Screenwriting 101 Workshop: Structure, Form and Technique

Screenwriting 101 Workshop: Structure, Form and Technique

Screenwriting 101: Structure, Form and Technique

This comprehensive course is tailor-made for aspiring and new entrant screenwriters, offering invaluable insights into the screen industry and covering the essential elements of crafting compelling scripts for both film and television.

This two-day course is in collaboration with Waterford International Film Festival. The 17th edition of the Waterford International Film Festival runs from November the 20 –26th. 

Course Overview: 

By the end of the course, a new writer entering the screen sector will have the competence and confidence to create a film or TV story, write the screenplay and other necessary materials, as well as to approach producers, script-editors and funding bodies. This course is divided into three distinct modules: 

Module 1: Film & TV Concept and Plot 

  • Identifying the form of screen stories. 

  • Turning concept to plot 

  • Exploring the fundamental elements and purposes of screen stories 

  • Navigating themes and establishing tones 

  • Identifying the key characters and their goals – hero and villain – and how they are represented on screen 

  • Introduction to pacing: episodic content & structural dynamics 

  • Creating characters through action and dialogue 

Module 2: Writing a Synopsis, Treatment, Bible, and more. 

  • What is a screenplay? 

  • What is a synopsis and why is it important? 

  • What is a treatment and what is it used for? 

  • Crafting an Engaging Treatment. 

  • The difference between a treatment and a series bible. 

  • Creating a Pitch-Deck.  

  • Other Essential Documents in the Screenwriting Process. 

Module 3: Working in the Industry 

  • Accessing funding within the industry. 

  • Working and collaborating with creative communities 

  • Approaching production companies with confidence. 

  • Working with producers and collaborating with directors. 

  • Basics of selling TV dramas to broadcasters and streamers. 

  • Basics of selling to the film industry. 

 

Tutor Profile: 

Paul FitzSimons is a Film and TV producer and head of the production company Prelude Content. His feature film VERDIGRIS won Best independent Film at the 2023 Galway Film Fleadh and will screen at the upcoming Newport Beach Film Festival in California. Paul was previously Head of Development at Danú Media, designing their slate and bringing projects through development to production.  

Paul is also a writer, script consultant and tutor. The feature film The Gift (OC Productions, 15A), written and co-produced by Paul, was released in April 2017 and is now on Amazon Prime. He also worked as a storywriter on the Irish TV Drama Fair City. After running a script-consultant practice, Paul developed training materials, enveloping all aspects of screenwriting and the screen industries. He delivered classroom and Zoom courses at National Talent Academies, Screenskills Ireland, the Big Smoke Writing Factory and Dun Laoghaire Further Education Institute and to writers on a one-to-one basis.   

 

Dates/Duration:  

Hosted in Waterford City on Friday 24th November 09.00am – 6.00pm and Saturday 25th 08.00am - 3.30pm (approx.) 

NTA Film & TV will host a Networking Event at the Waterford International Film Festival on Saturday 25th from 3.00pm – 4.30pm. More details are to be announced, but guest can RSVP below. 

Who Can Apply:  

This course is designed for new and entry-level screenwriters.  We welcome applicants of all ages and backgrounds, formally educated or not, who are over 18 years of age and are out of education. Additional more established writers moving from other creative mediums (Animation, Documentary Novelists, Short Story Writers, Poets, and Playwrights) are invited to apply.  

Applicants must habitually resident in the regions (outside Dublin/Wicklow) and/or identify as diverse. Diverse applicants can reside regional or in Dublin and Wicklow. Please see our Diversity & Inclusion Policy. 

How To Apply:  

Applicants must apply by completing the application form link HERE. This application form will ask you to supply a download link to the following materials/documents.   

  • CV, detailed work biography or a detailed summary of work and credits to date. (up to 2 pages) 

  • A Personal Statement detailing how this initiative will progress your career (up to 2 pages or filmed statement of up to 3 minutes) 

Please address any question to - eibh.collins@nationaltalentacademies.ie  

 

RSVP for this Waterford Networking Event HERE

 

Deadline to apply:  

Deadline to apply is Friday, October 27th at 1:00pm. 

Please make sure you are available on the above dates before applying.   

Incomplete application will not be taken into consideration.    

 

Selection Process:  

Applications will be assessed by a selection panel.  Approx. 10 participants will be selected. 

Selected applicants will be notified approximately one week after the application deadline.  

 

Further Information:  

Find out more about the 2023 Waterford International Film Festival HERE.  

Accommodation, travel and meals will be at the expense of the course participants, not the NTAFT.

For questions, please email eibh.collins@nationaltalentacademies.ie 

The National Talent Academy is an initiative of Screen Ireland managed by Ardán.