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Training
Friendly Producers
The Queen - a hit for one of our 'Friendly Producers', Andy Harries
Getting the script right is only the start of the battle for the aspiring screenwriter. You then need to persuade the right people to read it and the doors of Soho can often seem bolted shut to those on the outside. However, while you feel shut out, those in the industry are constantly crying out for exciting new talent. Our mission here at The Script Factory has always been to bridge the gap between the best upcoming screenwriters and the people who can get their films made.
We've come up with a unique initiative designed to find the best ideas and writers from the attendees on our various training courses and give those writers the chance to meet the UK's top Friendly Producers! Selected writers plucked from Script Factory film writing courses then receive invaluable feedback on their current projects, plus the chance to make significant connections and get essential guidance on their careers.
David Simon's Generation Kill, produced by Andrea CalderwoodOver the past two years we have teamed up with a number of fantastic UK-based producers including Marion Pilowsky, David Parfitt, Kevin Loader, Sandy Lieberson, Stephen Woolley, Tracey Scoffield, Robin Gutch, Andy Harries, Kate Ogborn, Peter La Terriere, Robyn Slovo, Andrea Calderwood and Finola Dwyer - all of whom are keen to support writers who are committed to developing their craft skills.
In Autumn 2009, Friendly Producers joining our scheme were Debra Hayward, Head of Film for Working Title Films, working with her Development Co-Ordinator, Matt Wilkindon; Martin Pope, working with his associate Daryl Shute; Robert Bernstein, Company Director/Head of Drama for Ecosse Films, working with his Development Producer, Matt Delargy; and Barney Reisz, MD of Feasible Films.
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
In Spring 2010, producer Gareth Wiley, who has been responsible for Woody Allen's recent films including the Golden-Globe winning Vicky Cristina Barcelona and Globe-nominated Match Point, signed up as Friendly Producer to meet with the successful participant from our Writing The Heroine's Story with Helen Jacey weekend.
This summer, participants attending any of our up-coming Truth & Fiction, Horror & Slasher or Thriller one-day courses will have the opportunity to win the chance of a meeting with our latest Friendly Producer - the BAFTA and OSCAR-nominated producer of An Education, Amanda Posey.
And in the Autumn of 2010 we'll be welcoming our first Radio-focussed 'Friendly Producer', Cherry Cookson, who will be meeting participants on our upcoming Turn On Tune In programme exploring Radio Drama in depth.
After completing selected courses, attendees are invited to submit a 2-page story outline plus the first ten pages of their screenplay, and a shortlist will be selected for a one-to-one meeting with one of our Friendly Producers.