2.Main Content
Genre Season: Thriller
Mon 17 November 2008
The Bourne Identity: a thriller that hits the spot
This one day Thriller workshop is part of The Script Factory's Genre Season, a series of six one-day workshops each devoted to a different story type. For details on the complete Genre Season programme please click here.
Thriller
Thriller writing is all about tension. Thriller scripts need to be as taut as a tightrope and the main character must inevitably fight for life itself. What is more, the story must take place in a believable, recognisable world, demanding the writer to create strong, convincing characters without always resorting to the action adventure toolbox of fast cars and explosions. The goal is to keep the audience in a state of heightened tension where the hard and fast rule is to keep jacking up that tension! The session will focus on how to do just this: create a strong enough threat for the protagonist to be in severe danger; create a convincing world that is both recognisable and yet strange enough to contribute to the protagonist's fear and build the story satisfactorily to a conclusion where the world is once more returned to order.
This session is taught by Angeli MacFarlane , a freelance script developer who recently worked on Emmy award-winning Death of a President and is currently working with writer/director Gabriel Range on a feature thriller.
The workshop takes place at BFI Southbank and runs from 10am - 5pm. The cost of attending this one-day workshop is £120 + VAT (total £141). Script Factory Members are eligible for a 10% discount, making the Members’ fee £108 + VAT (total £126.90).
Places are strictly limited to 20 participants, so please book early to avoid disappointment. To book by credit/debit card please call us on 020 7851 4890.
COURSE OUTLINE
10.00 - 11.15: Session 1 - Introduction
This session covers the basic tenets of thriller writing:
- setting up and meeting expectations
- creating jeopardy
- structuring suspense
- delivering a grand finale
11.15 - 11.30: Break
11.30 - 13.00: Session 2 - Revenge
Thrillers depend on an imbalance or injustice in the world. We will examine how to create a compelling motivation for both protagonist and antagonist in order to drive the drama in this genre.
13.00 - 14.00: Lunch break
14.00 - 15.30: Session 3 - Justice
Putting the world to rights. This session considers the world of the protagonist and how he/she is often driven by a need to redress an imbalance that they percieve in that world.
15.30 - 15.45: break
15.45 - 17.00: Session 4 - Rules
Making and breaking. This session will consider examples of thrillers that show exactly how to do it and examples of thrillers that blatantly do it differently.
COURSE PREPARATION
Prior to attending this course it would be helpful if all participants have viewed the following films:
Harry He's Here to Help (2000) dir. Dominik Moll
The Insider (1999) dir. Michael Mann
Collateral (2004) dir. Michael Mann
Witness (1985) dir. Peter Weir
For details on the complete Genre Season programme please click here.