Hi There,
2 DAY SCREENWRITING COURSE London Oct 7-8 2017 – SCREENWRITING : WRITING + WORKING
I’m delighted to announce that I’m going to be running a brand new 2 day SCREENWRITING COURSE in London over the weekend of Oct 7 & 8. Like the course I ran with Phil Gladwin, this course will concentrate on the CRAFT OF SCREENWRITING on day 1 and THE BUSINESS OF GETTING WORK on day 2.
Running these courses and the CHANNEL 4 SCREENWRITING COURSE for the last few years, and working with so many talented writers, I’ve learnt that it’s not enough to be a talented, technically-gifted screenwriter – you also have to be adept at treating your work like a business and running your career smartly, sensibly and with ambition and determination.
One of the positives to come out of the courses I have run over the years has been the ongoing creative relationships with writers I’ve met on my courses – which I hope can be mutually beneficial. This is the reason I keep numbers to a max of 20 – and to make the courses truly inter-active. It also enables all the writers to get to know and learn from each other over the course of the weekend.
I have kept in touch with so many of the screenwriters who have been on our 2 PHILS course and my 1 day CREATIVITY course – and getting to know the writers is one of the enjoyable parts of the course.
5 writers from the 2 Phils or my CREATIVITY courses have since gone onto the C4 screenwriting course – and the success stories from writers who have done one of these 2 courses and have gone onto prestigious, paid TV or film work are numerous.
ABOUT ME – I have run the C4 screenwriting course for the last 7 years and will be running it again in 2018. Alongside this, I am one of the 10 ‘masters’ of the teaching of dramatic writing at the new MA Dramatic Writing at Central St Martins / University of the Arts London (about to enter its 5th year). I ran the BBC’s in-house script editing courses for 10 years. This year I have run 2 courses for the team at BBC writers room (in London & Belfast). I have recently run a one day session with a delegation of writers, directors and script editors from the Chinese TV industry. And I teach regular courses at the Indie Training Fund.
On top of this I run one of the most successful script consultancies in the UK, working with many different writers, and work as freelance script editor for various indies and broadcasters (most recently script-editing a series for BBC radio).
Last December I ran an industry showcase for the pick of the writers from my script consultancy in 2016; and I will be doing the same again in 2017. The 2016 event was 100% full, packed with potential employers from many of the best broadcasters, drama-producing indies and literary agents, and there have been some notable successes from the event.
I have always hugely enjoyed working with screenwriters and helping them find their place in the industry. Earlier this year I produced and launched the podcasts series, tributepodcasts.co.uk which has acted as a great showcase for several new, exciting dramatic writers. This is another initiative I will be reprising later this year.
THE COURSE
So what is NEW about this course?
The course will be like a mini-writers festival as we will have THREE different GUEST SPEAKER sessions over the two days –
On Day One, ANNA SYMON (Channel 4 Screenwriting course 2013, with credits on 2 series of INDIAN SUMMERS for C4, and a new commission for her own original BBC TV 4 part serial THE WILSONS in the pipeline) will talk about her approach to the art and craft of writing a screenplay – from initial idea all the way through to shooting script.
On Day Two –
Literary agent, JONATHAN KINNERSLEY, The Agency, will talk about how you get an agent, what an agent can do for you as a writer, what agents look for in screenwriters, and more generally about the TV and film industries, and where the work is for both new and more experienced writers.
And finally CAT JONES (Channel 4 screenwriting course 2012, credits on HARLOTS, WATERLOO ROAD, YOUNGERS, DOCTORS, EASTENDERS etc) will talk more broadly about both craft and career – about how she creates story and screenplays, about the writing jobs she has done, and lessons to be learnt from her experience.
And there will be time for a Q&A with all the guest speakers at the end of the 3 sessions so you can get answers to the particular questions you want to ask.
OVERVIEW OF THE COURSE
DAY 1 –
Introduction to the Course & What it can do for you.
Creative Exercises – a series of creative exercises that will help you in creating and generating new story and character ideas.
ANNA SYMON – Crafting A Screenplay.
Supplementing ANNA SYMON’s CRAFT session, I will also do my own sessions on –
STORY – the elements that go into creating effective, exciting, dynamic story-telling on screen.
CHARACTER- the key to writing memorable, resonant characters. Including an interactive exercise in creating CHARACTERS, and genuinely character-driven stories.
DIALOGUE – what are the elements that make for effective screen dialogue? And…
TV SERIES. The keys to developing what every single drama-producing indie is looking for – an original, compelling, returnable one hour series.
DAY TWO
Will cover…
PITCHING – with an interactive pitching exercise.
TREATMENTS, OUTLINES, WRITTEN PITCHES – looking at all these important pre-script documents – when you need them and how to write them.
JONATHAN KINNERSLEY, literary agent, THE AGENCY – talking about how you get an agent, what you should expect of an agent, and how to forge a career as a screenwriter.
DRIVING YOUR OWN SCREENWRITING CAREER + NETWORKING.
Lessons to be learnt from successful screenwriters’ career paths.
CHANNEL 4 SCREENWRITING COURSE
What I’ve learnt from my experience of running the C4 course for the last 7 years – and what this means for you as professional writers.
CAT JONES – Cat will discuss her career – the writing work she has done across TV, theatre, radio, etc. She will discuss both the craft of dramatic writing, and give you tips on how to run your career.
CONCLUSION – Final session about what to take away from the course, and discuss where you go from here.
Places Are Strictly Limited at 20!
I have a strict limit on the number of delegates, because I want to make sure these are personal, in-depth seminars where you can get your questions answered and find out what you need to know without the sense of getting lost in the crowd.
If you want to come I strongly recommend you book your place now to make sure you don’t miss out.
Ten days before the course, I’ll send you full details of the course and membership of a special private Screenwriters Studio Facebook group that will continue indefinitely.
There is a FREE, recommended screenwriting book for the first 10 to sign up AND a bumper pack of invaluable HANDOUTS for all delegates on the course.
THE COST
For the two days of the course, the cost is a very reasonable £175. Based on some of the successes and feedback of previous attendees of my courses, I’m happy to say I think this is excellent value for money, and I know this course can act as a powerful weapon in your aims to fulfil your potential as a professional screenwriter.
NB The last few courses I’ve run have sold out well in advance. If you’re interested in doing this course, early booking is recommended!
You can book on my website, and get more in-depth information (especially about the three guest speakers) – http://script-consultant.co.uk/2-days-screenwriting-course/
WHEN AND WHERE?
Saturday + Sunday October 7th + 8th 2017, 10.00- 5.00, Central London – at Birkbeck College, the University of London, in Malet St, London WC1E 7HX. And I’ll be available on both days in a nearby pub afterwards to carry on the conversation! (One of the most important parts of the course IMO!)
NB The newsletter is now taking a well-earned summer break – my next newsletter will be on FRIDAY SEPT 8th. Have a great summer. Thank you for reading / subscribing – and for all the brilliant feedback you give me – it’s very much appreciated and I look forward to continuing the dialogue!
All the best
Phil
PHILIP SHELLEY
July 28th 2017
