Building on the success of past film initiatives, Commonwealth Shorts and Pacific Voices, Commonwealth Writers, the cultural initiative of the Commonwealth Foundation are pleased to announce their latest craft development opportunities for filmmakers in the Caribbean.
Commonwealth Writers, the cultural initiative of the Commonwealth Foundation, is offering craft development opportunities for early-career filmmakers and screenwriters from Commonwealth Foundation member states in the Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.
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Facilitated by Commonwealth Writers under the guidance of experienced local filmmakers, Caribbean Voices is open to writer-directors, or writer and director teams. The initiative will offer successful applicants the opportunity to take part in a one-week skills development workshop.
Workshops
The workshops will be led by the professional Caribbean and International filmmakers and screenwriters.
Selected applicants must be willing to travel, and able to attend the full week’s workshop.
Six weeks prior to workshops commencing there will be three scheduled internet calls with an allocated mentor and/or script advisor, to flesh out ideas and the development of the new script prior to workshops commencing.
The exact format of the workshops will depend on the needs of the selected applicants. Sessions will include:
- Script development.
- Pre-production – including budgeting, locations, casting, building teams, scheduling.
- Capturing the story through the lens/understanding of camera positioning.
- Directing actors.
- Post-production.
Dates: Week commencing 18th May 2020
Times: The workshops will be full-time and may involve evening sessions
Location: Antigua and Barbuda
Benefits
- Commonwealth Writers will cover the cost of an economy return flight from an eligible member state, where the applicant must reside.
- Commonwealth writers will provide accommodation and meals during the workshop period.
- Workshops, international travel, accommodation, and meals will be paid for and provided by Commonwealth Writers. Participants must organize and finance their own local travel to and from their nearest airport.
- Participants who complete the workshop will have the opportunity to apply for £8000 bursaries to make a short 10-15 minute film to show at local and international film festivals.
Eligibilities
- Minimum age 21.
- The initiative is for early-career writer-directors or writer and director teams, who can demonstrate a commitment to developing their careers in film.
- Applicants may have studied or worked in film, and as part of the application process should be able to demonstrate their experience by providing a sample of a previously written film script and a director’s reel or short film.
- Applicants must reside in the following region.
Application Process
- Applications will need to be made via an online application form
- Writer-directors and writer and director teams applying will need to have a clear idea of the short film they would like to develop and make. A full script for the proposed film is not required at this stage.
Please find the application requirements below for individuals and teams. Please read all of the guidelines and information fully. Only one application per individual/team may be submitted. Individual writer-directors, please see Section A; writer and director teams, please see Section B.
SECTION A
- WRITER-DIRECTORS: Individual writer-directors will need to submit:
- A resume.
- Treatment: An outline of the short 10-15 minute film you will develop through the Caribbean Voices initiative. The maximum length of treatment one A4 page. Please take into consideration that if an application for a bursary is successful, the bursary will total £8000 for each film. If a film proposal requires additional funding, the filmmaker will need to demonstrate how they will independently raise the extra funds.
- Director’s note: What you hope to gain from this initiative and any areas you would like personal development in. Your reasons for wanting to make the film. Maximum length one A4 page.
- Visual style: Outline of the visual style for your film, including your inspirations (films, directors, writers, etc that you are inspired by). Maximum length one A4 page.
- Sample of writing in the form of a film script. Both the short films and feature films accepted. The maximum length of fifteen A4 pages.
- Sample of directing. A website link to a sample of your directing in the form of either a short film or director’s reel. Between 4-10 minutes in length.
- Proof of the citizenship of one of the following Commonwealth Foundation member states; Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. Applicants must also reside in the region.
SECTION B
- WRITER AND DIRECTOR TEAMS: Writer and director teams (maximum two people in a team) will need to submit a joint application, which will include joint and independent sections:
1. Joint section:
-
- Joint Treatment: An outline of the short 10-15 minute film you will develop through the Caribbean Voices initiative. The maximum length of treatment one A4 page. Please take into consideration that if an application for a bursary is successful, the bursary will total £8000 for each film. If a film proposal requires additional funding, the filmmaker will need to demonstrate how they will independently raise the extra funds.
- Working relationship: A brief description of the team’s joint working relationship and past work together. Maximum length one A4 page.
- Visual style: Outline of the visual style for your film, including inspirations (films, directors, writers, etc that you’re inspired by). Maximum length one A4 page.
2. Director:
-
- A resume.
- Director’s note: What you hope to gain from this initiative and any areas you would like personal development in. Your reasons for wanting to make the film. Maximum length one A4 page.
- Sample of directing. A website link to a sample of your directing in the form of either a short film or director’s reel. Between 4-10 minutes in length.
- Proof of the citizenship of one of the following Commonwealth Foundation member states; Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. Applicants must also reside in the region.
Writer:
- A resume
- Writers note: What you hope to gain from this initiative and any areas you would like personal development in. Your reasons for wanting to make the film. Maximum length one A4 page.
- Sample of writing in the form of a film script. Both the short films and feature films accepted. Maximum length of fifteen A4 pages.
- Proof of the citizenship of one of the following Commonwealth Foundation member states; Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. Applicants must also reside in the region.
To get more exciting opportunities like this, at your fingertips, install the Youth Opportunities Mobile App here from your cellphone.
Application Deadline: February 24, 2020
Application ClosedOfficial link
