SCRIPT INVITATION FOR FEATURE FILM
Tumbleweed Productions is currently seeking script submissions for development into low budget feature films.
We are a young progressive production company with over seven years' production experience.
With a strong background in factual programming, we have recently moved into film and are looking to expand our slate of
projects by developing fresh, original and exciting feature scripts with both new and established writing talent.
If you are interested in submitting to us, please read the information below.
What we are looking for
An exciting low budget feature with strong commercial prospects. We don’t want to limit this to any particular genre,
but what we are looking for is strong writing, with good characterisation and plotting, gripping narrative and a fresh,
original voice. This may sound like a tall order, but the most vital element of any successful low budget film
(or any film, for that matter) is a great script. Although there is no limit on genre, there is on budget - please bear
in mind the words ‘low budget’ – so no costly special effects, period costumes or exotic locations please!
Ideally a one or two location piece with a strong central cast of characters. All scripts must be suitable for production in the UK.
How to submit
If you think you may have what we are looking for then please submit the following to us by email:
- Your name and contact details (incl email address)
- Title of your script
- Genre
- Brief synopsis (one paragraph)
- Treatment (one-page maximum)
Please do not send us a copy of your script at this stage.
IMPORTANT: Please make sure you have read, understood and agreed to our Terms and Conditions (below) before you submit
any material to us. All submissions received will be deemed to be in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.
Submit by email to
scripts@tumble-weed.tv
Deadline is currently open ended.
Selection Process
All submissions will be reviewed and responded to. Where possible we aim to get back to you within 3 months of submission.
We will then select a shortlist. Those shortlisted will be asked to submit a feature length script by email to
scripts@tumble-weed.tv
Deadline to be confirmed with invitation to submit.
All feature scripts must be in Courier 12pt and page-numbered. For help with formatting visit the BBC’s Writers Room
www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/scriptsmart
All scripts should be feature length, between 75 - 120 pages long. Please do not send us anything over 120 pages as it will not be read.
We regret that we will not be able to provide feedback to unsuccessful submissions.
We aim to respond to all shortlisted script submissions within a month of receipt.
Writers’ Guidelines
Before sending us your material, please consider the following:
· Does your one-page treatment tell us the full story (does it include all the relevant characters/twists/revelations and final outcome?)
· Is your title right for your script or could it be misleading/confusing?
· Is your story cinematic in scope or would it be perhaps more suitable for TV or theatre?
· Is your story substantial enough for feature film treatment or would it be better suited to another format (eg a short)?
· Does your story have appealing and believable characters and do they undergo a satisfying journey/character arc?
· Is your dialogue natural and distinctive (does each character have a voice)?
· What is the style and tone of your script – how have you conveyed the mood or feel of the film?
· Does the story have a recognisable theme(s) that will resonate with a wide audience?
· Is your story a commercial prospect (would it appeal to a paying audience)?
· Can your script hook and entertain an audience, and also take them on an emotional journey?
· What genre is your script? While we are not placing any restrictions on genre, it has to be one that can work with a low budget,
be produced in the UK, and not require a cast of thousands.
· Is your story original or an original or clever twist on an existing theme/concept?
· Is your script set in the correct format and between 75-120 pages long?
· Is your script developed as far as you can go? We are likely to make further calls for script submissions in the future,
so please consider submitting at a later date if your script is not ready, as re-drafts of previously submitted material cannot be considered.
Terms and Conditions
1. The deadline for submitting treatments is currently open-ended. All submissions must be sent by email to scripts@tumble-weed.tv and, in the case of scripts, in the correct format and suitable for production in the UK. We will only accept and review submissions
sent to us via email.
2. This invitation is open to both new and established writers. Writers may submit more than one entry, provided each entry meets our criteria.
Writers must be aged 18 or over and resident in the UK.
3. All submitted treatments will be reviewed and responded to by email, where possible with a month of receipt.
4. We regret we will not be able to provide feedback regarding any unsuccessful entries. We will also not enter into any correspondence
or discussion regarding our decision.
5. All entries must have a valid email address so we can acknowledge receipt of your submission and notify you of the outcome.
6. All submitted material must be your own, original work and you must own full copyright. You agree that any submission you make will not
infringe the copyright or any other rights of any third party.
7. All submitted treatments and scripts must be a completed version. We will not consider incomplete or unfinished material.
8. You must be the sole author of any material submitted (except where more specifically provided).
9. No submitted material must be the subject of any existing or potential option agreement or any other legally or morally binding agreements
or discussions. All submitted material must therefore be unencumbered from any actual or potential third party rights.
10. Entries must not contain defamatory or obscene material.
11. Please note this is an invitation to select material for potential development as a low budget feature film. Consequently,
there will not be any advances payable (or any other fees) for submitted material. If any project is selected by us as having development potential we may agree, after good faith discussions, to option your script. Please bear in mind we may ask you to produce a revised draft(s) prior to any final option decision. If an option is agreed, you would normally be offered an industry standard percentage of the film’s budget which would be payable once the film has been fully financed and in production (subject to contract).
12. We acknowledge all writers’ legal rights over their work and any material submitted to us will be treated in strict confidence.
Please note, however, that similarities may occur in material submitted by different writers. We therefore cannot be held liable
if material similar to yours is received from another source and is subsequently commissioned or produced.
13. Acceptance of these rules is a condition of submission and receipt of a submission by us amounts to acceptance of the rules.
