EIGHT GREAT CONTAINED SCRIPTS

As inspiration for the 4-evening workshop that starts on Thursday 7pm.

Only TWO places remaining!

Some of the most memorable films are set in just one or two locations. The self-imposed contained setting forces the writer to rely on character development to build tension and, as such, are excellent case studies in minimalism.

Here are eight of the best contained screenplays ever written that only take place in one (or a few) settings.

Some like EXAM produced for $600K remained true to their indie origins, some like PHONE BOOTH were studio films, others like BURIED, originally designed to be filmed on a micro-budget transcended their humble origins when a star became attached.

Regardless of their pathway these scripts all became successful films and are worth a read!

MARGIN CALL - On the eve of the 2008 financial meltdown a few hedge fund traders discover what is about to happen and have 24 hours to save themselves from the impending collapse.

PHONE BOOTH - A publicist finds himself trapped inside a phone booth, held captive by a sniper.

Funnily enough, Hitchcock originally wanted to make the movie in the late 60s but felt he couldn't do the concept justice from a technical standpoint.

THE INVITATION- A man accepts an invitation to a strange dinner party organised by his ex-wife which soon takes a turn for the worst.

BURIED - A truck driver in Iraq wakes up to discover he's been buried alive inside a coffin with only a lighter and a phone. ,

LOCKE - Set in a car over one night it tells the story of a construction engineer who must make the biggest decision of his life.

PANIC ROOM - A divorced woman and her diabetic daughter take refuge in their house's safe room when three criminals break in.

HARD CANDY - A teenager locks up a photographer inside his own house to force him to confess he abducts underage girls.

EXAM - Eight candidates for a desirable yet mysterious job are locked together in an exam room and given a final test.

All these scripts are a good reminder that personal conflict, emotion, flawed protagonists can be gripping no matter how limited the scope and setting of your script.

Give your protagonist a strong, universal goal and you have all the ingredients you need to write to write a compelling screenplay.

If you are interested in exploring your own idea and characters for a contained movie "Write the Contained Feature Film" starts on Thursday and there are only TWO PLACES left. Just like in the movies the more contained the workshop the better the experience in the Zoom world and, as such, places are limited!


4 x Thursday evening sessions:
February 25, March 4, 11, 18
7pm-9pm

Online workshop


Standard price: £198
Concession: £180
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