Training
Screenwriting Courses/Script Writing Courses
“The Authoritative Guide to Writing (and Selling!) a Great Screenplay”
Weekend workshops in Belfast, Cardiff and Norwich…
Read on for all the details, check the testimonials in the right hand column to find out what people thought so far, and check out our special guests.
TOUR DATES
Belfast – Sat/Sun 24-25 March
Cardiff – Sat/Sun 21-22 April
Norwich – Sat/Sun 19-20 May
HOT NEWS Re. Special Guests!
VANESSA HAYNES, Ex. Development Producer at Kudos NI and TERRY CAFOLLA, lead writer on “Law and Order:UK”, for Belfast in March.
Don’t miss out. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to sign up for the workshop near you now!
What Are These Workshops Like?
We think it’s always best to get you up and trying stuff out for yourselves. So we combine a mix of lectures and more dynamic sessions during which you get active with methods and techniques you may never have thought of attempting before. After two days with us you’re going to come away with fully professional strategies for:
- 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 there are more and more requests for single page pitches for ideas. It seems like no-one reads scripts any more. Luckily we’re 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. Each weekend has its own special guest(s) (see below) who are hand picked to be absolutely current, working industry professionals of a certain stature, who are best placed to give you the latest on the state of the market in the UK – first hand information on what’s in demand this winter, 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)
So Who Are We?
I’m Phil Gladwin, founder of Screenwriting Goldmine. I’ve worked in script development in UK TV for well over fifteen years now, and worked as both a writer and an editor.
I’m proud to be running this joint project with Philip Shelley, a vastly experienced script executive and trainer, and proprietor of Script-Consultant.co.uk. I’ll hand you over to him for a moment so he can tell you all about us:
“If I’m being immodest I think that we, the two Phils, stand out amongst UK-based screenwriting consultants because of the sheer depth and quality of our combined experience.Phil Gladwin first worked as a script editor for five years, and then, for the last decade or more as a writer, working on a range of UK TV shows, including The Bill, Trial & Retribution, Casualty & The Sarah-Jane Adventures.I, Phil Shelley, have a great deal of experience as a script editor for many of the UK’s leading broadcast companies. I was Head of Development at Carlton TV for seven years, and I’ve edited on some pretty well known shows, including Waking The Dead, Inspector Morse, and the Railway Children, as well as producing two high profile shows. (Making Waves and Margery and Gladys).I’ve also got a lot of experience as a trainer. I’ve lead the BBC Academy script-editing courses for the last decade; and I initiated and led the first Channel 4 screenwriting course for 2011, and am leading the second in 2012.We’ve both learned so much from the experience of working on so many scripts – and seeing them from initial idea through the writing process, production, post-production and public response. We believe this weight of experience on a huge range of successful, British-made drama and comedy gives us a significant advantage over other screenwriting consultants and trainers.”
Couldn’t have put it better myself, Phil!
Places Are Strictly Limited at 20!
We have a strict limit on the number of delegates, because we want to make sure these are personal, in-depth seminars where you can get your questions answered and find out what you need to know without the sense of getting lost in the crowd.
That does mean that the early bird catches the workshop! If you want to come I strongly recommend you book your place now to make sure you don’t miss out.
Once you register we’ll send you a delegate’s pack with full details of the course, membership of a special private Screenwriters Studio Facebook group that will continue indefinitely, and some great extra bonuses detailed below.
The workshops are going to take place as follows:
BELFAST
Dates: Saturday-Sunday, 24-25 March 2012
Venue: Jurys Inn, Great Victoria Street, Belfast BT2 7AP
Special Guests: Vanessa Haynes, (Ex-Development Producer, Kudos NI), and Terry Cafolla (Lead writer Law and Order:UK).
CARDIFF
Dates: Saturday-Sunday, 21-22 April 2012
Venue: TBC
Special Guests: TBC
NORWICH
Dates: Saturday-Sunday, 19-20 May 2012
Venue: TBC
Special Guests: TBC
Schedule
Each workshop will run from 10.00am to 5.30pm on Saturday, and 10.00am to 5.30pm on Sunday. The cost of the workshop covers both days. We’ll also both be available in a nearby pub for an hour or so afterwards for a chat. We email out a more detail schedule nearer the day of the event.
Shameless Appeal to Your Bonus Hunting Nature!
We think these screenwriting workshops are very powerful, and we know they are going to dramatically improve your writing, and your ability to market yourself and your writing (or get you off to a huge head start if you are new to the whole idea of screenwriting), but we’re also strongly committed to the idea of giving you a lot for your money.
So, we’ve put together this set of bonuses to add just that extra lustre to the workshop.
- BONUS 1: BONUS REPORT: Our Special Short Report ‘Top Tips About How To Present Your Script’. (Written by Phil Shelley)
- BONUS 2: BONUS BOOK: The First Ten Delegates to register for each seminar will get a free screenwriting or filmmaking book.
- BONUS 3: BONUS HANDOUTS: Well over 70 pages of course handouts. These are handouts specially chosen or written to compliment the sessions in the workshop, but we think they’re good enough to provide extra value and study for a long time after the workshop.
- BONUS 4: 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.
So How Much Is It?
We think we’re offering an amazing experience here, and you should go away from the workshop energised, tuned up, and ready to charge ahead with your writing career. But we also want to make this workshop such outrageous value that it’s impossible to pass up.
So we are selling the entire package, the two day workshop, with over 15 solid hours of me and Philip Shelley giving as much as we can about writing, all our best answers to all your top questions, plus the three bonuses here, for only £249!
What’s more, if you book more than five weeks ahead of the event, you get an extremely very nice Early Bird Booking bonus that takes the price down to just £197!
Reserve your seat with all major credit/debit cards or Paypal:
TESTIMONIALS
‘I found the weekend to be a great help in identifying quick, efficient tools for producing story. It was also an excellent forum for learning how to pitch and a useful space in which to practise what we had learned. I made good contacts, received helpful feedback and left feeling energised and excited about my script work.’ Alan McDonald, Scotland, Nov 2011‘
The screenwriting business is incredibly competitive. It’s rare to meet anyone who is willing to say, with complete candour, ‘This works for me, why don’t YOU try it?’ This course offers not just one, but TWO highly respected industry professionals who are prepared to do this. Believe me, if you’re at all serious about getting on in the business, it’s an offer you shouldn’t refuse!’ Jan Smith, Scotland, Nov 2011
‘The combination of the Phils’ extensive knowledge and experience of the industry made for a refreshingly unpretentious and enormously helpful course. Two days of interesting sessions, focused firmly on practical, real techniques and strategies to improve script-writing skills and to develop and make the most of contacts to get the work out there. An ideas-packed weekend that gave me just the revitalising kick I needed. And Phil’s advice on how to follow-up contacts has already started to bear fruit!’ Linda Duncan McLaughlin, Glasgow, Nov 2011
‘It was a great event that offered up reams of ideas about how to turn the dreaded blank page into scores of ideas for scripts. It was wonderful to be able to pitch our significant ideas to a room full of talented writers and the two Phils, and the Q&A session with ex head of TVS Eric Coulter, and Kate Croft from Shed TV was worth the train fare and hotel costs alone. It was fabulous to touch base with other writers and start up new networks, and the Facebook group has already shown huge generosity in sharing opportunities.’ Sarah Wishart, England, Nov 2011
‘I have cerebral indigestion from the sheer amount of screen-writing information thrown at me over a packed two days. I left the course armed with some great new practical writing tools and renewed focus.Icing on the cake were the other course attendees who all really showed off the wealth and quality of “unknown” talent out there; and the two Phils who were thoroughly approachable and hugely knowledgeable. Highly recommended!’ Frank Arnot, Scotland, Nov 2011
‘It’s been a couple of weeks since I attended the two day course, and I’m still buzzing. An intense, but very friendly and open, two day workshop which covered subjects such as story structure, generating ideas and a very novel exercise in character creation, through to marketing yourself and your work. It was full of interactive tasks which were both interesting and thought provoking. As well as this, the course covered so much practical information that you’ll never find in the ‘how-to’ books, but which can only come from years of experience working within the business. Another advantage of the course being over two days, is that there is more time to get to know everyone, and what course wouldn’t be complete without a good chinwag in the bar afterward, where even more valuable tips and advice was traded over drinks? Highly recommended, so if you get the chance to attend one, grab it!’ Magz Wiseman, Scotland, Nov 2011
‘Just a note to say thank you for a brilliant weekend full of insight, revelations and things that I half knew, but wasn’t thinking deeply enough about. It’s the best kick-start scriptwriting workshop I’ve been to, full of eye-opening techniques that fired me up and got me writing furiously again. When writing, it’s easy to start in the wrong place both mentally and physically. The weekend was full of practical exercises that really have given me a fantastic starting point, the next time I sit down to write. Your session on making contacts was enlightening – I’m bad at small talk and not good at pushing myself forward but you made networking human and something to look forward too (if that doesn’t make me sound like some sort of robotic drone!) Everything you told us should be obvious, but it wasn’t until you said it! You’ve given me a new lease of life and I’ll definitely keep in touch. When I’ve written a treatment for The World’s Smallest Bank Robbery I’ll be asking for your services.’ Rebecca McFarland, Scotland, Nov 2011
‘The course provided a much-need insight into how the world of screen-writing works and of the level of structure you need in order to stand a chance of having your material produced… I enjoyed the sessions where we collaborated in groups and was amazed at the creativity of three or four people working together to a tight deadline. It was inspiring to hear what originality, humour, and sheer cleverness emerged from the whole group through this way of working… The two guest speakers oozed professionalism and were very engaging and clear in their delivery… I felt the course was value for money. It was a rare opportunity to meet two people like you who have been steeped in their craft and enjoyed a great deal of success, in other words, who know the score! You are also very personable and helped people relax which is hugely important.’ Hilde de Felice, Scotland, Nov 2011
‘I attended the workshop as a novelist increasingly interested in writing for screen and was unsure what to expect. What I got exceeded any expectations I might have had — two perfectly paced days of business and craft, information and insight, advice and inspiration, carefully planned and compellingly presented by a writer, an editor and an agent who have all walked the walk and know how to talk the talk. I left knowing an awful lot more than I knew 48 hours before and with a clear pathway to progress. I couldn’t have asked for more.’ Orna Ross, UK, Sept 2011
‘Having attended the Workshop in October I strongly urge anyone who hasn’t already to book a place immediately, you will not regret it. Phil and Phil are fantastic teachers and I found myself totally engrossed in the whole process, I really appreciate the time and effort they put into making the weekend so jam packed with useful information and fun tasks to participate in. I felt a lot more connected to screenwriting concepts that I had read time and time again in books but nothing compares with hands on experience. The topics I found most useful were pitching and networking, I feel much more at ease with both since the workshop. I came out buzzing with ideas not only on how to improve current projects I am working on, but also brand spanking new ones! Also I met some other great aspiring screenwriters and have stayed in touch with them too. I am so glad I bit the bullet and went on this course.’ Katerina Pritzakis, UK, Sept 2011
‘I left the two day course brimming with lots of great ideas, and a knowledge of how to push my stories forward. I feel the weekend was suited to the experience and the beginner alike. It is a great opportunity to discuss ideas with industry professionals and hone your pitching skills.’ Caron Stace, UK, Sept 2011
‘Can I just say how enjoyable and engaging I found the two day course. I came away with much more focus and direction in my writing, which i must say, was badly needed. It was honest, practical and friendly. I would recommend it to anyone with a serious interest in scriptwriting. To be be taught by industry professionals with a track record as opposed to theorists is invaluable, and rare.’ Steve Rehman, UK, Sept 2011
‘I recently attended the Screenwriting Goldmine Seminar in London and thoroughly enjoyed it. I’m a journalist who wants to write for tv and film and have previously studied for three years on scriptwriting courses at College and University and the odd screenwriting seminar up and down the country, but the Screenwriting Goldmine really showed the green light on things for me. The two Phils were brilliant in explaining everything like how pitching really works and how to bring to life characters that leap out at you off the page. It was thoroughly rewarding. The session with Julia Tyrrell Literary agent was also very illuminating. For anyone contemplating on going to the seminar or not, I’d say don’t contemplate, just go. It is more than worth it and you’ll learn so very, very much.’ Brenda Young. UK, Sept 2011
‘Any book can teach you the basic concept of ‘The Three Acts’ and a character’s ‘needs and wants’, but a book only has so many pages. Most of the guides I’ve read or lessons I’ve had teach the craft of screenwriting but have very little on the business side. The two Phil’s bring something to this course that is much more valuable than writing on a page – they interact with you and share their deep pool of wealth and knowledge. They cover all areas of the trade and in great depth, whether it is characterisation, structure, agents, networking, pitching or any little question you need answered. They don’t look down on you or treat you like you’re a student; instead they sit down with you and chat you through everything. You don’t feel pressured or like you’re in a regimental screenwriting camp where you’re just another face. They show you new ways to think that might not have occurred to you before. In the first two hours there were already so many ideas for scripts rolling around the room that you could fuel an entire day’s worth of programs on one channel. The life of a writer doesn’t mean you have to lock yourself in a room in front of a computer or paper – sometimes getting out there and interacting with like minded people gives you more drive than you can ever imagine. Well worth the money! Plus, any weekend where I get a free book and a pint is certainly a weekend worth doing.’ Ryan Cope, UK, Sept 2011
‘My writing has improved, my structure has improved, my pitching has improved. Many thanks, Phil & Phil!’ Paul Molloy, UK, Sept 2011
‘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. Practical exercises from the moment of first introductions brought the group together and sparked creativity. One of my favourite tasks was the walk-about town to pick up… well I’m not telling. 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, July 2011
‘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. To be continued!’ Luk Simoens, Belgium, July 2011
‘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, July 2011
‘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, July 2011
‘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, July 2011
‘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, July 2011
‘The weekend was oddly human, sensitive to the needs of those in the room. It felt as though Phil and Phil were revealing (showing not telling) how the system works in order to make the course feel more like a meeting than a series of rigid lectures. That they are both so active in the industry makes a huge difference. It worked well for me. It was simply a very good course. I recommend it.’ John Storey, UK, July 2011
‘For a new screenwriter such as myself the workshop was very well pitched: informative, encouraging and, at the same time, very helpfully realistic about the problems of successfully launching scripts. I think I especially warmed to the friendly atmosphere the two Phils created that allowed them to engage everyone in discussions and workshop activities that illustrated the points they wanted to make – points that were re-enforced by many useful notes. The talk by an experienced literary agent, Julia Tyrrell, was another helpful addition. I would definitely be interested in attending another Goldmine/Script Consultant Workshop in the future.’ Margaret Folarin, UK, July 2011