What is it?

• Portopia Productions actively seek out existing and emerging talent, particularly from under-represented communities, to access, generate and develop ideas we feel will make compelling viewing across film, TV and digital platforms. Our mission is to unearth stories and story tellers from all corners of society that would otherwise go untold and undiscovered. 
• We have now developed the Portopia Writer Development Scheme to help nurture and develop people from marginalised backgrounds with the passion and potential, to tell their stories and become screenwriters. 
• The Scheme will help emerging writers develop their skills and talent to enable them to interact with confidence in the screenwriting, television and film industry. It will give writers an understanding of how the industry operates and how to set realistic goals while encouraging ambition and individuality in one of the most competitive environments. 
• By the end of The Scheme, writers will have developed the draft of a screenplay using industry standard software, have a revised draft of a Pitch and Treatment and a grounding in the mechanics of the screenwriting industry. 
• The Scheme will also encourage writers to make their own connections within and beyond the scheme and to support one another to help build confidence and resilience. 
• Further phases of the scheme will aim to build on this development phase and enable writers to progress to paid development by facilitating industry relationships.