Terry Cafolla came to Lancaster Uni on Thursday to talk about working in T.V. He's very friendly, informative and eager to pass on tips and information. He's one of the writers on Law and Order UK, which I really enjoyed. Looking forward to the next series.
One thing that struck me was how ordinary he is. No airs and graces. I don't know why, but you tend (or is it just me) to imagine that those who have made it in tv etc, will be beyond you in some way. Of course, it's nonsense.
Terry did an M.A at Lancaster too, which inspired me somewhat!!
Okay, I'm a short story writer/novel writer (aspiring), but Terry BEGAN with poetry, so whoooooooooooooo!!! I too will take a screenwriting course.
Showing posts with label SCRIPTS/RADIO/TV/THEATRE ETC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SCRIPTS/RADIO/TV/THEATRE ETC. Show all posts
Friday, 11 June 2010
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
Do you Outline or Not?
I was looking over at Scott Myers' BLOG, which always fascinates me. He's discussing outlines, and links to a post he wrote a while back: LINK HERE TO HOW PAUL SCHRADER OUTLINES, THEN RE-OUTLINES
Personally, I tend to write lots of notes about my idea, then write a short story of sorts, and then start the script. Sometimes, I don't need to refer to my notes, because the actual writing of the notes, then the story, has fixed things firmly in my mind, and I then feel free to write it in script form.
HOW ABOUT YOU??
Personally, I tend to write lots of notes about my idea, then write a short story of sorts, and then start the script. Sometimes, I don't need to refer to my notes, because the actual writing of the notes, then the story, has fixed things firmly in my mind, and I then feel free to write it in script form.
HOW ABOUT YOU??
Friday, 5 June 2009
Brussels Film Festival - Film Story Competition
Well, I saw the link for this on BBC Writersroom, promptly posted it on Twitter, then somebody informed me that the deadline was next day (today - Friday). Must pay more attention in future. Of course, I didn't have time to write anything new, but seeing as they seemed to be looking for a story premise rather than a fully fledged script, I sorted through my story files and sent two to them last night.
The prize is a free place on a Script Factory course of your choice. That would be quite nice.
I don't think I'll have a chance, but hey, at least I sent something, and you never know.
The prize is a free place on a Script Factory course of your choice. That would be quite nice.
I don't think I'll have a chance, but hey, at least I sent something, and you never know.
Wednesday, 3 June 2009
Newsjack - BBC New Topical Sketch Show
It's open to everyone to write for. Newsjack takes a comical look at the week's news stories.
Check out the BBC Writersroom Link below
LINK TO THIS OPPORTUNITY AT BBC WRITERSROOM
Check out the BBC Writersroom Link below
LINK TO THIS OPPORTUNITY AT BBC WRITERSROOM
Saturday, 30 May 2009
Saturday, 23 May 2009
CBBC Children's Drama Opportunity
This is what it says on the Writersroom Opportunities page:
Do you have stories to tell that we've never seen before?
Can you create characters the audience will fall in love with?
We want to find the next generation of CBBC writers with fresh perspectives, original voices, and the ability to create unforgettable characters.
This opportunity is open to any writer who wants to write Children's drama for the 6-12 age range. We are looking for 30-minute original TV scripts of unmissable and infectious storytelling, offering fresh cultural perspectives, tales combining authenticity with hope and joy, stories from a child's point of view, characters that will engage and surprise the audience, scripts that are powerful, emotional, and contemporary, shows that will work for the CBBC audience and channel but can dare to take risks.
READ THE REST HERE: LINK
I have an idea for this. It's slowly germinating, so I'm not going to rush into writing it just yet, but will spend some thinking time on the project. Most, well okay, some, of the story is there, lurking, but it's the how's and when's that I need to get straight.
Don't you just love it when the idea hits, and you can't stop mulling it over?
Do you have stories to tell that we've never seen before?
Can you create characters the audience will fall in love with?
We want to find the next generation of CBBC writers with fresh perspectives, original voices, and the ability to create unforgettable characters.
This opportunity is open to any writer who wants to write Children's drama for the 6-12 age range. We are looking for 30-minute original TV scripts of unmissable and infectious storytelling, offering fresh cultural perspectives, tales combining authenticity with hope and joy, stories from a child's point of view, characters that will engage and surprise the audience, scripts that are powerful, emotional, and contemporary, shows that will work for the CBBC audience and channel but can dare to take risks.
READ THE REST HERE: LINK
I have an idea for this. It's slowly germinating, so I'm not going to rush into writing it just yet, but will spend some thinking time on the project. Most, well okay, some, of the story is there, lurking, but it's the how's and when's that I need to get straight.
Don't you just love it when the idea hits, and you can't stop mulling it over?
Monday, 23 March 2009
Change Of Plan
I've done this before, changed my mind about what I'm going to work on. In the post below, I said I was going to work on a spec tv series, but I just wrote a short story, and it's given me an idea for either a radio play, or perhaps five fifteen minute related stories that might be suitable for radio.
Sigh...I just have to go with what feels more important, and the radio thing does for some reason.
Sigh...I just have to go with what feels more important, and the radio thing does for some reason.
Tuesday, 24 February 2009
Ha Ha ha ha Ha ha ha!!!!!!...
...That's what I hope they'll do when they read the three sketches I've just e mailed to 7 on 7, the BBC sketch competition. Somehow, I doubt it. It's not that I haven't any confidence in my ability to write a sketch, just that comedy is so subjective isn't it?
I watched a video of a short sketch, on a Blog the other day, supposed to be funny, but I couldn't see anything funny about it at all. To me, it was completely and utterly puerile.
There are some good sketches on tv (to my mind) that I can laugh at, but some leave me cold. I wonder how mine will leave the readers...stone cold, luke warm, or red hot??
We'll see.
Ill tell you what made me laugh out loud all the way through: Jerry Springer The Opera. I didn't see it live, just on tv, but it was the funniest thing...
I watched a video of a short sketch, on a Blog the other day, supposed to be funny, but I couldn't see anything funny about it at all. To me, it was completely and utterly puerile.
There are some good sketches on tv (to my mind) that I can laugh at, but some leave me cold. I wonder how mine will leave the readers...stone cold, luke warm, or red hot??
We'll see.
Ill tell you what made me laugh out loud all the way through: Jerry Springer The Opera. I didn't see it live, just on tv, but it was the funniest thing...
Sunday, 28 December 2008
Pitching....
On Tuesday, I'm attending the Alfred Bradley Bursary Award Masterclass at the BBC in Manchester. I have to be there for 1.30 p.m. where Charlotte Riches will meet us.
We don't need to take any work, but we're welcome to pitch an idea! I have an idea, but have no idea about pitching. Also, my idea is the one that will be going into the Alfred Bradley comp, so....
Actually, I do have another idea for a series, but haven't developed it at all, so I wonder if there's enough there to pitch.
I can't imagine pitching in front of an audience (at the moment, anyway) and that's what might happen with it being a Masterclass. I doubt we'll get one to one pitching time.
Hmmm, let's just see what happens.
We don't need to take any work, but we're welcome to pitch an idea! I have an idea, but have no idea about pitching. Also, my idea is the one that will be going into the Alfred Bradley comp, so....
Actually, I do have another idea for a series, but haven't developed it at all, so I wonder if there's enough there to pitch.
I can't imagine pitching in front of an audience (at the moment, anyway) and that's what might happen with it being a Masterclass. I doubt we'll get one to one pitching time.
Hmmm, let's just see what happens.
Sunday, 14 December 2008
Inside Publishing
From Writers' and Artists' Yearbook: Neil Gaiman chats about writing. PLUS past interviews with other writers.
NEIL GAIMAN link
NEIL GAIMAN link
Saturday, 13 December 2008
More Scriptwriting Stuff From The BBC
Film Network link
Scroll down to near the bottom for this:
A great resource available to filmmakers is the monthly Rocliffe New Writing Forum. Run by Rocliffe Production company, the forum is a networking event whereby three selected script extracts of 7-8 minutes in length is rehearsed by professional actors and directors (cast by the in-house casting directors). A great way to receive effective and honest feedback on your script.
You can submit short scripts here:
Rockliffe link
Scroll down to near the bottom for this:
A great resource available to filmmakers is the monthly Rocliffe New Writing Forum. Run by Rocliffe Production company, the forum is a networking event whereby three selected script extracts of 7-8 minutes in length is rehearsed by professional actors and directors (cast by the in-house casting directors). A great way to receive effective and honest feedback on your script.
You can submit short scripts here:
Rockliffe link
Friday, 12 December 2008
Screenwriting Goldmine - Writing For David Milch on HBO's Deadwood
LINK
Ever had a dream like this? You send in a few pages of your script to your favorite TV show. Within hours you get a call- they like it. No, they LOVE it! Within hours they fly you out there. Put you in a hotel. Hire you to start work on the show. You get to work on two series, hang out on set all the time, get to work with David Milch (Deadwood and NYPD Blue) on a daily basis - and suddenly the people who matter are queuing up to read your movie script. This interview is with Bryan McDonald. That 'dream' was his reality. Listen as he tells you how he did it...
Listen out for the brilliantly unexpected way he got his first break!
Ever had a dream like this? You send in a few pages of your script to your favorite TV show. Within hours you get a call- they like it. No, they LOVE it! Within hours they fly you out there. Put you in a hotel. Hire you to start work on the show. You get to work on two series, hang out on set all the time, get to work with David Milch (Deadwood and NYPD Blue) on a daily basis - and suddenly the people who matter are queuing up to read your movie script. This interview is with Bryan McDonald. That 'dream' was his reality. Listen as he tells you how he did it...
Listen out for the brilliantly unexpected way he got his first break!
The Surgery is Open
For all you scriptwriters playwrights, dramatists...blah...blah...
Q & A With Michael Jacob: Yaaaaaaaaaahooooooo!
LINK HERE:
MICHAEL JACOB SURGERY LINK
Q & A With Michael Jacob: Yaaaaaaaaaahooooooo!
LINK HERE:
MICHAEL JACOB SURGERY LINK
Saturday, 6 December 2008
ALFRED BRADLEY BURSARY AWARD WORKSHOPS
Now this is a competition worth entering:
Bursary Award Link
The BBC are also holding masterclasses around the North:
Masterclass Link
I've got my name down for the Manchester Masterclass. The Newcastle one has already been held, and the few people that have commented on the BBC Blog, have said that they're well worth it.
You can win a bursary of up to £5,000, have your work produced on BBC Radio 4, secure a six month mentorship with a radio drama producer and have the opportunity to develop future commissions.
All I can say to that is WOW!
Bursary Award Link
The BBC are also holding masterclasses around the North:
Masterclass Link
I've got my name down for the Manchester Masterclass. The Newcastle one has already been held, and the few people that have commented on the BBC Blog, have said that they're well worth it.
You can win a bursary of up to £5,000, have your work produced on BBC Radio 4, secure a six month mentorship with a radio drama producer and have the opportunity to develop future commissions.
All I can say to that is WOW!
Industry News
Link To The Script Factory
I was reading over at The Script Factory about script writing training - what is it good for? Lucy Scher argues that screenwriting training that prioritises individual creativity, and doesn't focus on craft is likely to be popular - but isn't likely to produce good screenwriters.
I do agree with the above, in the respect that I think it's probably best to already have found your voice, to have written a lot before you learn the mechanics of screen/play/radio structure, or it would seem like a battle between how or what to write and in which format to put it all.
I was reading over at The Script Factory about script writing training - what is it good for? Lucy Scher argues that screenwriting training that prioritises individual creativity, and doesn't focus on craft is likely to be popular - but isn't likely to produce good screenwriters.
I do agree with the above, in the respect that I think it's probably best to already have found your voice, to have written a lot before you learn the mechanics of screen/play/radio structure, or it would seem like a battle between how or what to write and in which format to put it all.
Thursday, 27 November 2008
BBC Writersroom Roadshow
I was there, at the BBC studios in Manchester on Wednesday 26th November. We watched a couple of drama clips, and saw what makes good tv drama...the shots...the suspense....the dialogue.
The room was absolutely packed, and there were a lot of new writers there. I noticed about six other scripts in the Script Box at the end, so not that many people handed them in, unless some kept them hidden about their person until the last minute.
A lot of what was said can be found on the writersroom website, but they did expand on topics and there was a Q & A session.
There are about six readers that read all scripts going into the BBC Writersroom. The six meet up at the BBC about twice a month, sometimes more, and sit around a table.
The first ten pages are absolutely crucial. If you don't hook, excite or make an impression with good writing within those first ten pages, then, they don't take the script any further.
If they see potential, and they love your writing, they will give it a full read. After that full read, and in consultation with others, they decide whether to call you regarding development. It's very rare that a script sent in this way will be commissioned, though it has happened. No, what they see it as, is your 'calling card', the fact that you can write. They may ask you to send more scripts or ideas.
Development by the BBC can mean writing workshops, calling you in to discuss ideas and working with you on those ideas, or giving you the opportunity to work on specific dramas or soaps.
More to follow...
The room was absolutely packed, and there were a lot of new writers there. I noticed about six other scripts in the Script Box at the end, so not that many people handed them in, unless some kept them hidden about their person until the last minute.
A lot of what was said can be found on the writersroom website, but they did expand on topics and there was a Q & A session.
There are about six readers that read all scripts going into the BBC Writersroom. The six meet up at the BBC about twice a month, sometimes more, and sit around a table.
The first ten pages are absolutely crucial. If you don't hook, excite or make an impression with good writing within those first ten pages, then, they don't take the script any further.
If they see potential, and they love your writing, they will give it a full read. After that full read, and in consultation with others, they decide whether to call you regarding development. It's very rare that a script sent in this way will be commissioned, though it has happened. No, what they see it as, is your 'calling card', the fact that you can write. They may ask you to send more scripts or ideas.
Development by the BBC can mean writing workshops, calling you in to discuss ideas and working with you on those ideas, or giving you the opportunity to work on specific dramas or soaps.
More to follow...
Monday, 24 November 2008
SCRIPTS
I'm starting this section on scripts, because I'm writing a radio drama (two-parter) and want to track the way it's going, and put up some tips, pointers, and ideas.
Before I deal with that script: I wrote a sketch for BBC's Recorded For Training Purposes, and sent it off by e mail. That was on 16th November. They say, if they like what you've done, they'll be in contact soon. Please be in contact! I'd like nothing better than a piece of my work being performed either on radio, tv, or theatre. At the moment I'm concentrating on radio. Recorded For Training Purposes is an initiative run by the BBC and encourages new writers to the medium. It can be a way in, or a step up if you like, because the best get to work on next year's series. Imagine that! one day you're doing your normal stuff, writing and writing and erm, writing, then all of a sudden you're in there with the BBC, working alongside more experienced writers, and you're a part of it!
That's one on my wish-list.
I've been immersing myself in script format, terms used in scripts, like FX, which I didn't realise until recently meant 'Effects', dialogue, exposition (or the reasons why it's best not to use much) and just about everything to do with scriptwiting.
There are some excellent BBC Blogs with a wealth of information. What not to do, what to do, who to speak to, Ten Commandments of scriptwriting, what happens to your script, what script readers look for, blah blah, but very, very informative.
More later....
Before I deal with that script: I wrote a sketch for BBC's Recorded For Training Purposes, and sent it off by e mail. That was on 16th November. They say, if they like what you've done, they'll be in contact soon. Please be in contact! I'd like nothing better than a piece of my work being performed either on radio, tv, or theatre. At the moment I'm concentrating on radio. Recorded For Training Purposes is an initiative run by the BBC and encourages new writers to the medium. It can be a way in, or a step up if you like, because the best get to work on next year's series. Imagine that! one day you're doing your normal stuff, writing and writing and erm, writing, then all of a sudden you're in there with the BBC, working alongside more experienced writers, and you're a part of it!
That's one on my wish-list.
I've been immersing myself in script format, terms used in scripts, like FX, which I didn't realise until recently meant 'Effects', dialogue, exposition (or the reasons why it's best not to use much) and just about everything to do with scriptwiting.
There are some excellent BBC Blogs with a wealth of information. What not to do, what to do, who to speak to, Ten Commandments of scriptwriting, what happens to your script, what script readers look for, blah blah, but very, very informative.
More later....
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