A 10-week training course to experience a European writers room and develop collaborative writing skills by developing an original series concept in groups, advised by series professionals.
This program is aimed at emerging screenwriters from all over Europe, with a strong professional interest in series writing.
Next edition: Eureka Series Fall 2024!
Eureka Series is supported by the Creative Europe MEDIA program of the European Union.
Objectives
- Master the creative process of collaborative writing
- Understand how the European series ecosystems operate
- Acquire the skills to pitch and sell a European series to investors
- Break down barriers between series professionals to acquire a common work language
- Develop a European network by teaming up with other emerging writers and experienced professionals
Method
- Development of an original series concept in a writers room environment throughout the training
- Lectures and workshops with experienced European series professionals
- Masterclasses and case studies
- Evaluation of participants’ progress through quizzes and assignments
- Final presentation in front of a professional panel
FORMAT
Editions: two editions a year
- Eureka Series Fall 2024: from September 24 to December 6, 2024 (in remote from November 4 to 15) – call for application closed
- Eureka Series Spring 2025: from March to June – more details in October (training dates, call for applications, etc.)
Location: Lille, France (10 rue des Poissonceaux), and remotely (two weeks midway through the program)
Language: English
Number of participants: up to 12 participants
By joining Eureka Series, you will also gain access to:
- the Institute directory accessible to industry professionals
- professional networking opportunities
- one accreditation for the next Series Mania Forum
program
Divided into groups of 3 after a few days of training, participants learn to write collaboratively by developing original series concepts in a writers’ room.
Throughout the training, each group is accompanied by a mentor. Additionally, each week is dedicated to a specific aspect of series creation taught by professional tutors.
At the end of the training, each group pitches its original series concept at the Final Presentation, assessed by a professional panel.
Eureka Series program is divided into 3 parts:
- Part I – in Lille
Modules: Serial Dramaturgy, European Series Markets, Characters & Conflicts, How to Develop a Season, Pilot, How to Write Greener Series.
- Part II – remotely (2 weeks)
Modules: Mentoring, How to Translate a Series into Images, Case Studies, Masterclasses.
- Part III – in Lille
The last week is dedicated to the Final Residency, during which participants develop a pitch deck and learn how to pitch their series concepts.
On the last day, during the Final Presentation, participants pitch their series concepts in groups to a professional panel and receive their feedback and insights.
Modules: Negotiation, Deals & Contracts, Pitch Deck, How to Pitch.
WHO CAN APPLY?
European emerging screenwriters, with a strong professional interest in series writing.
Are welcome to apply: Recent alumni of film and television schools, Audiovisual professionals retraining to screenwriting, Experienced screenwriters in other formats (short, feature, animation…).
Requirements: Selected applicants must have already written a script (TV series, online series, short film or feature film), whether or not it has been produced.
Eligibility:
- Have the desire to work in Europe in their professional future
- Hold nationality or a long-term residence permit from one of the following countries: Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine or the United Kingdom.
- Be over 18 years old or above
If you have special circumstances, such as a disability, please let us know so that we can discuss your needs. Contact: smi@seriesmania.com
tuition fees
€3,500 per participant (taxes included). Payment terms can be set up.
For French participants, depending on your eligibility, all training programs can be funded by AFDAS or other funding organizations.
For other participants, we encourage you to contact local funds or writers/producers guilds to inquire about potential funding.
Series Mania Institute offers some bursaries for a limited number of participants, depending on their personal financial resources. Bursary requests must be made by email at the initiative of the participant upon their selection.
Series Mania Institute urges all applicants to anticipate further costs that are not included in the tuition fees, such as travel and accommodation (for which Series Mania Institute will provide all participants with a list of useful websites).
KEY DATES
EUREKA SERIES FALL 2024
- From April 17 to June 6, 2024: Call for applications
- June 19, 2024: Pre-selection results sent to pre-selected participants
- June 26, 2024: Deadline for sending presentation videos
- July 1-2-3, 2024: Online video interviews with pre-selected applicants
- July 5, 2024: Final selection results sent to selected participants
- From September 24 to December 6, 2024: EUREKA SERIES training program (in remote from November 4 to 15)
Application process
EUREKA SERIES FALL 2024
The application process is divided into 2 steps :
An application form online, with the following mandatory documents to be provided in English:
- Resume including relevant work experience, training courses and filmography/projects in development if applicable
- Cover letter explaining the reasons and expectations to participate in Eureka Series and professional goals
- Dramaturgical analysis of an European TV series (arena, genre, season arcs, characters and conflicts etc – 1 page)
- Copy of your national ID or passport
- Headshot
For pre-selected applicants:
- a short presentation video to be send (details will be sent to pre-selected applicants)
- online interview with the pedagogical team
For further informations, you may refer to our rules and regulations, or send us an email at smi@seriesmania.com
EUREKA SERIES IN FIGURES
Latest update – January 2024
- 5 editions since 2021
- 58 participants trained
- 23 different nationalities represented though our participants
- Participants of the last edition rated the training program 9.1/10.