Director applications open for our new filmmaking lab
Published:
15 Sep 2020
Development opportunity for early-career Directors looking to improve their screen skills.
Scratch Me is a new filmmaking lab where creatives can develop exciting, original, can’t-look-away characters to lead film/TV projects.
Last month, we launched a call-out for Writers and Writer-Performers who had an idea for a compelling character. Now we're looking for early-career directors to help bring these characters to life on screen. We want to hear from creatives working inside and outside the film industry – enthusiasm, not experience, is required.
Scratch Me will provide the selected Directors will everything they need to succeed during the lab. You’ll improve your screen skills through a two-month programme of masterclasses and mentoring sessions unpacking the role of the director. And after that, you’ll put what you’ve learned into practice by creating a short, character-driven film in collaboration with the lab Writers.
Scratch Me runs from October 2020 - January 2021. Director applications are open now and close at 6pm on Tuesday, 29 September.
Alongside the filmmaking lab, Scratch Me will deliver a public programme of online events featuring top industry talent discussing the process of character development and the craft of film and TV. We’ll announce more events in the public programme soon.
Who can take part?
This call-out is open to early-career directors working in film/TV and creatives working in other disciplines with transferable experience and ambitions to improve their screen skills.
To be eligible for Scratch Me as a director, you must:
Have limited film/TV directing experience, or transferable skills from another creative discipline.
Be over 18 by the start of the lab.
Be able to commit to the lab process. (See an indicative lab schedule - all sessions are currently planned to take place online)
Scratch Me is an inclusive programme. Participation is free and we'll make adjustments to ensure participants get the most out of the lab.
How do I apply?
To apply to Scratch Me, complete the online form linked below. The application form gives you a chance to tell us about yourself, your creative background and why Scratch Me is the right programme for you.
If you have directing experience, you'll also be asked to share some of your previous work in support of your application. If you're a first-time director, you'll have the chance to explain how you would approach this role.
Scratch Me is a Film Hub North and BFI NETWORK project delivered in partnership with Screen Yorkshire and SIGN (Screen Industries Growth Network). Scratch Me is designed to feed into the wider Flex talent development programme to be launched by Screen Yorkshire in early 2021. Both programmes will contribute to SIGN’s overall aim to enable and empower sustainable growth in the TV, film and games industries of Yorkshire and the Humber.
