A Man’s World

A couple of places remain on “The Authoritative Guide to Writing (and Selling!) a Great Screenplay” in Glasgow this weekend and the guest speakers have just been confirmed – they are:-

Eric Coulter
has worked in the television and film business since the early 1980s. His first role was as unit runner on Bill Forsyth’s Gregory’s Girl. He worked on dozens of films, commercials and music videos as a location manager and assistant director before moving to a Producer role in the mid 1990s, with The Cops. This was a truly landmark show for World Productions/BBC2, and it won BAFTAs for Best Drama series in 1998 and 1999.

Eric then joined STV as Head of Drama, where he’s been responsible for the successful overhaul of Taggart, leading to its biggest ever commission in 2008. There, Eric oversaw all development and production including Taggart, Rebus (with Ken Stott), Missing (with Gregor Fisher), Goodbye Mr Chips (with Martin Clunes), High Times (winner BAFTA Scotland Best Drama) and Cracked (Mind Media Awards Best Drama 2009). Eric left STV in the summer of 2009 and then worked as consulting Executive Producer on BBC Scotland’s River City before founding SurefireTV in 2010.

Kate Croft
is currently the head of KoCo, a drama company owned by Shed Media Scotland, and she also runs Shed Media Scotland drama. Kate previously developed and produced Murderland starring Robbie Coltrane which aired on ITV in 2009. She also produced Coming Up (the Channel 4 emerging talent drama series) having script edited the serious previously.

Other script editing credits include Fallen Angel for ITV and Messiah for BBC1. Kate’s first job was at Scala Productions and she also served as an army officer in her gap year!

Places are limited to twenty so this is your chance to be part of a small and highly focused group.

Go to http://www.screenwritinggoldmine.com/workshops-and-seminars for bookings and more info.

The early bird discount is fast approaching for “The Authoritative Guide to Writing (and Selling!) a Great Screenplay” in Glasgow,  the discount ends this Friday 14th Oct.

Course leaders Philip Shelley and Phil Gladwin are rare creatures amongst teachers – individuals with a wealth of experience who are busy working professionals.  But don’t take my word for it, here’s what writers who attended their most recent course had to say…

Two perfectly paced days  of business and craft, information and insight, advice and inspiration. Orna Ross, UK

To be be taught by industry professionals with a track record as opposed to theorists is invaluable, and rare. Steve Rehman, UK

It is more than worth it and you’ll learn so very, very much… Brenda Young, U.K.

They don’t look down on you or treat you like you’re a student; instead they sit down with you and chat you through everything. Well worth the money! Ryan Cope, UK

My writing has improved, my structure has improved, my pitching has improved. Many thanks, Phil & Phil! Paul Molloy, UK

I am just over the moon to have been part of this two day seminar. Luk Simoens, Belgium

It really was just what I needed at the moment, not least because in the last few days I’ve been given a shot at pitching an idea to a production company. Jill O’Halloran, UK

Places are limited to twenty so this is your chance to be part of a small and highly focused group.

Go to http://www.screenwritinggoldmine.com/workshops-and-seminars and grab your discounted place now!

Glasgow Sat 12^th & Sun 13^th Nov – BOOK NOW!

Best,
Adrian

Mead Kerr recently provide production services for the Kid Adrift promo for A4 in Ecstasy – see the finished film here Gas & Electric.

Shot on location in Edinburgh at the Lochend Amateur Boxing Club.

Making It As A Screenwriter is an exclusive six-part podcast series hosted by writer/director Adrian Mead, looking at how to develop a career as a professional writer.

You can view the podcasts on the Scottish Book Trust website:
Making It As A Screenwriter – Video Podcasts.

Wide Open Spaces  will receive its World Premiere screening at the Edinburgh International Film Festival taking place from June 17 – 28 2009

The film has been selected to screen in the Rosebud discovery strand of the Scottish festival which features “first and second works from the directors to watch”.

The comedy is about male friendship centering on two thirty-something slackers while they lie low in a remote area of Ireland. The shoot is for five weeks in various locations in Kildare.

Paul Donovan of Grand Pictures will co produce with Clare Kerr from Scotland’s Mead Kerr Ltd. DOP is Tim Fleming (Once), Laurel Wear (The Last Great Wilderness) will head production designer and costume designer is is Suzanne Keogh.

Financed by the Irish Film Board, Scottish Screen, RTÉ, BBC Scotland and E1. International sales being handled by E1. Post production will take place in Arc in Scotland.

Irish Film and Television Network

There’s only a week to go until our forthcoming class – REWRITE: An Insider’s Guide To Working With Script Editors And Producers.   This course is your chance to hear from six speakers with a wealth of UK and international experience. Info and booking at http://rewrite.eventbrite.com/

FEEDBACK OPPORTUNITY
As well as a fantastic range of speakers we are also offering you the chance to test drive your pitch document with a producer, a writer and a script editor before you send it out to the wider industry.  We will also provide you with pointers for where to go next with your project.

This offer is open to all attendees of our forthcoming class – REWRITE: An Insider’s Guide To Working With Script Editors And Producers.  In the month following the course you will have the opportunity to send us a pitch doc for one of your projects.  You will then receive feedback to ensure you have it polished and ready to send it out as a selling document for your script or idea.

With only a week to go until the class don’t miss your chance to stay ahead of your competitors and get professional feedback on your pitch doc.

We guarantee you a fun, friendly and info packed day that will benefit writers of all levels who are interested in exploring a career as a screenwriter or script editor.  This unique course will massively boost your confidence and knowledge. If you want to get ahead of the competition you need to BOOK NOW at http://rewrite.eventbrite.com/

Adrian Mead
Writer and Director

Getting someone interested in your writing is only the start of the process. This one day event is your chance to learn from successful Writers, Script Editors and Producers about what happens next.

Book your place now at http://rewrite.eventbrite.com and get the insider knowledge you need to build your career and stay ahead of the competition.

WORKSHOP OUTLINE

10.00am – Introduction to the Day

Session 1 – What is a Script Editor?  – 10.15 – 11.30

Philip Shelly discusses and offers an overview of the skills and knowledge needed to be an effective and successful Script Editor and their role in pre production.

11.30 – 11.45  Coffee break

Session 2 – Working with Producers  -  12.00 -1.00

Adrian Mead will interview Producers Turan Ali and Arabella Page-Croft asking

• how Writers are chosen for a project.
• what Producers expect from Writers.
• How to remain professional and build good relationships during the creative process

Lunch: 1.00 – 2.00 - A light lunch is provided allowing you an opportunity to network with fellow delegates and pick the brains of course speakers.

Session 3 – Waking The Dead – An overview of the Script Editor’s job in production. 2.00 – 3.45

Philip Shelley – A case study, with clips, of the Script Editor’s role on Waking The Dead (BBC).  This session will cover all the main aspects of a Script Editor’s job.

• The relationship between Producer, Writer and Script Editor.
• Selecting and briefing the Writer
• Dealing with script crises; and much, much more!

COFFEE BREAK – 4.00 – 4.30

Session 4 – Rewrites: The Writer’s POV -  4.30 -5.30

A panel of experienced Screenwriters, Rob Fraser, Louise Ironside and Peter Hynes discuss how they work with Producers and Script Editors including

• what Script Editors can do for you the writer,
• the relationship between Script Editor and Writer on a production,
• how to avoid getting fired!
• The state of the industry
• upcoming career opportunities for Writers and Script Editors. 

END OF DAY

CONTRIBUTORS – INFORMATION

• Philip Shelley – Script Editor and Producer- Philip has worked with most of the UK’s leading writers and producers. He is also one of the UK’s most respected script consultants and trainers   http://www.script-consultant.co.uk

• Arabella Page -Croft – Producer, Black Camel pictures.  Arabella has successfully produced two features both with international sales and distribution and is currently prepping to shoot her third. http://www.blackcamel.co.uk

• Turan Ali – A former BBC Senior Producer (Drama and Features), he now runs Bona Broadcasting production company.  Turan has a huge range of experience as a producer of both TV and radio that covers the world of UK and
  international drama and documentary.  http://www.bonabroadcasting.com

• Rob Fraser – Writer.  Rob has an extensive CV of credits and has worked with all the UK’s broadcasters. He has written for Holby City, Taggart, Monarch Of The Glen and many, many others.

• Louise Ironside – Writer.  Louise works across TV, radio and stage and is currently writing for BBC Scotland’s River City and The Traverse Theatre Edinburgh.

• Peter Hynes – Writer and Script Editor.  One of the UK’s most prolific and successful writers of live action and animated children’s television with currently over one hundred and eighty TV programmes scripted and transmitted worldwide.  http://uk.linkedin.com/in/peterhynesltd

• Adrian Mead – Writer and Director.  Adrian has written or directed a wide range of film and TV projects including, Waking The Dead, The Eustace Brothers, Blue Dove and feature film Night People, winner of the Cineworld BAFTA audience award. www.meadkerr.com

Getting someone interested in your work is only the start of the process. This is your chance to learn from successful Writers, Script Editors and Producers about what happens next.

Book your place now at http://rewrite.eventbrite.com and get the insider knowledge you need to build your career.

Night People will go on DVD release in the UK on Ocober 8th 2007!

It will be available from HMV shops, amazon.co.uk and play.com.

Life is tough for indie films like Night People, and the first week’s sales are crucial to future success so if you really want to help get down to HMV in the week beginning 8th Oct and do a bit of early Xmas shopping.

Buying the DVD from an HMV store will help it get into the DVD charts which helps it get stocked in other stores, and keeps it on the shelves for longer.

We are delighted that GuerillaFilms is distributing our first feature film.