Central Coast FAQ
If you are interested in getting involved in Short+Sweet – as a writer, director or actor– the following FAQ is bound to be of interest to you. Here you’ll find the answers to the most common questions asked about the Festival. Give it a read first, and if we still haven’t answered your question, please drop a line to Brenda Logan brenda@shortandsweet.org
PLEASE NOTE: An “ITC” is an Independent Theatre Company. ITCs are groups of “creatives” that are either established before the Festival or form just for the purpose of staging a Short+Sweet play. For more information about ITCs, please follow this link.
The following FAQ is all based on questions we’ve received in the past.
Q: Is there a limit to how many scripts I can enter?
A: No, there’s no limit. You can enter as many scripts as you like. We’ll consider all the pieces you submit. However, only ONE of your plays can be performed here on the Central Coast. We have a one play performed per playwright policy but you can certainly enter as many as you like (gives you a better shot of getting one in, say the statisticians).
Q: If my script is selected, if I am cast as an actor or if I am picked as a director, will I be paid? Will I receive travel and accommodation expenses?
A: No. Participation in the festival is ENTIRELY voluntary so you will not receive any form of royalty or payment for your performances in our production season. We regret that we can’t give you travel or accommodation expenses either. Sorry.
Q: Can I submit another play for Central Coast, even though I submitted one for Melbourne or Sydney?
A: Yes. Please do. You can enter as many scripts as you like (regardless of how many you’ve entered for Melbourne). We’ll consider as many pieces as you submit (but remember only ONE play performed per playwright).
Q: Is the play I submitted for Central Coast S+S automatically considered for other S+S festivals – like Sydney for instance?
A: Yes. If you’ve submitted a script for Cnteral Coast, it will automatically be considered for other festivals.
Q: I submitted a script last year that didn’t get shortlisted. Anyway, it wasn’t performed. Can I resubmit it this year?
A: Yes, you can resubmit the script, since it wasn’t performed last year.
Q: Can I direct the script I wrote?
A: No. The policy at S+S is that directors can’t direct their own writing. This has worked well in the past, and will continue again this year.
But - if you want to maintain ‘control’ of the work - and pick your own actors, too, here’s what you do: 1. Find a director (who isn’t you) and 2. Submit your script with “creatives” attached as an Independent Theatre Company. Pick a name for yourselves, and if your script gets through, we’ll take the company you assemble as a complete package.
Q: Can I direct someone else’s script, but still submit a script of my own?
A: Yes, you can submit a script, and direct a different script, that’s totally fine.
Q: If I resubmit my play this year, is it the same assessors?
A: Probably not. We have a very large pool of assessors, and scripts are sent to them with your name and details removed. As we receive many submissions, it is highly unlikely that the same assessors will read your script.
Q: Can I just email a script to you? Is that how I submit a script?
A: No, you have to submit the scripts via the on-line form, or by posting the form.
Q: I’m an actor and I forgot to (or was unable) to attach my headshot to my submission. What do I do?
A: Just bring your headshot (and cv) to the audition.
Q: How do I audition for Short+Sweet?
A: Send an email to brenda@shortandsweet.org or call 0419 256 530
Q: What happens after I sign up for a Short+Sweet audition?
A: The process is that you’ll be contacted with an allocated time to attend a general audition (on the 17/18 MAY) – where you’ll do a prepared monologue in front of a whole bunch of directors looking for fabulous actors for the 10-minute play they’ll be directing. Then a director (or maybe more than one) will contact you.
The process for actors is:
1. Register you interest as an actor by contacting brenda Logan brenda@shortandsweet.org
2. You will be contacted regarding an audition date/time
3. At your audition time, you’ll come prepared with a 1-2 minute monologue that shows you off (and a hardcopy of your resume and headshot). You’ll audition in front of several directors, all of whom are looking for fabulous actors like you for the short play they’ll be directing.
4. After the audition, you’ll hopefully hear from one director (or more!), asking you to be in their play.
Q: Is Short+Sweet for kids?
A: For writers: A play for kids might be interesting, but would be playing to primarily adult audiences.
For audiences: Although there’s nothing stopping kids coming to see the show, many plays have “adult themes”, which means there will be stuff a kid won’t get, perhaps people in underwear (sometimes nudity), swearing, violence, drugs, adult topics, etc. Short+Sweet isn’t really aimed at kids.
Q: What rights am I signing away by submitting a script?
A: You retain full copyright of the play and we only have permission to perform it for S+S festivals. If additional opportunities for your play come up we will contact you directly.
Q: Can we forward a script that is not written for theatre? I have a 10min film script, but it is written in the usual film Script Format (Final Draft).
A: The first thing to be aware of is that we won’t be able to read a “Final Draft” document, so you’ll have to send it in Microsoft Word (.doc), adobe acrobat (.pdf) or text (.txt) format - or, in a pinch, rich text format (.rtf).
The next thing to be aware of is that theatre and film are VERY different media. A script written specifically for film is unlikely to be “theatrical” enough to be performed live, in front of an audience. Generally speaking, a film is visual and theatre is a performative experience. Theatre is made by the actions of a live human body, film is a series of animated photographs.
If you think your script would make a good “theatrical” piece, by all means REWRITE IT AS DRAMA and send it in. Be aware, however, that if it’s all visuals, it’s probably not going to work. In the end, it’s your call. It will make a lot more sense to our readers if it’s in standard theatre format, but we’ll certainly read your script if you send it in.
Q: I’m submitting an ITC proposal, but I’m not based in Centreal Coast. Is that an issue?
A: Short+Sweet provides no travel or accommodation expenses. You will have to get yourselves to the Central Caost and house/feed yourselves, if your ITC proposal is accepted. (I.e. you will have to pay for all that yourselves) and you will have to be available for all appropriate technical and production meetings.
You must also have lived on the Central Coast at some stage.
Q: I would like to submit a script that is also being made into a short film later on this year (in a slightly different version, but basically the same script). Does having a script made into a short film disqualify it from being considered for the centeral Coast season of Short+Sweet?
A: That’s fine!
Q: How do I submit a script?
A: There are two paths to submit a script:
1.) Submit the script via the online form, and if it’s shortlisted it’ll be assigned to a director (Who will be selected for you) and then the director will cast it.
2.) Submit a script through your own Independent Theatre Company (ITC) —attaching your own director and cast to it (with their consent, obviously!). This gives you more creative control. You can learn more about ITCs by clicking here
Q: What if I want to perform in my own script?
A: In that case, you’re better off finding your own director and submitting your script to us as an ITC. Otherwise, it will be up to the director assigned your script whether to cast you or not.
Q: I’ve written a script I submitted myself, and another one submitted as part of an ITC. If one gets performed as an ITC, can the other still be considered as a script only?
A: We’ve got a strict policy about “one play per writer to be performed” - which means that if the ITC proposal and the “unattached” script both pass muster, whichever one comes highest in the assessment process will be the one performed.
Q: I submitted a play before and it was shortlisted but then it wasn’t picked for the Short+Sweet season, so am I able to submit this same play that I submitted before again for next year’s entry?
A: Yes, you can submit your play again, as long as it hasn’t been performed in Centeral Coast before – at Short+Sweet or otherwise.
*Q: I know I can submit as many entries as I want but if you only will allow one writer to have only one play produced, it seems a bit of a waste to enter a second or more plays. What is your advice? *
A: It could be considered a waste of time to submit more than one play, or it could be considered giving you a larger chance to be selected. The only person who can answer this question is you.
Q: We’re registering as an ITC, but really we’re more like a collective of creative people. We’d like to make multiple submissions as an ITC. Is that allowed?
A: Yes, it is. However, be aware of the following:
There is a “one play performed per playwright” rule – so if many different submissions with the same writer are shortlisted, only one of them can be performed. Similarly, multiple submissions with the same director will follow the same process.
Other than that – if your submissions have different writer/director combinations, your ITC may well get multiple slots in the season, provided ALL the submissions pass through the assessment process.
Q: How can I direct my mate’s play?
A: Here’s how to direct your mate’s play for S+S (or at least be considered for it, should the script pass the assessment process): Submit the script as part of an Independent Theatre Company submission. ITCs submit not just a script, but also the whole package.
If you want to cover your bases, if you’re willing to direct another play should this ITC/script fall through, then you can also register as a director – again, go to www.shortandsweet.org, follow the links to register your interest as a director – it’s likely if the ITC comes through you’ll only direct that one play, but this could be a backup for you, if you’re willing.
Q: Is there a format you’re looking for in a script?
A: Yes. We STRONGLY SUGGEST that you format your script to the recommended guidelines downloadable from the bottom of this page. This is to help YOU calculate how long your script is running, so you can make your script fit within 10 minutes.
As we at S+S love trees and want to prevent global warming, we’d much prefer to receive an electronic submission. If you MUST send us a hard copy of your play, bear in mind it should also follow our recommended guidelines and hand-written text is NOT acceptable!
For online submissions, we can only take files in these formats:
- Microsoft Word (.doc or .txt files)
- Adobe Acrobat files (.pdf files)
- Rich Text Format files (.rtf files)
- Text (.txt files)
Q: Is it possible to enter a first draft by May 16 and then replace it with a second draft slightly later?
A: No. Our assessment process begins straight after the deadline closes, and we have to give all our assessors the same script. As you can appreciate, with the volume of scripts to be assessed, and the limited time, we can’t “hold off” on assessing a script for a later draft. Whatever we’ve received by the end of the 14th is what will be assessed.
Should your script be selected for performance, you could certainly provide your updated version to the director… but the first draft would have to pass muster on its own merits.
Q: What’s the rule about scripts having been performed before?
A: The scripts MUST NOT have been performed in Central Coast before. Anywhere else in the world is fine, but not Centeral Coast. Sorry.
Q: I’m an actor based outside Central Coast. Can I audition for Short+Sweet Central Coast?
A: Yes, it’s fine to sign up for Central Coast, but we won’t provide any transport costs or anything. Remember, it won’t just be the audition; it will be rehearsals and the performances you’ll have to be in Central Coast for, too. (It’s been done before.)
Q: For my audition, is it possible to do a scene (with another actor) rather than a monologue?
A: Yes. Just don’t go over two minutes.
Q: Can I direct a play, and act in another?
A: Yes.
Q: Can I audition in two age bands?
A: Yes, request this from the Casting Co-ordinator. (You’ll probably want to prepare a different monologue for each audition - one younger, one older).
Q: I’m an actor - how many plays can I be in?
A: The rule is: actors can be in at most two plays. It’s up to you which roles to take if you are offered more than two.
Q: Are there exceptions to the two-plays-per-actor rule?
A: Generally 45+ actors are hard to find, so they may wind up in more than two plays. However, in all cases, it’s at the discretion of the Festival Director.
Q: Do plays have to be original work?
A: Yes. You should submit only a play you have written. For example, don’t submit a 10-minute play written by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE unless you ARE WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE. Similarly, do NOT take a WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE play (or anyone else’s play!) and rewrite it with some new words and different character names. This is copyright infringement and a very, very big sin!
Note that although the current entry form says “If I am not the sole writer or originator of the idea, story or material it is my responsibility to gain permission from all other writers or contributors”, this is not intended to mean that you can get permission from WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE’s agent to perform his play, and then submit it to Short + Sweet.
Note also that we will accept 10-minute plays that have been staged in other cities, so “original” does not necessarily mean “brand-new, never-performed-before”. NOTE: we are INCREDIBLY strict on the rule that you must NOT pass someone else’s work off as your own. Writers tend to get hysterical about their work being ripped off and lawsuits, black bans and industry ostracism are likely outcomes if you infringe. You have been warned.
Q: I object to actors auditioning in age brackets, as a good actor should be able to act any age.
A: True, but we have to group the actors somehow, and it’s done on gender and age bands. Note that when actors register, they tell us the age band they want to audition “as” (under 18, 18-30, 30-45, 45+). We expect the actors will know which age band suits them best, so we’re letting them tell us - we don’t care what an actors “real” age is.
Q: As an actor auditioning for S&S, should I expect to get a role?
A: We can’t guarantee anything, as casting is up to the directors. But even if you don’t get a part, these are the most “efficient” auditions you’ll ever attend – you’ll audition in front of dozens of directors at once. Even if you’re not right for their current play, they may well remember you for their next project.
However, also be aware (in terms of getting a role) that are TONS of females 18-30. Like, four times more than any other category. So if you’re in this age/gender bracket, be aware that there’s far more actors than roles…(Once you get to, say, 45+ it will be much less crowded…)
Q: I know someone famous; can I give them a comp to see Short+Sweet?
A: No. But you can give our publicist’s email address to that famous person so they can contact us directly and we’ll see if we can arrange something for them. Alternatively, you can give that famous person’s contact details to our publicist, who will get in contact with them.
However, we absolutely will not hand out comps to anyone to pass on to someone else. No, no, no.
Q: I’m a director. Am I allocated a cast?
A: You are definitely NOT allocated a cast. Casting decisions are yours.
We prefer you to cast from the actors who have auditioned for Short+Sweet. After all, they are the actors who took the time to do so.
Q: Can I use projections in my play?
A: Short+Sweet does not provide projectors (nor do any of our venues) so if you want projections, you’ll have to supply your own projector, and screen, and someone to operate the projector. Be aware that stuffing around with projectors will seriously eat into your tech time.
Short+Sweet STRONGLY recommends that you do NOT use projections/projectors. In fact, we still reserve the right to bar projections from your play if we feel they are extraneous and/or will impact on the tech rehearsals or the whole evening’s show.
Q: Can I ask that my play be in a particular position in the running order?
A: The running order is determined mostly on smooth change-overs, so has a lot to do with props coming on / off. So I’m afraid we can’t promise anything regarding where your play will be in the running order. At the production meeting, you can make your request, and we’ll see what we can do, but there are considerations about the whole night that may have to take precedence, as you can understand.
Q: Can you please summarise what makes a script eligible/ineligible for Short+Sweet?
A: All scripts submitted are eligible, provided:
1. The play has not been previously performed in Central Coast
2. The playwright themselves submits the script
3. The script is under 10 minutes (or, at least, was close to that – close enough so that a director working with the writer could easily trim it down to 10 minutes, if necessary) and
4. The script is your own, original work and you have not infringed anyone’s copyright in the writing of it
Examples of scripts submitted last year that were disqualified for not meeting the above criteria:
There was a full-length script submitted (about 100 pages), which was disqualified.
There was a 10-minute script by a world-famous playwright submitted by a local director who found it in a book and wanted to direct it; this entry was disqualified.
Q: Who are the Judges?
A: The judges are people involved in the industry (directors, agents, writers, actors, etc) that we invite.
Q: My play was not performed / shortlisted for Short+Sweet Central Coast 2007. Can I submit it again for 2008?
A: Yes, of course you can! (In fact, many writers do re-submit plays again in following years.)
Q: Any tips for writers?
A: Here’s a weird little tip: name your play something that lets people remember your play when they look back over the voting form at the end of the night. Something obvious.
For more information please contact Festival Director Brenda Logan brenda@shortandsweet.org