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How Do I Make New Contacts?

One thing Bang2writers always ask me is “How do I make new contacts?” Annoyingly, my answer is always the same: “By meeting them.” But where do you start? This seems to be one of the things that freak writers out the most. I’m often told at the seminars, talks and workshops I do that the industry is a “closed shop” and that “no one wants to know”. Yet this has NEVER been my experience. It’s not that I am somehow more “lucky” or “better” at making contacts, either. Writers starting out – and indeed those more seasoned wanting to “step… Read More »How Do I Make New Contacts?

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How To Put Together Your Writer’s Resumé For Submissions

What should you put in your writer resumé? “How do you put together a writer’s resumé? What should go in, what should be left out, what counts as relevant experience?” This is a great question I get all the time, so warrants a lengthier post. Many thanks to Gail over on the B2W Facebook page for asking. First up, the usual disclaimer … This post is based on my experience of writing my own resumé and reading other people’s ONLY. There is no *set* way of creating your writer’s resumé. However I’ve seen some very good CVs and I’ve seen… Read More »How To Put Together Your Writer’s Resumé For Submissions

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Short Films Event: Panel on Writing Screenplays for Short Film & Screening

This looks like an interesting event for all the short screenplay writers and filmmakers out there – unfortunately I can’t make it, so if you go, let us know your thoughts! ——————————————-To celebrate the launch of Short Films: Writing the Screenplay by Patrick Nash, Kamera Books invites you to a panel discussion as part of the London Short Film Festival on Friday 13th January at 4pm at RADA. The Panelists are author Patrick Nash, LSFF filmmaker Douglas Hart (Long Distance Information), agent Julian Friedman and Edward Hicks, Head of Film, Television & Radio at RADA. Chaired by Hannah Patterson. Under… Read More »Short Films Event: Panel on Writing Screenplays for Short Film & Screening

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Prequel To Cannes Networking Event, Feb 8th-9th, 2012

One question I get asked A LOT by Bang2writers is, “Where can I network?” So… What are you doing February 8th and 9th, 2012? Come to the Prequel To Cannes Networking Party at the Lighthouse, Poole!! The party brings Dorset’s scripty types out in force – including TV writer Danny Stack, as well as filmmakers Tim Clague and Suki Singh. And of course little ol’ me! There are masterclasses and events on offer during the day, too: I will be offering a class on pitching, before chairing a pitching event where participants will be invited to pitch their projects to… Read More »Prequel To Cannes Networking Event, Feb 8th-9th, 2012

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Should I Do A Scriptwriting MA & Which Courses Are Good?

Updated for 2014/15 With the start of a new year, many people’s resolution may be investing in their writing career in some way, so inevitability a question I get frequently at this time of year is this one from Bang2writer Kate Lally: I was just wondering if, in your professional opinion, an MA in screenwriting is worthwhile. And if so, do you think certain unis would be better than others? Is an MA “worth it”? Well it’s important to remember only YOU can know for sure – but disclaimers aside, I have many articles on this site about university courses,… Read More »Should I Do A Scriptwriting MA & Which Courses Are Good?

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Frauds & Parasites! (Or Why There’s ALWAYS More Than One Way Of Looking At This Scriptwriting Lark)

WRITER 1: There’s this person, right. S/he’s written a book/a blog and/or designed a course/put on a conference and reckons it’ll help writers understand writing. WHAT A FRAUD. WRITER 2: (quietly) Actually I read it/did it and found it quite helpful. WRITER 1: Yeah, well, I don’t so I’m gonna tell you: YOU’RE AN IDIOT. WRITER 2: Well, that’s not very nice. WRITER 1: Sorry, you’re forcing my hand. If you believe in all these formulas and whatnot for success, you’re an arse. WRITER 2: Except, I never actually said that did I? I said I thought the book/course was… Read More »Frauds & Parasites! (Or Why There’s ALWAYS More Than One Way Of Looking At This Scriptwriting Lark)

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How To Become A Script Reader

How I became a script reader One question I get asked all the time is, “How do I become a script reader?” So, once and for all – here is the lowdown on how my consultancy Bang2write started – plus make sure you check out my course, Breaking Into Script Reading, back for its seventh year in 2021! As I’ve said before, I never actually SET OUT to become a script reader. I did the BA (Hons) Scriptwriting for Film & TV course at Bournemouth University and part of the course covered it. As I also detail in this post, when… Read More »How To Become A Script Reader

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Linda Aronson Advanced Screenwriting Masterclass – MASSIVE discount for Bang2writers!!!

I read LOADS of scripts that try to use advanced storytelling techniques, such as time jumps, tandem narrative, flashback and non-linearity. And guess what: 99% of them do not use these techniques well. This is why these techniques end up with a bad name in the spec pile, which of course is such a shame and threatens creativity as readers on work experience end up believing McKee-style assertions about supposed “lazy writing” instead. If only there was someone who ran classes on HOW to use these devices WELL… … Oh wait THERE IS! None other than Linda Aronson. Now I… Read More »Linda Aronson Advanced Screenwriting Masterclass – MASSIVE discount for Bang2writers!!!

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Why You SHOULD Do A Course In Scriptwriting by Eleanor Ball

Last week Lucy penned a really useful post on media careers and what to do after a media course, which inspired me to churn out some thoughts as a meedja student about to face the abyss. I’m in the final term of a scriptwriting MA, which means much less classes, and much more closing the curtains on warm sunny days. Not to get too personal or anything, but here is a snap of my Halls of Residence bedroom floor: … So what that photo probably tells you is that when I’ve finished with something I literally just THROW it from… Read More »Why You SHOULD Do A Course In Scriptwriting by Eleanor Ball

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When Do I Give Up My Day Job?

Following a short flurry of conversation on Bang2writers yesterday (and having been asked many times before), I thought I’d address this question. [DISCLAIMER: obviously these are just MY experiences and thoughts on the matter, not absolute gospel, so please consider all the factors and important people in YOUR life before making any huge life-changing decisions… End of disclaimer.] First, the obvious answer: You give up your day job when the bills can be paid via writing and not a moment before. Except there are the following problems with the above: 1) A freelancer’s life is “up in the air” –… Read More »When Do I Give Up My Day Job?

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ComedySWF Lowdown: April 9-10th, 2011

This weekend just past was The London Comedy Writers’ Festival. And what a weekend it was! I had a great time. Much as I loved the first London Screenwriters’ Festival last October, I actually spent at least 1/3rd of it with my head down the loo – not because of some weird initiation rite courtesy of festival director Chris Jones either (I was newly pregnant! Timing or what!). So it was FAB to really get involved and not have to rush off what felt like every five mins this time! I moderated “The Chain” at 10:30am on the Saturday, with… Read More »ComedySWF Lowdown: April 9-10th, 2011

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The London Comedy Writers’ Festival, Apr 9/10th, 2011

So all week on my social network I’ve been going on and on about The London Comedy Writers’ Genre Festival, which takes place at Regents’ College, London the weekend of April 9/10th, 2011. But if you don’t follow me on Twitter or Facebook (why not??), you may not know about it – so here are all the details. The London Comedy Writers Genre Festival came about directly from the feedback of London Screenwriters Festival delegates and a survey we conducted recently, where we asked YOU what you wanted next from Team LSF. A festival dedicated to the craft and production… Read More »The London Comedy Writers’ Festival, Apr 9/10th, 2011

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