Script_1 Update - 19/06/09
On Staurday 13th June 2009 at the office of The GMG the workshop for this years' Script_1 took place. From 9.00am to 5.00pm David Pearson took the finalists through an extensive pitching and development workshop with the end result being the information and know how to turn their one-page ideas into a ten page/minute script. Those scripts, once complete, will then be judged on the run up to the Festival with the winner of the best script receiving a prize.
This is what one of the Finalists, Mark Mitchell, had to say about the workshop day..
"Besides the general loveliness of being surrounded by writers for a day, invaluable information about the development process and the world of short film making was conveyed.
"I found the pitching sessions to be extremely useful, as they forced me to look constructively at the numerous weak areas in my story and in my pitching technique. I was also shown the importance in short scripts of creating a single, simple story. Without the workshop my script would undoubtedly have been over complicated.
"A well organised day, friendly people and solid advice from people in the know. I can't recommend it enough." - Mark Mitchell, Script_1 2009 Finalist.
2008 Finalist S. Edwards is similarly enthusiastic about the benefits of the Script_1 scheme....
"I learned a great deal from the Script 1 workshop, especially the importance of structure and keeping the lead character under pressure.I loved getting my award from Mike Leigh. He's a legend and a monolith of English cinema.
I'm currently on a screenwriting course at the New Producers Alliance and am writing my first feature. Winning this award has given me a much needed nudge of encouragment after three years of learning the craft, and hard work."
Script_1 finalist of 2008 Carol Sheppard had the following to say:
"I think the Script 1 screenwriting competition was a fantastic opportunity for people living in Gloucestershire. Sometimes we feel that the film industry forgets us writers in "the sticks". It was great to attend the workshop and meet industry professionals and also likeminded screenwriters and it was certainly an honour to meet and receive my prize from Mike Leigh. I will be continuing my screenwriting - so here's to the next competition!"
Any queries about this years, or even next years' competition please contact Cathie Beloe either by email, cathi@screenwritersfestival.com, or by post, Screenwriters’ Festival, Unit 24c, Daniels Ind. Estate, Bath Road, Stroud, GL5 3TJ.