Stephen May and Ealing Studios host Script Labs

Stephen May, the Director of The Screen Arts Institute,  in collaboration with Ealing Studios, will be holding two Script Labs during the upcoming London Screenwriting Festival (Sat 27th and Sun 28th October).  16 writers will be chosen from applicants to develop their feature/TV ideas.  The idea/writer that is deemed the strongest will win the opportunity to pitch face to face with Sophie Meyer, Head of Development at Ealing Studios.  All 16 writers who are chosen for the two script labs will have their one-pagers and loglines packaged and presented to Ealing.   Stephen May will promote any stand-out projects to his extensive industry network here and in the United States.

For further information - check the links below.
http://www.londonscreenwritersfestival.com/whats-on/sessions/script-lab-7-8
www.thescreenartsinstitute.com

Big Story Tricks No.1 - "Make Your Baddy Badder"

Donald Pleasance is Blofelt

Over the years people, movies, novels, stories have handed down to writers a few "tricks of the trade"-  I'm going to pass them on to you.  None of them are new - they're as old as the hills.  None of them are fancy.  They are obvious.  They're not complicated.  They are simple.  Simple and fantastically useful.  In fact, you already know them.  I'm just going to remind you that you do.  This first is called "Make your Baddy Badder" and it is, in my opinion, one of the most important "Tricks" in the bag.  Click the "Read More" link to read on.

Nick Marston joins the Screen Arts Institute

We are delighted that Nick Marston has agreed to join our illustrious industry council.  Nick is the Chairman of the Media Department at the Curtis Brown Group.

Nick is responsible for several of the largest film rights sales in UK history including his record-breaking deal for "The Horse Whisperer".  He represents directors as well as writers.  His in-house production arm, Cuba Pictures, produced "Boy A" (starring Andrew Garfield & Peter Mullan, winning 5 Baftas) in 2007 and Nick is fast challenging the might of the LA-based majors.

Andrew Garfield in "Boy A"

Check the link for his take on what it takes to be a good agent - and what writers should look for in those that represent them.
http://www.creativeskillset.org/film/stories/development/article_3407_1.asp
http://www.curtisbrown.co.uk/nick-marston/

Amy Ricker with "Having You" in post.

Amy Ricker (producer, graduate from Steve May's MA programme in 2011) has a new feature in post, "Having You", starring Anna Friel and Romola Garai.  This is the feature directing debut for the actor Sam Hoare (Captain America, Borgen).
http://www.finitefilmsandtv.com/having-you-film-2012/
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2397390/

Dan Smyth (writer/director) selected for iFeatures2

Dan Smyth (graduate from Steve May's Screenwriting and Producing programme in 2007) has two reasons to celebrate.  His short, "Gummy Man", has been picked up by the Virgin Shorts Competition and is online.  And his feature, "The Prefect", has been selected for the iFeatures2 programme.  The producer, Marcie MacLellan, is also a graduate from Steve May's MA Programme.

If you want to check out some of the events at iFeatures summer development programme, check the link immediately below.

Good luck, Dan.  Mates, spread the word.


http://www.ifeatures2.co.uk/ifeatures-events-at-the-summer-development-programme.html
http://www.ifeatures2.co.uk/the-16-teams.html
http://danpksmyth.wordpress.com/2012/07/13/new-feature-development-with-ifeatures2/
http://www.virginmediashorts.co.uk/film/2716/gummy-man-rage#.UAVqzpcA4rQ.gmail

The Screen Arts Institute launches "Storytelling for the Screen" Programme

The Screen Arts Institute (London) launched its “Storytelling for the Screen” programme in February this year.   Based in central London’s Portland Place, the programme is designed to help emerging film talent develop, package and sell their movies and TV programmes in the most efficient manner possible.

Ten filmmakers joined us in February to develop feature film projects – and we are looking to recruit new participants for Courses running later in 2012 and for February 2013. 

We are confident that we are running the most pragmatic programme in the country with an ethos that is “shortening the odds of getting your movies/programmes made”.    Our team boasts some of the biggest names in the business.

Our mentors include:

Tim Bevan (Co-chairman of Working Title Films, with a dozen Oscars and some 20 Baftas under his belt)

Hossein Amini (writer; “Drive”, an Oscar nod for “The Wings of a Dove”, and work with Winterbottom, Scorsese, Curtis Hanson and co.)

Olivia Hetreed (writer of “Girl with a Pearl Earing”, Andrea Arnold’s “Wuthering Heights” and is Chair of the Writers Guild Film Department)

Rob Kenny (Director of Operations of the Curzon Cinemas – the holy grail of all indie film-makers)

and Oliver Parker (Director; “Othello”, “An Ideal Husband”, “St. Trinians”)

The Director of Programmes at the Institute is Stephen May who, until January, ran the Masters Programme in Screenwriting and Producing at the University of Westminster.  Programmes under his direction have produced a near 100% record of industry employment for graduates.

If you, or any of your colleagues, are interested in what we are doing, check out this link for more information:

www.thescreenartsinstitute.com

Or contact the Director at:

Stephen.May@thescreenartsinstitute.com

Graduate wins European 3D Film Mart Competition

Yesterday, Amy Ricker (class of 2010/11) won the EU’s 3D Film Mart Competition with her film “Billy and the Goblin Rebellion”.  The script was developed as her major project on the MA Screenwriting & Producing programme.

The win guarantees her a Euro 3,000 further development deal and links her to financiers, sales agents and distributors.

http://www.3dstereomedia.eu/en/film-festival-mart/3d-film-mart
           http://finitefilmslondon.com/