The Pre-Development Program is designed to provide Creative Teams (Producers/Screenwriters) the skills they need to fast-track their knowledge and enhance the competitiveness of their project through a workshop series. Training and feedback will assist participants to develop their project to a stage where they can apply for development funding from Screen Nova Scotia’s Amplified Voices Development Fund and other funds, and/or to pitch to distributors, broadcasters or other platforms.
There is no fee to apply and participation in the program is free of charge.
The deadline to apply is July 12, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. ADT.
A reminder to review the Amplified Voices Development Program guidelines HERE before submitting your application.
Important Dates for the Pre-development Program
Info Sessions:
- June 18, 10am: Virtual on Zoom
- June 18, 1pm: In-person at the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre, 2021 Brunswick St, Halifax
- June 24, 12:30pm: In-person at ReachAbility, 3845 Joseph Howe Dr #201, Halifax
- June 25, 1pm: In-person at the Black Cultural Centre, 10 Cherry Brook Rd, Cherry Brook
- June 25, 6pm: Virtual on Zoom
- June 28, 11am: In-person at the Membertou Trade & Convention Centre, Membertou, Cape Breton
Networking Events:
- July 2 from 4-6pm at the Propeller Tap Room Patio, 2015 Gottingen St, Halifax. This event will help support screenwriters and producers who need to find other members of their creative teams.
Program Training
The pre-development program offers interactive workshops for participants to prepare applicants to apply for development funding with Screen Nova Scotia or for other development funding. Workshops will run weekly in August and September.
Wherever possible, workshops will be led by members of Underrepresented Communities from Nova Scotia. Workshop instructors will provide homework and will tailor workshops to the participants’ objectives.
When possible, workshops will be presented both in person in Halifax and virtually. Travel stipends are available for participants travelling from outside HRM.
Participants must commit to participating in all required workshops. Absence from more than one required workshop will result in disqualification from the program.
A sample workshop roster includes:
Week 1 – Orientation and Introduction: Overview of the phases of production, roles and responsibilities, the elements of a successful pitch package. Participants present project briefs, goal setting. Producers and screenwriters required to attend/participate.
Week 2 – Market Intelligence and Funding Landscape: The workshop will be made up of two parts: part one is a brief on market potential to help participants position their project; part two is a virtual panel of national funders to introduce their programming priorities and opportunities. Producers and screenwriters required to attend/participate.
Week 3A – Writing Clinic: Personalised feedback and follow-up with the story consultant in week 6 of the Program. Screenwriters required, producers optional.
Week 3B – Project Management and Budgets: Personalised feedback to build a development budget and finance plan. Producers required, screenwriters optional.
Week 4 – Project Financing and Legal: Includes information on incorporating a production company. Producers required, screenwriters optional.
Week 5 – Sustainability and DEIA Plans: Raising awareness of issues and solutions, and empowering producers to implement best practices as they develop their projects. Producers required, screenwriters optional.
Week 6 – Marketing and Audience Development: Building a marketing plan and audience development plan to best support your project. Producers and screenwriters required to attend/participate.
Week 7 – Final Pitch Package Delivery: Teams present pitch packages and receive feedback from coaches and peers. Producers and screenwriters required to attend/participate.
Workshop topics, formats, and schedules are subject to change, based on the needs and objectives of applicants.
Program Eligibility
Applicants will apply to develop a pitch package for one creative project. The following eligibility requirements and conditions apply:
- The applicants must be Nova Scotia Residents.
- The program is open to producer and screenwriter teams. The producer and screenwriter positions cannot be held by the same person.
- Both members of the team must self-identify as members of an underrepresented community. *
- Both members of the team must be emerging talent. **
- Applicants must show a demonstrated interest or experience in working in the screen industries, and at least one member of the team must show a track record of content creation (any screen format, including but not limited to short film, series, and short-form video content for digital social media platforms is acceptable).
- Projects may be scripted or documentary feature films, one-offs, short form digital series, or broadcast TV series.
- SNS will reserve the right to assess teams and projects for eligibility on a case by case basis.
* Underrepresented Community means a member of one or more of the communities of Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, 2SLGBTQIA+, People with a long-term, intermittent or recurring Disability, or Official Language Minorities.
** Emerging Talent means Nova Scotia resident producers, directors and/or screenwriters who have previously produced, directed and/or written no more than one feature film or four hours of television content which have been produced for intended commercial release.
Application Information
Forms: Complete and submit the Application Form and Self-identification Forms below with all required submission materials and attachments. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that SNS receives all required and relevant documentation.
APPLICATION FORM – CLICK HERE
SELF-IDENTIFICATION FORM – CLICK HERE
Applications will be evaluated by a national selection committee overseen by Screen Nova Scotia.
Application Checklist: To apply for participation in the Pre-Development Program, a complete submission must be received by the Program Administrator. That consists of a completed application form with all required accompanying documentation and supplementary information, including:
- Completed application form.
- Completed self-identification forms for both the producer and screenwriter.
- Filmography/CVs for both the producer and screenwriter (if available).
- Project logline.
- One page concept description of the project.
- A link to an example of previous work by either the producer or screenwriter
The deadline to apply is July 12, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. ADT.
Please contact Abel Rangel, Project Coordinator, if you have any questions about this program, the application process, or if you need accessibility accommodations in order to submit your application: abel@screennovascotia.com / (902) 229-1499