Introduction to Screenwriting

Introduction to Screenwriting Weekend

Screenwriting weekend is an introductory course for people either planning their first screenplay or hoping to brush up on their writing skills. It arms you with the concepts and practices you need to be aware of before diving in. Ideas generation, theme, plot, tone, character, dialogue, formatting are just some of the issues touched on in this introduction to the craft.

Why do this course?

• Help you develop an understanding of the basics of the craft and art of screenwriting.
• Gives you everything you need to start writing your first script.
• Helps you to understand – “What makes a good script”!
• Will encourage you to develop a critical self awareness, and an enquiring, analytical and creative approach to your work.
• Gives you a framework to develop your screenwriting practice.
  

Who is this aimed at?

This course is aimed at writers who want to learn the art of screenwriting or filmmakers who want to develop their writing skills. If you haven’t done any creative writing whatsoever (whether amateur or professional), or don’t have any film-making skills, then you are unlikely to be able fully benefit from this course. (See below for what you can do next).

The Tutor

Jon Spira graduated from the Scottish Film School in Edinburgh in 1999 and went on to spend several years working as a jobbing screenwriter. He was a staff writer on cult Canadian sci-fi show LEXX and went on to write various shows for Thames TV and the BBC. He has written feature film scripts for Manga Live, Palm Pictures and a multitude of shady independent producers. He has taught Screenwriting at Film Oxford for over 10 years. He owns an independent DVD label and a production company. Anyone Can Play Guitar (directed by Jon Spira) was released on 4th October 2011 www.acpgthemovie.com/

Dates: Weekend 23rd & 24th June 2012, 10am-4pm

£99 (includes10 per cent early booking discount if booked by 9th June 2012 – EU citizens)

£110 Subsidised rate for EU citizens

£160 Full price for non-EU citizens. (Non-Eu citizens with indefinite leave to remain can pay subsidised rate – proof required.)

£60 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

 photo Damian Cugley

Tutor: Jon Spira

Jon interviewed in Oxford Mail

Comments

Madeleine – Good outline of all major issues. Really great teaching, honest and engaging

Jane – Jon’s teaching is very good and polished. His style and interaction is very good.

Stephen – The information given was very clear and very easy to understand. The knowledge I have gained is massive. OFVM is a fantastic place and the resources they offer and support is legendary

Saturday 10am-4pm

Introduction to the course and other course participants

Developing ideas:

• What is a screen idea?
• Create a framework for developing idea?
• Develop ideas from different sources.

Themes:

• Clarify the concept of Theme.

• What are the common themes to all screenplays?

Stories, Plots & Narratives:

• Defining the story as distinct from plot and narrative
• Story types
• Uses of story to structure a narrative
• Dramatic forms

Tone:

• The presence of different tones at different levels within a narrative
• Use of tone for engaging an audience

Genre

• What is Genre and how does it work for an audience?
• Define key genre in film and TV
• Different issues with genre and how to use them?

Formatting your script

• The importance of professional formatting
• Software options (including some free ones)
• Different industry demands.

Sunday 10am – 4pm

Characters & Characterisation:

• The concept of Character development
• The concept of Characterisation
• The Character Arc
• How do you develop your characters?

Visual Style

• Identify different visual styles
• The Directors Style and the writer’s style!
• How to use visual style in your own writing

Plots & active questions

• Define an active question and how to use it?
• Identify active questions within scenes and sequences
• The three act structure

Dialogue

• Identifying the main uses and functions of dialogue in screenplay or film?
• Dialogue dos and don’ts.
• How to review your dialogue with a view to the rewrite

Where next?

• Opportunities for further development!
• The Advanced Screenwriting Course.
• Film Oxford Script reading service

Throughout the course you will be able to ask questions.

What can I do next?

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.

Only students of this or previous Introduction to Screenwriting Courses can take the Advanced Screenwriting course.

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)

 Oxford Film + Video Makers is a registered charity No:1041014