A masterclass for aspiring screenwriters and curious film lovers
Dates and times: Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 June 2013, 10am-5pm
Overview
This intensive and practical two-day course at the Guardian offices, led by expert screenwriters, will introduce you to the nuts and bolts of writing for film.
The weekend will include five, practical small-group workshops on topics varying from character to dialogue to script structure – all taught by leading figures from the film industry, including writer-director Josh Appignanesi ('Song of Songs', 'The Infidel') and writer-director-producer Don Boyd ('Scum', 'My Kingdom', 'The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle').
Leading talent agent, Matthew Bates of Sayle Screen will also lead a session on getting your work noticed and the weekend will end with a panel discussion.
There will be a keynote talk with a major screenwriter. Previous guests include David Nicholls ('One Day', 'Great Expectations') and Tony Grisoni ('Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas').
This masterclass is suitable for aspiring screenwriters, screenwriters starting out and curious film lovers wishing to learn more about the craft of screenwriting.
Tutor profiles
Josh Appignanesi is a writer/director based in London. He directed comedy feature The Infidel, starring Omid Djalili, Richard Schiff, Matt Lucas and Archie Panjabi, scripted by David Baddiel. His first feature was festival hit Song Of Songs, co-written with Jay Basu. Working across genres he has directed actors John Malkovich, David Tennant, Tom Hiddleston, Sara Kestelman and Michelle Dockery, and has collaborating with artist Martin Creed among others. He mentors, advises and teaches internationally in writing and directing for various institutions including the London Film School, ARISTA, the Met Film School, and Film London. Click here to see his website.
Don Boyd has significantly influenced the face of British film since his first feature in the mid-1970s. Moving from his initial role of director, Boyd successfully built his own production company, a bastion for young British talent during the arid climate of '70s British cinema. With a prolific production resumé during the late '70s and '80s, the '90s saw a return to directorial work in film as well as some surprising television projects. He is currently the director of Hibrow.tv, a new digital platform for the arts.
Don has directed Twenty-One (1991), with Patsy Kensit, as well as Kleptomania (1993), Lucia (1998) and My Kingdom (2001), which transposes Shakespeare's King Lear to modern day Liverpool. He has produced and executive produced films as diverse as Derek Jarman's War Requiem (1989), Julien Temple's The Great Rock 'n' roll Swindle (1980) and Alan Clarke's Scum (1979).
Matthew Bates has worked as an agent at Sayle Screen since the mid-1990's, before which he was an assistant at Sheil Land Associates. He represents writers and directors working in film, TV and theatre. He also enjoys representing dramatic rights in a wide range of books. His clients include the writer-directors Andrea Arnold ('Fish Tank'), Carol Morley ('Dreams of a Life') and Sally El Hosaini ('My Brother the Devil').
More tutors and speakers to be confirmed.
Testimonials from previous Guardian Masterclasses
Better than excellent! The weekend came up with so many potential solutions to issues.
Great range and structure to the weekend, with extremely interesting and experienced tutors.
I feel we really got our money's worth! I cannot praise this course highly enough.
There was not a single session where I did not find great value.
Every bit of the weekend felt valuable and relevant; fantastically organised, the speakers were really well chosen, and it was great to meet others who had an interest in screenwriting. I came away on Sunday evening feeling that, with commitment, my film may actually be made.
To book
Details
Dates: Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 June 2013
Times: 10am-5pm
Location: The Guardian, 90 York Way, King's Cross, London, N1 9GU
Price:£250 (inclusive of VAT and booking fees)
Maximum class size: 18 (except keynote and panel talks where the maximum class size is 90)
To contact us, click here. Terms and conditions can be found here.