telling TRUE STORIES
for the screen
in-person - CENTRAL LONDON
friday, 6th march 2026
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TELLING TRUE STORIES FOR THE SCREEN
Rationale In any year, roughly half of feature films and television dramas made are based on or inspired by true stories and real lives. For this reason alone projects based on true stories prove perennially popular with writers and producers. Finding compelling true stories is often not the hard part. But researching, developing, writing and making the true story that you found sing as a feature film or television series, making it work dramatically, is often trickier than expected. The Workshop Successful projects have to be technically solid. But they also need to bring something extra to the underlying material. The Telling True Stories for the Screen workshop helps you plan your process, know when to research and when to stop, look at legal and ethical issues, how to navigate between true story and compelling drama, and shape your ideas into a project that resonates with others. You will submit a short outline for a project* based on a true story before the course and will come away from the workshop with a better understanding of how you can move it to another level while staying true to its origins. Morning After introductions which include pitching your true-story project to the room, we pass straight into a tutor-led group exercise. We then spend the morning examining the creative, technical and legal aspects of bringing true stories to the screen. The session is rounded off by a second tutor-led group exercise. Afternoon The afternoon session is hands-on with your own true-story project. Working in small groups, you will pitch/discuss your project to other group members, giving and receiving feedback. You will then work on your own to re-write the short outline you pitched at the start of the day. The afternoon ends with participants re-pitching their projects to the room. * All participants agree to confidentiality with regard to the projects discussed during the course. What Previous Participants Say "...a fantastic workshop. I really appreciated the thoughtful structure and generous feedback — I took away a lot of valuable insights and made some great connections." Dennis, May 2025 "...a privilege to access your knowledge and insights to screenwriting and its industry. I learned plenty both from yourself and my fellow students that was relevant to my specific project, as well as to the larger business of getting a film to the screen." Nigel, May 2025 "[the] workshop was terrific! I found it informative, stimulating and brimming with insight. [...] I am jammed packed full of ideas for my project and have a renewed determination to at the very least "give it a go”! Your knowledge and experience shines through!" Chris, September 2025 |
ABOUT THE TUTOR
ELIZABETH CLEGG I’m a writer, script editor and development consultant. I specialise in stories based on true events and real people. I currently have one optioned original feature biopic, another in development and am Development Consultant on a sports biopic. I have designed, taught or assessed screenwriting and creative writing courses for: Bectu; Euroscript; Goldsmiths (University of London): London College of Communication (University of the Arts London); Roehampton University; the London Film Academy; the National Film and Television School; the UK Film Council; the British Council; the Commonwealth Media Development Fund; the European Development Fund; NorthWest Vision; and the UNESCO Programme for Creative Content. Please use email link to contact the tutor with queries about the course [email protected] BOOKING DETAILS DATE: Friday, 6th March 2026 TIME: 10:30-17:30 VENUE: Bectu HQ/Prospect House 100 Rochester Row London SW1P 1JP (near Victoria Station - see map below) PRICING: Full price £95.00 Concession or Partner Price*: £85 (Concessionary price for those on a state benefit. Partner price for members of: Directors UK, Lane's List, Society of Authors, WFTV, WGGB) Bectu Member Price*: £75 (for Bectu members only) *Proof required Book using buttons below. |
