TWO COURSES
2 DAY SCREENWRITING COURSE LONDON November 15-16
https://script-consultant.co.uk/2-day-screenwriting-course/
I will be running this 2 day screenwriting course again in central London over the weekend of Nov 15-16.
The course covers aspects of both craft and career and is designed for a maximum of 20 writers (12 of the places are already booked so I suggest booking ASAP if this is of interest).
We will have 4 guest speakers over the weekend –
Screenwriters LYDIA YEOMAN and THARA POPOOLA
LYDIA is a graduate of the 2022 Channel4 Screenwriting Course, Lydia was lead writer on CURFEW for Vertigo Films / Paramount+ and is currently Co-Writer and Executive Producer on an original thriller for a UK broadcaster shooting in 2026. She has led numerous writers’ rooms and is currently developing several TV projects with Mammoth Screen, Water & Power Productions, and Bonafide.
THARA is a comedy and drama writer with a legal background. An alum of the Channel 4 screenwriting course and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, she’s been NAACP-nominated and has credits on Sex Education, Queenie, Black Ops S2, Dreaming Whilst Black S2, and Crongton. She has multiple original projects in development and is currently writing Channel 4’s Pierre.
And literary agents FRANCES ARNOLD and ROSE ARNOLD from Rochelle Stevens and Co. This is an outstanding London ‘boutique’ agency that represents many brilliant screenwriters.
A few quotes from the testimonials from the last time I ran this course, earlier this month –
‘I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the course to other writers of all levels of experience…’
‘The sessions were well-paced, fun and practical…’
‘Philip’s screenwriting weekend was inspiring, practical, and energising…and I left buzzing with ideas and confidence.’
‘The guest speakers were inspiring and entertaining – as were the other people on the course!’
‘What an amazing weekend! Such great insights from Philip Shelley and the inspirational guest speakers.’
‘The insights available on Philip Shelley’s course are invaluable; I have two degrees in screenwriting, and I still found so much of what was said on the course illuminating.’
‘…this course left me inspired, challenged, and connected. I would recommend it to any writer and I would return to it in a heartbeat.’
NB Fuller versions of these and many other testimonials can be found towards the bottom of the course web page.
SCRIPT READING AND DEVELOPMENT Q&A Wednesday November 19th 6-8.30pm
https://script-consultant.co.uk/script-reading-development-qa/
This is a semi-regular zoom session for a maximum of 8 people in which I will try to answer all your questions about the world of script reading, script editing and script development – whether you have no industry experience and are looking to find ways to break into this area; or if you have a lot of experience but (for instance) are finding that next career step from in-house junior development executive to production script editor tricky.
A chance to not only ask all the questions you have but to get advice on your CV, how to approach potential employers, where the opportunities currently exist in the industry, more general principles of how to get work and maximise your professional potential, a chance to meet 7 and share experiences and knowledge with your peers – and the opportunity to be part of an exclusive WhatsApp group where you can carry on the conversation, share tips and ask advice.
Some quotes from the course testimonials –
‘I highly recommend the session for anyone seeking genuine insider expertise and the chance to connect with other like-minded professionals.’
‘…packed with insightful advice around starting an editorial career in the industry. I received feedback on my CV and clear, actionable pointers to use when contacting companies for script reading work. Philip’s focus on the ‘how to’ of finding opportunities really sets the session apart – I came away inspired with pages of notes and a mile long to-do list!’
‘Our chat answered a number of my longstanding industry questions and provided practical advice and direction on the next steps to take with my career. Highly recommended.’
Finally this fortnight, some quotes from screenwriter David Milch’s (NYPD Blue, Deadwood) excellent memoir, Life’s Work –
‘I’ve never been willing to do the exposition that would facilitate the viewer’s understanding of a character’s past unless the dialogue would occur naturally within the scene…My prejudice as a writer was always to stick with the quotidian, the nuts and bolts, the daily stuff of life…If you stick with the characters and their situation, the natural impulse of those characters’ spirits, over the course of time, is going to lead them into what is other than quotidian.’
NB A reminder – entries for the 2026 CHANNEL 4 SCREENWRITING COURSE are now open and close at 5pm on Monday October 6th.
The next newsletter will be out on Friday October 10th,
Best wishes and Happy Writing,
Phil
PHILIP SHELLEY
Twitter: @PhilipShelley1
Friday September 26th 2025
