UK FILM COURSES

Introduction to Screenwriting Weekend

Screenwriting weekend is an introductory course for people either planning their first screenplay or hoping to brush up...

Introduction to Screenwriting Weekend

Screenwriting weekend is an introductory course for people either planning their first screenplay or hoping to brush up on their writing skills. It arms you with the concepts and practices you need to be aware of before diving in. Ideas generation, theme, plot, tone, character, dialogue, formatting are just some of the issues touched on in this introduction to the craft.

Why do this course?

Help you develop an understanding of the basics of the craft and art of screenwriting.
Gives you everything you need to start writing your first script.
Helps you to understand – “What makes a good script”!
Will encourage you to develop a critical self awareness, and an enquiring, analytical and creative approach to your work.
Gives you a framework to develop your screenwriting practice.

Who is this aimed at?

This course is aimed at writers who want to learn the art of screenwriting or filmmakers who want to develop their writing skills. If you haven’t done any creative writing whatsoever (whether amateur or professional), or don’t have any film-making skills, then you are unlikely to be able fully benefit from this course. (See below for what you can do next).

A chance to explore your own script in a safe encouraging environment and discover some different ways to tell stories on film. This course is for writers who a...

A chance to explore your own script in a safe encouraging environment and discover some different ways to tell stories on film. This course is for writers who are looking for the help to move their work on and become more effective screenwriters. Grants are available for those on low or no income.

Tutors:

Olivia Hetreed, formerly a film editor, is screenwriter of Girl with a Pearl Earring and Wuthering Heights. She is on the WGGB Executive Council and is a successful, experienced screenwriting teacher and mentor.

Penny Woolcock’s work includes Tina Goes Shopping and Tina Takes a Break for television and feature films The Death of Klinghoffer, The Principles of Lust, Mischief Night, Exodus and 1 Day.

Guest Tony Grisoni’s screenwriting credits include films Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas, The Unloved, and television drama The Red Riding Trilogy.

Course Overview

Introduction to Screenwriting has been designed for creative individuals who have a great idea for a film but don't know where to begin:...

Course Overview

Introduction to Screenwriting has been designed for creative individuals who have a great idea for a film but don't know where to begin: a two-day practical introduction run by industry professionals designed to give you up-to-date information about writing for the screen. You will leave with an understanding of the basic principles involved with writing a screenplay, and the motivation to start your script!

The script is the cornerstone of television and film production - from the point of conception through to the realization of the final work, the script forms th...

The script is the cornerstone of television and film production - from the point of conception through to the realization of the final work, the script forms the spine, structure and design of the final creative project, and all production ideas, decisions and executions emanate from it.

This 3 year BA (Hons) Screenwriting & Producing degree will help you to become part of the next generation of writers and producers for the screen. You will develop key skills which are essential for the career success of a writer or producer, learning not only how to write effectively but also gaining insight into the commercial and production side of the screen industry.

Your writing will develop in length and complexity as you progress through the course. You will undertake exciting modules including Script Analysis Development and Presentation; Thirty Minute Script; Creating the Short Film Production Creating; and Producing a Five Minute Short Film. You will also lean more about the Business of the Creative Producer; Television and the Produce; Industry Skills; and Professional Skills.

Study Period Abroad

In your second year you have the opportunity to undertake an optional Study Abroad Semester at one of the partner universities affiliated with Regent's College. You will receive guidance in selecting a campus whose programme of study complements your own interests. This study period will be taught in English.

This is a precious opportunity to take time to work on a script with the supervision of an experienced screenwriter and script developer. Rather than workshops ...

This is a precious opportunity to take time to work on a script with the supervision of an experienced screenwriter and script developer. Rather than workshops you will have one tutorial each day to focus on your work. So that the tutors can do some advance planning, please submit a two page outline of your idea for a film or the first 15 pages by 16 July 2012, by post or email, to Totleigh Barton. Each student will have a single room.

Grants are available for those on low or no income.

Tutors:

Paul Fraser has worked in the film industry for over 15 years. Collaborations with Shane Meadows include Twenty-Four Seven, A Room for Romeo Brass, Dead Man’s Shoes and Somers Town. His directorial debut was My Brothers.

Lucy Scher is the Director of The Script Factory. Working both in the UK and overseas, she runs hugely popular workshops and is actively involved in project development with many writers, both new and experienced. www.scriptfactory.co.uk

The Met Film School is London's leading provider of practical filmmaking courses, based at Ealing Studios.

If you are serious about writing and developi...

The Met Film School is London's leading provider of practical filmmaking courses, based at Ealing Studios.

If you are serious about writing and developing a feature film script, and learning the craft of screenwriting, then this course will help you achieve your goal. On alternate Saturdays over six months we provide comprehensive support to help you develop your ideas and aim to get each student to complete their first draft by the end of the course.

This course will require students to work hard on their projects in their own time and the objective is to produce stories that have a genuine chance of being picked up for further development. As a result, Write a Feature Film is for people who are truly dedicated to the idea of writing an excellent script that has genuine potential to be made into a feature film

From Story To Screen In Eight Weeks is our longest running course and so far over 240 students have completed this programme. This course will provide you with ...

From Story To Screen In Eight Weeks is our longest running course and so far over 240 students have completed this programme. This course will provide you with practical experience in all of the key areas of filmmaking and culminates in the production of your own short film. It covers the essential craft areas of screenwriting, use of camera and sound, casting and directing actors, editing using Final Cut Pro® and script development.

In the world of scripted film and television there will always be a key person who is first in the chain to see work that arrives in the offices of producers, a...

In the world of scripted film and television there will always be a key person who is first in the chain to see work that arrives in the offices of producers, agents, financiers, distributors. That person is usually a reader, often freelance, whose job is to make that crucial first analysis and to either steer the work towards the next in line or to send it spinning back home. That's a big, exciting responsibility "“ who wouldn't want to discover that next big thing?

At this practical workshop, we will provide an introduction to the world of script reading and reporting "“ the first rung on the development process ladder.

Participants should have a passion for storytelling as well as an enjoyment of collaborative working. They might be aspiring or new producers, writers, production personnel or from other sectors of the creative industries but with a desire to move towards film and television.

The sessions will involve a significant amount of practical work and, as well as learning from the tutor and each other, participants will hear about good practice from experienced script readers, editors and producers.

By considering a combination of completed produced work and new screenplays participants will learn how to identify the potential within a script, what makes a good story and to recognise screenwriting talent.

Different report writing styles will be examined and applicants will work on practical exercises to develop their skills. They will learn how to produce loglines, synopses, to discuss tone and genre and to give their own comments in a way appropriate for the recipient of the report and their particular needs.

The course will include:

• Assessing the originality of an idea, as well as story, structure and screenwriting ability

• Style, formats and requirements of reporting for different audiences (producers, film agencies, writers, agents and distributors)

• Different considerations for film and TV, and the role of the read in the development process in both

Who is it for?

Those looking to break into TV or film, or with some experience but looking to develop their careers or with ambitions to become a script editor.

Barbara Mckissack is the former head of drama at BBC Scotland, and an acclaimed executive producer who credits include TV series (Mrs In-Betweeny - a pilot created by Paul Abbott, Monarch of the Glen, Two Thousand Acres of Sky), soaps (River City), TV movies (England Expects) and feature films (Morvern Callar, Ratcatcher.)

This course is running at an Introductory rate of 235 + VAT, (Standard rate card price 650 + VAT

Creating a long-running TV Drama series is a complex and difficult process but, if successful, the rewards can be immense. This new 2-day workshop explores how ...

Creating a long-running TV Drama series is a complex and difficult process but, if successful, the rewards can be immense. This new 2-day workshop explores how a successful drama series is put together and analyses the elements involved in its creation.

The workshop is aimed at practising writers, producers and directors who would like to develop their skills in creating TV Drama Series. Producer and workshop tutor Archie Tait will introduce the 4 Types of Drama Series, before examining the concepts of Subject Selection, the Series World, Character, Story, and the interplay between Series and Serial.

The course perspective is UK/US, and participants should have familiarity with current UK and US drama series. Participants should bring laptops as the workshops will involve an overnight writing exercise.

DAY ONE On the first day of the course each participant should arrive with an idea for a TV drama series, which they will pitch to the class. The class will then be then divided into three groups of four. Each group will appoint a member to be the Editor and select a project to work on over the two days. The group will then jointly create the Series Bibles for the selected show. The Bible will define the Series World and the cast of characters, sketch the Pilot story, further possible storylines, and define the show’s style and tone.

A screening and analysis of the pilot episode of a major drama series will illustrate the principles.

Each participant will write a draft of an agreed section of the Series Bible overnight.

DAY TWO Day two will begin with the Group Editor pulling together the various elements of the Bible, after which the group will write a fast polish to integrate all of the various elements. The Bibles will be presented to the class for their analysis and commentary.

Each Group will then re-write their Series Bible over a working lunch, for re-presentation in the afternoon.

The tutor will summarise the learning of the two days, and locate the series ideas that have been developed within a market context.

Archie Tait - Tutor Profile Archie Tait has 20 years’ experience as a creative executive and producer of TV Drama Series. He has script-edited INSPECTOR MORSE, developed HAMISH MacBETH and OUTLAWS, and produced THE PARADISE CLUB, 99-1 and HEARTBEAT. He teaches screenwriting at the London Film School and on the NYU-Tisch School of the Arts London Visiting Program.

Friday 27 - Sunday 29 July 10.30am - 5.30pm

I've always felt the best way for writers to learn is to be fully immersed in a professional writing environment...

Friday 27 - Sunday 29 July 10.30am - 5.30pm

I've always felt the best way for writers to learn is to be fully immersed in a professional writing environment working with an experienced mentor.

This weekend Summer school has you developing film and TV projects as if in studio while you cover the range of screenwriting skills from A-Z.

You will work on "commissions" and on your own projects, earn ScreenPLAY dollars as you improve and learn the professional approach to actual screenwriting problems from finding your structure and developing believable, exciting characters, to creating subtext and dealing with exposition.

This workshop is only for a small group, so that everyone can receive close attention.

With free screenplays emailed to you for advance reading.

Includes

Classical and non-linear storytelling; Using flashbacks; Advanced techniques for strong scenes; Developing powerful characters; Handling difficult and unusual characters; Mastering dialogue; Playing with subtext; Conquering exposition; Writing visuals.

REVIEWS

Very interactive and well structured. Fast track to learning the know-hows of screenwriting. You end up feeling like a pro! - Olga Martinez, professional journalist.

Valuable exercises, useful material. Amazing tutor!!! - anon. MA student, directing.

All the exercises we worked on were like working on a professional assignment. Instantly doable and practical. I now leave with a perfect toolkit for writing a screenplay. The structure is in the bag! - Elizabeth Uter, screenwriter.

VENUE Derbyshire House St Chad's Street London WC1H 8AG

DATE Registration: Friday 27 July 10.00am

Workshop: Friday 27 - Sunday 29 July 10.30am to 5.30pm

PRICE £255 (concessions £215) On this course we are offering the concessionary rate to members of WGGB, WFTV DGGB, IFT Twelvepoint and WriterNet.

You've finished your script and are ready to start selling. Or you're planning to write a script and want to make sure it gets produced.

However great your i...

You've finished your script and are ready to start selling. Or you're planning to write a script and want to make sure it gets produced.

However great your ideas, you still have to know how to sell them to the industry.

On this interactive two-day workshop, we provide you with the information, practical exercises and personal feedback you need.

The weekend is run by Charles Harris, award-winning film-maker with decades of experience in helping writers and filmmakers sell their work.

Charles creates an informal, fun and supportive environment so that you can work with peers and skilled professionals to make the most of your proposition and hone your skills.

Be prepared to have your mind and your skills seriously expanded.

Participant reviews:

Very informative. An excellent workshop giving me answers to all my questions. Helena Brooks, Screenwriter/Commercials Director

A must for anyone who wants to get a project in front of the right people. Seun Okewole, Screenwriter

Enables you to break through your fear and pitch with passion. Penny Macleod, screenwriting student (went on to come joint second in the Cannes Pitching Competition)

Just to tell you that I sold my script yesterday. Attended the workshop on Saturday, made the pitch on Tuesday, did the deal on Friday. Thank you for all your help and advice.
Dan Sefton, TV and film writer.

Charles Harris is an experienced award-winning writer-director for cinema and TV who optioned his first professional script to a producer working in Hollywood and has since worked with top names in the industry from James Stewart to Spike Milligan, Ricky Tomlinson and Alexei Sayle. As script consultant, he has helped writers from Britain, Europe and USA, sat on BAFTA awards juries, lectured on MA courses at London University and London Film School and taught sales and pitching to writers and producers internationally.

VENUE Derbyshire House St Chad's Street London WC1H 8AG

DATE Saturday-Sunday 22-23 September 2012 Registration: 10.15am Workshop: 10.30am to 5.30pm

PRICE £150 (concessions £135) On this course we are offering the concessionary rate to members of DGGB, WGGB, WFTV, ITF, Twelvepoint and WriterNet.

For further details and to book now go to: http://www.euroscript.co.uk/selling.html

Meet Linda Seger, American Script Guru at the first London Screenwriters’ Festival Breakfast Club.

Great speakers, great networking, GREAT breakfast!

Co...

Meet Linda Seger, American Script Guru at the first London Screenwriters’ Festival Breakfast Club.

Great speakers, great networking, GREAT breakfast!

Come and join nearly 100 screenwriters, producers, agents and actors at the first London Screenwriters’ festival Breakfast Club.

When: Monday May 28th, 8.15am networking breakfast (talk begins at 9am, followed by more networking at 10.00am) Where: Phoenix Artists Club How much: £15 inc breakfast, tea and coffee. Get your pass here http://www.londonscreenwritersfestival.com/the-breakfast-club/

Internationally renowned screenwriting coach Linda Seger will be helping us kick off the first Breakfast Club on Monday the 28th of May, where she’ll be talking about “Walking the fine line between Art and Craft’.

Linda Seger defined the role of the script consultant when she started her company over 30 years ago. Linda is an internationally renowned speaker on screenwriting. She has taught and lectured worldwide giving seminars for studios, networks, production companies, television series, and film commissions. Having consulted on over 2000 scripts her prodigious experience led Seger to write nine bestselling books on the art and craft of screenwriting.

Join us at The Phoenix Art Club in Covent Garden from 8.15am when Continental and Full English Breakfast will be served until Linda’s talk starts at 9.00am. Networking will run before and after the event until it finishes at 11.30am.

The Phoenix Artist Club Phoenix House, 104-110 Charing Cross Road, London, WC2H 0DT

The Breakfast Club is a London Screenwriters’ Festival Creative Community initiative.

Monthly networking meetups for breakfast, with great industry speakers.

Join our Facebook page regular updates… www.facebook.com/londonbreakfastclub