[game_edu] playWRITE Competition Announcement

[Beth Aileen Dillon]

Perfect for students!


Media Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 1st, 2008

Live The Dream!
Writers, become narrative designers in the game industry

If you've always wanted to chance to break into the game industry as a
writer—this is your chance!  The National Screen Institute is working
together with Zeros 2 Heroes to give undiscovered writers a real
chance to realize their talents and their dreams. The NSI playWRITE
program will allow creative writers to apply for the opportunity to
win a game writing internship with a game developer. Successful
applicants will be flown to Vancouver BC—all expenses paid-- to take
part in an intensive training program at Vidfest in May 2008. After
that, it'll be up to you to pitch yourself to the online community
that will be watching your progress--as well as the studio
representatives who will be looking to grant their internships to the
lucky (and talented) winners.


Winnipeg, Manitoba -- The National Screen Institute – Canada (NSI) and
Telefilm Canada, in association with Zeros 2 Heroes Media, is excited
to announce the call for applicants for its newest training program
NSI playWRITE. NSI playWRITE is intended to give writers of all types
an opportunity to break into the video game industry as narrative
designers along with the chance to earn an internship with a Canadian
game developer. If you're a film or television writer, a novelist,
short story writer or playwright with a passion for video games and
you're dying to break into the video game industry--this program is
for you!

In cooperation with Zeros 2 Heroes, the NSI playWRITE competition will
let you 'pitch' yourself online in addition to submitting a standard
paper application. Not only will you be considered for eligibility by
game studio representatives, but also by an online community of fans
who will be learning more about who you are, ranking and rating the
merits of your personal pitch.

Using the specialized web 2.0 tools crafted just for this initiative
by Zeros 2 Heroes, you'll be able to upload your profile, images,
critiques of game narratives, video blogs and samples of your written
work as you strive to pitch yourself as the next big thing in game
writing. Think of it as an online reality show starring you, where the
prize is your very own internship with a game studio.

If your application is successful you'll be whisked to Vancouver, all
expenses paid, to take part in an intensive 'boot camp' training
session at New Media BC's Vidfest media festival in May, 2008.
Following training, you will then be sent back home to design your
very own game concepts over a two-month period, after which a jury
consisting of studio representatives and others will decide on who is
worthy of the highly prized internships.

Said Matt Toner, President of Zeroes 2 Heroes Media, "Our company is
passionate about giving fans the opportunity to break into all forms
of genre entertainment. Games are a huge part of that. We know that
there are plenty of skilled writers out there who love games, but may
not have a way to get their foot in the door at a game studio.  If we
can help them turn their screenwriting skills into techniques that
work for a non-linear medium, they will be that much closer to living
the dream."

"NSI training is proven in the film and television industry and we're
eager to expand into the video game world. We've identified the need
for quality writers in a genre that continues to grow rapidly" said
Susan Millican, CEO at the National Screen Institute.

"In keeping with Telefilm's corporate focus on multiplatform creation
and distribution, we are thrilled to support NSI playWRITE, the
first-ever narrative game design training program for writers," said
Earl Hong Tai, Regional Director of Telefilm Canada's Western Region.
"Gaming is one of the most important youth cultural forums, and it's
essential to develop Canadian talent and maintain Canadian
intellectual property in the video game industry."

If you're an aspiring game writer, this is your big chance to show
what you're made of.

It should be noted however that this program is not intended for those
who already have a design credit in the game industry. Those who have
previously worked as a game designer and have a design credit on a
shipped title will not be considered for participation in NSI
playWRITE.

To be considered, you must apply by Monday, April 28, 2008, 4:30
p.m.Central Time. NSI playWRITE is a competitive program and only up
to 10 participants will be accepted.

For details, visit: nsiplaywrite.zeros2heroes.com


The National Screen Institute – Canada is widely known for its
prestigious training programs for Canadian writers, directors and
producers working in the film, television and digital media
industries. Most programs are part-time so students keep their day
jobs while they train. Participants do not have to relocate –
intensive training happens in one place and participants return home
to work with a mentor for the res of their program. All training is
delivered by senior industry experts.

Zeroes 2 Heroes Media (Z2H) is a Canadian social media company best
known for creating a thriving social network for fanboys of all
stripes. Best exemplified through the "Canada: Comic Creation Nation"
initiative, their core mission is to help break down the barriers that
prevent otherwise talented creators from getting their first
professional break.

New Media BC is a not-for profit industry association whose mission is
to advance Vancouver and BC as the World Centre of New Media and
Digital Entertainment. Through networking events, peer-to-peer
mentoring programs, advocacy work and marketing, New Media BC is
building the new media community locally and promoting it abroad. The
region's new media industry is made up of close to 800 companies with
combined annual revenues in excess of $1 billion. New Media BC hosts
the annual Vancouver International Digital Festival (VIDFEST),
currently Canada's biggest digital content event.



-- 
Beth Aileen Dillon
PhD Student, Simon Fraser University
School of Interactive Arts and Technology
Research Assistant, Aboriginal Territories in Cyberspace
http://www.bethadillon.com