PROGRAMME Weekend One
Bring a short premise and a half page outline if you have one of your screenplay.
Arrival: Residents - Saturday any time from 11am. Non residents should arrive 1.30pm in time for:
Saturday 5th May Afternoon session 2pm to 5pm The Premise Discussion and exploration of the works in progress. Generating ideas The language and length of short film. Story types, Genre, Theme, Form, Tone
Break for evening meal - there are several eateries and takeaways locally.
Saturday Evening 8pm to 9pm Discussion and viewing short films over a glass of wine or soft drink
Sunday 6th May Morning: individual work on storylines.
Sunday 6th May Afternoon Session 2pm to 5pm Work-shopping the ideas: taking the premise further Screenplays - storylines and characters - why film? Protagonist and Antagonist Motivation and direction. Visual strength
After a buffet supper Sunday evening is spent talking to the other writers - and writing to prepare for the second workshop.
Monday 7th May Morning Session: 10am - 1pm Structure. Setting and location Viewpoint and opposition Applying theme, tone and genre Your vital scenes: Dialogue Rewrite the premise
Writers have free time in the afternoon to discuss their work with fellow writers.
For lunch there are several eateries in walking distance in Sandown and on Lake Cliff Path.
Departure 5pm
* Deadline: For those attending both weekends: Part 2: Bring the rewritten premise and step outline with you.
The first draft script should be emailed as a FD or RTF attachment to the tutor for advance reading by Thursday 24th May
~ INTRODUCTION TO SCREENWRITING ~
PROGRAMME Weekend Two
Arrival: Residents - Saturday any time from 11am. Non residents should arrive 1.30pm
Saturday 26th May 2pm to 5.30pm: Review of premise and critical appraisal of the work in hand Work-shopping
Break for evening meal - there are several eateries and takeaways locally.
Saturday Evening 8pm to 9pm Further discussion and viewing short film over a glass of wine or soft drink
Sunday morning: individual work on storylines.
Sunday 27th May Afternoon session 2pm to 5pm Crises and reversals - is there enough happening in your story? Are you saying what you want to say? Story Arc - character development Theme and tone and decisions
After a buffet supper Sunday evening is spent talking to the other writers
Monday 28th May Morning Session: 10am - 1pm Reviewing the premise and original intention What's it really about? The value of planning; Story shape, key scenes and story progression. Re-writing Setting up peer connections for feedback Competitions and regional information points
Writers have free time in the afternoon to discuss their work with fellow writers.
For lunch there are several eateries in walking distance in Sandown and on Lake Cliff Path.
Departure: 5pm.
Interlinked Weekend Course Fee: Residential inc full programme en suite room self serve Continental Breakfast, and both Sunday night buffet suppers
Non residential - full programme - and inc both Sunday night buffet suppers
Venue: Cliffways 39 Ranelagh Rd Sandown IW PO36 8NT Tel: 01983 407772 www.learnwriting .co.uk
Come to both weekends or to one - half fee applies. To bring a non writing partner with you contact felicity@writeplot.co.uk
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WRITING HOLIDAY
Five days on the Beautiful Isle of Wight
Fiction and Story Structure led by writing tutor Felicity Fair Thompson
Five days with individual help and time to work on your own writing project: Planning, story shape, character, editing and re-writing, synopsis, and presentation - opening up the imagination and descriptive powers. What makes a character feel real? What makes a story compelling? Finding the magic through structure, theme and genre. Whether you are a beginner writer or are already writing successfully, explore how you can take your own work further. The group is limited to a little house party - maximum six people, up to four living in, and two not staying. Three hours per day work-shopping, addressing your own work and the group's, with writing exercises, and exploring of ways forward. The rest of each day is free time for writing and the opportunity to enjoy the peace and beauty of the Isle of Wight.
Programme
Arrival: Monday morning - Bring copies of your work for workshopping.
Mon - 2.30pm to 5.30pm Group discussion and review of the work in progress. Genre, theme, your particular market
Tuesday 10am - 1 p.m. Ways of opening up imagination and descriptive power to enhance your characters and your story. Motivation and direction
Wed 10am - 1 p.m. The value of planning; story shape, crises and reversals, synopsis - is there enough happening in your story? Are you saying what you want to say?
Thurs 2.30pm - 5.30pm Appraisal, Editing, rewriting, presentation, particular problems.
Friday 10am - 1 p.m. Group discussion and review of the work in progress.
There will also be other opportunities during the week to gather together socially for continuing discussion.
Departure Friday evening 6pm
See Dates andPrices
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WEEKEND WRITING BREAK - Writing - and finishing a novel
led by writing tutor Felicity Fair Thompson
Whether you have the idea and are just starting out, or you have a novel already written, is there an emotional heart of your story and will it really connect with your audience? Are you writing for the right market? Can you pinpoint the theme and the deep structure of your narrative? Why do your characters do what they do? Does your story start in the right place? Is the ending strong enough? Will you finish - is the end in sight? This course offers practical help and advice, the opportunity to explore the craft and techniques of writing, and show you how to use the power of genre, tone and theme in your work.
Programme Arrival from 6pm Friday evening
Day 1:
10am to 1pm Introduction - what are you writing about? Who are you writing about? Developing Ideas - pushing the boundaries Stories, plots and narrative. Theme and Tone
2pm - 5pm Tragedy, Comedy and Drama Genre - where does your story fit on the shelf? Your characters - what do they want? Your characters - what do they need?
Day 2:
10am - 1pm Turning points and decisions and the influence of tone Structure Beginning middle and end Thickening the plot Description and setting. Dialogue - uses and functions. Symbolism
2pm - 5pm Reviewing your story - taking ideas further Research. The Re-write. Market approach - agents and publishers. Where to find help. Planning and Perseverance
Departure 6pm
See Dates and Prices
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The Isle of Wight is just two hours from London Waterloo - Train, fast cat, train through to Lake station a few mins level walk away. The house is 2 mins from the Cliff path in the Isle of Wight resort of Sandown and is a few mins walk from Sandown or Lake, There is comfortable accommodation and a west facing sun terrace. There are three Bedrooms en suite available (Two Doubles, One Twin) Come as a group or join other writers (sorry - no children or pets) One Word processing computer available on site or bring lap tops if possible. Some on site parking and in local streets. Sandown Leisure Centre (swimming pool and leisure suite and council parking) is close by and there are restaurants, pubs and cafes within walking distance in Sandown and Shanklin.
See Course list for prices.
