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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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Guest Post: "Up Close" workshops by Helen Bang

Bang2writer and aptly-named Helen Bang has kindly provided us with the insights she learnt at a workshop this weekend just gone. Enjoy!——————————–Up Close was a day of free workshops organised by the Playwrights’ Studio Scotland held at the Centre for Contemporary Arts in Glasgow. I attended the workshops on radio drama, further skills for playwrights and demystifying television. The radio workshop was led by BBC radio producers David Ian Neville. He began by outlining the stations which broadcast radio drama (Radio 3, 4, Radio 7 and Radio Scotland, and asked how many people in the audience listened to radio drama… Read More »Guest Post: "Up Close" workshops by Helen Bang

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LOST Workshop Notes

Here are the notes for last week’s LOST workshop at BAFTA, courtesy of my contest winner Nicholas Horwood. Enjoy!————————————————————-Day one: With no memory of what strange force brought me here I find myself at BAFTA HQ along with a hundred or so shell-shocked and strangely geeky looking people. Who we were and what brought us here is no longer relevant…we are born again. We are of course here for the LOST workshop with Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse hosted by Eastenders’ producer whose name I didn’t catch. The workshop begins with a five minute “Best of LOST” clip. This is… Read More »LOST Workshop Notes

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Winner Of The LOST Contest

Well, over brekkie this morning, The Hub and Boy read and argued over the handful of entries we had for the LOST contest and picked Nick H’s as *the* way to get off the island: “Construct jet engine from Dharma brand diet cola and mentos. Attach to island, turn island into cruise ship and party all the way home.” Nice one Nick – we’ll look forward to hearing your write up on the session next week! Commiserations to those who didn’t win – thanks for entering though! I dare say there will be other opportunities in the near future to… Read More »Winner Of The LOST Contest

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25 Words Or Less… LOST contest!

Hey, guess what… I have a place at the amazing SWF LOST workshop this Friday, Jul 3rd at BAFTA!! But bad news for me (I can’t go!!) is GOOD news for you — because this contest is for anyone who wants to take the ticket off my hands!!!! WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO TO BE IN WITH A CHANCE OF WINNING: 1. Compose a way of getting off the Lost island in 25 words or less. It can be as serious or as silly as you like. 2. Leave your idea/s in the comments section of THIS POST ON THIS… Read More »25 Words Or Less… LOST contest!

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The Story Engine, Notes, Pt 2: Agents & Pitches

Here’s Helen’s excellent insights again – this time featuring the Blogosphere’s very own James Moran and some VERY interesting stuff about agents and pitching. Enjoy!————————————————————————————————- Screening: TORCHWOOD – SLEEPER Writer James Moran gives a live commentary to his episode of the popular sci-fi series. Followed by Q+A. Has carved out a niche in horror/sci fi He wrote Severance but got pigeonholed after this. However then Dr Who was relaunched. He wrote the Fires of Pompeii episode. Sleeper for Torchwood as well as writing for Primeval, Spooks Code 9 and Spooks. It’s cheaper to blow up a car than have several… Read More »The Story Engine, Notes, Pt 2: Agents & Pitches

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Return of The Hoff

…No not *that* Hoff: Gordy Hoffman. He must have fallen in love with England, because he’s back again for the third time in three months – and this time he’ll be working through your all-important First Act with you. You’ll even get written feedback after the workshop from Gordy too. Oh and of course being a Bang2writer you can get a discount. Nice one. What are you waiting for? Oh, you need a review? Here’s one and here’s another. Now go register.——————————————————————— I wanted everyone to know I will be coming back to lead a workshop on the First Act… Read More »Return of The Hoff

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SPECIAL BLOG OFFER: Gordy Hoffman Worshop, London, Sept 20th 08

Gordy Hoffman has returned Arnie-style to London to take another BlueCat Screenwriting Workshop! Focusing on those all-important first ten pages of your screenplay, there is a limit for just ten writers. If you missed the last ones, don’t miss this second chance… Least of all because Bang2writers get to take part for EIGHTY POUNDS (normal price £145). That is a whopping discount my friends, Gordy’s clearly lost his mind, so TAKE ADVANTAGE TODAY. Get your discount by registering here and then entering the promotion code RIFLEMIND when it asks you to. Not sure about Gordy or his methods? Then check… Read More »SPECIAL BLOG OFFER: Gordy Hoffman Worshop, London, Sept 20th 08

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Sometimes Your First Idea Is The Best One

It’s largely accepted that things change – and get better – as you draft and redraft. I’d be a nutter if I didn’t say that feedback helps one’s writing, not only because I am an actual script reader, but because I have seen my portfolio of specs literally grow and improve thanks to the tireless of efforts of other professional readers I go to, plus of course my beloved Po3ers. Yet sometimes one can go off the boil whilst rewriting. Just as it’s possible to be blind to a particular device’s faults in your script, it is possible to reject… Read More »Sometimes Your First Idea Is The Best One

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Bluecat London Workshop, August 16th 08: Gordy Hoffman

As mentioned in the previous post, I was unforutnately unable to get to the second day of this workshop since I woke up with a throat that felt shredded by a panther’s claws and a head that felt like it had been hit by a hammer. However, despite this Gordy Hoffman imparted so much wisdom on that first day I have plenty to tell you. So chew on this!—————————————————————————Gurus, Formulas & Storytelling. Gordy started the day by telling us that he didn’t really believe in formulas, because any formula can be made to fit any movie. He mentioned that Michael’s… Read More »Bluecat London Workshop, August 16th 08: Gordy Hoffman

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