GAY WRITING COMPETITION ANNOUNCED

GAY WRITING COMPETITION ANNOUNCED

The third annual nationwide competition to find the best original stage or screenplay on Lesbian and Gay themes, under the directorship of leading gay theatre director Phil Willmott, funded by the London Borough of Newham.

Entries from writers at any stage in their careers are invited to submit relevant, complete and unperformed scripts by December 1st 2002
To the Administrator
Writing Out Awards
The Finborough Theatre
118 Finborough Rd
London
SW10 9ED

ENTRY IS FREE

The scripts considered most promising by a panel of industry professionals will be awarded a
1st prize of £1,500
With 2 runners up prizes of £500

The first prize winner will receive a showcase presentation of their script at a prominent London Theatre.

Last years winning play "You Don't Kiss" by Troy Andrew Fairclough went on to be produced for a three week run at Stratford Circus starring Cornell John, Trevor Laird and Gilz Terera, where it received glowing reviews and Troy was signed by a major literary agency.

Information (Taken from official web site at: www.writingout.com)

Who can enter?
The competition is open to anyone exploring gay and lesbian themes in an original stage, radio or screenplay. Plays will be accepted form anywhere in the world but the judges particularly welcome entries from writers reflecting the broad spectrum of ethnic communities in London's East End.

Can I enter an existing piece?
Yes, however the piece may not have had a professional production on any media. Professional production is defined in this case as having been previously performed by professionally trained actors in front of a paying theatre audience or on radio or television.

What should the play be about?
The themes of the competition are deliberately broad so as to encompass the widest range of work on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) themes. However, the judges hope to receive entries that may have something original to say about the LGBT experience. Even if you are writing about a bleak subject matter try and avoid simply regurgitating how terrible AIDS/homophobia/oppression/ life-in-the-closet etc can be. Your audience already know that. A truly original script may offer a new perspective on these problems or anticipate change in some way. Other well trodden paths probably worth avoiding unless you have something VERY original to say are the queer suicide drama, plays in which a character's sexuality or HIV status are used as a final shock plot twist, plays by elder writers about young men falling in love with older men and plays where gay character's are not the centre of the action eg. where a gay friend or neighbour (usually camp) pops into the main heterosexual plot to provide comic relief.

What are the rules?
The full rules of the competition are included at the end of this document. Please read them carefully and make sure they are acceptable to you before entering.

Can I enter anonymously?
Yes you can. Invent a pseudonym for yourself that we could use if we publicise your play however you must give us your real name and address for admin purposes when you submit your script.

How do I enter?
Simply post a copy of your script with a cover page that includes the title, the author's name or a pseudonym (if you wish) your real name and a contact address, email address if you have one and a telephone number.

Unfortunately we are unable to accept scripts by email this year. Please note that we are unable to return scripts.

What happens then?
A panel of industry professionals will asses the entries and One writer will be awarded a cheque for £1,500, 2 runners up will receive a prize of £500

All entrants will be informed of the competition results by Feb 1st 2003

Summary of Competition Rules (Please read carefully)

When submitting a script to the competition entrants must agree to adhere to the following rules:

Professional actors must not previously have performed the play in front of a paying theatre audience or on radio or television. In submitting a play entrants agree that their play or any excerpt from it may be presented, as part of a one off performance or play reading series to celebrate the competition. Any part of the play may also be broadcast or reproduced for the purposes of publicising the competition. IN ALL OTHER RESPECTS SUBMITTED SCRIPTS REMAIN THE PROPERY OF THE WRITER AND NO FURTHER PRODUCTION OR PUBLISHING RIGHTS WILL BE ASSUMED BY THE COMPETITION ORGANISERS. Writers will be invited to attend rehearsals of their work. Acceptance or otherwise of all entries will be at the absolute discretion of the administration as will any interpretation of procedure. The judges reserve the right to withhold any prize if no worthy winner can be found. No correspondence will be entered into. Winners or winner will be notified by 1st Feb 2003. Writers may enter under a pseudonym and every effort will be made to preserve their public anonymity however a full contact name and address must be made available to the administrator for admin purposes at time of entering.

For more details please go to the official web site at: www.writingout.com