Danú Media, in association with Greasán na Meán Skillnet and National Talent Academy Film & TV are delighted to partner with Philip Shelley on a new Script Writing Development Programme for Irish screenwriters and script editors.

Last year, Galway based production company Danú Media launched a new Script Writing Development Programme - Greenlight Screenwriting Lab.  Course Director, Philip Shelley, has run the Channel 4 Screenwriting Course for 13 years and through that has worked with much of the best new talent in UK screenwriting.

 

Greenlight Screenwriting provides support and up-skilling opportunities to a new generation of emerging script writers and script editors through hands on industry-led training and mentoring, and that contribute to and enhance the Irish screen Industry. The course was launched in 2023, when six talented writers and three shadow script editors were mentored over the course of six months. During their six month development period, writers had industry lead talks and workshops with people such as Peter McKenna (KIN, Hidden Assets), Des Doyle (The Art of Running a TV Show), Sam Atwell (Producer, Northern Lights) Heather Larmour  (BBC Commissioning Executive), Ray Lawlor (Obituary), Ursula Rani Sarma (Smother, Red Rock), and Sinead Stimpfig (Commissioning Lead, Virgin Media). The course ended with an industry networking event, where writers had the opportunity to meet producers and discuss their developed projects.

 

Here are what some of our 2023 participants had to say!

When I heard about the Greenlight Screenwriting Course, I knew it was exactly the kind of training I needed. The course has given me invaluable insight into the professional development process.  As a writer who is self-taught and obsessed with learning more about the craft, I have loved every minute of the course. Working with experienced script editors who are helping me shape my idea and strengthen my story has been such a gift. As a busy Mum of two young kids, based in Cork, I rarely get the opportunity to engage in this level of education (the flexible hours and online aspect really helps!). The practical exercise of developing a tv pilot from scratch has been a huge learning experience for me and I would highly recommend the course to emerging writers. I hope to see more courses like this in future and I know for sure that what I have learned with Greenlight will serve me well in my career as a writer.

- Joy Buckle, Writer, Greenlight Screenwriting Lab

I took part in Greenlight as a shadow script editor and the experience has been invaluable. Coming on board I had a fundamental understanding of script editing but Greenlight really helped bridge the gap between theory and practice.  Working alongside Philip Shelley was really insightful and I learned more than I could have imagined. It has given me real confidence in my ability to do the role and has already opened up doors for career opportunities. Above all I thoroughly enjoyed working alongside amazing writers who share a similar cultural and creative background to my own. 

  • Emma Williamson, Shadow Script Editor, Greenlight Screenwriting Lab

 

With the support of the Screen Ireland's National Talent Academy Film & TV and Greasán na Meán Skillnet, Greenlight Screenwriting Lab will return in 2024 and offer an opportunity for six new script writers to be mentored by Philip and other industry professionals to develop a new TV drama series.  In addition to this, the programme will also offer shadow opportunities for three people interested in script editing. Nadine Flynn who works with Danú Media as Development Executive will be heavily involved in the course, with experience as a script editor herself.

 

“It goes without saying that Ireland is full of emerging and exciting talent when it comes to screenwriting, and so we are delighted to be able to partner with Philip, and devise this new course, in the hopes that it will nurture that talent while also creating opportunities and training for script editors. It’s important to us that we continue to support our industry, and we’re confident that Greenlight Screenwriting Lab will do just that.” – Nadine Flynn

 

GREENLIGHT 2024 IS NOW OPEN, APPLY BY MARCH 1ST. 

The successful six writers will be notified by the end of April and will then work on their idea for six months, through in-person weekend workshops and one to one meetings and feedback.  Guest speakers and industry professionals will also play an important part in the scheme.

 

In advance of the application deadline, we will hold a Script Editing workshop, lead by Philip Shelley on Feb 16th. This will act as a taster, for potential applicants who are interested in the shadow script element of the course. You can apply for this Script Editing workshop HERE.
A Greenlight Information Session on Feb 17th for interested applicants to hear more about the Greenlight Screenwriting Lab. You can RSVP for this event HERE.
 

Greenlight Screenwriting Lab will be open to any writer’s resident on the Island of Ireland and also any Irish writers who may be resident overseas.  Criteria around Diversity, Equality and Inclusion will also be taken into account when short-listing writers for interview. 

The working language of the training will be English; however, we particularly welcome writers who are fluent in Irish and wish to write material in Irish.

 

The National Talent Academy Film & TV  is an initiative of Screen Ireland and is managed by Ardán.