UK FILM COURSES

As all shooters know, short films are an essential building block in your film-making career. This is increasingly true for screenwriters as well as writer/directors.

A tantalising dive into another world. An intimate revelation of human truth. A seductive tale with a twist. The best short films leave an imprint far beyond their final frame and are often more powerfully resonant because of their brevity.

Having worked extensively developing shorts in recent years, we found that many writers approach the design of their short films by adapting feature film principles rather than working from an understanding of how the short dramatic narrative works as its own form. (To be honest, for a long time it was how we worked too!)

This one day workshop gives the short film form the proper attention it deserves. The teaching programme will illuminate both the unique challenges and exciting possibilities of the short narrative screenplay. We will inject confidence into your understanding of dramatic conflict and story structure and empower you to hone and develop your screenwriting skills for this exciting medium.

WORKSHOP CONTENT
The Dramatic Concept - We will explore what makes a strong story idea for a short and tackle the challenge of creating a simple but satisfying dramatic conflict. We will give you the development tools to examine and shape your core story choices so that your film delivers the most compelling characters and meaningful stakes.

Story Structure – With less time to set up your story world we’ll look at how to dive right in from your opening image and we’ll rethink the three-act structure for the short. We’ll think about how to seed and plot the turning points that will propel your story to its climax and examine the most effective use of ‘twists’ at the end of the film.

Character Journeys - Whether your character is faced with saving the planet or mending a friendship we will consider the range of character arcs a short film can effectively explore, unpicking how to convincingly chart that change through such a fleeting encounter. We’ll also give special attention to stories which champion protagonists who don’t change and we’ll consider the intended (and sometimes unintended) meanings that your character choices will deliver.

The course is taught by The Script Factory’s Charlotte Macleod and Justine Hart. Charlotte previously served on the BAFTA Short Film Jury for five years. Justine is currently script consultant to the Pitch Short Film Fund.

WHO IS THE COURSE FOR?
This course is for anyone who wants to invest in their understanding of how to write a short film and we welcome writers, directors, script editors and producers. These workshops have been attended by filmmakers with award-winning films under their belt as well as those just starting out.

COURSE PREPARATION
There will be some preparatory viewing recommended before the programme starts to ensure that everyone has shared examples of successful short films. The sessions are designed to be fully interactive, including creative group exercises and discussions to ensure that all your questions are answered.

WHERE AND WHEN WILL THE COURSE TAKE PLACE?
This one-day workshop will take place at Pushkin House, Bloomsbury Square on Saturday 21 September 2024.

The teaching will run from 11 – 5 with a 45-minute lunch break. There will also be the option of heading to the pub afterwards to maximise the opportunity of meeting your fellow filmmakers.

WHAT DOES THE COURSE COST?
Attendance on the course costs £115.