London Film School, offer full-time MA Degree courses in both Film Making and Screewriting.

 

Introduction

Improvisation is a performance method often used by directors and actors to enhance the quality of performance. Writers can also use it to develop their story outlines and screenplays. When used successfully, improvisation allows writers to “write on their feet” and becomes a powerful tool for improving dialogue within scenes and overall story structure.

Following the success of our advanced 5-day courses in improvisation, this 2-day workshop goes “back to basics” offering writers and directors who are new to improvisation an introduction in how to use it as a central component of their filmmaking.

The course is designed specifically for those who wish to come together with other professional writers and directors and gain improvisation techniques to create new work and improve existing projects.

 

Course Outline

The workshop will give both writers and directors a clear set of improvisational tools to employ at any stage of the writing, rehearsal and filming process, as well as practical techniques to develop their working relationship with actors. On the second day participants will have the opportunity to direct professional actors.

The course will focus on the following areas:

• Techniques to unlock creativity, and banish writers' block.
• Using "Status" as a tool to increase and heighten conflict.
• The difference between "predictable" and "satisfying".
• "Active" versus "passive" storytelling.
• Improvising stories from scratch.
• New ways of using classic story structure.
• Techniques for working with other people (writers, actors, directors etc) in order to create, develop and improve story outlines and screenplays.
• Identifying weak areas in pre-existing work, and strengthening them.
• Using archetypal story forms as a basis of improvisation work.
  

All participants will be expected to "learn on their feet" through active involvement in the various methods examined - expect to spend time out of your seat! Note-taking is not required, as full course notes will be issued to participants by the tutor after the workshop. This will leave participants free to immerse themselves fully in the exercises and techniques being examined.

Those keen to learn more may apply for a longer/ more advanced course at a later date.

 

Sean McCann - Tutor Profile

Sean McCann currently teaches improvisation at The Oxford School of Drama, East 15, The Actors' Centre and The London Film School.

In addition Sean performs widely both in the UK and abroad, at venues including Shakespeare's Globe, The Royal Court, The National Theatre, and the Latitude Festival, as well as numerous appearances on BBC Radio, in particular Radio 3s ‘The Verb’. He is a member of The Sticking Place, under whose auspices he trained and performed with the late Ken Campbell, and is a founder member of The School Of Night, an advanced improvisation company specialising in literary forms. Sean is currently editing Ken’s improvisation research notebooks from 2000-2008.

Sean is currently appearing in 'Showstopper – The Improvised Musical' at The Drill Hall in London. The show received rave reviews during its five star sell-out runs in 2008 and 2009, and has played at various venues in London and on tour in the UK. The show has also played at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where guests have included Mike McShane, Matt Lucas and Dean Haglund.

In particular Sean works with Canada's award-winning Die-Nasty company, with whom he takes part in their annual 53 hour continuous improvised show - the longest of its kind in the world. He recently completed his fourth improv marathon at their base in Edmonton, Alberta. In January 2010 he also completed London’s third 50-hour show. Sean’s future plans include visits to Hong Kong and The Cork Festival in Ireland.

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Times: 11am-6pm
Capacity: Max. 12 participants
Fee: £250
10% Early Bird discount available until 5th Jan.

How to apply

Please submit the following items (email applications preferred):

• Application Form
  (click to download)
• 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.)

Once your application has been approved by the tutor we will provide you with instructions for booking your place online.

Places are offered on a first come first served basis until the course if full.

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

Telephone us:
+44 (0)20 7836 9642

 

Feedback from previous participants:

"Very interesting stuff. A new world I want to keep exploring."

"A fabulous course, and a great example of learning by doing."

“Sean is the reason to do this course. His energy and passion for improvisation is infectious and inspiring to learn from."

“There were so many techniques here for such a short course. I’ve come away with much more confidence in using improvisation.”

“The course was fast paced and really fun. It was a great introduction to the actor’s method.”

Read more feedback.