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Update: Potential dates for workshops are:

• Friday 25th February
• Saturday 26th February
• Friday 11th March
• Saturday 12th March
• Friday 25th March
• Saturday 26th March.

Hot on the heels of Laughing Stock comes another great writing opportunity specifically for those in the North East of England. Here's the official word from the launch:

One of the North East's finest home grown comedians, Bob Mortimer, is fronting a region-wide search for the next generation of comedy talent.

A partnership between ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ North/Vision North and screen agency Northern Film & Media, Jesting About is a multiplatform initiative that will find and develop the best comedy talent in the North East.

Launched on 13 December at Newcastle's Live Theatre, Jesting About will give North East performers, writers, film makers and animators the chance to pitch comedy ideas, scripts and sketches to a panel of ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ commissioners.

Bob Mortimer with North East students at the Jesting About Launch

Middlesbrough-born Bob Mortimer, speaking at the Jesting About launch said: "Some of the funniest people I have ever met come from the North East, but not enough of them are recognised … let's try to change this and make the North East the comedy capital of the UK."

Bob Mortimer also met with students from five North East Universities at a special event prior to the launch. Undergraduates heard from key speakers Jon Mountague, Executive Producer ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Comedy North (Inn Mates, Scallywagga), Martin Trickey, Commissioning Executive Comedy Multiplatform (The X Husband) and Alfie Joey - ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Newcastle breakfast presenter, encouraging aspiring comedians and future producers to get involved.

³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Comedy Online (that's us!) is looking for humorous short form videos, virals and animations. ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Local Radio is offering the chance to be part of a half hour sketch show made up of two minute mini-episodes for broadcast to North East listeners. For the more experienced narrative comedy writer, there is an opportunity to join a writing team piloting a new ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ One comedy series.

During February and March successful applicants will attend workshops and receive support to help develop their ideas into pilots. This final content will be presented at a Jesting About showcase in April 2011 for commissioning editors, giving a distinctive flavour of the North East through talent and content.

How to apply- updated

Jesters from all walks of life and levels of expertise, from budding stand ups to witty script writers, will be able to submit their funniest ideas for TV, radio and online opportunities by downloading the briefs and application form below and following the instructions. Right-click and 'save as...' to download your preferred format:

• Briefs: |
• Application Form: |
• FAQ: |

In the meantime... why not watch Bob Mortimer in action in Angelos Epithemiou's Moving On?