• Creating and animating vivid and memorable characters – and how best to make them jump to life in a scene. (Day 1)
• Using subtext in dialogue. We will explain how dialogue really works, and take you through classic scenes from movie and television to illustrate what we mean. (Day 1)
• Making the most of your connections to grow your network and build your career. It’s a simple fact – people like to work with people they know. We’ll teach you about the mindset you’ll need, tricks and techniques to break the ice and make contact, the tools you should have to keep track of who’s who, and the regular procedures you should be following to make sure the doors start opening to you. (Day 2)
• Writing a one page pitch document. These days I get more and more requests for single page pitches for ideas. It seems like no-one reads scripts any more. Luckily I’m pretty good at this – and that’s because it’s a writing form all on its own, very different to writing a script. We can show you how to do it. (Day 2)
• Entwining character and structure in a fully dramatic braid to maximise the potential of your story. (Forget the old argument over which is most important – we believe they are inseparable, and will show you why – and how you can get the best out of that knowledge.) (Day 1)
• Avoiding wasting your time working on projects that stand no chance of being commissioned. A top London agent gives you the latest on the state of the market in the UK – first hand information on what’s in demand this summer, plus what lights up producers in general – and what you can do about it. (Day 2)
• Creating an elevator pitch that hits home. You can sell an idea in a couple of minutes if you know what you are doing – but most writers panic when this chance arrives. We’ll teach you some practical techniques for maximising your chances next time you run into someone powerful in a queue for coffee. (Day 2)
• Outmanoeuvring a commissioning editor before they even start reading. Philip Shelley will tell you exactly what made him hire three separate writers – and what you take away from that for your own projects. (Day 2)

• BONUS 1: BONUS REPORT: Our Special Short Report ‘Top Tips About How To Present Your Script’, written by Phil Shelley
• BONUS 2: BONUS HANDOUTS: Well over 50 pages of course handouts, in a strong, permanent binder. These are handouts specially chosen or written to compliment the sessions in the workshop, but we think they’re strong enough to provide extra value and study for a long time after the workshop.
• BONUS 3: Lifetime Membership of the private Screenwriters Studio Facebook Group. Use this to keep in touch with us, and the other delegates, and meet the delegates from the last workshop. Over time we think this is a great way for you to start building your own mastermind group.

Testimonials from July 2011

‘When I signed up to attend… the first double bill of Phil & Phil, I was excited and scared. As an over 55 new entry not only to the country but also to the craft, I spent a fifth of my monthly income, and thereafter a good deal of time worrying about ‘will I manage and if so how’. So much so, that I almost cancelled my participation. I should never, ever have worried: The atmosphere created by Philip Shelley and Phil Gladwin was so obviously based on their genuine desire to share their knowledge in the most accessible manner that I left my fear at the door of the church hall…I could immediately concentrate on absorption and focus – practical exercises from the moment of first introductions brought the group together and sparked creativity. One of my favorite tasks was the walk-about town to pick up …well I’m not telling. There were however also enough printed hand-outs… to give me the feeling of ‘taking something away’. Philip and Phil were generous and relaxed in sharing their experiences, the time spent was full of practical advice, the material available almost bursting out of the seams of time. The absence of posturing, one-up-man-ship and name dropping was refreshing. I look forward to the next workshop and hope to be able to attend.’Cornelia Bullen-Smith, UK

‘I am just over the moon to have been part of this two day seminar. For me it was the first time I encountered such a bunch of warm, open and generous people without any hidden agenda, which is quite a contrast to all the sharks and know- it- all’s I have met before. I have made some contacts that could well turn my life in another direction… I would especially like to thank the two Phils. They were very well prepared and handed out some very interesting information and exercises, not only on screenwriting itself but also on how you should behave in life if you want to be succesful. This is not something a lot people would have done. To be continued!’Luk Simoens, Belgium

‘Thanks once again for the very helpful advice and wisdom you dispensed to us poor hopefuls last weekend. It really was just what I needed at the moment, not least because in the last few days I’ve been given a shot at pitching an idea to a production company. I hope to take what I learned and really put it to the best use possible.’Jill O’Halloran, UK

‘Got home yesterday evening, slumped in front of the telly, watched New Tricks, thought “I can do better than that”, and started to plan out an episode… Long queue in the bank this morning, passed the time inventing characters for everyone in the queue… So the weekend definitely worked for me – just the kick up the arse I needed. And huge fun! So big thanks to everyone, but especially Phil and Phil.’Caroline Harrington, UK

‘I really got a lot from the course and was so grateful to you both for your inspiration, generosity and encouragement… In the past I’ve done an MA in Film and Drama at Reading University, studied Script Development at NFTS and attended Writernet courses in Script Editing and Continuing Drama, they were all excellent, but I have to say, I really connected with your philosophy and style and felt that you helped me to understand some things really for the first time.’Mandy Constance, UK

‘Finally landed in California to a good night’s sleep since I don’t know when. So jazzed by London and you guys, I hadn’t realized that I even needed sleep! I now find myself with a renewed sense of purpose and a more positive outlook on life. Your efforts have paid off for me, and I am grateful to you all… This course allowed me to gauge where I fit in among real writers, because real writers with real stories and real talent were there. We encouraged each other, found that other people can be creative in ways other than our own, and discovered that our own perspectives really do benefit other writers. Here await in person, ladies and gentlemen, the insiders willing to actually take us inside, to teach us the standards necessary for our successes. They have foiled the villain and lived to tell us the tale.’Terry Smith, USA