Stephen May chairs panel on Period Drama at LSF 2012

Stephen May (Director of The Screen Arts Institute) is chairing a panel to discuss Period Drama at this year's London Screenwriting Festival (6.30 to 7.30pm on Saturday 26th October).   The panel includes Roland Moore, Chris Hill, Mark Pallis and Kevin Hood.

Check the link for more information.
http://www.londonscreenwritersfestival.com/whats-on/sessions/period-drama

Caroline Bacle's "Lost Rivers" opens Toronto Festival

Caroline Bacle's (Class of 2011) 2011 Green Pitch Winner, "Lost Rivers", opened the 2012 Environmental Film Festival in Toronto two days ago.  Caroline's documentary chronicles the fate of six rivers buried underneath six cities across the globe.

http://planetinfocus.org/festival-films/opening-night-gala-lost-rivers/
http://www.nowtoronto.com/movies/story.cfm?content=188901
http://vimeo.com/50839044

Kara Smith wins Park Avenue Award and skims an Emmy

Kara Smith (Class of 2010) has won the New York Film Festival's Park Avenue Award for her TV Spec Script "Parole".  The script was also long-listed for an Emmy.  Nice one, Kara.  Mates, spread the word.
https://newyorkscreenplaycontest.com/2012-winners-awards-side-menu

Nick Marston launches "Broken" starring Tim Roth & Cillian Murphy

Tim Roth & Eloise Laurence in "Broken"

Nick Marston (Curtis Brown and Governor of The Screen Arts Institute) has produced "Broken" through his Cuba Pictures shingle.  The movie, starring Tim Roth and Cillian Murphy, will premiere at the London Film Festival in October.  The film is a directing debut for Rufus Norris and introduces the young actress, Eloise Laurence.  Both have been nominated for Best British Newcomer at the Festival.

http://www.curtisbrown.co.uk/broken-and-what-richard-did-included-in-bfi-london-film-festival-lineup/?work=8294

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/