[Reader-list] Walkwater PitchFEST : An opportunity for writers

[rohitrellan at aol.in]

What is it?


PITCHFEST is an opportunity for writers to ‘pitch’ their television 
ideas to Walkwater Media! It is an open callout to writers all over 
India who want to write television content and have an interesting idea 
germinating in their mind. Pitchfest is open to new as well as 
experienced writers.


Walkwater is open to ideas across various genres be it children’s 
content, daily soaps, crime thrillers, comedy, or any other genre for 
which you want to pitch! You can also turn in your ideas for 
non-fiction television content including reality TV!


We will choose the best entries keeping in mind criteria such as 
innovation, creativity, well-etched characters, interesting plots as 
well as demands from TV channels.


How do I qualify?

You don’t need to be an experienced writer to qualify for PITCHFEST. If 
you’re over 16 years of age and have an interesting idea for a TV show, 
you qualify!

All you need is to register your idea under a recognized agency (FWA, 
WGA etc.) and you are on your way!


How do I apply?

You can enter by clicking on ‘Enter Pitchfest’ and following the entry 
process at this website.
You will need to upload your material, written in English or Hindi in 
the following format -
a. Logline – a 2-3 line brief about your idea.
b. Concept Note – not larger than 2 A4 size pages.
c. Character sketches of all important characters – not larger than 2 
A4 size pages.
d. 5 episode story arc.
Please note that due to the large volume of entries anticipated your up 
loaded files can be no larger in size than 5 MB.
We can accept your documents in the following formats only - .txt, 
.doc, .docx
and .pdf
There is no limit on the number of ideas a registered participant can 
send in.
Please note that your entry will be disqualified if it does not follow 
the format outlined above.
If you have any questions email us at pitchfest at walkwater.in and we’ll 
do our best to respond within a reasonable time.
Entries open on February 1st 2011 and the competition closes on 
February 28th 2011. Keep checking the website for updates!


What if my idea is selected?

If we like your idea we will contact you for optioning the idea i.e. 
buying optioning rights to the idea for a period of at least 12 months 
months during which Walkwater will propose the idea to television 
channels.
Upon selection by a channel, Walkwater will embark on the 
pre-production of the show. In this case a concept fee is paid to the 
winning writer.
You may stand to win a concept fee of upto one lakh Rupees!
During pre-production you may be contracted professionally as a writer 
of the show. In this case you will be paid a writer's fee as well. All 
fees will be discussed on an individual basis.

ENTER PitchFEST  : http://walkwater.in/pitchfest/



Terms and Conditions:

Walkwater Media Limited (“Walkwater”), a company duly incorporated 
under the provisions of Companies Act, 1956 having its registered 
office at 9th Floor, Lotus Business Park, Off New Link Road, Andheri 
(W), Mumbai 400053 are interalia engaged in the business of production 
of films, TV serials and other activities related to the entertainment 
industry. Walkwater is organizing a festival called ‘Pitchfest’ 
(hereinafter “said Festival”), wherein Walkwater will allow the writers 
(individually referred to as “Writer”) from across the country / world 
to send their original ideas in the format stipulated as per the terms 
and conditions stipulated hereinbelow:

1. That the Writer shall submit his original idea i.e. an idea which is 
not plagiarized or infringement of anybody’s copyrights (hereinafter 
“Idea”), to Walkwater in the format as below (“said Format”):
a.    Having concept note of more than 500 words or 2 complete A4 size 
papers;
b.    Having character sketches of all important characters;
c.     Having a logline of the idea; and
d.    Having minimum of 5 episodes.
2. That the Writer must submit his / her idea only after getting it 
registered with the Film Writer’s Association or with the “Writer’s 
Guild of America”. However, in case if the Idea is not registered in 
the manner agreed in this clause; the Writer shall be free to register 
it before 28th February, 2011. If the Idea is not registered by the 
Writer before 28th February, 2011; then Walkwater shall be free to 
discard such Idea from the said Festival.
3. That all the ideas will be read by the experts of Walkwater during 
March 1, 2011 to April 30, 2011.
4. That the authorized team of Walkwater will announce the winners of 
the said Festival by 15th May, 2011.
5. Winners who will be shortlisted by Walkwater will be paid a 
Rs.10,000/- (Rupees ten thousand only) by Walkwater as the option fee 
towards the grant of an option right in favour of Walkwater whereby 
Walkwater shall be free to pitch these ideas to various television 
channels to develop the said Idea further into a TV serial or into any 
other format, either with the help of the Writer or with the help of 
any third party. In the event the Idea gets into the process of 
production of a TV serial or any other format, save and except 
production of any pilot episode/s; then the Writer will be paid the 
assignment fee of Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees one lakh only) for exclusive 
assignment of the Copyrights in the Idea in favour of Walkwater and 
after payment of this assignment fee of Rs. 1,00,000/- to the Writer, 
the exclusive assignment of the Copyrights in the Idea in favour of 
Walkwater shall be deemed to have taken place. Depending upon the 
Writer’s involvement in the development of the said Idea, any further 
fees of the Writer shall be decided by Walkwater in consultation with 
the Writer. However, in case of any disagreement, the decision of 
Walkwater shall be final and binding on the Writer.
6. The Writer shall not be entitled to share the Idea submitted with 
Walkwater to any third party during the period of this agreement and 3 
months after the date of declaration of names of the winners of the 
said Festival.
7. In case of any claim for infringement of copyrights or plagiarism 
with respect to the Idea of the Writer; the Writer shall completely 
indemnify Walkwater against any and all such claims at his / her own 
cost and Walkwater shall not be held liable for the same in any manner 
whatsoever.
8. The writer shall not make any claims against Walkwater in the event 
Walkwater develops a concept of any other writer, which concept could 
be similar to the concept / idea submitted by the Writer.
9. If the Writer is declared as a winner of the Festival and if his / 
her idea is selected for development; then the Writer shall be required 
to sign a new agreement allowing Walkwater to have an exclusive lock-in 
period with respect to the Idea for 12 more months. However, after the 
assignment in favour of Walkwater, the exclusivity shall be for 
perpetual period.
10. That the Writer has specifically acknowledged the following facts:
a.    That Walkwater has not made representation to the Writer about 
promotion of the career of the Writer in any manner;
b.    That Walkwater shall not be held responsible for any misuse of 
Idea of the Writer by any third party in any manner whatsoever.
c.     That all the decisions with respect to the Festival are reserved 
with Walkwater and Walkwater shall be free to amend / change any terms 
and conditions at any time and the same shall be binding on the Writer. 


11. ARBITRATION
Any dispute or difference arising between the Parties shall be referred 
to the arbitration of a sole independent arbitrator appointed by 
Walkwater as per the provisions of Arbitration and Conciliation Act 
1996. The venue of the Arbitration shall be Mumbai. The Arbitration 
proceedings shall be conducted in English. The decision of 
arbitrator(s) shall be final and binding on the Parties.