Over the three days of the festival we are providing over seventy five individual events, each crammed with insight, information and inspiration for professional writers. Broadly, about 25% of sessions are aimed at emerging talent; the remaining 75% targeted at established writers.
The London Screenwriters Festival in association with the Wellcome Trust present the “Inspired by Science” Treatment Award – Short List To Be Announced Imminently! |
INSPIRED BY SCIENCE
MEET THE COMMISSIONERSMost writers start with a great idea and finish with a great but hard to sell script. Why not find out what the commissioners are looking for before you start writing something they're not interested in? Hear straight from the horses mouths what the commissioners want in this unmissable seminar with Ben Stephenson and Gub Neal. Read more... |
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SHOULD YOU PRODUCE?
Why do all the work then hand over your script for a pittance to someone who’ll probably stuff it up? Why not produce or co-produce yourself and make the movie you actually wrote? Read More... |
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NETWORKING THE ROOM
It’s not just about being in the right place at the right time, you’ve got to know what to do and say once you’re there. Learn keys skills to help you network your way to success. Read More... |
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SHOULD I WRITE A SPEC SCRIPT?Could you write a $100m blockbuster? Why confine your self to small ideas and modest commissions when there is a whole world of possibilities in the spec script market? Read More... |
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ACTORS AND THE SCRIPTThe right cast can make or break your movie. Get an actor’s insight into how they read scripts and what will make them choose to play your characters. |
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WHY 98% OF SCRIPTS GET REJECTED
Hear from the Commissioning Execs and Heads of Development exactly why 98% of the scripts that land on their desks are rejected and what you need to do to become one of the chosen 2%. Read More... |
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NOTES FROM THE PRODUCERAn insightful and enlightening look at how to diplomatically and efficiently deal with what is often the writer's worst nightmare....the notes from the producer! Read More... |
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SELF AGENTING
Do you really need an agent in 2010 or should (and could) you be cutting those deals yourself? Exactly how can YOU do it? With literary agent Julian Friedmann. Read More... |
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THE WRITERS’ GUILD
Meet the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain. Read More... |
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WRITING FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES: FROM THE FAMOUS FIVE TO SKINSIn film, TV and other media, writing for kids can be an enormous opportunity for writers; but it is still a genre that tends to be overlooked by many. This workshop will explore the reasons why this is still a hugely rewarding and lucrative market for any writer. Read More... |
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EDITING AND THE SCRIPT
Discover how your words transform in the cutting room as the editor reshapes your story. Gain key insights into how and why stories and characters evolve in the edit. Read More... |
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WRITING COMEDY
Some seriously funny people sit down on a panel together to share their experiences and insights into successfully writing for a notoriously difficult genre. Read More... |
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WRITING SOAPSYou need look no further than Albert Square or Coronation Street for some of the most dramatic and compelling drama on British TV. Learn how to break into the world of soaps and have your work viewed by upward of 20m viewers per week. Read More... |
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WRITING CRIMESome of the most memorable characters in British TV have emerged from the crime genre. Do you have a an Inspector Morse or a Jane Tennison in you? Read More... |
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MEET THE GATEKEEPERS
Before your script gets anywhere near anyone important it has to get past the ‘gatekeepers’. Who are they? What do they do? And why it’s absolutely essential that you get to know them. Read More... |
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MEET BBC WRITERSROOM
The springboard for emerging talent in the UK is BBC Writersroom. Meet the team who run it. Read More... |
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HOW YOUR IDEA SELLS...THE TRUTH!You may have a beautifully written script but if you don’t know your audience it will never get made. Learn how to identify and write for your audience from the people whose job it is to sell it to them. Read more... |
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WRITING FOR THE USA AND EUROPEAN MARKETSJust because you're UK based doesn't mean you have to limit your writing to the UK market. There's a whole other writer's world out there full of opportunity and...paychecks! Why not explore it a little? Read More... |
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TIM BEVAN
Arguably the most successful UK Producer of his generation, Tim Bevan sits down for an in-depth conversation about his life in movies with Michael Gubbins (ex-Screen International). Read More... |
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BARRIE KEEFFE
Accomplished and acclaimed playwright Barrie Keeffe sits down to discuss, amongst other things, his experiences writing one of the top ten British movies of all time – THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY. Read More... |
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TONY JORDAN AND NICOLA SHINDLEREx-market stall holder turned TV writing legend Tony Jordan sits down with multi award winning TV Producer Nicola Shindler to discuss his vast and impressive career writing for and creating some of the most iconic British TV series of all time. Read More... |
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MICHAEL BASSETT AND DEAN CRAIG: WRITING FOR HOLLYWOODJoin these two big hitting British talents as they sit down for a candid and informal chat over coffee to share their experiences and insights into being a successful working writer within the Hollywood machine. Read More... |
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L.A. PLAYERSInformation forthcoming. |
50 WAYS INTO THE BUSINESS
There are many paths to the summit of a mountain; hear are 50 tried and tested strategies and methods to find your route from our panel of veterans. Read More... |
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BECOMING A GREAT PITCHERYou know your idea is great and you know the big meeting is coming up… you’ve come so far… now all you need to know is how to pitch your film so that people get it, love it and want it. Read More... |
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YOUR SCRIPT FROM GOOD TO GREAT
We know your script is already terrific but it can always be better. This workshop is crammed with tips, tricks, strategies and insights on how to make the next draft (because there will be one!) even better. Read More... |
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I HAVE A GREAT SCRIPT – NOW WHAT?
Effective strategies to open doors, create relationships and get your great work turned into a great production. Read More... |
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GETTING AN AGENT AND BEYOND
Attracting a powerful agent for many writers is the Holy Grail. How do you get one and what should you realistically be expecting from them once you do? Read More... |
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YOUR FIRST FILM ON A LOW BUDGETThe new wave of cost effective film making kits has democratized the film making process. But not every film can be made on a low budget. Write it right and you’ll be in production by the end of the year. Write it wrong and….! Learn how to write it right. Read More... |
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PITCHFEST – LIVE AMMO
Your chance to pitch your movie to a panel of top British film executives. These are the people who buy scripts and decide what gets made and what doesn’t. You have two minutes to convince the panelists to read your script or make your film. But be prepared because they will gong you off if you're not cutting the mustard! Read More... |
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SPEED PITCHINGA once in a lifetime opportunity to meet and chat with powerful agents and active producers, the people who have the power to make your projects happen. Sign up and we guarantee you three invaluable ‘speed date' meetings. Book your place now! |
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OFF THE PAGE - TABLE READYou’ve been living with your script in your head and on the page, but how will it actually work in the real world? Bring your script to life by submitting it to be performed by real actors in front of live audiences.The ultimate Table Read! Read more... |
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SCRIPT CHAT
After each main stage event our speakers will be taking time out to engage with delegates. Get intimate face-to-face time and probe our speakers with the questions you want answered. Read More... |
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EUROSCRIPT
Getting great feedback is essential to any writer, and at the festival, Euroscript will read your script and give you world class feedback in one-on-one sessions. Read more and Book now! |
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ACCOUNTS CLINIC
Did you know that the price of attending this Festival is tax deductible? Get more tips like this that could save you a stack of cash. Read More... |
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NEGOTIATING SKILLS
Why bust a gut for years only to get cut out of the big deal simply because you’re up against a professional negotiator? Learn their skills so you know when they’re being used on you so you can give back as good as you get. Read More... |
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HOW DO I SUSTAIN MYSELF?
The number one reason most Writers fail is because they are unable to sustain themselves on low (or no) pay, spec scripts and enormous gaps between big pay days. Learn proven strategies and tactics to help ensure your survival. Read More... |
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HOW DO YOU WRITE FOR A DIGITAL WORLD?Screenwriting guru Phil Parker brings an exclusive session to the London Screenwriters' Festival. Read More... |
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NO TEMPLATE, NO FORMULA SCREENWRITING?
Like Dr Frankenstein, Syd Field and Christopher Vogler created a monster. Their intentions were good but their their creations have run amok. These templates and formulas were supposed to be your servants, not your master. This workshop which will teach you how to let your story decide what shape it wants to take. Read More... |
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COULD YOUR STORY USE A NON-LINEAR STRUCTURE?
A world class workshop with Linda Aronson as she walks you through structuring non-linear, time jump and multiple protagonist screenplays. Read More... |
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THE CREATIVE SCREENWRITER: USING EXERCISES TO EXPAND YOUR CRAFTCraig Batty brings his lively and interactive workshop to The London Screenwriters' Festival. Read More... |
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THE WRITER'S VOICEKeith Cunningham hosts an invaluable seminar for any writer who has suffered at the hands of a 'Block'. And by any writer we mean pretty much all writers at one time or another. Read More... |
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SELF MARKETING – WHY WRITERS NEED PRWe know the writer’s job is to write but we also know that an increasingly large part of the business is marketing and promoting the brand of ‘self’. So how digitally distinct are you? Check here at: http://www.onlineidcalculator.com |
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SOCIAL MEDIA FOR WRITERS - PRE-FESTIVAL WORKSHOPIf you’re not blogging, using Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter already, we’ll show you how to utilize these and other social media platforms to further your career. Read More... |
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FINDING THE FEMALE CHARACTER'S VOICEHelen Jacey, in association with 'Women in Film and Television', heads up this enlightening seminar in which writers will learn (amongst many other things) some innovative new models for creating vibrant and stimulating female characters. Read More... |
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HOW TO HAVE A FAMILY AND BE A WRITERMedia Parents lead what is sure to be a lively, informative and impassioned panel discussion based around this dynamic topic which is more relevant today than ever. Read More... |
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DOCUMENTARIES
Writing a documentary is unlike any other story telling medium, requiring tight integration with the team as the story evolves and unfolds during the shooting process. Learn essential tips, tricks and techniques from experts who’ve been there and done it successfully. Read More... |
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SHORT FILMSExperience first hand the inspirational story of creating an Oscar shortlisted short film from conception through to final edit. Chris Jones, Director and Author of the best selling Guerilla Film Making Handbooks will walk you step-by-step through the process that could take you up the red carpet and end with you “…thanking the Academy”. |
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WRITING FOR GAMESTen years ago the idea of writing for video games would have been looked down upon. Now the games universe is rich in ideas, challenges and deep pockets. Have you considered taking a slice of this lucrative pie? |
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WRITING A STAGE PLAY TO BREAK INTO THE BUSINESSGetting your work produced is always tough but the sheer economics of theatre makes it an attractive proposition… |
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COPYWRITINGEarn big $$$ from your writing. |
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TRANSMEDIA FOR STORYTELLING
NETWORKING BREAKFAST
What better thing to do over bacon and eggs every morning than mix and mingle with likeminded writers, agents and producers and important people just like you… hungry!? Read More... |
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PAUSE TO REFLECT
Before you hit the bar at the end of the day, join our inspirational speakers as we de-brief the extraordinary lessons learned and re-focus on what’s most important – a great story well told. Read More... |
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SUPERSHORTS FILM FESTIVAL
Join the hottest new writing and film making talent every night as we relax into an evening of amazing short films from around the world. Read More... |
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THE GREAT DEBATETHE GREAT DEBATE will tackle the big issues of both the creative and business aspects of writing in a live radio format based around the premise of Radio Four’s legendary ‘Moral Maze’ show. Read More... |
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NETWORKING DRINKS
If you think our Speakers are great, wait till you meet our delegates! Network with over 300 professional writers who are just like you – bursting with ideas, stories and in need of a much deserved drink! Read More... |
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HOUR OF POWER
If breakfast is the most important meal of the day, this is the most important hour after it! Join our inspirational speakers every morning to focus on getting what you really want out of the next 12 hrs ahead. Read More... |
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Workshop/Speaker disclaimer: London Screenwriters' Festival sets to secure agreements from each speaker and workshop leader prior to announcing their involvement and commitment to appear. However, one or more speakers may be unable to appear or may not arrive at their scheduled time for any number of reasons. The Festival cannot be responsible if a speaker does not appear as scheduled. Additionally, London Screenwriters' Festival sessions and workshops may be cancelled or rescheduled at any time; and the London Screenwriters' Festival retains the right to change the content of any session at any time.
