Free Film Courses

Free Courses for Northwest Film Writers

Budding screenwriters from the Northwest will be given the chance to develop their story ideas into film scripts, at three free one-day workshops later this month.

In a bid to find the next Frank Cottrell Boyce (Millions, 24 Hour Party People), North West Vision has invited one of the industry's most respected film professionals to teach the foundations of writing short films to new talent.

Phil Parker (advisor to the UK Film Council and course director of the MA Screenwriting programme at the London College of Printing) will host the workshops, which are open to anybody who has an interesting idea and wants to write a short film script.

The workshops will be held in Cumbria, Salford and Liverpool. During the sessions, Phil Parker will look at the common problems with short films and explore possible solutions, including the different structures available to the short filmmaker. Phil will illustrate different approaches to short film narrative.

Filmmaker Rick Mcleod went on a previous session with Phil Parker and enjoyed it so much that he is going again, he said:

"The workshop gave me a much better insight into how to create a short story and this year's course will act as a refresher for me. I currently have an idea for a feature film in mind and I intend to film a shorter version in order to market this to the industry."

The doors at each venue will open at 9.00am and will be closed once the course is full. Places for the schemes will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis so applicants are advised to turn up early.

Alice Morrison, Chief Executive at North West Vision said:

"Short film is an extremely effective way of developing emerging filmmaking talent. It can be a stepping-stone to making feature films and is increasingly becoming a respected medium in it's own right. With North West Vision's Digital Shorts Scheme being launched in the near future, we would strongly advise people to take advantage of these free courses."

Venue Information

Date: Monday 24th April 2006
Venue: Ullswater Room, Rheged Centre, Redhills, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 0DQ
Time: 9.30am-5.30pm
Availability: 40 places available

Date: Tuesday 25th April 2006
Venue: Rayleigh Suite, Faraday House, University of Salford, The Crescent, Salford, M5 4WT
Time: 9.30am-5.30pm
Availability: 80 places available

Date: Wednesday 26th April 2006
Venue: The Main Hall, Blackburn House, Blackburn Place, Liverpool, L8 7PE
Times: 9.30am-5.30pm
Availability: 80 places available

North West Vision is also offering a limited number of one-to-ones with Helen Bingham (Head of Production Development) and Tom Gabbutt (Talent Development Executive) with Cumbrian filmmakers in Penrith.

On the afternoon of Monday 24th April 2006 at the Rheged Centre in Penrith, Helen and Tom will be available to answer your questions and offer advice about the Lottery funding schemes that North West Vision are running this year.

If you would like to book in one of these meetings can you please contact Pippa Brady (Funding Dept. Manager) on pippab@northwestvision.co.uk .

Please include the following info:

Your full name.

Contact telephone number.

A very brief outline of what you would like to discuss.

The appointment times available are at 2.30pm, 3.30pm and 4.30pm.

It will be first come first served, so please book early.