Northwest Vision and Media, create the bigger picture
Script courses 07
NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR SCRIPT DEVELOPMENT
A HOST of new initiatives and free workshops for script writers and story editors is being funded by Northwest Vision and Media.
Over the next 3 months Vision and Media will be offering 3
exceptional and inspiring workshops for writers interested in
becoming successful feature film screenwriters, experienced writers
hoping to sharpen their feature film writing skills and anyone
interested in learning how to become a professional story editor or
script reader.
Northwest Vision and Media has always been committed to raising the
standard of both feature film writing, and script development in
the region, so we regularly support new opportunities like
this.
In September, a free, two-day workshop for 12 people hoping to forge a new career as a story editor or script reader, will be led by Stephen Cleary, one of the UK’s premier script developers.
“Screen Agencies like Vision and Media and the UK Film Council are constantly looking for experienced story editors and script readers to help us assess and develop feature film screenplays. Most new writers need the support of a skilled story editor to advise them on how to tell their stories in the best possible way,” explains Helen Bingham, Head of Production Development for Vision and Media. “Story editors need to serve the full range of stories emerging from the entire community so we are particularly keen to include as full and diverse a range of participants as possible.
“That’s why we’re offering the So You Want To Be A Story Editor? workshop to anyone interested in forging a career in this area. It’s a fantastic foundation on which to build.”
In October, Development Plus, one of Vision and Media’s most popular programmes, will offer 24 writers in total, unique access to one of the country’s most successful script development tutors and feature film writers, Simon Van Der Borgh.
“Simon inspires and motivates all who attend his exceptional workshops. He is in great demand delivering his classes all over the world to writers with great stories who are keen to learn how to turn them into feature film screenplays that can sell. Simon shows writers how to tell a story cinematically and how to build strong plot and characters,” says Helen.
Simon’s track-record and feature film experience is impressive. He currently has three feature film projects in development, in addition to his latest feature, In Tranzit, starring John Malkovich. He lectures around the world and is a tutor on the Screenwriting MA at Leeds Metropolitan University, one of the best courses in the country.
During his five-day Development Plus workshop, Simon will emphasise the importance of structure and best practice. “There are key elements that exist in any genre that should also be used in any movie,” says Simon.
“I read 300 screenplays a year and most writers don’t follow formulas,” he adds. “British writers also miss out on the dramatic impact of film. I encourage writers to take risks and be more cinematic in their outlook. In other words, write for the big screen, rather than the black box,” he advises.
Lynne Harwood, a scriptwriter/director, attended Simon’s last Development Plus workshop. “He is very inspiring,” says Lynne. “Simon has a very structured approach, encouraging writers to view films in sequences and shape every scene individually.”
In addition to the five-day workshop, in October and November for new writers, Simon will also be leading Development Plus Advanced, a three-day course aimed at more experienced screenwriters who are keen to refresh and sharpen their development skills.
“This programme offers a refresher to those writers who
have previously attended one of our writers’ development
programmes, such as Development Plus or our New Writers Development
Programme which ran in 2005/06. It will focus more on writing
strong treatments and creating ideas that have commercial
potential,” explains Helen.
For further information, and application details, visit
the following pages:
