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SANKALAN Time for a script Lab in India
Had been to Cinemax Versova yesterday, Anupama Bose from Baiscope Entertainment had sent a very interesting invite. Let me share it with you all. The press conference was held at The Red Lounge -Cinemax Versova. The brochure which they have made is comprehensive enough for a person to know the whys? and hows? Of Sankalan.
At the press conference there was some questions thrown in spite of some very concrete briefing by the panel. A few of them were hair splitting…anyways the crux of the matter is
Send in your script (registered with the Film Writers Association)…it’s safe with your IPR intact.
Get selected and then get paid to work on your script and have an opportunity to being mentored by Anurag Kashyap, Sriram Raghavan and Anjum Rajaballi.
Sriram Raghavan was candid enough to confess that there is a very selfish motive to be a part of this
..I am in search of a good script to make a film
.and maybe I might find it here
Anurag Kashyap too raised his hand seconding the thought with a large grin on his face
quite fascinating to see one of Indias best writers seconding that. Then its both a challenge and an honor to come up with something that might be made by Sriram Raghavan or Anurag Kashyap.
Anjum Rajaballi made it quite clear that this was not for then absolute raw first timers…he had a very valid point..”if you are serious and passionate about writing then you must have tried writing and must have written atleast one script….so this Lab is for those who have the basic competence of a writer…which will be nurtured and guided in the course of this Lab…”
Why SANKALAN ?
The time has come to revive the art & the craft of story telling.
There are few writers, and even fewer story tellers..
Its time, we feel, for a Script Lab in India.
An opportunity which will help nurture ideas and concepts for films into full blown scripts that eventually will see the light of the day. Scripts which will be made into films.
Hence - Indias first ever Ideas to Screen Workshop SANKALAN.
Contestants are invited to send in their concepts for feature films (live action or animation).
24 best entries will be selected for one to one pitching sessions with our panel comprising Mahindra, Baiscope Entertainment, writers and directors. .
Sankalan brings together 3 of the best talent in the industry - Anurag Kashyap , Anjum Rajaballi and Sriram Raghavan to select and mentor these oven fresh ideas into feature scripts over a period of 9 months.
Supporting Sankalan is our way of saying that the script comes first, second, third
And we, at Mahindra, intend to give scripts and script-writers the importance they deserve in order to create really good, entertaining and meaningful cinema
Andrey Purushottam, CEO, Mahindra media and entertainment business.
This is the first time that a Script Lab structure is being set up in India
.. Baiscope Entertainment has also factored in stipends for the finalists so that they can concentrate only on developing their scripts and their expenses are taken care of.
- Anurag Kashyap, Writer & Filmmaker
Sankalan is a very highly needed relationship between producers on one hand expecting good scripts and raw talent on the other hand wanting to develop their ideas into scripts which can be turned into films. All they need is a little push and mentoring. This will provide them that.
- Anjum Rajaballi , Writer
” We keep saying that there is a tremendous lack of good scripts in our industry. Hopefully, this initiative will help attract new ideas and writers. There must be so many people all over the country who have stories to tell but perhaps dont know how exactly to go about it. Thelma and Louise, Rocky, Blood Simple Salaam Bombay and Juno were scripts written by first time writers. So i’m very optimistic.”
- Sriram Raghavan , Writer & Filmmaker
These scripts will then be further developed / produced by Mahindra media and entertainment business.
The last date for submission of concepts is 19th July, 2008.
For more information on Sankalan and its rules and regulations and eligibility criteria, please log onto www.baiscopeent.com/sankalan or send us an email on sanakalan@gmail.com
About Baiscope entertainment
Baiscope Entertainment is a NGO and the first of its kind of organisation in the Indian entertainment space.
Conceived 2 years back with a vision of providing a Window of Opportunities into the World of Cinema, the objective behind the organization is to create a platform whereby knowledge can be shared on all aspects of cinema and a way can be paved for a defined indie filmmaking culture and movement in the country.
Baiscope has been working towards setting up a knowledge sharing platform in the Indian film industry by conducting knowledge sharing workshop sessions with experts from the different areas of the film fraternity. These workshops are attended by film buffs, film school students, people who are looking at making a career in film and people who have nothing to do with the film space
www.baiscopeent.com ; baiscopeent@gmail.com
Guest speakers have included Anurag Kashyap (writing and filmmaking), Sudhir Misra (world film festivals itinerary), Christina Marouda (setting up and running film festivals), Amitabh Shukla with Real Image (editing, VFX and Digital projection), Gitanjali Rao (animation), Mehool Parikh (film completion bonding), Ashutosh Kane (IPR), Sriram Raghavan (Film Noir) etc.
Baiscope has conceptualized and is now organizing SANKALAN India’s first Ideas to Screen initiative - a comprehensive script writing initiative to find and develop new talent in the film writing space.
Our core team consists of people from various fields within the media and entertainment space, all with a passion for cinema.
Pallavi Swaraj +91 9833350585
Rabia Chopra +91 9820962559
Anupama Bose +91 9833255171
Or e-mail to
sankalan08@gmail.com / universeofcinema@gmail.com
UPDATE - Docket Formatting and Time line - Anupama Bose
1. Mode of scripts. I guess you mean formats of the dockets and how to submit them.
Dockets should comprise :
A. Statement of Purpose : On being a Script Writer
B. Portfolio :
A fully formatted, registered (with Film Writers Association) script with dialogue. Could be a published / filmed work by the contestant. This is purely for assessing script writing skills & is mandatory .
A 4-5 pages docket comprising Concept Note, Synopsis & a detailed treatment note on the germ you wish to develop and see through from Idea to Screen in the course of SANKALAN .
These need to be registered with the Film Writers Association.
The docket should be formatted under the following heads :
Live action / Animation
Genre
Duration
Idea / Premise
Plot Summary / Synopsis
Characters
A note on the Writers Vision Why do you think this should be made into a feature film
And ..since we insist on both concepts and scripts be registered, it will have to be physical copies sent by courier / snail mail. The adree is on teh form.
2. Your query about dates of selection, etc . please find below the complete timesheet for Sankalan .
19th May 2008 Press conference followed by announcement inviting entries for Sankalan.
19th July 2008 - Closing date for entries
9th Aug 2008 Announcement of 24 best entries
19th & 20th Aug 2008 A 2-day pitching window for the 24 best entries to the Panel. 1/2 an hour for each pitch
21st Aug Announcement of 12 best pitches
25th Aug 1st Sept 2008 - Script writing training workshop for the 12 best aspirants with the 3 mentors
3rd 5th Sept 2008 Candidates rework their concept notes and submit them.
9th Sept 2008 Selection of 6 projects by mentors. These will be further developed by the aspirants under the mentors
4th Dec 2008 submission & presentation of 1st draft by all 6
12th Dec 2008 Selection of 3 out of the 6. these 3 will be mentored till the end.
10th Jan 2009- submission & presentation of 2nd draft by all 3
19th Jan 2009- feedback by mentors on 2nd draft
19th Feb 2009 - submission & presentation of 3rd draft
25th Feb 2009 - mid Final pitch (internal) of all 6 projects - the 3 mentored ones and the other 3 which were finally developed by the aspirants on their own ; mentors to give pitching guidelines to all 6. Also if any of the other 6 want to come back at this stage with their full blown self developed scripts
28th Feb 2009 Final pitch to MAhindra
Hi,
How do you go about registering your script in the Film Writers Association.
It would be nice if you can give the proper links and procedure. I have browsed through FWA website and got no clue how to do it.
The Film Writers Association Of India
2nd Floor, Richa Building,
Andheri West
Mumbai,
Maharashtra 400057
India
Telephone: +91 22 66922899
Email: tfwa@vsnl.net
Download and Print this form
http://www.fwaindia.com/app/fwaform.pdf
fill it and send it to them.
great idea. cheers to mahindra and baiscope!!
on one hand there is reliance..the big guys..who land up at cannes to make announcement that they r going to do co-production with every possible big name they have heard in their life so far…tom hanks to whoever has a production company in hollywood….they have so much money and so they r willing to give it any “BIG” director or star who wants to do anything. and here’s what mahindra decides to do. to nurture talent. the way entertainment sector is becoming big, one hrithik roshan and one vvc cant make films for everyone. we need to get new names n new faces…and thats the only way out. thnx mahindra!! hope reliance’s big guys will learn something.
damn missed it !!!
thanks for this vasan
its really a good thing to happen. I just saw this event on the news channels….. hope this prooves to be a good step forward
great idea, but it pains me to see the same old guard behind the scenes for this venture as well. as least someone is trying.
Wonderful initiative.Thanks for the post, Vasan !
Hi Vasan, thanks a gazillion for letting us know about this! BUT I WISH I HAD BEEN THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And what a coincidence that you should post this on the very same day that I go to the Film Writers’ Association office and apply for membership!!! I’ll get my card on Friday.
Working with Anurag Kashyap would be a dream come true!!!
By the way, I hope you remember me from PFCOne - One Minute of Local Kung Fu.
hi vasan,
thnx for sending the details for applying fwa membership. but in the form the payments have not been mentioned. since u have already applied for membership could u just give the payment details. i would be very grateful.
uday
at last i remember the fees are like Rs2500 for membership, then there is a registration cost for everything you register… register my 100 pg script cost me like Rs100
i need some help reg. the registration…like i haven’t published any works till now..& i am very new to this field…can u help me out in registering..??
vasan,
many many thxa.
plz guide me abt prefferd language for the script.
regards,
Scripts can be in hindi, english, or mixed…. If you have no credits to your name already you need to have a letter from a production company or another registered member. I dont know how strict they are with this. Further info is here http://www.fwaindia.com/app/Constitution.asp . I assume most of you will be “FELLOW MEMBER: Person who have a burning passion for becoming writers of Audio Visual mediums, but have not yet enough of their work printed to entitle them to become an Associate Member, but who have a letter of confirmation from a producer, or director of film / serial / telefilm/ documentary or audio cassette producing company/ or a music director or a Regular member of Association that he/she will be writing for them/he/she, is entitled to become a fellow member.” They usually take care of the signature requirement there itself, atleast they did for me.
Hey, it’s good for every body. Lab is needfull venture for every emerging telent in writing field. I am writing too. Will try to be part of it and take benifit of it.
From Idias to Paper and from paper to screen, a toddler surely hanged up some time but, Mahindra bio…..team and think tank as Anurag, Shriram… took very opportunative step. I wish them all.
Paresh
ADMISSION FEE & MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION:
The Admission fee to become a member, Regular or otherwise shall be decided and fixed by the Executive Committee of the Association from time to time.
The monthly subscription payable by the members shall be as below, subject to the resolution of the General Body of the Association, increasing or decreasing the same at any time, in case the same is so desired or is deemed necessary.
LIFE MEMBER : RS. 10000/- (FOR LIFE)
REGULAR MEMBER: RS.10/- (MONTHLY)
ASSOCIATE MEMBER: RS. 6/- (MONTHLY)
FELLOW MEMBER:RS.6/- (MONTHLY)
This info is from fwa website. Is this true? Any updates?
More info from website;
. Fees
a) ADMISSION FEE: For all members, Regular, Associate and Fellow, shall be Rs.2500/-
b) LIFE MEMBERSHIP FEE: Rs. 10000/- the above mentioned fees are subject to change by the Executive Committee
I went and registered yesterday. You need to take 2 stamp size photos, a xerox copy of some ID proof and 2613 bucks, plus 400 if you want a copy of the film directory. I’m going to get my card day after.
Its a fairly simple process to become a member of the FWA. There is a really helpful person by name Sumanth in the place and he does most of the membership and registration activty. Its fairly simple but one thing they ask is a letter from a production house stating you are working for them. Maybe this has been relaxed now but this is one additional thing oyu might require.
I really like the way FWA works as I have not even seen where it is and still get most of my work done. They work very well for remote guys also (am in Bangalore) and as kenny @ 17 saud, you will need those things mentioned in his comment.
I am definitely putting my hat in the ring for this one just to keep my juices flowing (in the head) not the other place you so & so :-) the icing of course will be working with Anurag or Sriram
Hi Vasan,
A huge thanks for writing about Sankalan. I really hope some good stuff comes out of it. Just to repeat myself. Salaam Bombay, Thelma and Louise, Juno, Blood Simple, Rocky….were all first time writers. Can you think of more films by first timers. I can think of Following (Christopher Nolan) el mariachi, Sex lies and Videotape, 36 Chowringhee Lane, Munnabhai mbbs, Reservoir Dogs, DDLJ,TZP, Shiva…Am sure you guys can think of dozens more. What made these films work? New voices and new ideas….told with innocence, honesty and conviction. None of these writers knew what would happen with their stories. They just wrote something that they felt strongly about. I guess, they didnt try to please anyone other than themselves. And ended up pleasing huge audiences.
In the last few months, i’ve recieved a dozen concepts all dealing with money, crime, twists, friends and betrayals. And i’m like….not one more…i wish someone gave me something different, new. Of course, there are dozens of good films possible with the same elements.
I hope the writers dont go by trying to second guess what would appeal to the sponsors, Anurag, or Anjum or me. And just write the story that they ‘feel’ something about.
To end on a quote that i have on my softboard.
” I’ve been to the South Pole, flown barrel rolls in a supersonic jet fighter, and been to the bottom of the ocean in a submersible, but the most terrifying thing i’ve ever faced is the blank page.” JAMES CAMERON
And too too tempted to add another quote from Johnny Gaddaar, which we edited out from the film but is there in the audio CD.
” Yeh plan jitni aasani se meine sunaya hai, utna aasan hai nahin. DONT TAKE IT EASY!!!” Dharmendra (Seshadri) in Johnny Gaddaar.
Sriram sir….welcome welcome….had a great time with you at IFFLA…esp the Orchid house..wonderful discussions over vodka n tonic….
Let me add Nishikant here..his Dombivli Fast was also the first one,no?
Sarfarosh…and a lot more…
Thnx for the note Sriram. whenever i told anyone about it, the most common question was…so what kind of stories are “they” looking for ? i was like….hmmm….something intersting! thnx for answering that. n yes i can think of one…ek hasina thi…ha ha ha.
thanks for dropping by Sriram Sir…and yes PFC needs one finalist atleast after a year long rant/cry/let out/discussion/crib/euphoria on cinema….gear up PFC…yeh asli khel hai….baki to jaan-e-maan baaton ke seb hai…..
love you sir….and you owe one for PFC after you were snatched away by rediff.com right under our nose….
Hi Sriram/anyone in the know. This is a slightly technical question but I hope there would be an answer here. One of the things required to be submitted with the application form is a script registered with the FWA. This is to assess the writing style. Does this need to be a complete feature-length script or will a short script with dialogues do? Coming up with a full-length script just to participate in this lab would be a tall order indeed.
hi all!
great to c this response!
hope this means lots of great scripts…waiting to rock the industry… and become geat films!
Thanks SRIRAM for droping by and mentoring online!!!! it helps all those who are interested ,get focussed.
DEFGI - u got that right. one of the requirements is a FULL LENGTH FEATURE FILM SCRIPT registered (might or might not have been filmed).
THe reason we insist on this ‘tall order’ is so that we are assured of a certain diligence and consistency…
as anjum said on 2 days back at the presser - “if you are seriously interested in script writing you would have written at least one script uptil now!’.
And remember - the finalists will have to plough through it till the very end…finish this entire business in less than 7 months ( entries close on July 19th and the project gets over in the last week of Feb. )
I remember Papa (thats what we call Anurag at Baiscope)saying that these days there are too many people floating around with Projects…where are the Scripts? If you are a writer …then Go , just WRITE them!
Let the MBAs write projects!!!!
So gear up Writers…let the ink flow!
Welcome to Sankalan! All the Best!
The initiative is fresh and definitely something which the Indian cinema needs to grow and evolve further
~ Best wishes ….
well, the information is indeed helpful… now i know what to do…
today indian filmmakers/producers have realised what they need to do to get good scripts- and aspiring writers like us know where to ’sell’ their ideas… it must have been same in the past but now with web- it has become more common and easier…
i didn’t know abt this website until Sudhir Mishra suggested it at the IHC recently… i’m happy to find lots of like-minded people here…
cheers
If one already has a feature-length script, and if it’s any good, then no point in sitting in a lab for another nine months. The world is full of horrendous writers bursting with full length scripts (see any Bollywood film). The danger with this kind of an entry barrier is that talented writers may get left out and ‘full length writers’ may unleash their creativity yet again. Though the esteemed mentors are there to prevent this, still the chances of getting real talent gets reduced drastically. And real talent is an endangered species.
My humble solution: instead of a full length script, get the applicants to write a 5-10 (or 20-25) page script. Better still, give them a topic for the script. Then you will have a ready yardstick to compare their worth. This would be a much more pragmatic, common-sensical approach.
Keep the topic fixed, but genre open. Say you give the topic of ‘tractor’. You will get hundreds of scripts with hundreds of tractor stories: a horror tractor script, a thriller with tractors, a romantic tractor saga, a spy movie concerning tractors…
Now you will be in a position to check not only the writing of a writer, but also the imagination. Which is the most important thing.
@ anupama bose
“The reason we insist on this tall order is so that we are assured of a certain diligence and consistency
as anjum said on 2 days back at the presser - if you are seriously interested in script writing you would have written at least one script uptil now!.”
Main Geeta pe apna haath rakh ke kasam khata hoon ki I fully agree!
first thing first,thanks for opportunities to writers.one thing,i couldn’t get, was that only the date for submission has been mentioned.you haven’t gave any other dates like dates of selection,mode of scripts,etc.
Personally speaking, i have written two scripts with full dialogues,etc.But,let me make it clear that i don’t have any formal experience.So, what i m trying to say is that the idea of lab is good as it will make writers well equipped for the future too but when will we come to know whether we have been selected or not.
Last but not least is that the credibility factor of this program deserves accolades.
Wonderful opportunity. Tough task. But most likely the results will be great.
Hi Guyz!
I hope all these nice things you say lead to some really good scripts
Answering your queries Deepak -
1. Mode of scripts. I guess you mean formats of teh dockets and how to submit them.
Dockets should comprise :
A. Statement of Purpose : On being a Script Writer
B. Portfolio :
A fully formatted, registered (with Film Writers Association) script with dialogue. Could be a published / filmed work by the contestant. This is purely for assessing script writing skills & is mandatory .
A 4-5 pages docket comprising Concept Note, Synopsis & a detailed treatment note on the germ you wish to develop and see through from Idea to Screen in the course of SANKALAN .
These need to be registered with the Film Writers Association.
The docket should be formatted under the following heads :
Live action / Animation
Genre
Duration
Idea / Premise
Plot Summary / Synopsis
Characters
A note on the Writers Vision Why do you think this should be made into a feature film
And ..since we insist on both concepts and scripts be registered, it will have to be physical copies sent by courier / snail mail. The adree is on teh form.
2. Your query about dates of selection, etc…. please find below the complete timesheet for Sankalan .
? 19th May 2008 Press conference followed by announcement inviting entries for Sankalan.
? 19th July 2008 - Closing date for entries
? 9th Aug 2008 Announcement of 24 best entries
? 19th & 20th Aug 2008 A 2-day pitching window for the 24 best entries to the Panel. 1/2 an hour for each pitch
? 21st Aug Announcement of 12 best pitches
? 25th Aug 1st Sept 2008 - Script writing training workshop for the 12 best aspirants with the 3 mentors
? 3rd 5th Sept 2008 Candidates rework their concept notes and submit them.
? 9th Sept 2008 Selection of 6 projects by mentors. These will be further developed by the aspirants under the mentors
? 4th Dec 2008 submission & presentation of 1st draft by all 6
? 12th Dec 2008 Selection of 3 out of the 6. these 3 will be mentored till the end.
? 10th Jan 2009- submission & presentation of 2nd draft by all 3
? 19th Jan 2009- feedback by mentors on 2nd draft
? 19th Feb 2009 - submission & presentation of 3rd draft
? 25th Feb 2009 - mid Final pitch (internal) of all 6 projects - the 3 mentored ones and the other 3 which were finally developed by the aspirants on their own ; mentors to give pitching guidelines to all 6. Also if any of the other 6 want to come back at this stage with their full blown self developed scripts
? 28th Feb 2009 Final pitch to MAhindra
DO let us know if you have any more queries.
HAppy writing!!!!!
hi…
this is really nice concept… i hope we will end up getting a good sript on screen !!!
nilesh
scriptwriter
mumbai
writer alert– wwriters rejoice!!! another writing contest, by whistlingwood!!!
http://www.buzz18.com/contest/writercontest/index.php
Hope good things come out of all this … Writers hardly get any credit anyways .. its going to be Sriram Raghavan’s movie more than it is so and so’s SCRIPT !
Write your own script and make it yourself folks … Don;t fall for all this bull !
this site doesnt open
http://www.baiscopeent.com/sankalan
it opens alright Rajiv
@Sriram Raghavan
”Hopefully, this initiative will help attract new ideas and writers. There must be so many people all over the country who have stories to tell but perhaps dont know how exactly to go about it. Thelma and Louise, Rocky, Blood Simple Salaam Bombay and Juno were scripts written by first time writers.”
Sriram this initiative is NOT for thse people. It is for peopl who have already written one full script.
@sriram,sir i remember another film written by first timers…Frozen…
What’s the point ?
even of you do make an original movie … People will come up with all sorts of crap … Like Juno which Sriram Raghavan brought up …
Jeni Juno - The Korean movie anyone seen it ? So many people accusing her , she then has to state the time line of her work and blah blah …
So if you are writing a script try as hard as you can not to pay “homage” or to be honest “rip off” anything you have seen earlier …
Mr. Anurag Basu - if you do visit here … little info - We’ve all seen Billy Wilder’s “The Apartment” … We also do know who Wong Kar Wai is ! :-)
I know like Cameron said, “Nothing is more scary than that blank page , but please … keep it real , otherwise your work will lose its value” …
Once you receive cult status like Tarantino , then even when you rip off stuff from classics like the “Lone wolf and Cub ” , “Zatoichi ” series … No one will complain … But until then stay true … I would like to say to stay true as long as you possible can … Tanratino’s script for Pulp Fiction was like a Harry Potter Book ! You see , he’s fone his bit !
Sanjay Gupta get a life ! (Acid Factory …. lol)
Everyone is watching everything these days, so lets just leave it at that …
Guess there’s no point addressing Sanjay Gupta here …
Try the blogs …. ” Rip Off Central” or “How do I make adaptations/loosely based on/inspired” movies ….
Better Still … “Quentin Tarantino / Takashi Miike / Kinji Fukasaku ” Wannabes - The Secret Society !
Does he come around here ? For what , right ? There ain’t no scripts here, him and his “white feathered” friends can RE - make !
Someone please make something INDIAN worth showing to a few people …
about buzz18-whisting woods contest…check out the prize…
Mukta Arts is looking for some great scripts and this “could” be your chance to associate with the venerable production house.
If your final script impresses the judges, Mukta Arts “could” buy it off. Besides you “could” also win a complete scholarship to the script-writing course at Whistling Woods International. Runners-up get fantastic scholarships and other incentives too!…..
…..everything is “could” and the funniest thing is u win the screenwriting contest to get into a screenwriting course…ha ha ha!!! wish mr ghai “could” think of some better prizes!!
@fanatic
true, Ghai ji’s contest seems like a big joke. try reading Farrukh dhondy’s article on writing a period film script for him that was never used (Kisna). whats the point of a contest when you are shying away from paying the writers? sometime back he had allegedly promised 1 crore to anybody who gave him a great script. and now this moneyless contest!
Question for Anupama
Like Mr. Raghavan stated numerous examples of first timers hitting the right notes with their scripts/ideas without any professional training or any established work in the past, why does Sankalan require aspirants to have some notable work in the past or be part of some organisation or a production house ( to what i understood from the information stated above)
I thought this contest is for everyone with a passion for writing and passion does not necessarily transform into full fledged occupations for everyone, by choice or by circumstances.
I am eager to take part but do not have any notable work in the past. Want to know if i can still apply and assure you my work would be in accordence to the ‘Docket format’ published by you.
Kindly help. Many thanks.
Hi Anupama,
Maybe this is not the best place to discuss this, but the last question definitely needs a good answer. I mean, why should someone have written a script before to participate in this? Just thinking aloud. Whoever has already written a script would either 1) be trying to sell that one 2) has tried and it’s been rejected by whoever for whatever reasons 3) Or it’s been accepted/sold/in production. What does Sankalan achieve by this condition? All we get to know is YES, THIS WRITER IS SOMEWHAT SERIOUS ABOUT WRITING, AND (PERHAPS) KNOWS THE GRAMMAR AND FORMAT OF A SCRIPT. I am assuming that the first script is NOT GOING TO BE JUDGED before the entry is read.
I feel we may attract many more writers if this condition is removed. Sankalan, can in it’s website give maybe a sample script or suggest sites where aspirants can read scripts just to get an idea of what is expected of them.
Pls let’s think about this.
Anyone who does a google search on film scripts will get half a dozen superb sites. I can offhand suggest http://www.simplyscripts.com / http://www.imsdb.com and of course there’s Drew’s Scriptorama. And many more.
I would also like PFC readers to visit http://www.wordplayer.org (or is it com i forgot) IT’s a site by Terry Russio and his partner….the writers of Pirates of the Carribean. It’s a GREAT site full of articles on various aspects of screenplay writing.
the other thing i’d suggest is to pick up Stephen King’s book ON WRITING.
Wordplayer.com is an amazing site. every post in there needs to be read at least twice.
also recommended -
johnaugust.com
He wrote Big Fish, Go, Charlie & the chocolate Factory, Charlie’s Angels, and recently made his directorial debut.
@Sriram Raghavan
Thanks Sriram.
All aspiring writers should also read the script of ‘Manorama six feet under’ by Navdeep Singh which has been published on PFC.
Not only does it give a feel of what Indian Movie scripts should be like, it’s use of powerful imagery helps in visualising the script on screen. I found it inspirational and educative too.
hi Sriram!
culdnt agree wth you more. you have spelt it out in black and white.
” All we get to know is YES, THIS WRITER IS SOMEWHAT SERIOUS ABOUT WRITING, AND (PERHAPS) KNOWS THE GRAMMAR AND FORMAT OF A SCRIPT.”
AND NO - THIS script is NOT GOING TO BE JUDGED before the entry is read. IT WILL MERELY HELP US UNDERSTAND WHETHER THE PERSON WITH THE WINNING CONCEPT IS ABLE TO WRITE A FULL BLOWN FEATURE SCRIPT OR NOT.
Also these NEED NOT have been published or filmed or be attached to a production house. It is the writer’s labour of love which he/she should register to protect the IPR on it.
As i said before at teh Presser the prime objective of SANKALAN IS to give a fair chance to writers who have potential and who are truly interested in writing scripts and who , like many creative minds, know how to write but do not know how to sell or network to sell.
We all (and i am sure this WE would include all of us at BAISCOPE and our mentors as well ) know of so many scripts which have been written but have never seen the light of the day because the writer didnt know how to go about it. I am saying…SANKALAN WILL GIVE A FAIR PITCHING CHANCE TO EVERYBODY…BUT the writers NEED TO WRITE.
and anybody who has been seriously interested in script writing would have surely WRITTEN a script !
c’est tout!
DEAR KARANVIR
JUST IN CASE U MSSED TEH LINE IN MY PREVIOUS MAIL -
Sankalan DOES NOT require aspirants to have some notable work in the past or be part of some organisation or a production house - u have misunderstood from the information stated above.
YOU ONLY NEED TO REGSTER A FULL FLEDGED SCRIPT U HAVE PREVIOUSLY WRITTEN AND SUBMIT IT TO SANKALAN TO HELP US UNDERSTAND WHETHER U WILL BE ABLE TO SEE THE ENTIRE PROCESS THROUGH.
I MEAN - ONE MIGHT WRITE GREAT CONCEPTS, HAVE WONDERFUL IDEAS, BUT MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO WRITE A FLL LENGTH FEATURE FILM SCRIPT.
IN WHCH CASE THE ENTIRE PURPOSE GETS DEFEATED.
WE ARE HERE TO ENCOURAGE AND OPEN UP AVENUES FOR SCRIPT WRITERS….OUR JOB STARTS FROM ENSURING THAT THE MOST PASSIONATE AND DESERVING GET A FAIR CHANCE.
DOES THAT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION?
THNX
Dear Anupama/Sriram
Thanks for the patient clarifications and for those websites Sriram.
Does this mean then, that if I submit the SAME script as part of the registration formalities AND as my entry for the selection process, it is ok? ‘Cos, I like many aspirants, am a rank newcomer, without any prior credits. Please say ‘AYE’.
@anupama, comment 48.
Hi.
First you agree with Sriram:
”hi Sriram!
culdnt agree wth you more. you have spelt it out in black and white.”
Then towards the end you disagree with him, coming right back to square one:
”and anybody who has been seriously interested in script writing would have surely WRITTEN a script !”
What exactly is this? Agreeing or disagreeing? (smells like an episode from a Kafka novel, or maybe Catch-22)
What Sriram and many others on this forum are saying is that please go easy on this ‘full fledged script’ rule. It’s patently unfair to people who are good writers but haven’t written a full script yet (or have written a script but are not in a position to send it to you for various reasons, including confidentiality clauses). You are killing their chances of making it to the lab.
Let’s try getting good scriptwriters out into the world instead of playing with red tape.
(Easy solution: just ask for a registered script, irrespective of its length — it could be 10, 20, 120 or whatever number of pages. Just enough to let you know if the writer is any good or not. That’s it.)
Anyone who does a google search on film scripts will get half a dozen superb sites. I can offhand suggest http://www.simplyscripts.com / http://www.imsdb.com and of course theres Drews Scriptorama. And many more.
I would also like PFC readers to visit http://www.wordplayer.org (or is it com i forgot) ITs a site by Terry Russio and his partner .the writers of Pirates of the Carribean. Its a GREAT site full of articles on various aspects of screenplay writing.
the other thing id suggest is to pick up Stephen Kings book ON WRITING.
Guru, Adha Bollywood Google se hi aata hai.. LOL..Hahaha
Hi Anupama,
Sorry but half past midnight is the only time i get…so to continue the debate. You say…
“….BUT the writers NEED TO WRITE.
and anybody who has been seriously interested in script writing would have surely WRITTEN a script !”
I find this a bit odd. We dont say that, anyone seriously interested in direction would surely have DIRECTED a film!!!” And so on.
Also, as the last post said, WHAT ABOUT CONFIDENTIALITY? If someone has a script which he/she has sold/submitted to a producer, surely there would be a confidentiality agreement.
COUPLE MORE POINTS:
1. As per the present requirements, a published novelist CANNOT submit a script to Sankalan.
2. Nor can an established journalist who’s done some terrific investigative stories.
3. I have read several ‘bad scripts’ which are registered and in the reqd format but the writers just dont interest me. And i wonder why we are giving them preference over novelists and journalists.
4. William Goldman was first commissioned to write a script because a Hollywood producer liked a couple of his novels.
5. Strong ideas, and a visual sense are more important than grammar and format. Paul Schrader’s script of Taxi Driver reads like a novella and breaks a lot of rules of scriptwriting. But, breathes and reads like fire.
6. Most good Hindi films have different story/screenplay and dialogue credits.
7. Every applicant in any case has to REGISTER his concept with FWA, which means he is spending time and money. Since it’s not a lucky draw, I would assume he is serious about it. And if he has a strong concept/ story….he’d be more than eager to learn the ropes. By casting the net wider, we may get a lot of trash but also some gems.
BTW, everyone reading this should see BARTON FINK by the Coen Brothers.
@sriram….barton fink….bacchon ko dara ke hi jaan lene ka irada hai kya ??….lol….but then i would prefer adaptation by kaufman any day.
agree with Sriram Raghavan [comments, 44 & 53].
LOL, a couple of pre-requisites for submission sound like an insult (to the submittee)-
“Statement of Purpose : On being a Script Writer” and “A note on the Writers Vision Why do you think this should be made into a feature film”
i can only think of funny answers for the above questions.
@Sriram Raghavan
Barton Fink is my favourite Coen Brothers movie. That studio boss character is one of the craziest persons to have come out of the brothers’ head.
It is said that in the olden days of Hollywood, writers used to be locked up in a room with typewriters. The bosses used to constantly monitor the sound of the typewriters. If there was any drop in the tip-tap-tip-tap, the sinning writer would have hell to pay. Great way to combat writerly laziness. (Would come in handy in the script lab too, ensuring both diligence and consistency.)
thanks Anupama for your reply…
Just one more question though. If i send my script as an entry to Sankalan… does that mean qualify as ‘registering the script’ also? or are those 2 separate processes that one needs to fulfill?
Also, a thought.. since you said that ” ONE MIGHT WRITE GREAT CONCEPTS, HAVE WONDERFUL IDEAS, BUT MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO WRITE A FULL LENGTH FEATURE FILM SCRIPT.”.. but to what i understand, Sankalan is also about unearthing those writers who have above stated qualities but never given such a huge platform as Sankalan to showcase their talent. Also the workshops that one gets to be a part of, if selected, wont it help hone his/her skills on how to write better?
Thanx for making an effort..
maine ek bhojpuri film likhi hai(story,script&dialogue).producer ka agreement hai.hindi me bhi full length script hai but registered nahi hai.kya ise registered karana parega ya bhojpuri se kam chal jayega kyuki hindi & bhojpuri ek hi kokh se janme hai……i mean largest part of bhojpuri belongs in hindi region itself.pis guide.thnx
@ Sriram sir (hope you remember me)
Thankx a million for making an effort to guide writers. (Eventhough for selfish reasons as you joked earlier).
@ Maximums
Like your observations but still feel this is really a wonderful opprtunity.
I never got Barton Fink. It was good in parts. 2 of my fav actors are in it.
Definitely one of my least liked Coen Brothers films.
But I completely agree with Sriram about formatting & stuff like that.
Thani i wanna know your answers to those question. I’m serious.
I have read all the comments and i am completely agree that one should juged on his thinking of concept and power of visualisation.
I think it is not necessory that one should already had written one script is the only one who is eligible.
I have read all the comments and i too agree that one should judge on
1) His thinking of concept
2) His visulisation of scene or the whole concept
while the other factors like
1) Grammer
2) Fromatting of script
is not considered for entry into the contest.
Also one should not judge on
1)He must have written one full-fleged script.
rather give us chance to show the concept because you can write any trash without any concept so what i feel is concept is the most important thing….
I know the panel is worried about whether a person will able to complete the script or not. Yeap it’s true “Concept isn’t a concept until it is converted in to a powerful screenplay” but for this one should must have a good concept.
So let us get into contest on the basis of concept written on a paper of some page whatever number of pages..
I think someone mentioned it and i like it too…
Hi,
Had an opportunity to speak with Ms Anupama and she clarified over the phone that the contest required a completely written script at the entry point.
I came across this forum and all the hair splitting arguments after the call ! I had to add 2 cents of mine here !! I have a film to my credit, ” Humne Jeena Seekh Liya” as a screenplay writer. The dialogues were written by someone else, as it happens in many films. When I enquired with Ms Anupama, she informed me that screenplay alone wouldn’t do. It had to be with dialogues. Hmmm…..I guess since Sankalan has anyways come up with this brilliant idea to support writers, it can take a step forward and discern such issues with sensitivity. What is it that Sankalan wants to achieve? Is it a great story/concept, or a good screenplay or terrific lines. I agree that anyone would want to have ALL ! which is fine, but I feel that unless one has a terrific concept/story which visually comes across powerfully (screenplay) the lines may not take the film too far. Let me quickly add that I write plays which have been showcased in the US and so anyone can safely assume that I can write dialogues too ! I would request Anupama and the members associated with Sankalan to look at the woods instead of the trees. Discern, Discern, Discern.
@”Ekka” Jape
the way the organisers are going about this lab it is very clear that they are looking for only one thing–Mediocrity. They will take any shitty writer, the person just needs to have a full script. even if somebody has written a full script like RGV Ki Aag or kank, they will be more than welcome. and even if you are a great playwright/novelist like Karnad or Rushdie, you will be shown the door. this full script debate has been going on for long and it is quite clear they are not bothered. they have got their money from mahindra to organise the lab, they are happy, and they have nothing to lose. good writing be damned. and imagine how powerful the organisers would be feeling on account of this rule, what a great ego trip. when you made the phone call you should have asked the person concerned if they have ever written a full script? was that script any good? could you take a look and weigh that script’s worthiness?
such fantastic and inspiring people like anurag and sriram are mentoring its a shame so many deserving aspirants like you would be left out in the cold.
as bill gates said somewhere life is unfair get used to it. morons are running the show everywhere it can’t be helped. just remember that those who are asking you to prove your talent’s worth just to enter a contest don’t have any themselves. this is the only way for them to feel important. that is why this rule has been made. forget this crap, its smelling bad already. move ahead. best of luck.
more than one entries allowed for one person?
Hi everybody,
I am sure everyone has a “good story” to tell. I believe I have one ! The point is whether this self-assumed talent has genuine merit. This happens when we can share our stories with some mentors. I believe that there is an opportunity for all of us and certainly myself to present my story, if the rules are properly sorted out. If the mentors don’t like the story, well one can still have faith in one’s story and try elsewhere or listen to them and modify it to make it better.
If there is anyone who is listening here and can make decisions (that is equally important, if not more!) the contest rules can be slightly modified.
A). Let anyone who has a story concept, put their entry. Sankalan will achieve number 1 - a reputation for giving a genuine opportunity to anyone who believes s/he has a good story to tell. 2. Will have a bigger pool from which the final objective of sourcing good scripts will be achieved. 3. Reduce the complaints of an already disgruntled and disoriented writer’s community.
B) After selection of the 24 or whatever your initial cut off story concepts are, you can ask the writer to develop it to the next level.
Sankalan will achieve - 1. A genuine elimination round, where the boys can be separated from the men. 2. The mentors can then really guide the men to take these story plots to a different level.
C) The selected 12 can then proceed to complete the next round. At this level if the mentors find that someone has a good story with terrific potential ( this can be limited to 2 stories) but can’t get to the next cut because s/he doesn’t have requisite film script writing experience or whatever, then they can with the permission of the writer, include a co-writer from the eliminated group. This will give an opportunity to the ones who are eliminated and this group can continue to complete their script with a chance of getting an ear at the end of the contest along with the selected ones. (Co-writer stuff - THIS HAPPENS IN HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS QUITE REGULARLY)
Sankalan will achieve - 1. More writers will be involved as co-writers and will benefit from the mentors. 2. Sankalan will get better scripts to choose from (2 heads better than 1)
D) At the end stage of the contest last 6 who are selected continue as decided and the remaining eliminated group also gets a hearing and whoever is worthy gets to the last three.
Sankalan will achieve - 1. A fair and open competition where the underdogs also have but one chance to prove themselves if they believe that their story is good.
2. A sense of pride for the winners who know that they have withstood the competition and pressures of a contest. These writers in turn will publicize this contest in the coming years. GOOD for Sankalan. ( I hope this is not one odd contest)
By this way - everyone gets an opportunity to initially present their stories.
More aspiring writers will get the benefit of interacting with mentors of the like included in the contest.
Your stipend structure doesn’t change as the selected ones get the money, while the 2 stories get an opportunity of being heard in the end.
If the last pitching has people other than the mentors as judges, it will be better since the underdogs can safely believe to have a fair hearing of their story without the bias of not making the cut. It puts pressure on the mentors to carefully choose the scripts to the next level, since there are 2 other stories who didn’t make it but can overturn the cart in the final round.( Pressure is good for everyone)
Nobody can complain about Sankalan not being fair.
I know I could be late for this idea in the day, but you can’t blame me for trying !!
sir i wana be an member with the fwa so plz let me the details and charges and i am just writing not done the any of the out let
from where can i get a sample script. just to have an idea.
kindly help…
Hi!
Back after quite sometime.
Response to Sankalan is interesting. Glad to know that endless queries did convert into some really unusual stuff!
Just a few changes -
1. The debates above have had us re-think. Though its still mandatory to submit that ONE script with dialogues (at whatever level of developement - draft 1/2/3/…) but SCRIPTS and CONCEPTS can be for the SAME subject.
Which means that if you submit “the SAME script as part of the registration formalities AND as your entry for the selection process, it is PERFECTLY FINE” . That should make you happy Aparna (Number 50)!
2. There have been lots of queries about getting references for FWA membership . Well, BAiscope has a help desk for the process. PLease get your dockets ready (with the Sankalan entry form, script, concepts and the vision statements) , fill up the membership form for FWA and get in touch with Sankalan Project Manager RAbia Chopra (sankalan08@gmail.com / 9820962559). She will help facilitate the process.
3. The Deadline has been extended to 29th July 2008. A little more breathing space for all of you to polish those dockets that little bit more….
4. And yes Anshul - one person can send in uptil 3 entrees. (no 66)
All The Best!!!
Write ON………..
@Anupama:
Hi,
Just learnt about Sankalan. Awesome. Few quick questions:
1. I’m a published novelist. Does this disqualify me from participating even though I have zero background in script writing and my submitted entry will NOT be my novel’s screen adaptation. I have a couple of original ideas that I’d like to explore for the contest.
(pls say I can participate!)
2. Curious to know what the average length of a fully-formatted script (with dialogue)is. Me thinks it’s in the 100-200 range. Pls give an idea.
3. Kindly explain what you mean by CONCEPT? (as you can see my knowledge is rather raw). Does it refer to the genre of the film or an explanation of the genre plus the basic premise of the plot?
Waiting for your early response…thanks in advance!!
– K
this is indeed great. i am trying my level best and develped cervical spondylosis. the moment i sit infront of the pc i get pain. if it continues i am contemplating suing Sankalan. thanks vey much.
akki
hi All!
the response is amazing! wonderful to see so many enthusiastic writers ecstatic now that we have said that you can submit the SAME script as part of the registration formalities AND as your entry for the selection process.
A few clarifications :
1. Published writers (novelists / scripts / etc) are welcome. As long as your are passionate about screen writing as well and can fulfill the submission criterion.
2. YOur entry could be in English / Hindi. That includes dialogues as well - ie the dialogues can be in english / hindi / hinglish.
3. SAnkalan has a help desk for writers who need help with FWA registration. Please contact RAbia Chopra (Project MAnager , Sankalan) on 9820962559 or write to her on sankalan08@gmail.com.
4. I keep on getting queries about the concept docket you need to submit - please refer page 2 of the application form - there is a complete list of headers you could follow to format your entry. (if you don’t have the form yet please download it from our website or write to us…we will mail it to you).
WRite on……
Hi!
I am quite amused by this effort.Amused because, atleast you should have had some writer or filmmaker of substance on baord. Jesus! Imagine being mentored by people who need mentoring themselves ! Truly times have changed hustlers and plagiarist are taken very seriously today!
Hi,
Good going. Sounds great for both young aspirants and old, who want their writing seen on screen. Hope it turns out as well as is projected here.I mean, will the hopefuls actually get the credit and money they deserve?
Mayah Balse on 4 July 2008 , 11.25 am.
hi Mayah!
Thanks for your encouraging words. We will surely stick to the commitments we have made.
This is the first season. We hope that the second and the subsequent seasons will be bigger, better and with a larger platter of opportunities.
We also hope that the writers’ community will be even more proactive in writing. And in helping us address issues like IPR, wages, etc …!!!
So, let the ink flow….Write on
@Mr. Surya Bhan Singh. May i know who are you to decide to that these writers need Mentoring? & how did you coe to this conclusion?
Hey Rony!
Thanks man. First of all I have every right to my opinion. Look at the kind of work these guys have done . One and half film does not make a writer or a director. Stealing from here and robbing from there does not make a creative artiste.Dont get carried away by hype. One of them is an over hyped writer and the the other is a lazy plagiarist. Any way good luck to you if you believe everything that appears in print. If they had somebody like Benegal or Aparna Sen than I would have believed that yes they can mentor - these guys will only lead you to the treshold of a DVD library.They themselves have a long way to go.
Bye
Good luck to you
@ Surya Bhan Singh,You have all the the right to your opinion but what you are doing here is character assasination. i would appreciate if you speak with some solid facts before pointing fingers at these two people. for me Anurag,Sriram & Anjum Rajabali are amongst the few people i respect for the kind of work they have done till date. and i am not influenced by anything written in print or any other domain. my respect comes out of watching films which have their names attached to it.
@Rony
Facts :Yuva,Mai Hoon Na -Amores Perros ,I am Sam -Anurag
Plagiarism I would say -
Inspired writing you say ?
Hey!
Sorry if I have hurt your feelings. I am not a fan of the kind of cinema these guys have created or are going to create. No character assasination meant. I am just commenting on their work. Nothing personal. They may be really sweet guys personally. Lets take commercial Hindi cinema. Have they created anything even close to a Munnabhai? No. Give me a well crafted film like a Beautiful Mind and I will be their fan or a masterpeice like 36 Chowrighee lane or for that matter Satyajit Rays’ Seemabadh (not one of his best). I hope you dont consider Guru to be a classic!I am told even Aamir was a ripoff.
Chill,
Surya
Do not wish to get into this exchange of opinions on the quality of the mentors…..each to their own.
I will only say this - that I have known all 3 mentors over a period of time as professionals, teachers and friends. I have seen them conduct workshops and discussions with students and cineastes…and have seen the value adds they bring without pushing in their opinions and trying to create miniatures of themselves.
Have a lot of respect for them and trust them. Especially as MENTORS - which incidentally is not just about being great professionals with great skill sets. It is about having that much of ‘give back’ in you to guide and nurture talent.
Critics will criticize…. writers will write. And they should and they will continue to co exist.
The tragedy is everybody wants to express their opinions…..WITHOUT adequate understanding,WITHOUT getting their facts right
@’HYPE’ …am sending you 2 IMDB links… They will help you get your facts (about Yuva, MAin Hoon NA…) right.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0347473/
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0440604/
CHeers!
PS : Writers…Write on..!!
Closing date for SANKALAN (29th July 2008) is just a few weeks away.
@Anupama
Thanks for your reply and the links
Apologies my mistake should not have been Main Hoon Na it was Main Aisa He Hoon
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Aisa_Hi_Hoon
Was not commenting on the quality of mentors,was replying to the question about the facts that was asked regards Plagiarism.
As to expressing opinions without adequate understanding of the complete facts -yes am guilty of the error on the names of the film.
As regards facts please see below
http://desitrain.com/2006/04/23/in-conversation-with-anurag-kashyap/
—Two of the copies he wrote for producers was Main Aisa He Hoon and Kaante
@Hype i have two lines for you. everybody makes mistakes. nobody’s perfect. for me Yuva & Amores perros share only one thing that is the structure inter linking 3 stories in one film.
@ Surya i think No Smoking is by far one of the most Path Breaking film to have come out in hindi cinema for a long long time. Black Friday was the kind of cinema which was never done before. when did you last see a docu-drama so genuine? i consider Johnny Gaddar a new benchmaker in the thriller genre. i haven’t seen cavite so can’t commrnt on Aamir being copied or not.but on it’s own Aaamir is a brillaint piece of work for a debut.
@Rony
Thanks sure do agree with Yuva-The structure, the start and interlinking part I thought was one of things that made Amores Perros beautiful to watch.
I assume it was what was asked for by the producers/directors and hence was done.
Liked Johnny gaddar and No Smoking had me thinking for days .I do respect some of the Anurag and Sriram have done and am looking forward eagerly to their future work.
The comment was to say their are different views of facts :-)
Cheers
Hi All!
A few quick UPDATES on SANKALAN :
1. FWA registration - when you go through SANKALAN for FWA registration you need to ensure that you have all your material ready (http://www.baiscopeent.com/sankalan/fwa.html).
2. SInce we are just 10 days away from the closing date please start the FWA process now as it will take that much of time (helping you get a membership and getting your work registered).
3. Queries regarding the contest as well as the registration process can be directed to me on +91 9833255171 OR +91 22 28495003.
All the Best!
Write on….
ADD ON INFORMATION ON FWA REGISTRATION :
Lots of queries regarding what all can be registered and for how much, your rights thereafter etc. etc. THis is an excerpt from FWA’s official website http://www.fwaindia.com/app/Constitution.asp :
) The Association shall provide the facility of Registering its member’s
work, such as story, synopsis, concept, screenplay, scenario, dialogue and lyrics for feature films, video films, teleplays, serials and Audio Cassettes etc.
b) The Registration work shall be done in the office of the association on five days in a week i.e.. Monday to Friday from 2.00 p.m to 5.00 p.m
The Executive Committee is entitled to change the Registration Charges from time to time , as it deems fit.
While registering the written work submitted, the Registration Officer shall, under no circumstances read the content and shall not keep a copy of the work registered , in the office.
While Registering the work the officer shall subscribe his signature with date and affix the official seal of the Association on every page.
The Registration record shall contain:1) Name of the writer 2) language of the script 3) cash book receipt number and 4) Total number of pages of the script.
The Registration shall be subject to the solemn undertaking by the writer as under:
‘THIS WORK IS MY ORIGINAL CREATION AND THAT IN CASE OF A DISPUTE IF PROVED OTHERWISE THE F.W.A. HAS THE UNQUESTIONABLE RIGHT TO CANCEL IT.”
i) Registration charges shall be as under:
SCRIPT Rs.10/- up to five pages
Rs.1/- every additional page
All the Best!
I have read all terms and condition of sankalan. But what @ payment after docket finalised ? Sankalan mentioned that they will pay as per competition norms. What is competition norms? 5 lac only ? This is not fair.
pls provide payment structure
@ Jon
Dont know where u got the 5lac figure from. This is the complete list of ‘take homes’ from SANKALAN :
SANKALAN has promised and will deliver
1. a fair chance - an opportunity to deserving writers to have an exclusive one on one pitching session of half and hour with the entire panel comprising the Mentors, the producer (Mahindra) and the facilitator (Baiscope Entertainment).
2.a 7 day intensive workshop with some of the best people in this industry for the best 12.
3. a doctored script at the end of the 9 months of SANKALAN . THe Mentors as we know are Anurag KAshyap, Anjum RAjabali and Sriram RAghavan
4. Credit line (in film and across all communication) of WRITER
5. in addition to this SANKALAN offers a stipend of max 2,00,000INR to the winning scripts (please refer the form for the finer details).
6. FINALLY - MAhindras promises a Writers Fees as a part of its production budget to the scripts Greenlit for production.
7. The IPR on the best 12 scripts/ concepts from SANKALAN 2008 belongs to Mahindras by virtue of having supported this season of SANKALAN.
8. Those concepts which do not make it to the top 12 will be returned to the contestants.
Any further queries to the same may be addressed to me
on sankalan08@gmail.com
OR +91 9833255171 / +91 22 28495003 (telfax)
OR on this platform
it is indeed a great and ideal oportunity for writers like me. the only hitch that some of friends have pointed out is that, supposing i get selected in the initial twelve and dont make it it to the next round. then i wont have anything to do with my concept, it will be your,(mahindra’s) concept. i am just asking is it fair? i dont know. but still it great oprtunity for me and i have submitted my entries. Hey why did you extent the last date?
@ akki
you didnt read the entire thing on teh form and our website.
if you get selected in the first 12 and the dont make it to the next round you would still have finished the 1 week workshop wherein you will also be given feedback on your concepts and a certain element of mentoring will be done to guide you to your next level.
MOREOVER You can go back and work further on your concept, develop it into a full blown script over the same time period…ie till february 2009… and then come back for a final pitch.
if u notice, there is re work and elimination at every major step…but everybody (ie the best 12) eventually makes it to the final pitch.
it keeps up the pressure, aids self evaluation, maintains a reality check….and is fair
sorry but ur website seems slightly slow so thot of asking certain queries right here . first thanks for something like this on behalf of evry writer out there . i may not even participate as i am involved with some films at the moment but atleast someone has thot of “scripts first second third..” is overwhelming in itself.
i would like to know ,
1. what happens to the last 12 concepts after the final pitch??…do all of them get made into films? and if not what happens to the ones which dont(the last 12)
2. is there a time frame , after which the concept cud be returned to the writer if it is not made into film say for the next 5 years , yes he had been paid but a writer also wishes to see it come to life on screen ?
3. does mahindra hold all rights over the winning pitches??
would a writer be paid a royalty , say when a film after being made in a certain language is remade??or is it too early to talk abt it ?
4.who directs these movies? can a writer pitch himself/herself as the director as well??
sorry but ur website seems slightly slow so thot of asking certain queries right here . first thanks for something like this on behalf of evry writer out there . i may not even participate as i am involved with some films at the moment but atleast someone has thot of “scripts first second third..” is overwhelming in itself.
i would like to know ,
1. what happens to the last 12 concepts after the final pitch??…do all of them get made into films? and if not what happens to the ones which dont(the last 12)
2. is there a time frame , after which the concept cud be returned to the writer if it is not made into film say for the next 5 years , yes he had been paid but a writer also wishes to see it come to life on screen ?
3. does mahindra hold all rights over the winning pitches??
would a writer be paid a royalty , say when a film after being made in a certain language is remade??or is it too early to talk abt it ?
4.who directs these movies? can a writer pitch himself/herself as the director as well??
5. what would be the extent of doctoring??
These are good queries of sags. It should be clear all above things.
After submission ,how secure will be our concept from not getting leaked into industry.Lot of people,steal the soul of the concept ,change the title,make some convenient changes,change the backdrops (for e.g same way as Othello changed to Omkara or Godfather to Sarker ).
Sorry anupama for this kind of doubt…but also was bothering me from few days ..Develoing Unsual movie concepts after months of thought processing and hardwork..want them in right hands …
Interesting and very relevant queries. before I get down to answering them I have an observation…. I might be wrong.
This is the 99th post to VAsan’s piece on SANKALAn over the last 2 1/2 months. Am familiar with all the names out here by now.
Interestingly, those who criticised, nit picked and created a furore about things large and small actually remained critics.
THose who asked countless questions, debated even and made observations (at times not quite in sync with what we said) actually WROTE…We have their entries. More importantly, their observations and opinions have helped us evolve our systems and , thanks to them, we will be better next season.
TEAM SANKALAN THANKS U GUYS !
AND NOW TO THE FAQs :
@SAGS & JON (who seconds his queries):
my answers to your queries are in CAPS :
1a. what happens to the last 12 concepts after the final pitch??
PLEASE REFER THE WEBSITE FOR THE FLOWCHART OF TEH ENTIRE PROCESS
http://www.baiscopeent.com/sankalan/about_flowchart.html
1b. âŚdo all of them get made into films? and if not what happens to the ones which dont
ALL MATERIAL OTHER THAN THE 12 BEST CONCEPTS GET RETURNED A MONTH AFTER THE JUDGEMENT IS OUT FOR THE 12 BEST CONCEPTS.
MAHINDRAS HAS THE FIRST RIGHT OF REFUSAL ON TEH BEST 12.
THE WRITERS OF SCRIPTS WHICH DO NOT GET GREENLIT IN THE FIRST ROUND at the end of teh script lab (in feb 2009) WILL BE INVITED FOR NEGOTIATIONS. THE MATTER WILL BE OPEN TO DISCUSSION BETWEEN MAHINDRAS AND THE WRITER ; MEDIATED BY BAISCOPE ENTERTAINMENT.
2. is there a time frame , after which the concept cud be returned to the writer if it is not made into film say for the next 5 years , yes he had been paid but a writer also wishes to see it come to life on screen ?
AS ANSWERED ABOVE in 1b
3. does mahindra hold all rights over the winning pitches??
YES
4.who directs these movies? can a writer pitch himself/herself as the director as well??
YES, A WRITER CAN PITCH HIMSELF / HERSELF AS THE DIRECTOR. IN FACT PLEASE DO MENTION IN YOUR APPLICATION / WRITER’S VISION THAT YOU ASPIRE TO DIRECT THE FILM AS WELL. A DIRECTOR’S VISION STATEMENT ALWAYS HELPS.
5. what would be the extent of doctoring??
THATS BETWEEN MENTOR AND MENTORED.
@SALIM JAVED
Your query is perfectly understandable.
We have taken a lot of care in securing the SANKALAN entries and everybody directly involved with SANKALAN is under a confidentiality clause.
We have immense faith in the people who are associated with SANKALAN.
Thats all I would like to say at this juncture.
ALL TEH BEST !
WRITE ON….
LAST DATE 29TH JULY 2008
To access our FWA HELPDESK please go to
http://www.baiscopeent.com/SANKALAN/fwa.html
or call +91 22 28495003 / +91 9833255171
or write to sankalan08@gmail.com
This is what I wrote to the people at SANKALAN. It was for the benefit for all the writers of India.
On 27/07/2008, devashish achary wrote:
Dear Sirs,
Its great to know about your script writing program ‘Ideas to Screen’ â SANKALAN through Hindustan Times publication dated 27/07/2008. I was aghast seeing the last date for the submission. None the all, I’m happy that I’m not taking part in your program. Its not like as if I’m a super screenplay writer, but I’m trying to write scripts and have completed two of them. Over all, I have outlined 21 (Twenty one) movie stories that could be made into full-fledged movies. I believe maximum of them are having a blockbuster potential. One of them is having a potential of a worldwide collection of USD 600-800 million (INR 2, 580 Crores to INR 3, 440 Crores). Please show this mail to Mr. Mahindra and all associated with this project.
Should I enter the program? Only, if I lose my self-confidence someday and get ready to sell myself to a magpie.
I went through your contest terms and conditions on net. The moment I read that Mahindra Entertainment will have the IPR possession to the 12 best concepts after payment of contest prize money, the idea of entering the contest faded out without a beat. Abruptly, I felt the very purpose of SANKALAN has gone into drains and the concept of this ‘Ideas to Screen’ became an obscurity because this is the best way by which Mahindra wants to crawl into a writer’s concepts by paying PEANUTS. If the prize money comes without any restriction, then it’s great or else it will be a mere surrender by a desperate writer in front of a kinky laggard production house.
If you people have the guts and that great vision for the empowerment of writers, give away the prize without any restriction and let Mahindra buy or option for the scripts through a bargain with the writer and own the rights if Mahindra have the guts rather than diligently puckering the writer’s concepts like this. Sorry to say, yours is not what it shows. It’s a miser in a cowl who puts forth such ideas to sabotage the writer off his/her genuine rights for a bigger share.
I hope you will not get an extra honest review than this for your project. If Mahindra wants scripts and help the writer let it show it’s true vigor saying, “After the contest, the writer is free to sell or option the script according to his/her choice”.
I have a word for you people too â Stop exhibiting as if you people are the liberator of the writers. If I have got you people wrong at any point, prove me. And, work with people who have genuine interest in raising the writers above the BAR and give the writer the right share and respect rather than making him/her a TAME SURRENDER.
Visit http://www.oscars.org and see for Nicholl’s Fellowship Program, you people will get enlightened.
Contact me if you found something genuine in my letter or else best of luck for plundering the ideas. I wish nobody enters the program with the prevailing conditions. Excuse me.
This reply I got from the Diretor
Dear Devashish It is wonderful that serious , thinking writers such as you are showing an interest in SANKALAN. I really appreciate the honesty and openness with which you have expressed your concerns. ( Though I must say that your abusive tone left much to be desired !). However, will surely try to address them in equally plain and simple terms.
SANKALAN is a Baiscope initiative. MAhindras is supporting this particular season.
Which means they in the course of this 9 months process they are actually investing in the developement of 12 concepts into 12 full blown scripts out of which 3 will be script doctored by 3 of the best writers in the hindi film industry today. Apart from this they are also investing in a week long workshop for the writers of the 12 best concepts. (please refer the flowchart on our website http://www.baiscopeent.com/sankalan/about_flowchart.html) SO yes, they own the IPR to the 12 best concepts. And they have teh first right of refusal by virtue of having supported this entire initiative.
HOWEVER, once the projects are greenlit, then there will be a writer’s fees included in the production budget (negotiable between Mahindras and the writer with Baiscope as the mediator). The amount will be as per the then prevalent industry norms (a %age of the total budget).
The writers of the scripts which do not get greenlit in the first round at the end of teh script lab (in Feb 2009) will be invited for negotiations. The matter (ie the way forward) will be open to discussion between Mahindras and the writer with Baiscope as the mediator.
Finally, SANKALAN was announced in a Press Conference on 19th MAy 2008 in Mumbai and has been communicated to the film and writers’ community through public broadcasts at that time, lots of online articles, below the line activity and targeted communication. It has also been heavily discussed on film community blogs such as passion for cinema and written about in media and entertainment websites such as exchange for media, agencyfaqs, my space india, etc. It is truly unfortunate and rather unusual that you got to read about it only today !
Regarding abstaining yourself from participating in SANKALAN…well, we all make our own choices Dear Sir. And have the best reasons for them. Each to their own !
Wish you all the very BEST for all your 21 (twenty one) movie stories. Warm regards Anupama Bose
I replied…
2008/7/28 devashish achary
Dear Madam,
The concerns are not entirely mine. I have spoke keeping all the writers in view. I wonder how I missed your public broadcasts and media links.
So, you have proved me wrong! Now put the same points on your website’s terms and conditions and see the attendence. I will be the first to sneak my head in.
The choice of abstaining is not mine. Your improper website communication made me to think of slogging more rather than entering the workshop and gain an opportunity.
And how much time Mahindra Entertainment is going to take to reject a project as it will hold the first right to say “No” ? So that, the writer can carry on with his/ her search for production houses rather than looming for the green light.
If you say, I will send the questionnare that can be put on website as an FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) so that nobody sends an e-mail like I did.
Good intentions and good people should come forward like you to create awareness. It’s just not about good people and good intentions, it’s about their way of presenting their clear intentions that matters a lot that inturn create credibility in a long run.
Think of 50 years from now and leave a legacy.
Thanks a lot
Have a great day
Devashish Achary
The next reply I got did not enter my head…
Dear Mr Achary
These are contractual matters. They cannot be part of a website. They will be a part of the draft we will give to the top 24 contestants when they come for their pitches so that they can review and send in their comments and signatures (if they agree to the terms and conditions).
However, we have always answered these questions whenever asked.
eg if you look up http://www.passionforcinema.com/sankalan you will realise most of these questions have already been answered.
Warm regards
Thanks,
Anupama Bose
Event Director, SANKALAN
……………………………………………….
Why on Earth we will see passioncinema.com for finding out points about your program. It is never mentioned in your website to check out with passioncinema.com for rest of the details.
I again request the authorities to come clean and post all terms and conditions on website. Can you people tell me where it is written that contractual points can’t be exhibited on the website except that “Mahindra will have the rights to the 12 IPRs” . Hope this is not written in the contract.
Still I cant understand the goal of this program. Is it ideas and concepts you people are looking for or training people to be better scriptwriters. If the 2nd point is valid then why only a handful of writers?!
Nothing Personal … I want a credible website from the SANKALAN people that does not allow to emerge any question in the reader’s mind.
Thanks
Dev.
I will be happy if the concerns are taken into account and posted on the website. My e mail address is deva_111_2000@yahoo.com
One more thing, the contact email address for your website is of gmail’s and not something like infoxyz@sankalan.com
I mean to say, that looks unprofessional. Really unprofessional.
Hope next time these things will be thought of.
Thanks
Dev.
Devashish
Why dont you get on with some serious writing instead of doing copy-paste jobs of correspondence exchanged between you and the director? How unethical! And how Wannabe!
I just think you are a desperate frustrated loser writer with a bloated sense of SELF. Who is insecure that even on a neutral platform like this you wont make it.
My God! Just look at the text of his letter “Over all, I have outlined 21 (Twenty one) movie stories that could be made into full-fledged movies. I believe maximum of them are having a blockbuster potential. One of them is having a potential of a worldwide collection of USD 600-800 million (INR 2, 580 Crores to INR 3, 440 Crores). Please show this mail to Mr. Mahindra and all associated with this project.”
DESPERATE!
I am surprised that she even bothered to send you a reply.
And frankly, I think she also wasted her breath. You dont even understand the term ‘contractual matters’? And why they are not published on websites? Have you read Shah Rukh Khan’s contract with Yashraj Films for Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge? Or Rajat Kapur’s with Mirabai Films for Monsoon Wedding? Or maybe you are higher and mightier than all of them put together?
Thanks Shonali for your kind words.
But the brickbats and bouquets r both part of the scene. The good part is that teh WRiters’ community is actually talking, thinking, responding & writing fresh stuff. The response has been overwhelming!
HI ALL!
WE have about 20 more hours to go till closing time…29th July 2008 is the LAST date.
I must congratulate and salute the spirit of all those writers who kept writing till the very last day but then braved the rain and floods in Mumbai to complete all formalities and personallly deliver their entries. BRAVO!
I logged on tonight to say a BIG THANK YOU to this wonderful forum called PASSION FOR CINEMA which has such amazing people writing in and which allows such open debates and free flow of ideas and viewpoints.
In fact the constant queries and opinions posted out here have always been a great source of quality feedback and a great way of reaching out to the community.
I hope SANKALAN ‘08 will find some great writers and be able to facilitate some really good films.
I hope that the subsequent seasons will be more effecient and with a wider spectrum.
I hope that all of you will continue to express yourself freely and with even more Elan!
All the Best! Stay tuned !
http://www.baiscopeent.com/sankalan
NOTE :
The one 2 one pitching windows for the 24 best entries start from the 19th of August 2008. We will send out e mails and couriers specifying the exact time , date and venue. The same can also be checked out on our website starting 16th August 2008..
Shonali,
Emotional E X U B E R A N C E !
I too love that. Even I will pat my colleague to stand by my side as you stood by Anupama. Anupama rightly said, “Brickbats and bouquets are both part of the scene”. And the goal should be to dig up bouquets every time and from the maximum.
In my previous message, I wrote,
“Nothing Personal ⌠I want a credible website from the SANKALAN people that does not allow to emerge any question in the readerâs mind.”
But, but, but - You chose to bang me left and right about my nature, my situations and wholly on my state. I think you did not read my messages properly. You will find a selfless concern in them. I havenât gone personal on anybody. My questions and suggestions are for all. See this statement â
âIf you say, I will send the questionnare that can be put on website as an FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) so that nobody sends an e-mail like I did.
Good intentions and good people should come forward like you, to create awareness. Itâs just not about good people and good intentions, itâs about their way of presenting their clear intentions that matters a lot that inturn will create credibility in a long run.
Think of 50 years from now and leave a legacy.
Thanks a lotâ
About the mails being made public, I would like to attract your attention that those mails are not personal mails. It’s not a talk between friends or clandestinely related ones. It’s an exchange between and organization and a writer, or else what ever you think of me as you thought. So, whatever applies to me should apply to all the participants or non-participants. So, UNETHICAL is ruled out, as it’s IMPERSONAL.
Ok coming to this statement - a judicious personal attack - “I just think you are a desperate frustrated loser writer with a bloated sense of SELF”.
I would like to convey you, may be your sixth sense snitched you so. But the International symposium of Poets didn’t get a hitch for which my work was ranked 34 among 5000 odd works for which my work got published in France and was recorded on literary CDs and I was an invitee to Amsterdam for International Symposium of Poets. And there my work was read before the august assembly.
‘DESPERATE’ … Ok, that’s what you said. I know the figures are mind-boggling and we need to have that type of vision to take India ahead. I’m not frustratingly sad about SANKALAN, rather I’m elated that somebody is doing a good job … No, Great job. Why we are producing flop after flops leaving a mere handful of 5-8 hits in a year? I understand, what I wrote about my script, is an arduous matter to digest. It happens most of the time that people say a lot of things without deep diving into the matter. People only believe after it happens and every channel starts to splatter. So, no complaint on it as the vision differs.
I found, you have thrown the âWheel of Discordâ in an intelligent way at the end. May be an astute undermined way to disparage your organizationâs well-wisher. I respect Shahrukh Khan, Karan Johar, Mira Nair and Rajat Kapur in the core of my heart and you comparing me against them and labeling above them clearly states sarcasm. Can you tell me in what way Iâm related to these legends signing to any production house or not signing? And, why will they divulge the technicalities of their agreements to me? Really, I smirk at your statement.
I find this is a selection of scripts/ideas/concepts from different writers from the whole nation and everybody is apprehensive to give away the ideas or concepts. Again, donât take me as the sole one fearing that. I will be happy if somebody takes my idea without informing me and makes a movie because that will furnish me an opportunity to rake in more as an original writer.
Anupama responded to my mail because she is a responsible person.
Ok, everythingâs told, read, reviewed and blasted. Itâs not for what we are here. Till now many points loom here.
1. Why a writer having 21 movie outlines and 2 scripts is opting to abstain even though he is searching for an opportunity for his scripts?
2. You people have not mentioned about copyright registration. Donât say registration in The Film Writerâs Association is 100% fool proof as IFWAâs first Terms and condition under Clause No. 3, Under The Film Writerâs Association Bye Laws clearly states, âTHE REGISTRATION SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS ‘COPYRIGHT REGISTRATION’.â And you people have clearly given a misguided statement at the top in this website saying âSend in your script (registered with the Film Writers Association)âŚitâs safe with your IPR intact.â
3. The discussion board which is present here on http://www.passionforcinema.com should have been present on your Sankalan