IN ASSOCIATION WITH MOVIESCOPE MAGAZINE
Want To Be A Script Reader? Script readers sometimes get a bad rap, especially on the 'net, but there's no denying there is a certain appeal for some: one of my most search-for terms on my blog is "How To Be A Script Reader". As a freelancer, you can set your own hours, create time for your own writing and spend all your working life enmeshed within what you love the most: stories, all day, every day!
Don't Want To Be A Script Reader? This course is still for you. As writers we've all had a report or feedback from a peer where we think that person who's read our script *just doesn't get it*. Sometimes we will be justified; others times it us who's wrong. But how can we know, with confidence, which is which? Understanding how Script Readers view scripts, what they are asked to comment on and how is a great tool for developing our writing.
This Course Covers:
- What screen agencies and funding initiatives might expect of writers' scripts
- The realities of a script reader's daily life
- How to write a synopsis for official reports
- How to "mark" scripts when there is official criteria (such as contests)
- PASS, CONSIDER, RECOMMEND - how do script readers decide?
- A note on agents and what their assistant may be asked to look for
- How personal prejudices CAN affect a script's reception - without us knowing it
- Knowing your boundaries - how to offer feedback to friends and colleagues without falling out
- Why readers use The Three Acts
- How to use The Three Acts to ensure our structure doesn't go awry
- How Characters can jump off the page - and why so often they don't
- "The same... But different": what does this mean to script readers?
- Why a Writer's Voice is so important
- Dealing with bad feedback and knowing when to let go
This course will help those who want to be readers, but also writers who want to understand and give better feedback themselves to their peers.
DETAILS
The cost of the course is just £65. This includes all course materials, refreshments and a light lunch.
The course will comprise of a day's class in a Bournemouth location [tbc] in the South West of the UK. The class participants will then write informal feedback and an official reader's report on a chosen UNPRODUCED, SPEC script by a given deadline and submitted via email to me. I will then give feedback on your feedback! :)
Networking is encouraged at the class - please feel free to bring your business cards.
DATE
The date of the class is Saturday, September 19th 2009. Please click here to send your expression of interest and/or to arrange payment.
PAYMENT
Current Subscribers to Moviescope magazine, or my followers/friends [listed on my blog, Twitter, or Facebook] are welcome to 10% off the course price, making it just £58.50.
Payments via cheque, postal order or Paypal are welcomed, but unfortunately magic beans are not! ; )
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ABOUT LUCY:
Lucy has been a script reader for seven years, reading for the likes of Scottish Screen, Premiere Picture, Silverleaf Pictures, Brand New Films, TAPs, literary agents and many more. She estimates she's read close to ten thousand scripts and given hundreds of reports, not only to screenwriters, but novelists too. As a script editor she has been involved in the Triad gangster thriller Act of Grace, starring Leo Gregory and Jody Latham and the dark, neo-noir The Serpent's Principle, packaging now.
As a writer, Lucy has written for magazines (print and online), newspapers, CD-Roms, virals, website copy, prospectuses, text message alerts and games and toys. She recently signed an option with January Films on her horror/satire THE PLAYHOUSE, slated for production in 2010 and has several projects in development with other indie filmmakers including Touch Films.
LOCATION, ACCOMMODATION & TRAVEL:
Though Bournemouth is known for having a large elderly population, it is actually a very multicultural town, with many Polish, Chinese, Turkish and Algerian residents. The university means there is a large student population too and many bars and clubs in the town centre open very late into the night. There is also a pleasant beach and seafront and many local attractions, so if you are travelling into Bournemouth for the course, it can form part of a great weekend away should you choose.
In terms of accommodation, Bournemouth has a Travelodge, an Innkeeper's Lodge, several Premier Inns and many, many B&Bs. Check out Yell.com and/or email me for advice should you need it.
Bournemouth has great train and road links from London and most areas of the UK except the Westcounty. Those travelling from Devon, Cornwall, etc are advised to travel by coach - The National Express from Exeter to Bournemouth takes just two hours. Those wanting to fly to Bournemouth from Scotland, Ireland etc are advised Bournemouth has a small airport, but it is Southampton that serves the likes of Edinburgh to Bournemouth the best; Southampton itself is just half an hour away on the train. Though Bristol and its airport might LOOK close on a map, the train link is very poor. You have been warned!
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
THE SMALL PRINT: Please note the course must have ten paying attendees in which to run. In the event of the course's cancellation for that or any other reason, all monies will of course be returned to would-be attendees. If you end up in the hotel from Hell, it's not my fault, I live in the town, so I've never tried any of them (arf). Bloggers and Tweeters extremely welcome: take all the notes you want to put up online from the course itself, but please don't directly reproduce the actual course materials online. Your co-operation is appreciated: I DON'T want to have to kill anyone, if only for the reason there's hardly any room *left* under my patio! Many thanks and be great to meet/see you again in September.