Workshops

Writers' Gym I with Ellis Freeman

8-week evening course

Monday evenings 6.30pm - 8.45pm

26th October - 14th December 2009

Application deadline: Monday 14th September
(Places will be offered after this date)


 

Introduction

"I applied because I wanted to be inspired, to think more creatively about my approaches to screenwriting and to improve my knowledge. The Writers' Gym ticked all the boxes for me. It surpassed my expectations! Ellis is a fantastic teacher."
Christie Walker, Writers' Gym participant June 2008.

A short course in practical tools for creative screenwriting

Over eight weeks, this course aims to stimulate story ideas, help writers develop those stories and find their voices. We will pay attention to the writing process and look at methods to promote regular writing habits

Each class will consist of a mixture of exercises, games and explanations of different aspects of screenwriting. These exercises might seed new ideas but also aim to open the participants' minds to new ways of thinking.

Writers will be expected to keep a notebook and there will be homework exercises to do for maximum benefit over the course.

Each writer will develop a story idea and there will be an opportunity for feedback at the end of the course. The idea can be for a feature, a short or even for a television series. We are more interested in compelling stories that the format they take.

Sessions will include:

  • Methods of Creavitivy
  • Character and Character Development
  • Storytelling, Plotting, Structuring
  • Themes, Premises and Beliefs
  • Observation and Memory
  • Emotions and Empathy
  • Feedback - giving and receiving

Maximum Participants: 9

Fee: £340.00

 

ELLIS FREEMAN BIOGRAPHY

With a background in print and TV journalism, Ellis has been writing screenplays for over ten years. He has had commissions from BFI, Channel Four, The Film Council, Rai (Italy), Fox Searchlight and the MEDIA programme.

With Brazilian director, Henrique Goldman, he wrote 'Princesa', a feature about a transvestite prostitute living in Milan. The film was screened at the Sundance festival 2001 and has been released in the US, UK, France, Germany and Scandinavia. He also co-wrote 'January 2nd', a comedy feature for Matt Winn which screened widely at festivals.

Ellis began teaching at the London Film School five years ago with script workshops on the MA Filmmaking course and is delighted to be teaching on the MA Screenwriting as well. In February 2006, he led the first Writers' Gym workshop as part of the Scenario festival at the Institut Francais. Using this experience, he developed the Writers' Gym into an evening class to help new writers find their voice, develop ideas, writing habits and stretch the mental muscles you need for writing screenplays.

 

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How to apply

Please submit the following items:

  • CV
  • Personal Statement (i.e. a few brief paragraphs explaining why you’re applying for the course, what you hope to gain from it etc.)
  • 3 page writing sample (this can be any kind of writing)

Email us:
Carolyn Atherton:
workshops@lfs.org.uk

Postal Address:
Workshops Admissions, The London Film School, 24 Shelton Street, London, WC2H 9UB, UK

Telephone us:
+44 (0)20 7836 9642

Fax us:
+44 (0)20 7497 3718

 

Skillset Funding

Successful applicants for this workshop may be eligible to apply for a Skillset Screen Bursary to cover up to 80% of their workshops fees.

For full details visit www.skillset.org/screenbursaries or contact Hal Sinden at Skillset: 020 7713 9888 / hals@skillset.org.