A PRIZE?

In addition to being a major platform to getting your work seen, at the end of Mini Operas we will select three entrants who we think have special talent and could benefit with close personal help from some of the industry’s best people. Jeremy Sams, Nico Muhly and Leo Warner have each kindly agreed to mentor one of our three winners for an academic year. You’ll get to discuss and develop your work with one of the most exciting people in your field.

OK, ALL CLEAR SO FAR, BUT HOW WILL THE WHOLE THING WORK?

Here’s Mini Operas in a nutshell:

We have three excellent writers who’ve each kindly given us a story that will serve as the seeds for the whole run of Mini Operas. We want you to read their stories and choose one you want to base your own script on. Then write a script for a 5-7 minute opera and enter it into the competition.

We’ll choose 10 winners whose scripts will go through to the composing competition, where we’ll ask all you music-makers out there to write and record a soundtrack for the script of your choice. What you compose is up to you – it might be anything from a piece for orchestra to the sound of traffic outside your window, or anywhere in between. Just make sure it’s your best effort at setting the words to music as you think best fit.

Round three works the same way: 10 winning soundtracks will go through and then we’ll ask filmmakers to visualise the soundtrack and script in some way. Again, it might be live action, animation or something else – it’s up to you.

We’ll come out the other end with 10 film winners.

CAN I SUBMIT MY PIECE IN A LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH?

No. All work must be in English.

WHEN EXACTLY DOES MINI OPERAS OPEN AND CLOSE?

Mini Operas is made up of three linked competitions so there are six dates to keep in mind:

The scriptwriting competition comes first. It opens on 26 March 2012 and closes to entries on 21 May 2012. Soundtracks are next – that competition opens on 4 June 2012 and closes 23 July 2012. Finally, the filmmaking competition is open from 6 August 2012 to 24 September 2012.

WHEN WILL THE WINNERS BE ANNOUNCED?

Our scriptwriting winners will be announced here on 4 June 2012. Winners in the music making competition will be revealed on 6 August 2012. And the lucky 10 filmmakers who make it through will be named on 8 October 2012. Winners of our mentorships will be announced in October 2012 (date tbc).

IS THERE A WORD LIMIT FOR THE SCRIPT WRITING COMPETITION?

No. We want you to write a script for a short opera around 5-7 minutes in length. Now that’s slightly difficult to quantify, but if you have a look at the examples we’ve made, you’ll get an idea of what we’re looking for. Bear in mind that they’re only examples and you might choose to write something much shorter. Be sure to give the composer who comes after you enough to work with but generally speaking, less usually really is a bit more.

IS THERE A LIMIT TO HOW MANY PIECES I CAN ENTER?

No, you can enter as many scripts, soundtracks or films as you like.

I’M FINISHED! HOW DO I SUBMIT MY ENTRY?

For the scriptwriting competition, we want you to post your finished script to your blog and then come back to the Mini Operas website to tell us who you are and where we can find your script. Don’t worry if you haven’t got a blog already – they’re easy and free to set up. You can use any blog you like, but www.wordpress.com, www.blogger.com and www.tumblr.com are ones we particularly like.

THE SCRIPT JUDGES

Neil Gaiman Author, Contributor, Judge, Script Judge

Neil Gaiman is the bestselling author of the novels Neverwhere, Stardust, American Gods, Anansi Boys and Good Omens (with Terry Pratchett); the Sandman series of graphic novels; and the short story collections Smoke and Mirrors and Fragile Things. He is also the author of books for readers of all ages including the Newbery Medal winning novel The Graveyard Book, in addition to the bestselling novels Coraline and Odd and the Frost Giants. He is the winner of numerous literary honors, including the Hugo, Bram Stoker, and World Fantasy Awards.

A.L. Kennedy Author, Contributor, Judge, Script Judge

A.L. Kennedy is a writer of novels, short stories and non-fiction. An Associate Professor in Creative Writing at University of Warwick, her novels include Looking for the Possible Dance, So I Am Glad, Paradise and 2007’s Costa Book of the Year, Day. Kennedy has produced eight short story collections including Tea and Biscuits, Original Bliss and What Becomes, and three non-fiction publications: Life & Death of Colonel Blimp, On Bullfighting and Luwak Care and Breeding. In addition, her screenwriting credits Stella Does Tricks and Dice received critical acclaim, as did her selected radio plays, notably Confessions of a Medium which was broadcast as the Saturday Play on BBC Radio 4 in 2010.

Will Self Author, Contributor, Judge, Script Judge

Journalist, critic and fiction writer, Will has penned both novels and short fiction including the critically acclaimed The Quantity Theory of Insanity which won the Geoffrey Faber Memorial Prize; How the Dead Live which was shortlisted for the Whitbread Book of the Year; and 2010’s Walking to Hollywood. During his career he has pursued a career as a cartoonist for the New Statesman and has even tried his hand at stand-up comedy. He has made many appearances on British television, notably as a panellist on Have I Got News For You and a regular on both Shooting Stars and Grumpy Old Men. Will was appointed Professor of Contemporary Thought at Brunel University in February 2012.

SUBMITTING YOUR SCRIPT

Excellent – you’ve written your script and you’re ready to send it in to us. Here’s what you need to do to submit it to the competition.

First, post your script to your blog. If you haven’t got a blog, they’re quick, easy and free to set up. We particularly like WordPress, Tumblr and Blogger but you can use any one you like. Next, fill in the form below to tell us about yourself. Please be sure to use the same user name if you send in more than one piece.

We’d also like you to write a very short description of your script – just a sentence or two that sums it up – and include that below. Finally, enter the web link direct to your script on your blog.

Once we’ve received your script we’ll post it here on the Mini Operas site so be sure to check back and share your entry with your friends.

The scriptwriting competition closes to entries at 17:00 GMT on 21 May 2012 and winners will be announced on 4 June 2012.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For submissions: via the submission form here

Website: http://www.minioperas.org

Deadline: 1 June 2012 (12 midnight)

After the bang, unparalleled energy bursts everywhere. Thus, as society and politics take major turns in Egypt, creative energy holds centre stage, and many are just longing to set their artistic talents free. Therefore, if you think that you have it in you, now is the time for you to take part. The International Association for Creation and Training (I-act) is launching the 1st edition of the Backstreet Festival under the motto “Towards Art in non-traditional spaces”, because at times like these, we believe that Art is a major tool for social change. The festival aims to create a platform of innovation, exchange opportunities, and most important an atmosphere of creation for people from the Euro-Mediterranean region, highlighting the value of Freedom of Creativity. The festival is an international multi-venued event that will take place in Alexandria from 23-29 September 2012 in Alexandria, Egypt.

Major changes, however, do not happen in closed institutions, but amongst people in the streets. The socio-political changes have started on the streets, the demonstrations filled the streets, and the sit-ins that changed the face of this country as we know it, took place in public squares. Therefore, the festival is adopting a reach out approach to the mainstream audience of Alexandria reviving the cultural life in the Mediterranean city in order to assert the importance and value of cultural activities taking place in the street and how it shall contribute to nurturing and developing the general artistic taste. Thus, the festival shall take place over duration of 7 days involving Performances, Applied Workshops, theme-based Debates and Discussions, a special Children’s program in cooperation with the Schnawwl Theatre in Mannheim Germany, as well as a Scriptwriting Program. The festival’s geographical scope is Euro-Mediterranean with a special focus on the Arab region.

WHO ORGANIZES THE BACKSTREET FESTIVAL?

The Backstreet Festival is the initiative of the International Association for Creation and Training (I-act), which is a non-profit organization established in 2004 in Alexandria by theatre director and playwright, Mahmoud Aboudoma. I-act works in the fields of Arts, Culture and Social Development, where it mainly targets middle class individuals and groups, out of the belief that enhancing and reviving their role will contribute to developing societies and maintaining social justice.

Some of the activities of the Backstreet festival will be hosted in the newly established cultural space by I-act called “Teatro Eskendria”, which is a liberal cultural complex based in downtown Alexandria and offering wide-ranging activities to the Alexandrian society, varying between artistic performances, training for the creative sectors, dialogue and children’s programs as well as a Cultural café that will serve as a dynamic social hub.

Among the major initiatives that I-act has been leading over the past 7 years is the Creative Forum for Independent Theatre Groups (Europe-Mediterranean), which is an annual international event that takes place in Alexandria encompassing diverse theatre performances, publication and dialogue programs in addition to training and capacity building workshops for youth and Artists. I-act has organized 7 editions of the Creative Forum in cooperation with the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and through it has provided training to young people across the Mediterranean, networking and exchange opportunities between artists, along with bringing over a hundred performances from countries across Europe and the Mediterranean to the city of Alexandria.

OBJECTIVES OF THE BACKSTREET FESTIVAL:

• Employing Arts as a tool for freedom of expression and social change;
• Enriching the Cultural Life of Alexandria through providing a platform for performing Arts in non-traditional spaces;
• Reaching out for young people from Egypt and the Arab Region in order to optimize on their potential and build their capacities in the field of Arts and Culture; &
• Enhancing dialogue, networking and multi-cultural cooperation between people from different countries with a specific focus on the Arab Middle East region, in addition to provoking debate and discussion on issues related to the status of street arts.
• International Association for Creation and Training (I-act)

The call is open for theatre troupes from the Euro-Mediterranean region and in its first edition, the festival is targeting the following types of performances: Musical and Improvisational theatre, Street performances (slapstick, living/human statutes, etc), Installations, Multimedia performances, Puppet theatre, Comedy, Clowning, Pantomime; all types of performances related to street art are welcome to apply. However, there is no focus this year on purely dramatic and/or classical plays as well as contemporary dance.

HOW TO APPLY?

1. Soft Copy of the application form and the related documents:

In order to apply, please fill in the attached application form and make sure to include within a link of an online video to your performance (minimum 15 and maximum 25 minutes). In addition to your application, please enclose the following obligatory appendixes: 1. Three photos of high resolution; 2. Synopsis of your performance (maximum 60 words in English); & 3. Short biography (maximum 60 words in English). Without these appendixes the application will be deemed ineligible. This material will be used in the promotional or publicity material of the festival in case the performance is accepted.

2.DVD of your performance:

In addition to your application form, please send a CD/ DVD of your performance (each troupe must submit only ONE performance). In case of acceptance, the DVD version of your show will be considered as the final one to be presented, unless stated and agreed otherwise with the Festival Organizers. Along with the DVD, you can attach any promotional material (leaflets, brochures, etc). The same deadline applies 1 June 2012.

DEADLINES:

Deadline for submission: The deadline of receiving the electronic version of the application along with the above mentioned required information via email as well as the DVD is 1 June 2012 at 12:00 midnight (no applications will be accepted after this deadline). Applications and required material are to be sent in soft copies to Amina Abodoma (Festival Coordinator): amina@iact-eg.org

DVDs and the related material should be sent in hard copies to the following address: 2 Albert El Awal Street, University Compound, Building # 2, apartment 22 Smouha, Alexandria, Egypt.

In order to avoid the risk of delay or loss, the material must be shipped via special courier (DHL, Aramex, FedEX, but not via normal post). A Jury committee will be responsible for the selection process and only the selected performances will be notified by 15 June 2012.

Important notes:

1. Any applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
2. Handwritten application forms will be automatically rejected.
3. The material sent via courier is not returnable even if the performance is not selected.

WHEN AND WHERE?

The Festival will take place from 23-29 September 2012 in Alexandria in different venues. The performances will be taking place in cooperation with several cultural institutes in Alexandria, and therefore in different theatres or open spaces depending on the nature of the performance (such as: squares, dead-end streets, gardens, rooftops, etc).

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION:

• The festival covers the expenses of accommodation, per diem and Airport transportation for the performers, but it does not support production and flight tickets.
• Troupe size:
• The Festival will cover the expenses of a maximum of 6 persons within the selected theatre troupe. Any additional artists or guests accompanying the troupe will have to cover their own expenses; however, they can benefit from any discounts or rates provided for the festival.
• Accommodation:
• The Festival covers a maximum of 4 nights/5 days in double rooms on bed and breakfast basis in 3* or 4* hotels in Alexandria.

The Festival does not support flight tickets at all. However, troupes are invited to cover the expenses of their flight tickets or search for funds to support their participation. The flight details have to be sent at least 3 weeks before the festival starts in order to ensure a well organized logistical service.

PERDIEM:

The festival will provide a 4-day per diem for each of the selected artists within a troupe to cover the meals and daily transportation expenses.

VENUES AND TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT:

The Festival provides a venue according to the type of performance applying in addition to technical support and equipment based on the technical rider sent by the troupe (considering that the technical rider is subject to negotiations). Performances that can better be performed in an indoors place will be programmed in traditional theatres and non-traditional venues, while Street Art performances will be shown in public spaces and semi outdoors venues around downtown Alexandria.

AIRPORT TRANSFERS:

The Festival will cover the airport transportation cost of the troupes (for a maximum of 6 persons); one van upon arrival and another one upon departure unless the troupes express their wish to take the train or bus. The Festival will not bare costs of transportation for members of the same troupes, who arrive/depart on different dates/flight schedules. Additional costs of transportation will have to be covered by the troupes.

LANGUAGE:

The official working languages of the Festival are English and Arabic. One of those languages should be spoken fluently; otherwise at least one person of the troupe should be able to communicate in English.

LETTER OF AGREEMENT:

The selected troupe will have to sign a letter of agreement with the festival organizers to clarify the roles and responsibilities of each party.

INSURANCE POLICY:

The festival does not provide any travel or health insurance for the participating artists.

OTHER ACTIVITIES OF THE BACKSTREET FESTIVAL:

Along with the Performances program, other activities are taking place including Applied Workshops, Themed Debates and Discussions and Children’s and Scriptwriting Programs. Do not hesitate to inform your contacts (theatre students, artists, theatre groups and art and cultural organizations) about the Backstreet Festival. Further call for participations and deadlines will be announced at a later stage.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For queries/submissions: contact the festival coordinator Ms. Amina Abodoma at amina@iact-eg.org

Website: http://www.iact-eg.org/

Dates: 31 May - 21 June 2011

Find your voice as a writer and speak your mind.

Storytellers who want to flex their creative muscle can sharpen their storytelling skills at The Write Voice creative writing workshop that takes place on Tuesday evenings from 5.30pm until 8.30pm on May 31 and June 7, 14, and 21 at The Writing Studio in Greenpoint, Cape Town.

The Write voice explores the writing process and deconstructs writing fiction, non-fiction and journalism. It is ideal for anyone who needs a jump start and take that step forward in writing creatively; during the workshop scribes will have the opportunity to write a short story and get positive feedback through practical and motivational exercises.

The workshop rallies storytellers to get into the habit of writing daily and turn inspiration into profit! To transform mundane, meaningless and empty words into profound, provocative and life-changing self expression!

It explores the storyteller’s inner journey that will enrich thematic purpose and dramatically alter the meaning of storytelling and injects a fresh sensibility into stories that reflect the uniqueness of culture, history and experience.

The Write Voice inspires storytellers to get in touch with who they are and write stories that will reflect the uniqueness of their culture, history and experience.

This unique creative injection for storytellers is about writing from the inside-out and sharpens the creative focus, intensifies the creative process, and maximizes writers’ ‘me-time’.

The trainer is Daniel Dercksen, who has been a film and theatre journalist in South Africa the past 30 years and as a trainer and educator has presented regular workshops in scriptwriting and creative writing during the past 17 years.

The workshop is also done via correspondence for writers who will be travelling or living outside Cape Town.

For more information on The Write Voice workshop that takes place on May 31 and June, 7, 14 and 21 from 5.30pm until 8.30pm,send and email to daniel@writingstudio.co.za, visit the website: www.writingstudio.co.za, or call Daniel on 072 474 1079

Contact Information:

For inquiries: daniel@writingstudio.co.za, info@writingstudio.co.za or SMS 072 474 1079

Website: http://www.writingstudio.co.za

Dates: 25 - 26 June 2011 (Cape Town), 2 - 3 July 2011 (Johannesburg)

Aspirant writers who want to wave their creative wand and turn words into action are invited to join The Writing Studio's Weekend Workshop in Cape Town on June 25 and 26, and in Johannesburg on July 2 and 3.

The practical From Page to Screen workshop gives writers a hands-on opportunity to:

• turn their ideas into a storyoutline
• use a card outline to write scenes and sequences
• write a pivotal scene from their outline
• pitch their concepts to a group of professional directors and actors

During the workshop the writers will be working with trainer Daniel Dercksen, who will guide them through the process of conceptualising ideas, writing story outlines that sizzle, and then mastering the art of card outlines.

It is a practical workshop where writers write and get a unique opportunity of seeing their thoughts and words in action.

It is also an opportunity for writers to explore their talent as a director, actor or producer and ground their careers as proudly South African storymakers.

The workshop takes place from 9am until 6pm on both days.

Cape Town

Saturday June 25 and Sunday June 26 from 9am until 6pm

Venue: Unit 2, Skyway Industrial Park, C/o Freda & C.R Swart Drive, Strijdompark

Johannesburg

Saturday July 2 and Sunday July 3 from 9am until 6pm

Venue: Artscape Theatre Centre, Foreshore, Isibaya Room in the Marble Foyer

Cost and registration > R950.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER OR

Email deposit details to info@writingstudio.co.za

The Write Trainer > Daniel Dercksen has been a film and theatre journalist in South Africa the past 30 years and as a trainer and educator presents regular workshops in scriptwriting and creative writing.

Contact Information:

For inquiries: info@writingstudio.co.za

For submissions: info@writingstudio.co.za

Website:http://www.writingstudio.co.za