25 Words or Less

[Shaun Jeffrey]

The deadline is looming, and there are specific criteria, but the British Film Council are running the 25 Words or Less film project.

I believe the project pays ?10,000 to develop a script from a proposal of 25 words or less. With regard horror, they are looking for horror scripts for horror films that explore supernatural and supernormal powers and practices for example, witchcraft, satanic worship and voodoo - for example Rosemary's Baby, The Exorcist, The Blair Witch Project, The Wicker Man, Candy Man, The Omen, Hellraiser.

http://www.ukfilmcouncil.org.uk/funding/features/development/25wolgdln/

The deadline is 10 a.m February 1st 2005.

Criteria: This scheme is open to individuals 18 years and over and nationals and residents of the UK or another state of the European Union/European Economic Area.

Companies are not eligible to apply.

Applicants must have:

secured the services of a literary agent

and/or

have Full Membership status of the Writers' Guild of Great Britain (as such term is defined by Writers' Guild of Great Britain) before applying for this scheme.

25 Words or Less" is an adapted Hollywood term to describe an idea where a film is encapsulated in one sentence - "When a Roman general is betrayed and his family murdered by a corrupt prince, he comes to Rome as a gladiator to seek revenge" was used to describe the concept for Gladiator.

[Chris Teague]

This is sort of bars the way for a "newbie" screenwriter with a great idea... must've secured a literary agent or be a full member of the Guild, which doesn't come cheap.

This has been going for approx. 2-3 years and as yet I don't think any winning entry has been put into production... sort of sums up the British Film Industry: enough money to develop a project, but when it actually boils down to the nitty-gritty of production, the cash dries up...

[D. J. R. Allkins]

I haven't got the credits to enter this anyway, but the question remains, if they did purchase the idea, would the re-writes have to bring down the scope of the budget?  :?

Also by pushing this, is it confirming that '28 Days Later' might be the most sucessful British film in years?   :shock:

[Wayne Mook]

Quite a few professionals don't have agents and this is a bone of contention. Plus the Film Foundation tends to do a different genre every so often in their 25 word thing.

Wayne.