Before it went on to win six Emmy Awards and shot series creator, writer, and star Phoebe Waller-Bridge to stardom, “Fleabag” existed as a stage play. A new competition is looking to recreate that magic by bringing fresh voices in UK theater to the screen.
Launched by Olivia Colman’s South of the River Pictures and its commercial partner SISTER, the Screenshot Writer Performer Competition is “designed to seek out the next generation of comedy writer/performers for TV,” according to the initiative’s website.
“UK TV and theatre have always been interconnected, and now more than ever, in the absence of traditional live opportunities, it is vital that we offer other platforms to showcase your work and stories,” Screenshot emphasizes.
Sky, BBC, and Channel 4 are set to lead a judging panel alongside Waller-Bridge, Lolly Adefope (“Shrill”), and Rosie Jones (“The Last Leg”).
Theater producer Debo Adebayo is managing the initiative.
The initiative is designed specifically for “emerging voices,” and as such, the competition is “only considering applicants who have not already had an original project produced for television, film, or streaming service.” It is seeking “comedy writer performers” — in other words, applicants must be both writers and performers.
Five of the shortlisted candidates will receive a financial contribution of £500, the equivalent of about $645 USD, “towards the development and/or budget of their next live theatrical show and will be invited to participate in writing workshops hosted by South of the River and/or SISTER,” Screenshot details. “At least one candidate will receive a script commission from South of the River and/or SISTER to advance and hone the project with the intention of producing it for television, film, or streaming service.”
Head over to the competition’s website to read all of the requirements and apply.