You will learn how to prepare and develop an idea into a finished script, how to tap into funding and how to write your way into the film industry. This course takes an interactive and proactive approach rather than focusing on just screenwriting theory. It is aimed at inspiring, nurturing and stimulating you to create your own ideas and develop your skills as a screenwriter.

This scriptwriting course will enable you to:

• • Write great scripts and generate filmic ideas
  • Be creative with writing exercises
  • Have confidence in your abilities
  • Use correct script formats and layouts
  • Understand how the industry works
  • Receive, action and provide feedback
  • Understand how to apply for film funding
  • Promote your film script, and yourself
  • Network in the film industry and know where and how to make contacts

Aims of the course

This is a writing workshop. There will be almost no lecture style instruction rather the classes will be student centered. Its object is to attempt to de-mystify the craft of scriptwriting. All material will originate in the class and be based on experiences in the participants’ own lives. Those disinclined to air their personal problems in class are advised not to sign up. We will write in a variety of forms from stockpiling material in bullet points to notes, loglines, step outlines and scene breakdowns.

We will try to do in the bootcamp what professional scriptwriters do when they are developing a film idea for a production company or trying to obtain a commission from a broadcaster for a TV series. Students will write every night, and during classes, circulate their drafts for discussion. It is anticipated that these discussions will cover such areas as; coming up with ideas, the application of different dramatic models, understanding structure, working to a brief, research, discussions of genre, collaboration with others and how to be your own script editor.

Tom Hall

Tom Hall has worked with many leading film industry figures in Ireland and has previously taught scriptwriting and filmmaking courses at Collaiste Dhulaigh, NUI Galway, The Factory, The Gaiety School of Acting, Filmbase and the Irish Writer’s Centre. Tom is also an award-winning writer of fiction, a critic, columnist and one time screen editor of The Dubliner magazine.

His best known work is ‘Bachelors Walk’ (2000-06), a comedy/drama series for Accomplice Television which was funded by RTE, the IFB and BBC Choice. It ran for three series and an Xmas special and won the IFTA award for best television show in 2002. Tom was one of three co-creators/writers/directors on all twenty episodes.

He directed the T.V. movie ‘Just in Time’ (1998) for Samson Films, which was also acclaimed as The Times’ TV Movie of the Year. In 2010 he wrote and directed Sensation, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and was nominated for three IFTA Awards including best film. In 2011 Tom directed a six part comedy series entitled ‘Trivia’ for RTE. The show was nominated for five Monte Carlo International television festival awards and an IFTA for its lead actor.

Most recently, Tom wrote and directed two episodes of Amazon’s hit series ‘Modern Love’ and is developing a feature film, ‘The Greater Good’, for Blinder Films with Eugene O’Brien. Tom has also begun working on series two of ‘Modern Love’ and ‘Leningrad: Siege and Symphony’ with Focus Features.