WHAT DO I WRITE?

• We are looking for episodic serials of any genre, both comedy and drama.

• Each episode should not be more than TEN MINUTES long.  (Suggested: 8 pages)  There are penalties for going over time - see red text below.

• Make sure that each episode has a “hook” or “cliffhanger” that makes the audience want to see more. Remember- you only have ten minutes to win them over.

• While each episode is part of an ongoing story, make sure they can stand on their own.

• We would prefer the serials be open ended, so that they could continue as long as the audience wants them to; if you are one of the lucky two serials to make it to the final week of the playoffs, you will get to conclude your story.

• The pieces do not have to be world premieres.

• Avoid writing a tech heavy play - You will have a maximum of 1/2 hour of tech the day of the performance.

 HOW DO I SUBMIT?

• Submit the first episode electronically to , along with a paragraph on where you in general see the story going in following episodes. While we only ask for the first installment, we STRONGLY encourage you to write the second as well- if your story is voted to move on, you have ONE WEEK before your second episode premieres.

• We are always accepting submissions.

• Feel free to send multiple submissions.

 HOW ARE PLAYS PICKED?

• New pieces will be announced at least two weeks before their premiere.

• A writer can only have one serial running at any given time (except during the playoffs).

 HOW ARE THEY PRODUCED?

• Writers are responsible for producing their plays, including finding actors and a director.  However, the Serial Killers producers are happy to help writers find people they need.

• Actors can only perform in two pieces on any given night (except during the playoffs).

• On the day of the performance, each play will receive 1/2 hour in the space to Tech and 1/2 hour of rehearsal. Directors are STRONGLY encouraged to rehearse outside of the theater, or book space in the theater to rehearse, during the week.

• At 3:30pm, there is a 1/2 hour meeting to go over scene changes from one serial to another, curtain call, and other important information regarding parking, safety, backstage conduct and other issues.  Please make sure as much of your cast as possible is present at this meeting, as there is a lot of information to impart!  Directors are responsible for making sure all of this information is imparted to any of their cast members not present.

• The meeting will be followed by a run-through at 4pm.  The run-through is treated as a regular show - there will be no starting and stopping except for safety issues.

• After the run-through, producers will give notes to each director, who will then give notes to their actors.  Directors should wait to give notes to actors until they have gotten their producer notes, as the producers may suggest cuts or alterations to strengthen your piece.

 HOW DOES A STORY CONTINUE?

• At the conclusion of the show, the audience will vote on the three storylines they would like to see continue the next week. Those three then have ONE WEEK to put together their next episode.

• There is a two-minute grace period to the ten-minute time limit.  At 12 minutes, you lose two votes, and continue to lose two votes for every further 15 seconds the piece goes over time.  We strongly suggest you aim to create an eight-minute piece, leaving time for laughter, improvisation and recovery from errors!

• We encourage the writers to continue to produce as long as the audiences want to see the serial continue. However, if it arises that the writer is unable or unwilling to continue, then we would encourage the handing over of the serial to a different writer. If that is not an option, then we ask for two weeks notice, and the producers reserve the right to take creative control of the piece for the duration of the season up to and including the playoffs.

PLAYOFFS!

• In June/July 2013, there will be a six-week playoff: 16 serials will go head to head in a battle royale!  Grand Prize: $750.  Second Place: $250.
  
  Week 1 (6/22):  8 serials, 4 are eliminated
                  5 min limit, 1 min grace period
  
  Week 2 (6/29):  8 other serials; 4 are eliminated
                  5 min limit, 1 min grace period
  
  Week 3 (7/06):  The 8 surviving serials compete; 2 are eliminated
                  6 min limit, 1 min grace period
  
  Week 4 (7/13):  6 serials, 2 are eliminated
                  8 min limit, 1 min grace period
  
  Week 5 (7/20):  4 serials, 2 are eliminated
                  12 min limit, 2 min grace period
  
  Week 6 (7/27):  The final two serials conclude their stories.
                  20 min limit, 2 min grace period