Through the new Develop BC pilot program, the PSP provides one-to-two-week’s funding support to showrunner-executive producers who have a pre-network, scripted series that needs further development, while at the same time creating opportunities for emerging writers.

Increasingly, buyers from conventional television and streaming platforms are looking for a deeper level of project development to take place before they commit to a project. This program pays the weekly fees of two Emerging Writers to work with a Showrunner-EP for one to two weeks, to further develop a series to demonstrate its viability.

To qualify, the Showrunner-EP and the Emerging Writers must be BC residents. The Emerging Writers must still be working towards, or have no more than two WGC/WGA writing credits. Further, the room must take place in-person in BC.

Any additional costs that are not covered by the PSP are the responsibility of the Showrunner-EP. At the Showrunner-EP’s discretion, this might include additional writers in the room, for example, or an assistant. All engagements must comply with WGC requirements. The development rooms need to take place between 3 February 2025 and 30 May 2025.

Applications

Open 6 January 2025

Info Session

Recording to come

The PSP will provide an amount per week to cover the fees and contract fringe costs of two Emerging Writers. In this pilot phase, the PSP will support one-to-two week development rooms, funding between two and four Showrunner-EPs and their projects. The resources are available to support four weeks of work in total, but we hope that if we can demonstrate value, the program will be renewed and expanded.

The Emerging Writers must be engaged as Story Editors on WGC contracts; they will earn $1,500 per week minus any writer deductions remitted to WGC. The Emerging Writers do not have to be PSP program alumni; however the PSP is happy to recommend some of our graduates to showrunners who are seeking emerging writers to hire; please email info@pacificscreenwriting.com.

If funding is approved, a contract will be drawn up between the PSP and the Showrunner-EP, outlining the agreed terms. Funds will be provided to the Showrunner-EP at the end of the development room period, after proof of payment to the Emerging Writers has been supplied. If the project moves ahead into production, the PSP must receive a credit for participating in the project’s development.

Funding is not available for work that takes place before the application is submitted or before the PSP’s support is confirmed.

The intention of this program is to encourage the creation of small scale development rooms in BC which would not otherwise take place, and to create opportunities for emerging screenwriters to work on and contribute meaningfully to projects. As this is a pilot program, the PSP reserves the right to modify the program processes, criteria and priorities in the pursuit of the program’s intentions.

Applications must meet all of the following criteria to be considered:

  • The Emerging Writers and Showrunner-EP must be residents of British Columbia and Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents;
  • Via their CV, the Emerging Writers need to show a track record of writing experience and a commitment to enhancing their screenwriting skills;
  • The Emerging Writers should have not yet earned WGC or WGA Story Editor credits on more than two shows, although very occasionally exceptions may be made at the PSP’s sole discretion;
  • The Showrunner-EP should have a track record of creating scripted episodic content in a WGC or WGA environment that has been broadcast as a series on network television or VOD platform, including credit as creator and executive producer.
  • The Showrunner-EP must have a registered Canadian business which will receive the funding and pay the writers involved; this could be a sole proprietorship, a partnership or a corporation;
  • The entity receiving the funding and making the payments must become signatory to the WGC Independent Production Agreement for the purposes of this project and all writers hired must be on WGC contracts;
  • The Showrunner-EP and other writers hired for the room must be WGC members, excluding the Emerging Writers who may or may not yet be members;
  • The writers room must take place in-person and in British Columbia;
  • The project must be of scripted episodic content, intended for broadcast as a series on network television or VOD platform.

Excluded genres include, but are not limited to, pornography, talk shows, news, live sports events, game shows, reality television, documentary and branded content.

After reviewing all the information on this page, including the FAQs below, it’s recommended that showrunners contact us at info@pacificscreenwriting.com to discuss their plans before submitting an application.

Applications will open on January 6, 2025 and thereafter are accepted on an ongoing basis subject to the availability of funding. It can take two to three weeks to review an application.

In addition to submitting full contact information for the Emerging Writers and the Showrunner-EP, the applicant will need to upload the following documents in PDF format:

  • Project Summary (log line, development stage, prior funding, details of any market interest and/or attachments)
  • Development room details (scope of work/goals, dates, the names of any other participating writers)
  • CV of the Showrunner-EP
  • CVs of the Emerging Writers

The applicant will also need to accept the PSP’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

After the application has been received, an optional self-identification survey will be sent directly to the Emerging Writers.

Qualifying applicants will be awarded funds on a first-come-first-served basis, subject to the availability of funding. If the program is immediately over-subscribed when applications open, then a lottery system will be employed to select projects.

This is a pilot program, and the PSP reserves the right to make adjustments in order to ensure that the program’s objectives are met. The decisions of the PSP regarding funding are final.

Some answers to frequent questions.

▸ Is this program compliant with WGC agreements?
Yes, the WGC is aware of the program and has worked with the PSP to ensure compliance.

▸ Can my development room take place virtually?
No, the program requires an in-person room.

▸ I am a showrunner who is not based in BC, can I still apply?
No, in its pilot form, the program is open to BC-based showrunners.

▸ Do I have to hire additional people for the room, or can it just be me as the Showrunner-EP and the two Emerging Writers?
No, you do not need to hire anyone else. If you choose to do so, those expenses are your responsibility.

▸ How do I contract the Emerging Writers? Will someone help me with the paperwork?

They will be on WGC agreements as Story Editors, and the WGC are happy to walk you through everything.

▸ Who owns the IP?

The Showrunner retains IP ownership. The Emerging Writers will be hired on WGC Story Editor contracts.

▸ Do I get paid as the Showrunner-EP?
As both engager and a contracted story editor, you can set the terms for your own payment. The Develop BC program does not provide funds for your fees.

▸ Does the PSP supply a physical space for this writers room to take place in?

The PSP has assembled a list of industry companies who are willing to provide a writers room if they have one available. If your application is approved, once your agreement is in place and your dates are confirmed, we will reach out to these companies and see if a room can be provided. One company in particular seems very confident that they can provide space, but we still caution that this component is subject to availability, just in case a room cannot be supplied.

▸ As the Showrunner-EP, do I need to submit a script sample as part of my application?

No, a script sample is not required. In addition to your C.V. and those of the proposed Emerging Writers, we just need:

  • Project Summary (log line, development stage, prior funding, details of any market interest and/or attachments)
  • Development room details (scope of work/goals, dates, the names of any other participating writers)

▸ I have a producer attached to my project, can I still apply?
Yes, but as explained earlier, the intention of this program is to provide an incentive to create development rooms that would not otherwise occur.

▸ If I receive funding, can a production company or producer be the contracting entity for this development work?

No. The way this is designed and will be contracted, the Showrunner-EP must be the contracting entity. If the Showrunner-EP is not able to demonstrate this at the end of the development room, they will not receive the funding.

▸ I have a broadcaster/streamer currently attached to my project, can I still apply?
No, this program is for developing scripted series that do not currently have a commitment from a broadcaster.

▸ If my project was previously developed by a broadcaster/streamer, but they are no longer involved, can I still apply?
Yes, but in describing your plans for the development room, please tell us what work you have done on the project in the past and what additional goals you have for this further investment and why.

▸ If a project gets funded, are there specific deliverables for the development period?

No, this is your development time to use as you see fit. We want to see projects advance so that they subsequently get optioned, developed and produced. We hope you will keep us in the loop as your series progresses.

▸ Do I have to be committed to producing my show in BC if it gets picked up?
No, as long as this development room takes place in BC, that is all that is required. However, once you work with emerging BC writers and get to know the talent here, we think you’ll want to produce your show in BC!

▸ How is "BC resident" defined?
For the purposes of Showrunner-EPs and Emerging Writers participating in this program, it is defined as: being resident in British Columbia for at least 200 of the 365 days immediately preceding the date of application and having filed income tax in the province of British Columbia within the past fiscal year.

▸ My development room has already taken place, can I apply for funding retroactively?
No, you must apply and receive confirmation of funding before the room takes place.

▸ I am an emerging writer, how do I get involved?

We encourage you to continue to build your network of working showrunners and writers in order for an applying showrunner to consider working with you. Unfortunately, the PSP is not in a position to facilitate introductions for emerging writers who have not completed our programs.

You can build your network and profile by:

  • joining the inkcanada Facebook group
  • attending inkdrinks events and other industry events, panels, conferences etc and meeting new people
  • entering reputable screenwriting competitions

We are also fans of the industry tips and tricks that Carole Kirschner shares on Instagram.

▸ I still have questions. Where can I get more information?

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The Pacific Screenwriting Program thanks the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations for their continued stewardship of the unceded and occupied land on which our work takes place. We are committed to collaborating with and supporting Indigenous storytellers.

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