Got a great idea for a webseries? We want to hear it!
We want stories that cross platforms, cross borders, cross boundaries but hit home. Write what you know. Write what you want to see. Write something new.
We're putting together a slate of online dramas to pitch to broadcasters, brands and social media networks, and we're opening up the field to students and young storytellers. If you’ve got a great idea for an online series that could play on Myspace, Bebo or Facebook, PITCH IT TO US!
In the digital landscape, the only currency that really matters is attention: keep it low budget but high in style. Episodic stories told in 3-5 minute video chunks that could be produced by young film-makers such as yourself. Think practical but also think social. We want stories that people will talk about, blog about, twitter about, argue about, and most importantly care about.
Pitch us the next KateModern or The Wire for the web or Zombieland: the Video Diary!
The best entries could be further developed under the auspices of Met Film’s BAFTA-winning Russell Stopford and big-hitting online producer Serena Cullen—executive producer of the first show to cross from digital to TV, Bebo series Sofia’s Diary, which aired on Fiver in the UK.
You get: a story credit and a paid producing, directing or writing role in the production!
We want episodic narratives that work in the busy busy busy environment of the internet, with each episode 3-5 minutes in length. So don’t pitch us a sprawling ensemble drama (unless you’re sure you can convince us!) Focus in on the story you want to tell, and the characters you want to explore. Apart from that, there are no limits.
Any genre, any style, any perspective — just keep it original!
Download an application form in as a Word Document or PDF and return it to us — along with additional material — to onlinepitch@metfilm.co.uk
The first round deadline is January 2nd!
Met Film
Met Film is a unique organisation based in Ealing Studios, which comprises the UK's fastest growing film school, an award-winning feature film production company, a cutting-edge post-production facility and a highly successful creative agency.
We train filmmakers, we make films and we provide filmmaking, post and creative services to other filmmakers and clients.
Serena Cullen
Serena is the executive producer of the wildly successful and fully-funded Bebo series Sofia’s Diary—the first multiplatform online teen drama to cross from the web to television. She has a wealth of experience in the British film and television industry, having set up various feature films including The Talented Mr Ripley, The Hole and Hideous Kinky. Serena has developed shows such as Ultra Violet, Grease Monkeys for BBC 3, The Afternoon Play series, Waking the Dead as well as working on the long runners including East Enders, Holby and Doctors. Since 2007 she has worked as Director of Drama and Comedy at Sony Pictures television, and is currently pursuing a variety of projects both on-line and on-screen.
Russell Stopford
Russell Stopford is the BAFTA-winning Managing Director of Met Film Creative, Met Film Post and Creative Director at Magic Lantern. He has worked in digital media for over twelve years and has experience across a variety of media including broadband, film, animation, commercials, traditional and interactive TV and mobile content. Having worked on projects for most of the UK terrestrial broadcasters and a large selection of new media companies, Russell currently spends most of his time providing creative and consultancy expertise for cross-platform media.
The purpose of the Online Pitch Competition is to identify local creative talent ideally suited for the largely untapped webseries market where traditional writing skills are often unsuitable.
The Online Pitch Competition will result in a partnership with creative talent and Met Film Creative Productions and Serena Cullen to help turn ideas into a commercially viable webseries! Met Film Creative Productions want to give applicants the opportunity and support, to foster their talent and creativity for the online marketplace. We envisage that the successful applicant will retain an on-going involvement in the development and on-going production of their ideas probably through a role as a writer, director or producer of the webseries.
Online Pitch Competition Rules:
1) Pitches must be written in English.
2) Pitches may be submitted by multiple applicants, provided each applicant qualifies to enter the Online Pitch Competition (each applicant must submit an completed application form)
3) Applicants may submit as many pitches as they wish.
4) Only original work will be accepted. It is the responsibility of the Applicants to ensure all rights and copyright lies with the applicant(s) at the time of submission.
5) The Online Pitch Competition is open to individuals resident in the UK.
6) All pitches must be submitted by email to onlinepitch@metfilm.co.uk by the Applicant or if more than one applicant by the nominated Lead Applicant.
7) Mood Reels may be submitted in .mov or .avi format or as an URL link to an online version, eg. on YouTube.
8) Due to time considerations, Met Film does not guarantee feedback on any pitches submitted.
9) The decision of the judges and organisers is final.
10) Should your pitch be considered for commercialisation, Met Film Creative Productions will be granted an exclusive 6 month period (the “Commercialisation Window”) to co-develop your idea with you into a commercial webseries. Met Film Creative Productions can unilaterally by writing to the Applicants terminate early the Commercialisation Window either due to the lack of commercial prospects for the idea in which case the all rights in the Pitch will be returned on request to the Applicant(s) without charge, or due to a decision to commence commissioning.
11) Should the Pitch go into Production then Met Film Creative Productions guarantee you a story credit on the resultant production and envisage an on-going involvement in the webseries production probably through a role as a writer, director or producer of the webseries which would attract appropriate remuneration and production credits.
12) By submitting a Pitch you grant us exclusive rights to assess the commercial prospects of the Pitch for 3 months from the submission date and a further right to develop and commercialise the Pitch for a further 6 months if we request it. If you are unsuccessful or we have not contacted you after 3 months, all rights in the Pitch will be returned to the Applicant(s) without charge on request..
Terms & Conditions:
Submitting a pitch to the Online Pitch Competition acknowledges that: the pitch/screenplay/concept being submitted may contain characters, concepts and other material similar to characters, concepts and other material which the judges/organisers of the competition or their companies, partners or Met Film are currently developing or producing or are considering developing or producing.
You agree at any time not to assert against, bring any claim, against nor bring into disrepute Met Film, the Online Pitch Competition, or any of the organisers of the competition, sponsors, partners, staff or any other person connected with the competition with respect to any use of similar material in any project which is developed, produced, distributed, licensed or sold by all the above mentioned parties. The Online Pitch Competition will act in good faith effort to respect the confidentiality of the pitches submitted to us.
Should your pitch be taken forward for commercialisation in the Online Pitch Competition, Serena Cullen and Met Film will act as executive producers, and they will have final creative control of the resultant webseries. If your Pitch is considered for commercialisation, you will grant us (i) a further 6 month period of exclusivity to further develop your Pitch, (ii) a first right of refusal to commission the resulting material within an 6 months, and (iii) further industry standard waivers and agree to work with Met Film and its creative partners as would be expected in the industry. The Applicant(s) agree that all remuneration to them will be in line with standard industry norms and commensurate with the commercial prospects of the resulting material.
By submitting an Application, the applicant(s) also indemnify Met Film and its partners for any losses incurred as a result of any breach by you of any of the terms and conditions of the Online Pitch Competiton. Where there are multiple Applicants, each applicant agrees that it is jointly and severally liable for the actions of the other applicants.