Advanced Screenwriting
A bespoke discussion-based follow-up to the Introduction to Screenwriting Course in which individual attention is given to developing each participants project from concept to finished script. The course itself will span 7 class sessions, culminating in an individual tutorial in week 8 or 9. It is strictly for graduates of the Introduction course and is homework-intensive. Students will be expected to have internet access, meet deadlines and set aside a little time each week to read other students work.
Students can choose the projects they want to develop but should be aware that given the scheduling of the course, and the fact each student will read the others students drafts each week, it would be impractical to submit more than around 15 pages. (This could however be part of a longer piece, eg. a scene or several scenes).
Students must have completed Film Oxfords Introduction to Screenwriting weekend course.
Tutor Jon Spira
IMPORTANT!
This is a bespoke course for people who have completed the Introduction to Screenwriting course only. It will be run when we have 5 or 6 students who want to do it. It will run on Monday evenings 7pm-9pm. We plan to run one starting in MAY 2012. Please email office@filmoxford.org if you are serious about doing this course. We will run this course as demand dictates. (Due to the very small numbers on this course we can only accept on benefit place and this will be on a first-come-first-served basis).
As students will be reading and commenting on each other work, students should have be English as their first language or be very fluent in spoken and written English.
Note: Max 6 students
£252 Subsidised rate for UK resident EU citizens
£300 Full price for non-EU citizens and non-resident EU citizens. (Non-Eu citizens with indefinite leave to remain can pay subsidised rate – proof required.)
£140 – includes 50% discount for people on benefits, proof required, (income support, JSA, Housing Benefit, Council tax benefit, pension credit (guarantee), asylum seeker, unwaged dependent of someone on these benefits (note: because the class is so small it is uneconomic to have more than one benefit place so please email before booking)
Course Runs Monday evenings 7pm – 9pm
We are planning to run this course in May 2012. You can only do this course if you have undertaken the intro course. Please email the office for details office@filmoxford.org
WEEK 1: All students will bring with them a list of 10 premises. The lists will be scrutinised by the group until each person has chosen 2 solid ideas. Homework: A one page outline will be completed for each of the 2 selected ideas.
WEEK 2: Outline workshop. The group will discuss each others outlines and help each other decide which outlines will be selected to develop and how they can be improved. Homework: Write final one page outline.
WEEK 3 : Narrative structure/Characterisation. We will discuss the best ways of bringing these ideas to life and how best to plot the script and create sympathetic characters. Homework: Write a full treatment for the script, detailing full narrative structure.
WEEK 4: Treatment workshop. How successful are the proposed narratives? How well paced and effective can they be? What issues arise? Homework: Write final draft treatment.
WEEK 5: Preparing to script. Issues of tone and writing style and any worries or questions students might have will be addressed. Homework: Write first draft of script.
WEEK 6: First draft workshop. What went right, what went wrong? How can it be sorted out? Homework: write second draft of script.
WEEK 7: The read-through. A group of actors will conduct a read-through of the second draft scripts. This will highlight successes and problems. Homework: write final draft of script which will be marked by Jon.
WEEK 8: One-on-One hour-long sessions with Jon to discuss the scripts, the reports or any aspect of screenwriting or future careers the student wishes. (Note: It may not be possible to complete all the one-to-ones in one evening in that case some may happen the following day (Tuesday) or the following week, Jon will keep you informed).
Maximum of 6 students
What can I do next?
Script reading service by Jon Spira. Honest constructive report on your short, feature or TV drama. Send your script to us at our main email address and Jon will read it in full and give feedback. We’ll tell you in detail what’s working, what’s not working, and advice on how to solve those problems. You will also be able to discuss our feedback directly with Jon. Email word doc or PDF to us and we’ll contact you re payment. (Normally 4-5 week turnaround)
£285 More than 60 pages/Feature (3000 word report)
£225 Less than 60 page drama (3000 word report)
£65 Short (up to 20 pages – 1000 word report)
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