Curtis Brown Creative launches screenwriting scholarship

Curtis Brown Creative has launched a new screenwriting scholarship for writers with a low income.

Sponsored by Curtis Brown Creative

Applications to the Breakthrough Scholarship for TV Screenwriters with Low Income are now open.

This scholarship from Curtis Brown Creative – the renowned writing school affiliated to the major literary and talent agency – will provide full funding for one talented of limited financial means, who is over the age of 18, to join their eighteen-week Writing an Original TV Drama Serial course in London.

The winner of the scholarship will be given a travel stipend (up to the value of £250, depending on individual circumstances) to contribute to the cost of travelling to attend classes in central London. The scholar will also be eligible to receive a fully paid-for digital download of the latest version of the premier screenwriting software Final Draft (worth £181).

The course is led by celebrated screenwriter, director and producer Jamie Nuttgens and runs from 4 April to 1 August 2022. 15 students will join the group with the aim of taking their screenwriting to the next level. The students will get focused feedback during one-to-one tutorials with Jamie and experienced Script Editor Clare Alan. They will attend five masterclasses from leading industry figures – a showrunner, producer, script editor, commissioner and director will take students through the key stages of drama development and the production process.

Students will also get the chance to workshop their pilot episode, practice pitching, network with top TV agents from Curtis Brown.

“The purpose of the Breakthrough Writers’ Programme is to offer opportunities to under-represented writers and to seek out talented writers who would not otherwise be able to join our courses,” says Anna Davis, CBC’s Founder and Director. “I’m hoping we’ll find an exciting new voice, and am very much looking forward to reading the applications.”

Cassie Quarless, winner of the 2021 Breakthrough Scholarship for TV Screenwriters of Colour, said: “The scholarship is an amazing opportunity and having already attended two weeks of classes it is definitely one of the best things that has happened to me this year. My selection definitely felt like a validation of the value of the work that I’ve been trying to do and I hope that it will only serve to make my work stronger… I would really encourage anyone who was thinking about applying to make the jump.”

Scholarship applicants are invited to send in the opening of their pilot script, 300 words synopsising the rest of the pilot episode and 300 words synopsising the rest of the serial and fill out the application form online. The deadline to apply is midnight, Sunday 20 March. Find out more and apply here.