Write a Skins mini episode

The plan
Are you an aspiring young writer looking for your first break? Would you like to be able to call yourself a Skins writer? Well you’ve come to the right place because we’re giving someone that amazing opportunity! We’re giving one talented person the opportunity to lead writing a Skins mini episode featuring some of the Skins 3 cast, which will be screened online (and possibly on TV) in summer 2009. Don’t worry if you’re a little overwhelmed , we will be there to support you every step of the way. If you’ve got what it takes, we’ll make sure you’re given all of the support you need, like we do with all of our writers.

The winner will join the Skins Writer’s room, which is the place where the Skins writers thrash out their ideas and the creative process takes place for each Skins episode that makes it onto the screen. This will give you an opportunity to fine tune your skills, get some vital experience and contribute to Skins in a unique way. You will also visit the Skins set for one day of filming of series 3 and will be on set to witness the mini episode being filmed.

What do I need to do?
Write a short comedy-drama which:
Is a maximum 1600 words
Doesn’t use any existing Skins characters in the scripts.
Contains a minimum of 3 new characters
Uses a maximum of 5 locations Send your finished script with your name, address and age to skinswriters@e4.com.

What will you be looking for?
A good sense of structure and comedy, appreciation of story, believable dialogue, complete characters and passionate storytelling.
The judging process Company Pictures and a member of the E4 team will pick the person they feel most meets the selection criteria (above), and they will be crowned the winner. Entries must reach us by 6pm on December 9th 2008

Important stuff
A set visit will take place one day between 15th and 19th December 2008, which you will be required to attend. On the 12th January, you will be required to attend the first meeting with the rest of your team. Another three meetings will be arranged subsequently, and will take place between January 13th and 16th March 2008. Your time attending the writer’s room will begin mid January. We expect you to attend a maximum of 10 sessions. There’s a chance that once these 10 sessions have been attended, you may be invited back to the writer’s room as a contributor, this decision is at the discretion of Company Pictures. The filming of the Skins mini episode will take place between 16th March and 20th March 2009 in Bristol. You will be required to attend the four day shoot where you get to witness the mini episode being filmed. For all meetings, set visits and shoots, accommodation and travel (if necessary) will be paid. You will also be paid a day rate for your time (amount to be confirmed with the winner).

Terms and conditions
At the time of entry you must be aged between 18 and 23 years and a UK resident. Proof of age and identity will be required. Your script must not exceed 1600 words.
Your script must be your own work and not use any existing Skins characters. Your script must contain a minimum of 3 new characters and a maximum of 5 locations.
The winner will be required to enter into a standard form of engagement agreement with Company Pictures (Skins production company).
By entering this competition you confirm that you have no contractual obligations or agreements with any agent or other third party.
You will be paid a fee for your visits to the writer’s room and time spent attending meetings and shoots. Travel and accommodation (if necessary) will be provided.
The winner will have 72 hours to respond to notification before another winner is selected.
You can enter as many times as you like, as long as each entry revolves around a new story and characters.