Initialize Films would like everyone to know they’re running a course in the new year for those of you who want to get your first feature script written. It’s really good value – just £195 (+ VAT) for eight sessions over eight weeks. Don’t forget Skillset does bursaries for this sorta thing too, but if you don’t ask you don’t get!!
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PROJECT DEVELOPMENT – FEATURE SCREENPLAY DEVELOPMENT (FIRST DRAFT)
“I had never written a script before but after taking this course I now have a feature script with an established producer. I can’t rate it highly enough!” Pavel Barter, Screenwriter
Who is it for?
The course is for screenwriters, filmmakers, development executives and producers who who are working on a feature film and who want personalised tuition as they develop their outline into a first-draft script.
How does it work?
The course consists of 8 x 2 hour seminars held over an 8-week period.
Writers start with a one-page synopsis. Each week they are given a project-related writing task after each seminar to develop their story and to help them put it down on paper. By the end of the course writers are expected to have written a 10-page treatment / step outline which will form the basis of their first draft.
Rather than just explaining screenwriting principles, the seminars workshop writer’s ideas under the following headings:
– Introduction: how ideas are developed into feature scripts
– Character: external and internal conflict
– Structure – establishing lines of tension and building towards jeopardy
– Project identity – the influence of genre and tone
– Charting the progression of character arcs and character development
– Sub-plots and secondary characters
– Scene writing (1) – building scenes, heightening tension
– Scene writing (2) – dialogue.
Film and script excerpts are selected with the participants’ projects in mind to give greater focus.
The course is limited to 8 participants.
Price : The course fee is £ 195 + VAT. The fee includes all materials and light refreshments.
When and where?
Start date: Wednesday 14 January 2009; time: 19.00 – 21.00. Then every Wednesday evening until 4 March
The next course will be held at:
Initialize Films, Studio 2, Imex House, 42 Theobalds Road, London, WC1X 8NW
Registration
To book, please download the registration form from our website www.initialize-films.co.uk and submit to the address given on the form. For further information see our website or call 0207 404 7020.
Feedback examples
“As an ex-development executive at American Zoetrope I found the Project Development – Feature Screenplay course to meet a high standard of professionalism. Regular homework, individual feedback, class discussions and deadlines encouraged me to write on a regular basis. The small peer group of writers were very inspiring and we found our instructor, Ian Davies, to give quality feedback on each of our works in progress. Overall I found the experience very rewarding.”
Finley Glaize, Writer / development exec. Finley was a participant on the Project Development – Feature Screenplay course
“The course completely revolutionised how I thought about my screenplay. For example, after we did a session on characterisation, suddenly I could create characters with depth, and I could show the complexity of my characters visually. Even though I have read lots of books on the art of scriptwriting and tried to apply what they say to my writing, this course gave me far more than all of them put together, it made my writing vibrant!” Kothai Kanthan, Writer-Director – participant on Project Development – Feature Screenplay course. Kothai was recently selected as one of 25 new talents by Screen International.