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Script Development 101
Photo: Fiona Fouhy
NOW BOOKING FOR:
Friday 26 September & Friday 10 October
OrThursday 6 November & Thursday 20 November
This new course in Script Development is designed primarily as a follow on to our Script Reading course. We recognise that most script readers are aiming to move into a more practical script development role, but working face to face with writers over progressive drafts requires very different skills to those needed when simply assessing whether a screenplay is any good or not. This practical two-day course aims to help new developers hone their story analysis skills as well as consider how to effectively plan and communicate a development strategy. Teaching is focused on the primary stages of script development, which is all about getting the story right.
Essential training for anyone seeking to get the best out of the writers they work with!
We recommend that participants complete The Script Factory’s Script Reading course before attending Script Development 101. However, if you are an experienced reader or producer you may wish to book directly on to this course. Please contact justine@scriptfactory.co.uk if you have any queries about which course is best for you.
Photo: Fiona Fouhy
Course Outline
Script Development 101 comprises 2 workshop days held a fortnight apart. Prior to the course participants will be sent an unproduced screenplay to read and prepare notes on for discussion in class.
Day One (10am – 5pm)
The developer’s task is to make the script better! Fundamental to achieving this is the ability to effectively recognise the true strength of an idea (which can be very tricky when it differs from what the writer loves about the project) and the skill to quickly pinpoint the source of any weaknesses.
Through discussion of an unproduced screenplay, we will explore effective approaches to script analysis and consider the elements essential to a strong screen story. This will include preparing scene breakdowns, synopses and other useful development documents.
We then turn our attention to planning the development process and working with writers. How do you win the writer’s trust? How do you communicate your feedback constructively? How do you ensure that everyone is working towards the same story? Which elements of the script should you prioritise for the first rewrite? How do you keep the roles of writer and developer distinct and resist the temptation to try to rewrite the script for them.
The first day of training will conclude with a consideration of development notes. What format should these be offered in and how do you strike the right tone?
Homework
After the first day of training participants will be asked to read two drafts of the same project and write a brief set of development notes on the second draft. These should be submitted to the tutor one week after the first training day.
Day Two (10am – 5pm)
This second day of training focuses on the ongoing development process. During the morning session the tutor will provide feedback on the development notes submitted as homework. The development notes will also serve as the basis of a discussion on how to deal with successive drafts. We will explore the nature of collaboration and consider how to manage and balance relationships during a continuing development process, including what to do when the producer and writer don’t agree!
The final afternoon will provide a further opportunity for participants to exercise their story skills through discussion of script idea presented at treatment stage. Is the idea strong enough to carry a feature film? What does the writer need to consider in terms of defining the genre, building the characters, structuring the story? What role do treatments have in the development process?
Script Development 101 is taught by Kate Leys and will take place in the Seminar Room of The Soho Theatre, London.
Booking Information
The fee for this course is £260 + VAT (total £305.50). Script Factory members can take advantage of a 10% discount on this course, making the fee £234 + VAT (total £274.95). For information on becoming a member please click here. Each course is limited to ten participants.
To book your place for Script Development 101 please call us on 020 7851 4890.