Hi There,
2 more courses –
2 DAY SCREENWRITING COURSE, LONDON June 21-22
https://script-consultant.co.uk/2-day-screenwriting-course/
I’m really pleased to be running my 2 day / weekend screenwriting course again for the first time in 2 years.
I’ve met so many wonderful writers over the years when running this course, many of whom I am still in touch with and am very happy to see the success they have had since.
The course (like my book!) attempts to cover aspects of both screenwriting craft and questions about a career in screenwriting.
Over the two days we will have three excellent guest speakers –
Cat Moulton – Cat’s own ITV drama series, CODE OF SLIENCE is being broadcast in May. Cat is an alumna of the Channel 4 screenwriting course and as well as being a brilliant writer has an extensive background in script development – so has seen how things work both as some one who has hired writers and as a writer herself.
Tom Mair – another Channel 4 screenwriting course alumnus (I hope you’ve taken note of my excellent Latin declension skills). Tom wrote one of my favourite ever scripts on 4screenwriting and has enjoyed a lot of writing success since with many projects in development with production companies. Tom also has a background in script development, in particular at Steve Coogan’s company, Baby Cow.
Nick Hitchcock – Nick is a literary agent at the excellent Lark Management, who have an incredibly impressive list of writing talent on their books. Nick can give you a picture of the realities of the industry for screenwriters, with specific tips about what agents are looking for, how to go about finding the agent who is right for you and what you can expect from a literary agent.
This course is limited to a maximum of 20 people – it’s more interactive than the 1 day course I ran in March. It also gives you the opportunity to become part of my WhatsApp writing community – only open to people who have done my courses and on which I encourage everyone to share information about opportunities, offer each other feedback on ideas and scripts – and generally to help foster a self-contained and exclusive, supportive group of screenwriters.
The course also includes a (non-compulsory!) visit to a local pub straight after the Saturday session to continue the conversation – often just as valuable and instructive as the course itself!
All the details are on the course page on my website –
https://script-consultant.co.uk/2-day-screenwriting-course/
SCRIPT READING & DEVELOPMENT Q&A zoom session April 16th 6-8.30pm
https://script-consultant.co.uk/script-reading-development-qa/
This is a Q&A for a maximum of 8 people on zoom. This is a chance for you to ask me and the other 7 delegates any questions you have about forging a career in script reading, script editing and script development.
A with my screenwriting courses, I have built up a WhatsApp group specifically and exclusively for everyone who has been on these Q&A sessions – to share information about opportunities and give any other tips about the world of script reading, development and script editing.
https://script-consultant.co.uk/script-reading-development-qa/
Finally this fortnight, a few tips from JONATHAN NEIL, one of the readers for the 2025 Channel 4 screenwriting course. As well as being a brilliant script reader, Jonathan is also an excellent screenwriter (I in fact first met Jonathan on one of the SCRIPT READING & DEVELOPMENT Q&A sessions). He is one of Dancing Ledge productions’ 2 writers in residence – https://www.dancingledgeproductions.co.uk/writer-in-residence-award
‘I think long paragraphs of action on the page are hugely off-putting. Obviously it makes the script read long on the page, but more importantly this spacing is one of the most effective ways a writer has of establishing pace and rhythm, and when that instinct is missing it makes me wary about what other fundamentals are being overlooked.
I think if writers have Covid scripts they should consider moving on from them now, unless they’re vitally important to the plot. I think references to the pandemic make a script feel instantly dated because, on reflection, it feels like such a finite period. It was an odd and difficult time in our lives and it can feel a bit depressing to be reminded of it.
I would definitely echo what was said about people looking outside of their own identity and experience for stories and place an emphasis on the research side of storytelling. A good writer’s unique voice and experience will shine through in whatever story they’re telling, but when you’re trying to find work in this industry (pitching for writers rooms, soap or returning drama, for instance) it rarely ends up being about you and your voice specifically, so I think it’s smart to prove you can write outside of your comfort zone.’
Thank you very much Jonathan. I will be including more of the script readers’ feedback in subsequent newsletters,
The next newsletter will be on Friday April 18th,
Best wishes
Phil
PHILIP SHELLEY
Friday April 4th 2025
