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MIDPOINT Series Launch 2024

Series
Open Call

Make your series idea a marketable project. Learn how to improve your script as well as your skills, and find out possible funding opportunities. Both limited and ongoing series projects are welcome.

Benefits Structure Tutors Fee and how to apply References Successful series Contact FAQs Partners Archive
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Benefits

An exquisite experience

MIDPOINT Series Launch is the only residential, project-based training targeting and tailoring its content for the creative teams of emerging professionals coming primarily from Central-Eastern Europe, the Balkans, the Baltic countries and the wider Mediterranean area.

For teams of writers, producers, and if attached, directors

  • develop your drama series project
  • pitch it & network within Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event
  • create a bullet-proof series concept (you’ll thank us later…)
  • write an eye-catching pilot script
  • work with some of the most established European and international creators and professionals who are willing to lay the cards out on the table (good or bad)
  • learn to create as many marketing and financing models as necessary
  • explore the television and series industry landscape

For Development Executive Participants

Test your skills in practice. The training gives you an opportunity to observe the process of shaping the initial series ideas into scripts, and learn how you can boost and direct project teams towards the best possible results.

  • watch new European drama develop and be a part of this creative process first hand
  • explore the television and series industry landscape
  • enhance your script editing and communication skills
  • learn to give constructive feedback
  • improve all what you already know in leadership
  • learn how to present yourself as a development executive
  • pitch yourself as the new hot editor and series script consultant within Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event

For more information click here.

Structure

A year long intensive program combining various formats

The 9 creative teams, split into 3 groups, work under the guidance of internationally renowned and experienced tutors and in close collaboration with development executive participants who are involved in all parts of the program.

  • All Participants
    Project Pre-Training
    March 2024  | Online

    Project team members are introduced to serial storytelling with lectures and dramaturgical consultations addressing the structural differences between features and series, and tackling the subject of the series concept and a pilot.

  • Development executive participants
    Pre-Training for DE Participants
    March 2024  | Online

    Development Executive participants, guided by their mentor, are briefed and pre-trained in their basic script-editing skills.

  • All participants
    Workshop 1: Series Concept
    March 2024 | Czech Republic
    TEAMS WITH PROJECTS

    The creative teams are led to defining their series concept and theme, and outlining their pilot scripts. The workshop consists of group work, individual consultations, lectures and series analysis.

    DEVELOPMENTS EXECUTIVE PARTICIPANTS

    Each Development Executive is assigned to the group of projects and observes the group work led by the group leader. The participants get acquainted with the dynamics within the creative team. Their learning process is debriefed within meetings with the development executive tutor, as well as the project teams themselves.

  • All participants
    Online Consultations
    April - June, 2024 | Online
  • All participants
    Workshop 2: Season Arc and Mini-Bible
    June 2024  | Czech Republic
    TEAMS WITH PROJECTS

    Creative teams work on completing their pilots, and creating their season arc and season outlines. They focus also on the project pitching documents, production aspects as well as the financing strategy.

    DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE PARTICIPANTS

    Development Executive participants continue the involvement in the group, serving as script editors, observing the work on the pilot episode, and getting trained in the financing strategies and production issues together with the creative teams.

  • All participants
    Online Consultations
    July-November, 2024 | Online
  • All participants
    Workshop 3: Pitching and Acquiring Partners
    November 2024  | Tallinn, Estonia
    TEAMS WITH PROJECT

    Each project comes with a revised pilot script, a completed bible, a 3-pager, and a teaser. The workshop emphasizes the creation of marketing strategies, the refinement of pitching skills, and familiarizes participants with the specifics of different segments of the series market.

    The workshop concludes at the established industry market of Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event and its series conference TV Beats, offering debates, panels, lectures, case studies, master classes, and the pitching presentation of all projects and participants.

    DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE PARTICIPANTS

    Development Executive participants attend the pitching training and rehearsals of the projects while also preparing for their own presentations to pitch themselves as industry professionals. They will leverage the networking opportunities at the event for their future careers.

Tutors

Inspirational professionals with passion for sharing their experience

To ensure the most complex approach to training, Series Launch works with established and well-respected industry names coming from Central and Eastern Europe, Western Europe, USA or Australia.

See tutors from previous edition

Fee and how to apply

Take the first steps towards becoming part of the network

Fee

1 800 EUR
Per participant for the whole training. The fee covers the tuition, board, and accommodation. Travel costs are covered by the participants themselves.
OPEN CALL
November 14, 2023 - January 8, 2024

Who can apply?

  • project team members – writer/s, producer/s, director/s (if attached)

  • junior (aspiring) development executives

  • The program accepts projects coming mainly from Central and Eastern Europe or with the co-production intention with this region

Application requirements

To apply for the workshop, please create an account on the MIDPOINT Visitor Page and follow the instructions within the submission form.  

The application materials consist of:

  • Basic information (title, genre, format, length, estimated number of episodes per season, estimated number of seasons, episode length, countries of productio, reference series, possible connection to a broadcaster - not a condition of selection)
  • Logline
  • Synopsis (of the entire series)
  • Series pitch (the main premise of the series, the setting and arena, the storylines, the narrative style)
  • Description of 3 – 4 main characters
  • Statement of purpose (relevance of the series in the contemporary series landscape, the elements that distinguish their project as a series - as opposed to a feature film, and if it's an ongoing series, what aspects of the stories will be repeatable, the applicants' personal connection to the project)
  • Mood book (presenting the visual approach - optional)
  • Writing sample (10-page excerpt of the previous work, preferably close in tone to the submitted project)
  • Biography/ies of each team member 
  • Photo/s of each team member 
  • Justification scholarship letter (if applicable)
Submit application

References

A pushing experience that gives you confidence

MIDPOINT Series Launch provides a safe space to do all the deep digging you need to in order to develop a good series. You do it with some kind and talented people, you help each other along the way and if you put in the work - you really end up with something to show within what's a rather short space of time for this type of work!
Lea Stankovic
Writer, Series Launch 2022 alumna
If you truly intend to make progress with your project, especially while being an emerging writer, don't hesitate and just apply.
Monika Franczak
Writer, Series Launch 2022 alumna
I would not move in the TV space in Eastern Europe before at least trying to get into MIDPOINT.
Cristian Nicolescu
Producer, Series Launch 2022 alumnus
MIDPOINT Series Launch was an incredible human and professional experience. It was international in a truly European way: multicultural, tailor-crafted and at the same time very demanding!
Giulio Rizzo
Writer, Series Launch 2022 alumnus
We came in with quite abstract concept of our series. And we came out with a clear season outline, a really workable draft pilot script and, above all, precious insight into the current changes happening in the series industry, namely, new co-production and distribution models. Very valuable, very recommended!
Andris Gauja
Writer, Director, Producer; Series Launch 2022 alumnus
MIDPOINT was a space in which our project could develop into something stronger and where our team was able to work through a number of issues on a working and personal level; and somewhere for me to learn new skills - like public speaking - which I will take with me in the rest of my career.
Jack Thomas-O'Brien
Producer, Series Launch 2022 alumnus
I would recommend this program to anyone who loves scripted drama, who wants to write or develop scripted drama. The body of knowledge and skills acquired here can hardly be matched elsewhere. And purely on a human level - the relationships that are forged here, the support system created by our incredible tutors, MIDPOINT staff and our talented participants are unprecedented. If you want to grow, learn about TV shows, create a show which will awe audiences…all the while being a part of a like-minded group of people, a MIDPOINT family, think no more - apply!
Sasha Vyshnevska
Development Executive, Series Launch 2022 alumna

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Successful series

Selection of our successful alumni

Hausen

After his mother's death, teenager Juri and his father relocate to a rundown housing complex - but there is more here than meets the eye.

Status: realised
MIDPOINT participants involved: Till Kleinert, Anna Stoeva
Developed at: MIDPOINT TV Launch 2016
Genre: Horror/mystery serie

Fractures

The ER doctor, Kristin, in the wake of her divorce moves to her home village with her teenage daughter. Completely out of her comfort zone as she deals with her old lover and her psychic mother, forcing her to face the ghosts of her past.

Status: realised
MIDPOINT participants involved: Kolbrun Anna Bjornsdottir, Eva Sigurdardottir, Vala Thorsdottir
Developed at: MIDPOINT TV Launch 2017
Genre: Medical drama series

Babyland

Kyiv, 2020. Natasha has created Babyland, a luxury hotel where fertile women give birth for infertile couples. When a tragic event from Natasha’s past comes back to haunt her, Babyland’s future is threatened and Natasha’s soul is at stake.

Status: in development
MIDPOINT participants involved: Martichka Bozhilova, Dianne Jones, Simona Nobile
Developed at: MIDPOINT TV Launch 2019

TURBO

Aging mobster Dragan struggles to adapt to the new times by fighting teenage-hot-shots on the rise – realizing that his son is becoming the very face of this emerging “turbo-generation”.

 

Status: in development
MIDPOINT participants involved: Boris Grgurovic, Matthias Nerlich, Milan Stojanovic, Milica Zivanovic
Developed at: MIDPOINT TV Launch 2018
Genre: High-end crime drama

Contact

Did we forget something?

Alexandra Gabrizova
Program Coordinator
alexandra.gabrizova@midpoint-institute.eu

FAQs

  • My English no good. Me can apply?

    Sadly, no. As the entire training runs in English, and during the working days you'll be asked to write directly in English, we require an intermediate level of these language skills. This simply means: your grammar doesn't have to be perfect, but you need to talk/write fluently and have the vocabulary to do so.

  • I have an idea of a series but it's still early development. Can I apply anyway?

    Absolutely! The sooner in the development process you apply, the better. Series Launch is designed as a "bottom-up" training program, and will help you create your show from scratch.

  • What the fudge is a development executive?

    In our region, you might know the profession under the term "television dramaturg" or "commissioning editor". It basically is the script consultant and person who oversees the creative development of series. He/she stands on the broadcaster's side mostly, but could also easily be a development producer at a production company. Read more by clicking on the links stated in the "Overview" folder of this page, or simply ask us.

  • I'd like to apply with a limited series. Am I eligible?

    Sure! But before you apply, take a moment and first think about why is a series format the one you're thinking of as opposed to a feature film. Is there an engine moving your story? Are you working with a more complex world? (...) Took that moment? Okay, so now apply.

  • Once selected, how much time should I allocate to the training?

    Quite honestly - a lot. Series Launch is an intensive training, and apart from the assignments and work done during the residential workshops themselves, it operates with a system of tasks and deadlines in between the three workshops. So clear that calendar out a bit.

  • Can I apply with a short form series (web series/digital series)?

    Not for this particular program. But brace yourself! We are also offering a special training for the short form series (under 20 mins per episode) creators! Check it out here.

  • I'm developing a 90-minute 3-part mini-series. Am I eligible?

    Sadly, no. Based on our experience, the series rules do not quite apply to formats running over an hour and tend to behave more like feature films. It certainly is a format finding its place on television, we've however opted to focus our training to projects that are series in their core.

  • Can I apply with a reality show, documentary or animation series project?

    Sadly, this program does not work with reality show, animation or documentary projects, its focus are fiction series projects (drama, comedy, etc.).

  • I’m a writer. Can I apply myself?

    Apply yes. But please note that to be able to enter the training, you'll have to partner up with an independent producer. This is important as the creative collaboration between the writers and producers represents the core of MIDPOINT Institute in general and moreover, it is an essential part of the development process. 

  • What is the ideal number of project team members?

    Taking into account the methodology of collective group work, we strongly recommend applying as a project team consisting of 2-3 creators, ideally consisting of writer, (co-writer), and producer.

  • I have difficulty finding a producer: Can I still apply with my project?

    The way how Series Launch is designed, a producer is really needed to be on board. You can consider coming as a writer-producer yourself and taking on another co-writer. It would only mean that you'd have to take over the position of the producer at a certain point of the training and focus more on production planning.

  • I'd like to apply as a writer and a producer at the same time.

    This is of course possible, but as series writing, in general, is team-based, we really really really suggest bringing another writer with you. During the workshop, you'll be asked to brainstorm and come up with new, and then some new, and then other new ideas, and this is difficult to do in a one-man-show set-up. It might come in handy to have somebody to bounce off your ideas along the way.

  • Can we replace the members of our project team in the course of the training?

    The continuity of work of specific persons during the entire program is essential. Therefore, it is not possible to add (or replace) the team members during the program.

  • The creator is a novelist/playwright.

    We embrace all kinds of talent coming from different types of backgrounds. But because we actively and intensely work during the run of the program (both during and outside the residential workshops), it might be a good idea to bring an actual screenwriter – somebody who's familiar with screenwriting structure and formatting and used to day-to-day deliveries, as the tempo and demands during the workshop might seem a bit overwhelming for a first-time writer. This person can be added to the team alongside the creato

  • I have this great idea for a show based on a historical figure...

    Great! We love those. But don't forget that you're not writing a Wikipedia profile for a specific person or event in history, you're telling a story. Don't describe it; narrate it. Pitch it to us as if we were the viewers already watching the show on the screen.

  • Do I have to pay the whole amount of the participation fee at once?

    It is possible to pay the participation fee in three instalments corresponding to the three parts of the training program (i.e., 3*600 EUR per participant)

  • Does MIDPOINT Institute offer scholarships?

    It does. However, these are only partial, cannot be allocated to all participants, and their granting therefore considers various criteria. We HIGHLY recommend applying to a local supporting organization (national or local funds, ministries of culture or education, professional associations, etc.) at the same time you're applying to MIDPOINT Series Launch. You can always withdraw your application if not selected, but as the processing time of this support can be rather long, it might be quite late to do this once we confirm you're in.

  • Am I eligible to apply for a scholarship?

    We don't have a particular list of eligible countries, as basically the entire region we work with is eligible. We do give out scholarships; their allocation and value depend on the selected projects and teams - based on how many of them come from countries with no system of support.

  • How do I write my biography/resume?

    Be clear about which of the projects you're mentioning were actually produced/released and which are being developed, and with the ones already made, name a few specific results (festivals, awards, number of viewers, etc.).

    Also be clear what specifically your role was in these projects. Mention relevant international training programs you've participated in the past, interesting collaborations you've been

    a part of and in what role, industry events / presentations you've taken part in and in which capacity.

  • What exactly is a “series pitch” and “statement of purpose”?

    You can find a detailed description on all the requested submission materials on the first page of your submission form. You can access the form once you've created a profile at the MIDPOINT Visitor Page (see instructions in the "Application" segment of the program’s web profile).

    No worries! You can save the form anytime you like and come back to it later, and you can also save or submit any number of applications you like!

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