ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

9 years, 7 months ago - Dan Selakovich

I guess it depends on what you mean by "mentor".

I don't know of any screenwriting classes, but there is a new on-line set of programs called "Master Class" with some heavy hitters. Heavy hitters that don't need the money, so they must be doing it out of love of their craft. For writing, you can take a class from James Patterson (best selling author). Acting: Kevin Spacey or Dustin Hoffman, and so on.

As for learning from a novelist about screenwriting: I say structure is structure, so to me, not a wasted $100. I haven't taken it, so I can't say if it's any good at all, but just to hear any of these guy's take on writing or acting or even tennis (Serena Williams), would be worth that price.

https://www.masterclass.com/#photo_section

9 years, 7 months ago - Marlom Tander

For writing there are plenty of books, but while they might help hone your craft, you have to be at least come to the table with a story and some idea of what you're doing.

Writers need to be their own honest critic*. It's a solo craft.

Would I love to meet a great writer and have coffee with them, god yes. Would I pay to be in an audience? Yes, for the entertainment. Would I buy a course whose subtext is "pay us and we'll pour magic movie selling pixie dust over you"? Nope.

Also notice that the lovely thing about movies is that you can watch, dissect and learn for yourself. It's all public. You don't need a lab or expensive kit or access to academic journals, you just need a tablet and a subscription to your preferred VOD service and a willingness to do the analysis. Do your own transcription of films you like. Takes hours but you'll learn a lot.

I went to see Star Wars at the weekend with my two boys. We talked about it after and they had it nailed, exactly what the Writer / Director had aimed for and how he had done it and WHY. They are 12 and 14. For them to get from that to writing their own screenplays is simply inclination.

* You have the ability to stand outside your work, and, when needed, murder your babies. Plus once other people read it, recognise that if multiple people "don't get it", you need to rewrite. Reality is that most of the stuff other people "don't get" is stuff that has niggled you already as either weak or (always horrid) "brilliant writing but doesn't quite belong".

9 years, 7 months ago - Lee 'Wozy' Warren

You could consider Voyage Media (http://voyagemedia.com). They pair you with an experienced producer or writer (all depends on your project and what help you need) to help your script and get it market ready. It's a very commercial enterprise but if you can get passed that you could get some great development/mentoring help. I have used them and worked with a writer/producer who has a 'Hollywood' track record for producing and writing. Helped to elevate my writing immensely. But you get what you pay for. It's not cheap.

Good luck.

Wozy

9 years, 7 months ago - shirley day

Hi Rickardo
What stage in your writing are you at? If you've written a few features, and had feedback to say they're good, then mentorship, I think, is a really good thing to get. I've been writing for quite a long time now and last year signed up with Hayley McKenzie script angel. On line mentorship works well for me since I work, and it's difficult to get to classes, Hayley has been great. There are other people doing it. Philip Shelley is also someone I've used who is really good. I think that mentorship (and independent script reading) is an important part of the process so, if you've got good scripts under you belt it's money well spent. But you also need to find someone who understands your work so it may be worth sending a script off for a crit to a few people before deciding on who to go to. Stage 32 may have some on line courses. The Masterclass series (already mentioned) looks good, so far it's been acting and novel writing (I think). Trigger Street was brilliant, but has now shut up shop. Chris Jones has got some interesting incentives going, in which you upload a short script and get feedback from other writers. Some of the people feeding back are giving excellent critiques http://www.create50.com Also, it only costs £5.00 to upload. There may also be someone running mentorship projects in your area. I run some in Suffolk that are heavily subsidised. If you're in the UK your local authority arts body should know about subsidised courses. All the best. Shirley

9 years, 7 months ago - Peter Spencer

Why do you think you need to hire a mentor? Just write and write and write and learn who you are would be my advice. My 'mentors' such as they have been were specifically one producer and two TV execs who became interested because of my writing, but to get to that stage I had written a lot. Also read scripts, analyse films. From what I observe, too many courses tell you the obvious as do too many books. You only need to read maybe one or two books and go on maybe one or two courses. I've known people who are actual seminar junkies and know everything about writing, in fact they know so much they never get around to the writing. Choose who you hang out with, find people who are making things happen even on a small scale. Grow together. Avoid people who never seem to actually finish anything or spend years and years slaving over a single project. Prooduce work, write so many things you have a portfolio. Look for opportunities to write something that has a chance of getting made - small budget has limitations but you can end up with a feature film produced and that can always be a path to finding work. Don't just write your own material, be prepared, and brave enough to adapt something if a producer or director wants to hire you. I know people who only want to see their own 'art' produced, but if you do a good job more opportunities will come. Be prepared to fail, but do it on your own terms. You think all the greats paid someone to tell them if they were doing it the right way? They trod their own path. All the best!