If you've submitted to the recent Writers' Access Group open call out, you might now be wondering, 'What's Next?' Read on to find out what happens to your script now the deadline has passed and some advice on how to spend your time while you wait for an update from us.
First of all, if you submitted, give yourself some well-deserved praise! Completing and sending your work out into the world as a writer is no easy task. You should be proud of this accomplishment, so take time to tell yourself that.
We want to thank everyone who submitted their script to this year’s Writers’ Access Group (WAGs) opportunity. We received over 650 submissions! So, what’s next?
We’ve started reading! This will follow the below process:
Stage One – 10 Page Sift
All eligible entries will be reviewed by professional experienced script readers. Over 50% of our readers for WAGs identify as deaf, disabled and/or neurodiverse. They will read at least the first ten pages of a script and assess and discuss the applications against the following criteria:
- Quality of writing;
- Strength of story and structure;
- Ability to write believable dialogue;
- Skill in inhabiting characters and developing convincing relationships between them;
- Ability to authentically bring the world to life; and
- Ability to portray the writer's ‘voice’ in their storytelling.
Stage Two – 30 Page Sift
Scripts which hook our reader’s attention will progress to a 30-page read by a second script reader, who will then consider if the script should proceed to Stage Three to be read in full by a third reader.
Stage Three – Full Read (Longlist)
Scripts which reach the full read stage will be read by a third reader who will also provide the writer with a script report once the process has concluded.
Due to the volume of submissions we receive and the resources we have available, we’re not be able to provide any individual feedback to writers who have not progressed to this stage.
Stage Four – ±«Óãtv Writersroom Team Read (Shortlist)
Following the Full Read stage the ±«Óãtv Writersroom team will review the remaining scripts and undertake a fourth full read to create a final shortlist.
At least two producers will read each of the final shortlisted scripts and, following this, the ±«Óãtv Writersroom will then invite shortlisted writers for an interview.
Selected writers
From the interviews, 10 writers will then be invited to take part in the Writers’ Access Group programme which will run for 18 months starting in October 2023 and running until April 2025.
How long will it take?
Please be aware that the careful processing and reading of these scripts can take a number of months and we will not make contact with any writers until we have made our final selection so please refrain from contacting us for an update. We aim to inform all writers of the outcome of their submission by the beginning of October 2023.
What now?
The next Writers’ Access Group programme will return and open for submissions in 2025. In the meantime, writers can also submit to our Open Call 2024 window which will accept entries towards the end of this year. Exact dates are to be confirmed, but please check out our website and social media channels for updates which will be posted several months in advance.
Also look out for opportunities coming up from ±«Óãtv Comedy and and our Opportunities page has details of organisations accepting submissions for a variety of mediums.
Most importantly, don’t wait until the next submission window to get writing! You should always be coming up with ideas and new scripts to submit to us and other opportunities across the industry.
For further advice and materials to help your development, please visit our Resources area where you can find useful writing tools in our Scriptwriting Essentials area, as well as an extensive Script Library for ±«Óãtv shows across Film, Radio and TV.