WRITE THAT SCRIPT! (PART I) 

Why is it that many scripts fail to grab the reader in the first 10 pages and many writers abandon the script as soon as they get to Act 2?

Most of the time the reason is that they haven't outlined the story before starting and run out of gas.

This online 5-week Wednesday evening (max 8 students) takes writers through the process of developing a 4-page outline and creating a First Act that will keep readers engaged and wanting to turn the page.

​The pre-requisite for this course is to write a two-page outline that you will bring to the first session.


Who Should Take This Course:

  • Writers/directors who have an outline for a movie and would love to make headway with it.
  • Writers/directors who already have a script but feel it needs work and would benefit from rebuilding their story from the way up.
  • New writers or experienced writers who seek a supportive environment of like-minded creatives to develop their stories.

The course is workshop oriented. The assignments will be due no later than noon the previous day. You will be expected to read at least three of the students’ work per week in order to give them notes in the class. In turn, you will benefit from the feedback and support of the tutor and peers to write your pages and revise them along the way.


SYLLABUS 

SESSION 1 – It all starts with a 2-page Outline! Less is more - 

The starting point of this course is a two-page outline which will ensure you’re heading in the right direction. Writing is rewriting, so even students who already have a well-developed outline will benefit from this class which will allow them to go deeper into their story and characters. During this session you workshop your two-page outline and look into:
  • Firming up the foundations of your script and identifying any weak points.
  • Ensuring your protagonist is active and has an arc.
  • Clarifying your genre and theme.
  • Playing with the rules and conventions of your genre.


SESSION 2– Workshopping your 4-page Outline - Refining, refining, refining! - 

The problem with longer treatments and step-outlines is that writers and readers often can’t see the forest from the trees. Therefore, 4-pagers are a natural stepping stone toward the development of a script as they allow for meaningful feedback and leave room for change. During this session you finesse your four-page outline and zero-in on:
  • Subplots
  • Set-ups and pay-offs.
  • Secondary characters, who is necessary, who isn’t, and their arcs.
  • How to choose visually exciting settings.


SESSION 3 – Set up your story world - the first 10 pages - 

Your first 10 pages are the most important as they set up characters, theme, and dramatic conflict before the inciting incident happens. They are make-or-break for industry gatekeepers. During the session you will workshop the first 10 pages of your script and look into:
  • Techniques to grab the reader from page one.
  • Creating complex characters and making them jump off the page.
  • Planting seeds that will grow into the theme of your story.
  • The “Show, don’t tell” mantra, and  evocative writing.


SESSION 4 – Amp up the stakes - 2nd half of Act 1- 

You write the second building block of Act 1, from the “then something happens moment” (inciting incident) up until the point where the protagonist commits to the journey and the story starts in earnest. During the session, you will workshop the 2nd half of your script (around 15 pages). During this session we will focus on:
  • Raising the stakes after the call to action.
  • Pacing.
  • Scene structure.
  • Beats within scenes.


SESSION 5 – Revise Act 1 - Now you are on your way! - 

In the light of the feedback received you now revise Act 1. During session 5, you will workshop the updated draft. We will discuss:
  • Creating dialogue that feels authentic and how to finesse your exposition.
  • Verbal and non-verbal subtext, hidden agendas.
  • Balancing out dialogue and action.
  • Refining tone and genre, adding texture.


By the end of this course, you will have:

  • A roadmap for the entire script (a workshopped 4-page outline).
  • Well-developed characters and Act One so that you are now ready to write Act 2 and Act 3.
  • Practical tools that will support the development of your script and your writing practice in general.
PRICES
STANDARD: £275
CONCESSION: £247
*We offer the concessionary rate to all Concessions as well as to members of these affiliated organisations.  If you are a member of one of these organisations, please book at the concessionary rate and show your membership card to the course tutor at registration.
DATES & TIME

​5 x Thursday evening sessions
November 17, 24
December 1, 8, 15
​7-10 PM UK time
(the course was postponed by one week)

(With some prep work required, in-between dates)

ONLINE PLATFORM
The sessions will be run on Zoom. All attendees will be sent the Zoom login information upon registration.

EVENT CAPACITY: 8
Book your place early to avoid disappointment.
FOR FURTHER DETAILS
Email or phone:  07958 244656
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ABOUT STEPHANIE

​Stéphanie Joalland a London-based writer-director with her own production company Frenzy Films. She also has extensive experience developing TV series for French TV and co-created the animated version of VALERIAN for Luc Besson's EuropaCorp. Her feature film THE QUIET HOUR starring Dakota Blue Richards premiered on Sky Cinema in the UK and was released on Netflix. Her feature projects have received the support of Sofia Meeting, Film London PFM, European Genre Forum, and Frontières International co-production Market. An alumna of Berlinale Talents, she is represented by Zero Gravity Management in the U.S. as a writer-director. She teaches screenwriting at U.A.L.’s London College of Communication, NFTS, on the Raindance MA in Filmmaking with De Montfort University and the MSt in Writing for Performance at the University of Cambridge. 
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