SCREENWRITERS GROUP
Screenworks has established the Screenwriters Group as an opportunity for emerging and professional Screen Writers in the Northern Rivers region to meet with other Screen Writers, make connections, support one another and participate in professional develoment.
The potential for this group will be decided by the membership. Screenworks will provide occasional guest speakers, and assist the group once formed to explore a range of ways to develop the writers journey. Script readings, works in progress feedback, networking, as well as a discussions on existing films and their scripts will all be part of the mix.
Ideally, the outcome with be to strengthen the skills base and out put of the regions screen writers, which can ultimately increase regional screen production. Along the way we plan to help local screen writers develop their ideas, promote partnerships and support structures, to explore the diversity in screen writing out there and finally to find links to the regions producers. The Screen Writers Group will also offer an opportunity to swap industry news and stories and create a forum for sharing information and connections.
If you are interested in being involved with The Screen Writers Group, email Lisa on events@screenworks.com.au and register your interest.
Next meeting: Date to be confirmed.
Notes from the last meeting
Screen Writers ‘Treatment’ meeting 3 June 2010
Speaker Paul Davies
The main purpose of the Treatment is to test out the strength of the narrative, it should demonstrate the set up, conflict and resolution in the storyline.
Three principles of structure:
1. Set up (beginning); the premise, location, problem then the turning point one – the hero wants something…
2. Conflict (middle): Hero meets opposition, set backs, gains, losses, turning point two
3. Resolution (end): Hero overcomes or is over come; triumph or failure
Key elements of the treatment are:
• Write in the present tense
• Use simple prose
• Introduce characters
• Test visual potential
• Test feasibility – budget and locations
• Demonstrate narrative strengths
• Use as little dialogue as possible
The Treatment is also used by Producers to raise money, to gauge interest in the project, to fix narrative structure and to decide if it’s worth producing.
|
