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5 Minute Survey

Just a quick one today. Do you live in the South West of the UK? Do you like the sound of more scriptwriting and networking day courses in our little green section of the world? Or maybe you fancy a trip to the ‘Shire to get your dose of writing-related goodness? Then fill out my 5 minute survey. No registration required; it’s completely anonymous. There’s a suggestions box too, so even if you DON’T live in Devon, Dorset, Cornwall or Somerset, feel free to send me your thoughts and suggestions. I’ve had quite a few calls for an online course, which… Read More »5 Minute Survey

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Can Scriptwriting Be Taught? By Samuel Caine

I’m trying to resist the temptation to shock you all now, by saying ‘I don’t think it can’, but I can’t resist and I’m going to say it anyway: no, I don’t think it can. I still think writing courses are very useful though. If you think I’m mad, get in line, but hear me out first. Here are 6 problems with teaching scriptwriting, but why you should do a writing course ANYWAY: 1. Talent is innate … This is an oft-cited criticism of creative courses. ‘You can’t learn to be an artist’. As cynical as I am, I’m not… Read More »Can Scriptwriting Be Taught? By Samuel Caine

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Bang2writers: Meet Sam Caine

So, I’m off for the summer and for the second year, I am turning the blog and social media over to a B2W intern, this time the ever-effervescent Sam Caine. I hope you’ll make him feel welcome! I’ll still be around, so check out Bang2writers and Twitter. ———————————————– Hi! My name’s Sam Caine and I’ll be your host today. Lucy has kindly given me the honour of being her intern at Bang2Write, and much like Eleanor Ball before me, I thought it was appropriate to do a quick introductory entry, telling you who I am, and what I do. I was going to do the… Read More »Bang2writers: Meet Sam Caine

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4 Great Prose Fiction Writing Guides by Angelita Williams

There’s lots of great books out there on writing, but which ones should you choose? Angelita steps in with her thoughts – and they’re not the “usual” either! Check ’em out. Listen: we know a novel is not a film is not a play is not a TV show. Each narrative medium works us over in different ways and possesses its own unique strengths. Nevertheless, the history of each is littered with successful adaptations (typically the newer medium cannibalizing the older one – though that’s been challenged with movie-based plays like The Producers, have you ever seen a film novelization… Read More »4 Great Prose Fiction Writing Guides by Angelita Williams

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Reading Screenplays by Lucy Scher – Review & Giveaway

When Kamera Books asked me my opinion of The Script Factory’s Lucy Scher’s book, “Reading Screenplays” I was happy to oblige … I’ve not met Lucy or done her script reading course, so it’s fair to say I was curious! And I wasn’t disappointed. Genre and storytelling plays a major part of Lucy’s book – and is why I’m recommending it so strongly. As I often say on this site, very few writers consider how genre and/or various ways of storytelling affect their scripts and then wonder why their writing fails to progress. Underpinning your screenwriting craft skills with a strong understanding… Read More »Reading Screenplays by Lucy Scher – Review & Giveaway

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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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