Moonstone International Screen Lab 2006

MOONSTONE INTERNATIONAL SCREEN LABS
MOONSTONE INTERNATIONAL – Screenwriters’ and Filmmakers' Lab
 
Call for participants
www.moonstone.org.uk/applications.html 
 
Moonstone International Screen Labs is about experience in every sense of the word. Founded in 1997 in consultation with Robert Redford’s Sundance Institute, Moonstone supports the work of European independent screenwriters and directors of vision, through its programme of advanced project-based development and training.

In 2005, Moonstone East opens its office in Leipzig, Germany. This outpost is the physical manifestation of Moonstone's continuing commitment to the discovery, training and development of the next generation of European screenwriters and filmmakers.

THE SCREEN LABS

Arranging three Screen Labs a year - one Filmmakers’ Lab and two Screenwriters’ Labs - Moonstone facilitates the sharing of skills, talents, practical knowledge and creativity which can help bring a promising film project into successful fruition.

Free from the pressures of production, the residential Screen Labs present a tremendous opportunity for experienced screenwriters and directors to explore and develop their projects with the invaluable assistance and advice of expert Advisors, selected with the help of the Sundance Institute. As filmmakers of international distinction, the Advisors bring with them not only a wealth of creative and industry experience, but also a genuine desire to impart this knowledge onto the next generation of European cinema.

WHO CAN APPLY?

The Labs are open to feature film writers and directors from throughout Europe. While practical development and training play a significant part in the overall process, Moonstone selects only the most innovative, exciting and original writers and directors whose projects are sufficiently advanced and are likely to appeal to an international audience. Applicants must have a proven extensive track record.

Screenwriters’ Lab

WHO CAN APPLY:
• Experienced screenwriters who have already completed/produced feature film script(s) and/or have a feature film project with a producer attached and/or
• Experienced television drama writers with a completed feature film script and/or
• Experienced creative writers (theatre, fiction, poetry etc) with a completed feature film script and/or
• Experienced directors or other film practitioners wanting to transfer into screenwriting with a completed feature film script. Writers with less experience than the above outlined criteria will only be selected in exceptional cases, where the project submitted is seen as having particular vision, talent and production potential. Applicants must be
• Nationals of any country participating in the MEDIA programme (this includes all European Union and European Economic Area member states).

WHAT TO SEND IN (Hard copies only, applications will not be accepted by fax):
1. Completed Application Form
• Please complete & tick boxes to confirm enclosures.
• If you are applying as co-writers please state this clearly on the application form and provide a completed application form and contact details for both writers.
2. Two hard copies of your feature length screenplay on A4 paper with pages numbered, and if possible please email this version of the screenplay
• The screenplay should be at an advanced draft level. Ideally it should be almost ready to go into production. The Lab is project based, and not a writing school.
• We can only accept feature length scripts written in / translated into English. Of course screenplays written in and to be made in another European Language will be happily accepted on the Lab but can only be worked on in the Lab in English.
• Please submit two unbound identical paper copies, they can be held together with paper fasteners or clips but please do not bind with comb or adhesive, or use sellotape.
• Scripts will not be accepted by fax.
• We will only accept a script which has previously been submitted if it has undergone a significant re-write / re-draft.
• We cannot return scripts or application details. Unsuccessful applications will be disposed of safely.
3. Project Synopsis<
• Please do not send in a treatment or detailed synopsis.
4. Curriculum Vitae
• Please include relevant writing / background experience and professional credits.
5. Letter of Application
• Please detail the projects development status.
• Please also state what you hope to gain from the Lab.
• Confirmation of receipt of application will be issued by email or letter. FEE:
• The Fee for the Screenwriters’ Lab participant is L750 Sterling plus VAT. This covers accommodation & full board costs.

BURSARIES:

Organisations that provide training bursaries include the UK Film Council, FAS Screen Training Ireland, Scottish Screen, Sgrin and the Northern Ireland Film & Television Commission. Further information about training bursaries can be obtained from your regional/national media desks.
Shortlisted candidates for the Lab should contact these and other funding organisations for further bursary details.
Moonstone provides one free place on each Screenwriters’ Lab. The Moonstone Bursary Award is kindly provided with the support of the MEDIA Programme of the European Community.

Filmmakers’ Lab

WHO CAN APPLY:

• Experienced directors who have already directed one or more feature films and/or more than one short film and/or television drama and/or
• Experienced documentary, commercial or corporate film directors and/or
• Experienced theatre directors and/or
• Experienced screenwriters, or other film practitioners wanting to transfer into directing with an attached project.
Applicants must have an attached feature length project to submit.
Applicants must be:
• Nationals of any country participating in the MEDIA programme (this includes all European Union and European Economic Area member states).

WHAT TO SEND IN (Hard copies only, applications will not be accepted by fax):
1. Completed Application Form
• Please complete & tick boxes to confirm enclosures.
• If you are applying as co-directors please state this clearly on the application form and provide a completed application form and contact details for both directors.
2. Two copies of the attached feature length screenplay on A4 paper with pages numbered, and if possible please email this version of the screenplay
• We can only accept feature length scripts written in / translated into English. Of course, screenplays written in and to be made in another European Language will be happily accepted on the Lab but can only be worked on in the Lab in English.
• Please submit two unbound identical paper copies, they can be held together with paper fasteners or clips.
• Please do not bind with comb or adhesive, or use sellotape.
• Scripts will not be accepted by fax.
• We will only accept a project which has previously been submitted if it has undergone a significant re-write / re-draft.
• We cannot return scripts or application details. Unsuccessful applications will be disposed of safely.
3. A VHS/DVD sample of your directing experience
• The sample must be a piece of work for which you are credited as director.
• We can only return your VHS/DVD if you include a Stamped Addressed Envelope.
4. Project Synopsis
• Please do not send in a treatment or detailed synopsis.
5. Curriculum Vitae
• Please include relevant directing / background experience and professional credits.
6. Letter of Application
• Please detail the projects development status.
• Please also state what you hope to gain from the Lab.
• Confirmation of receipt of application will be issued by email or letter. FEE:
• The Fee for the Filmmakers’ Lab participant is L2,000 Sterling plus VAT. This covers accommodation & full board costs.

BURSARIES:
Organisations that provide training bursaries include the UK Film Council, FAS Screen Training Ireland, Scottish Screen, Sgrin and the Northern Ireland Film & Television Commission. Further information about training bursaries can be obtained from your regional/national media desks.
Shortlisted candidates for the Lab should contact these and other funding organisations for further bursary details.
 
 
MOONSTONE INTERNATIONAL SCREEN LABS
Joanna Shepherd and Karen Currie
67 George Street
EH2 2JG Edinburgh
U.K.
tel: +44 (0)131 220 2080
fax: +44 (0)131 220 2081
info@moonstone.org.uk 
www.moonstone.org.uk