Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Current Location in Site

RNZ Home >  National > Drama > Drama Info > Submitting a Proposal or Script

Writing for Drama

Submitting a Proposal or Script

Proposals are not full scripts and, generally, we would only consider them from experienced writers or producers. However, we are also happy to consider ideas from less experienced practitioners as the starting point of a conversation and to save writing an entire script for something which might not be appropriate (or has been done before!). Please note, however, that if you have very little experience of radio drama, we would still expect a full script before final consideration could be given.

A Proposal should include:

• A summation of the idea in one paragraph

• A sparkling byline which outlines the idea in one sentence – think of this as the way in which the play would be advertised in The Listener
• At least a page of A4 – but no more than 3 pages of A4 - giving detail of the idea, its tone, your approach, the full plot [Please include the plot resolution. Lines such as “leading to a climax which no-one could have predicted” or “with catastrophic results” don't really tell us much
  
• An indication of why you think it’s right for radio
• An indication of cast size, genre if appropriate, how you envisage the production would be recorded (location/studio/live audience etc), “extras” you see as integral to the idea (music, archive, actuality, throat singers etc). These should be realistic and serve your idea, (remember that budget will form part of the final decision)
• Details of the writer, including a CV and any other key talent (i.e. lead actor) you’d like to include in the programme
• An indication of when the script and/or production would be ready for either production or broadcast were it commissioned
  

In addition, we may commission up to four independent productions per year. If you are submitting a Proposal as an independent offer (i.e. you would record and deliver the programme to us ready for transmission, with minimal involvement from RNZ), you also need to include the following:

• CV’s of the Producer, sound engineer – including relevant radio experience - and details of how and where the recording would be made. You will need to convince us you have the relevant experience and/or expertise to make this
• A full budget, which includes the cost of copyright, cast, production, editing and all administration etc.

Submitting a Script

We prefer plays written specifically for radio, but we will consider stage plays provided they are accompanied by a clear indication of precisely why they are right for radio and how they might be re-worked

Radio ready scripts should be submitted in the regular format.

We only accept scripts by post – NOT by email.

Unfortunately, Radio New Zealand is not resourced to be able to work as a script-development agency, or run a regular writers’ course. Therefore, we can’t generally engage in long-term script development with writers, other than those whose work has already been formally commissioned.

All scripts are acknowledged. As every script is read by a minimum of 2 Producers, this does take time. Please bear with us. In general, we will return them within 3 months.

If your script is liked by a Producer, they may choose to take it further, to the Commissioning Round. Or they may want to work with you on some re-writes before making a decision. See here.

All proposals and scripts should be sent to:

Radio New Zealand Drama
Radio New Zealand
P.O. Box 123
Wellington