Less is More is one of Europe’s leading writer and project development programmes and Screen Scotland is offering the chance for 9 writers to take part in an ‘Ideas Boosting’ residency from Sunday 19 November to Friday 24 November.
What is Less is More?
Less is More (LiM) was set up to empower a generation of filmmakers intent on opening new avenues by tackling new issues.
LiM Boosting Ideas Workshop aims at helping writers turn creative limitations in to opportunities for innovation in script development. LiM helps writers to dig deeper into emotion, structure and the power of the script’s story at early stage, before entering the long run for development and even before writing. LiM embrace limitations as a catalyst for exciting film experiences and in doing so, bring out a filmmaker’s unique imprint, enabling their work to stand out.
Less is More is a programme of Le Groupe Ouest who have been developing writers for over 16 years. Projects developed through Le Groupe Ouest workshops include Cannes Grand Prix winning Close, Locarno Golden Leopard winning Godless and Sundance Grand Jury Prize, Yalda. Projects developed through LiM include Nathalie Biancheri’s Wolf, premiered at Toronto International Film Festival, Alina Grigore’s Blue Moon, which won the Golden Shell at San Sebastian as well Amanda Nell Eu’s Tiger Stripes which won the Critics’ Week Prize.
What will the Less is More Scotland Residency involve?
LiM will be running a week-long residency led by two international script consultants.
This programme will focus on ‘pre-writing' and generating ideas.
This is based on the principle that the more an idea that can be explored prior to writing, the more successful a first draft will be.
The aim of the workshop is to help the participants get into research mode, explore and generate new ideas, and play with the possibilities around the story.
The workshop will focus on theatrical feature film projects and is suitable for writers, writer/directors and creative producers. Novelists and playwrights with feature film projects are also welcome to apply.
Who is this residency aimed at?
This programme aims primarily to help develop new writers who may have written shorts, television or potentially a microbudget feature but are looking to move in to feature film writing. However, the LiM methodologies are valuable to anyone working at any level so more experienced writers are also encouraged to apply.
The residency is open to anyone based in Scotland.
When and where will the residency take place?
This year's LiM residency will take place at Hospitalfield, Scotland’s Creative Writing Centre, from the evening of Sunday 19 November to Friday 24 November.
The workshop is free to attend and selected residency attendees will need to be fully available and dedicated to the workshop all week long.
All participants will be expected to attend a short online introduction, in the week commencing 13 November, before the workshop starts.
Screen Scotland is committed to offering clear and accessible programmes that are open to everyone. We offer access support to disabled applicants, tailored to individual requests. If you have additional access needs, please note this in your email submission and we will contact you to discuss additional support if your application is successful.
If you require any more information, please contact our Enquiries Service:
Email: [email protected]
Testimonials from previous LiM Residency participants
"For me, the most exciting and interesting thing about LiM was not knowing what to expect. Every day we completed a new workshop which not only brought us closer as a group of participants, but also assisted in the overall development of our projects. It was such a thrilling and exciting week - there was also a lot of emotion! - so be prepared to let yourself go with it. As writers we can become stuck in our ways, however, use this week to try a new approach. You never know what you may uncover about your story." – JD Stewart
"The LiM Pre-Writing residency was a big week that has continued to be influential on my first feature which is currently in development with Short Circuit. It was an intense week of workshops, practical exercises, discussion, "homework" (ie work that needed to be done by 9am the next day) and socialising. There was laughter, tears and no space for slacking or phoning it in. As a result, I developed a deep bond with the protagonist of my feature and tapped into what makes it the story I am burning to tell. At the end of the week I left with a body of exercises which I can (and have) returned to, stronger relationships with the Scripted team at Screen Scotland, a community of Scottish film-making peers (who have since continued to support each other) and the drive and vision for my feature which shortly after the week was successful in gaining first features development funding." – Julia Taudevin
"The Pre-Writing Residency with LiM at Moniack Mhor was a really invigorating and exciting week. We were led through exercises designed for various purposes, including idea generation, character construction, and thematic exploration. Flexibility and fluidity were actively encouraged, and above all, making sure your characters and story felt alive. I loved the challenging nature of the work and sharing it with a lovely cohort of writers. We’ve kept in touch since and continue to use some of the exercises. I’d definitely recommend anyone to give it a try". – Tom Nicoll
How to Apply
To apply for the LiM Scotland Residency we require the following information:
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a one-page project outline or an idea (the project cannot have been developed further)
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a one-page motivation letter explaining why you want to attend
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link to previous work (if relevant)
Alternatively, you can record a 4-minute video explaining your outline and motivation.
Please email your submissions to [email protected] with the subject header: "LiM Scotland Residency Application 2023"
The deadline to apply is Thursday 5 October.
Access Support
Please contact Screen Scotland if you have any other enquiries about the LiM Scotland Residency Application 2023 or if you require any other general support or further information. You can do this by email, through our website or social media.
Email: [email protected]
If you are a Deaf BSL user, you can access our services with the Contact Scotland-BSL programme. Go to contactscotland-bsl.org/deaf-bsl-users for more information.
Header image: Less is More Residential 2022, credit: Brigitte Bouillot