FilmTT issues open call for Writers Room

The Trinidad and Tobago Film Company Limited (FilmTT) has launched its second edition of the Business of Film: Script to Screen Programme: On Set.

On Set is a five-month production incubator to create a five-episode (22 minutes per episode) television series in collaboration with Trinidad and Tobago Television Ltd (TTT) and exporTT. The production incubator begins with an open call for the Writers’ Room – a one-month on-the-job training for writers to familiarise themselves with the TV sitcom/studio format, which will include two weeks of training and mentorship, said a media release.

Anyone interested in the project can submit a pilot script via the FilmTT website by March 25.

Last year, FilmTT launched its Business of Film: Script to Screen Programme, a development initiative designed to inspire the local audio-visual industry to expand technical expertise to meet international standards and to produce content suitable for distribution, the release said.

The first edition, The Pitch, began with training workshops for 24 participants with international education agency, Stage 32, and five guest presentations by local film professionals. Ten participants went on to present a two-minute pitch of their original scripts in the Preliminary Phase. Six advanced from this stage to the Final Pitch where the top three pitches were entitled to awards of limited development funding towards their scripts, the release said.

On Set will focus on the production aspect of the Business of Film: Script to Screen Programme. Five writers will be shortlisted to participate in the Writers’ Room where they will receive training that would enable them to manage a writers’ room, understand the process involved in script writing, specifically, writing for TV, while tailoring their writing voice to develop well-rounded characters and a marketable series. They will also collaborate to develop five episodes of a family-friendly television series. The series will premiere on TTT.

General manager of FilmTT Leslie-Ann Wills-Caton said in the release:

“ On Set is a chance for writers to take their idea from the pages to the set. We look forward to all the submissions and to, once again, work with so many talented professionals in the local film industry.”

For more info, or to submit a script for the Writers’ Room: visit www.filmtt.co.tt/onset.