Events & News in the Tees Valley

Production opportunities with Writers’ Block North East

Writers’ Block is an exciting new project for writers and creatives in the region. It will be a hub for creative talent, bringing writers together with actors, directors, film crew, musicians, illustrators, animators, radio producers and photographers; it will provide work space and facilities; create opportunities to produce showreels and develop portfolios; house regular training sessions; and give writers access to agents, publishers and key industry figures.

Writers Block’ will open in an empty property in Middlesbrough town centre in June. In the meantime there are a number of exciting competitions to get involved in:

1. Write a five-minute film script centred around a Sherlock Holmes-inspired character working in Teesside – the winning script will be shot across one weekend and screened as part of the ‘Discover Middlesbrough’ festival in September. SCRIPT SUBMISSION DEADLINE MONDAY 26 APRIL (go to www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=116650768348892&ref=mf for more information)

2. Write a five-minute play script using the title, Can You See in the Dark? – two winning scripts will be developed and performed at the June opening event. SCRIPT SUBMISSION DEADLINE SUNDAY 2 MAY (go to www.facebook.com/WritersBlockNE?ref=profile for more information)

2. Write a short parody of a book, film or television programme - three winners will work with a local puppeteer to create the characters and a local film maker will shoot and edit the piece. SCRIPT SUBMISSION DEADLINE WEDNESDAY 2 JUNE (go to www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=114524541900670&v=wall&ref=ts for more information)

Writers’ Block has been setting up camp at various locations around the region for a series of writer drop-in-sessions. And there’s more to come this month. Join us at The Arthur Robinson House in Billingham this Friday 23 April between 3pm and 6pm – where there’ll be a series of mystery-themed challenges to inspire those Sherlock scripts! – and visit www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=107076072662897&v=wall&ref=ts for information about upcoming sessions. Anybody welcome – just turn up on the day (preferably with a pen)!

To date, Writers’ Block has hosted a ‘Writing and Development’ event, which was attended by a script editor from Ashes to Ashes and a development producer from Tiger Aspect. There has been a ‘Writing for Children’ workshop, a BBC ‘My Story’ workshop and a script competition where three winning writers worked alongside production company Voxpopular to write and produce a radio drama. Visit www.facebook.com/writersblockne for further information about the opportunities outlined – or contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it - and get involved!