Hynes, Saunders Among Jury to Select BAFTA Emerging Comedy Screenwriters

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) and Rocliffe today announced the confirmed jury members who will decide which emerging comedy screenwriters will showcase their work in front of the cream of the UK and US television industry at Guardian Edinburgh International Television Festival (GEITF) in August, and the New York Television Festival (NYTVF) in October.

The jury, chaired by Andrew Newman, Chief Executive of Objective Productions (Peep Show, Fresh Meat), and Chair of BAFTA's Television Committee, includes Chris Sussman, Executive Editor BBC commissioning, Jill Offman, SVP International Content at Comedy Central, Myfanwy Moore, Commissioning Editor, Comedy at ITV, Kenton Allen, Chief Executive at Big Talk Productions (Rev, Friday Night Dinner), Margot Gavan Duffy, Producer at Tiger Aspect (Bad Education, Little Crackers), Saskia Schuster, Commissioning Editor, Sky Comedy, as well as writer Kevin Cecil (Black Books, Little Britain), writer/actress Jessica Hynes (Twenty Twelve, Spaced) and writer/performer Jennifer Saunders (Absolutely Fabulous).

The jury will select two writers or writing teams to attend the Guardian Edinburgh International Television Festival (GEITF), and three writers or writing teams for the New York Television Festival (NYTVF). Places for both events are open to British UK-based comedy screenwriters who have not yet had a television series commissioned, although they may have broadcast writing credits.

Andrew Newman, Chair of the jury said: "We are really excited to have such a distinguished jury, who together have brought us some of Britain's best comedy, including a wealth of BAFTA-winning and nominated shows. This is our third year at the NYTVF and participants in the previous two years have gained writing work, development deals and representation as a direct result of taking part in the BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Forum. We very much hope to see similar results this year, and our new partnership with the GEITF also promises to bring exciting new opportunities to the chosen writers."

Jennifer Saunders, who also served on the jury for the NYTVF initiative in 2012, said: "I am really pleased to be on the BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Forum jury again this year as I feel it serves a very useful purpose not just for new uncommissioned comedy writers but also for those on the panel. It's great to see what's out there. I would advise writers presenting work to ensure that it comes off the page well. Sometimes jokes that are in your head don't work out when performed. Read it out loud."

Other top tips from jury members include:

"Your first scene is almost certainly too long. Make it shorter and get the story going more quickly." - Kevin Cecil, writer (Black Books, Little Britain)

"If possible, don't submit an extract from an opening episode: First episodes can all too easily become bogged down by the set up. A later episode can often showcase the comedy and the characters far better." - Saskia Schuster, Commissioning Editor, Sky Comedy

"Define your characters so they don't all sound the same on the page. It might help to have specific actors in mind, for example a 'Robert Webb' type or a 'Simon Bird' type." - Kenton Allen, Chief Executive, Big Talk Productions

BAFTA, with its branches in New York and in Scotland, and Rocliffe are offering this opportunity in partnership with British Airways, GEITF and the NYTVF, and the chosen writers will receive:

• A BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Forum showcase featuring professional actors performing their work in front of an industry audience at GEITF or the NYTVF. Audience members across the festivals will include representatives from BBC, Channel 4, ITV, Sky, Comedy Central, Sky, FOX, FX, VH1, MTV, IFC and major independent production companies
• Feedback during the event from top TV industry guests - gaining vital tips and encouragement. Previous guests at NYTVF have included Jenni Konner (Girls) and Phil Rosenthal (Everybody Loves Raymond)
• One-to-one development mentoring sessions by top UK and US comedy commissioners and independent production companies
• A GEITF festival pass and/or a New York Television Festival 'Official Artist' pass;
  Pitch training
• Travel and accommodation for the festival for which they are selected
• One-to-one meetings with top UK talent agents
• Bespoke industry networking opportunities

The closing date for entries for the BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Forum at the Guardian Edinburgh International Television Festival (GEITF) and the New York Television Festival (NYTVF) is 22 May, 2013. Applicants must submit a ten page extract from their sit-com or sketch show for consideration for the schemes. Each script will be considered for both events albeit different writers may be selected for each event.

All writers who submit and entry will receive an industry standard report to enable them to progress their idea.

@BAFTA and @Rocliffeforum will hold several online tweetups to answer writers' questions, using the hashtag #BAFTARocliffe.

Full application details and terms and conditions can be found at:
www.bafta.org/about/supporting-talent/rocliffe

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