National Youth Theatre Interactive

This competition is open to UK residents only. China residents should refer to www.sohu.com.

You must be between 13 and 19 years old on the closing date (see below) to enter this National Youth Theatre / BBC Blast competition. If you are under the age of 16 you must obtain permission from your parent/guardian before you enter this competition.

To enter the competition, write a 100 word original script on the theme of ' My World - Being a young person in the UK today’. The 100 word limit does not include stage directions. However the maximum word length for the entire script is 1000 words. Copy and paste your typed script into the entry form, and upload it to the BBC Blast website. Or post your script, with your name, age and email address to: '100 Word Script Competition' BBC Blast Online, Room 2424, BBC White City, 201 Wood Lane, London W12 7TS.

All scripts must be typed or printed and should be laid out clearly so that they are easy to read. If you are posting a copy of your script, please also ensure that all pages in your script are numbered consecutively.

Entries must be entirely your own original work and must not breach any copyright or third party rights. All entries must be suitable for publication on the National Youth Theatre, Sohu.com, BBC Blast websites and public screening. The content must also be suitable for National Youth Theatre and BBC Blast users aged 13-19, and the scripts must not include any defamatory or offensive content.

If you wish to enter this competition you must provide the BBC with your name and email address (or contact phone number if applying by post - if under 16 this must be the number of a parent or guardian). The National Youth Theatre and the BBC will only ever use your personal details for the purposes of administering this competition, and, except as set out in paragraph 8 below, will not publish them or provide them to anyone without your permission. If you would like to know more about the BBC's privacy policy, please see the BBC's Privacy Policy.

Only one entry will be accepted per person. Entries cannot be returned so remember to keep a copy. Only the finalists’ entries will be uploaded to the National Youth Theatre and BBC Blast websites for peer rating.

Please note that by submitting your entry to the competition you agree to the terms and conditions set out in the publication of your name in connection with your work in the event that you either win or are a runner up in the competition.

The deadline for receiving entries for the competition is 5pm on Friday 14 March 2008. Results will be announced on this site within 4 weeks of the competition end date.
A panel of judges will decide on the finalists. The panel's decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. The panel will not be influenced by any peer rating on the BBC Blast website.

Finalists will be contacted personally by email (or phone if application is made by post). If you are short-listed and we are unable to contact you via the email address you provide within 3 days we reserve the right to withdraw your entry and offer the place in the final to a runner up at our discretion.

The prize(s) must be taken as stated and cannot be deferred. There will be no cash alternatives. A shortlist of up to ten finalists will be drawn up by a panel of judges and the finalists, accompanied by one parent/guardian each, will be invited to attend a masterclass event to be held at the National Youth Theatre on Sunday the 30th March 2008.

The short-listed finalists will be joined at this masterclass event by members of the National Youth Theatre and other industry professionals who will work with them on their script writing skills.

On the 25 March 2008 the judges will select a final winning entry and up to 4 runners up, these will be announced at the end of the masterclass event to be held on the 30 March 2008. Judging will be based on the written scripts and not on any performance.

We hope, but at present cannot guarantee, that the plays short listed as runners up will be translated into Mandarin and performed by young actors in China at the Beijing International Youth Festival to be held in July 2008 in Beijing.

The winning entry will be adapted into a short film by the National Youth Theatre. This short film will be shown on big screens at a live event 'East to East' to be held in the East Winter Garden, Canary Wharf, London, and we hope, but at present cannot guarantee, in a central venue in Beijing. The writer of the winning play will be presented along with their film at the live event to be held in London by the National Youth Theatre on the 30 April 2008.

The winner’s travel and accommodation (if applicable) for their attendance at the 'East to East' event held at the East Winter Garden, Canary Wharf, London will be paid for by BBC Blast. Up to two other family members / friends (at least one will have to be a guardian/parent of the winner) will have their travel and accommodation expenses also paid for by BBC Blast.

The finalists’ travel and accommodation (if applicable) for their attendance at the masterclass event will be paid for by BBC Blast. If the finalist is under 18 they will need to be accompanied by a guardian/parent. The accompanying adult will have their travel and accommodation expenses also paid for by BBC Blast.

The National Youth Theatre or the BBC do not accept any responsibility for late or lost entries due to the internet or postal service. Proof of sending is not proof of receipt.

Entrants must supply full details as required above, and comply with all rules to be eligible for the prize(s). No responsibility is accepted for ineligible entries or entries made fraudulently.

This competition is not open to employees or contractors of the BBC or the National Youth Theatre, any person directly or indirectly involved in the BBC or the National Youth Theatre or the running of the competition, or their direct family members.

National youth Theatre and the BBC reserves the right to cancel this competition at any stage, or change any of the rules or procedures if deemed necessary in its opinion, or if circumstances arise outside its control.

Entrants will be deemed to have accepted these rules and to agree to be bound by them when entering this competition.

Scripts sent in for the BBC Blast and National Youth Theatre - 100 Word Script Competition will be showcased by BBC Blast during and after the competition. Make sure to read the BBC Blast Showcase agreements before taking part in this script writing competition.