SCRIPT EDITING FOR PRODUCERS

Producers know how to make films. They are brilliant at finance plans, budgeting, location scouting, relationships with agents, distributors, sales agents, streamers, broadcasters and audiences. And they know a good story when they see one – but all too often they see scripts that are promising, but lacking key screen elements.

What producers are looking for in screenplays is original compelling narratives, a gripping world of the story with strongly developed characters, a propulsive story with escalating dramatic conflict and sparkling dialogue.

Often producers are presented with scripts which have some, but not all of these essential screen elements – and they are not always as clear as they would like to be about how to turn things around and implement an effective development strategy.

This workshop is designed to enable producers to engage deeply with screen stories using the language of script development and to recognise when a script is working, when it is not, and what to do about it. At its conclusion, producers should feel confident about how to assess the potential of a screenplay, how to discuss the screenplay with the writer, how to put together the right development strategy, how to constantly consider ways in which the writer could make stronger choices and how to assess and elevate each draft.

Understanding development and the process by which a good screenplay becomes great is an essential part of every producers’ toolkit because a producer who understands development will always be ahead of the curve.

This workshop will run as two separate modules. The first is for experienced producers looking for a refresher course or upskilling or just the opportunity to talk about how screenplays work how producers manage script development. The second is for emerging producers who are keen to further their script analysis and script development skills.

WHO

Max of 12 participants for each course

Experienced Producers - A minimum of one producer credit, either feature film or TV series
Apply for the Experienced Producer course here.

Emerging Producers - No prior credits required
Apply for the Emerging Producer course here.

WHEN:

Script Editing for Experienced Producers
Dates: Friday 21 June, Saturday 22 June, Sunday 23 June, Monday 24 June

Script Editing for Emerging Producers
Dates: Tuesday 25 June, Wednesday 26 June, Thursday 27 June

WHERE:

The Ship - Cox’s Bay Clubhouse - 55 West End Road, Herne Bay, Auckland

WHAT THE WORKSHOP FOCUSES ON:

• How Screen Stories work

• What makes a great screen story - how to choose a screenplay and articulate a vision for it

• The development process - how to set it up - how to find the right script consultant, the role of the producer in development

• Feedback - how to give feedback which will advance the project

• How to be inside the head of the writer, what are they trying to say? 

• Consider if there are dramatically stronger choices the writer might make

• Ensure the screenplay is original and compelling, not covering well worn terrain or is a story we have seen before

• Ensure script has narrative momentum, but is well paced

• How to elevate compelling conflict and why this is a key screenwiring tool

• Avoid cliches, avoid expositional writing, avoid being “plotty"

• Be confident about which sequences need weight and why

• Tell the story visually

• Reduce or increase the length 

• Create a sense of authenticity

• Ensure the script will attract strong acting talent

• Oversight - how to maintain the vision and support the development team when things are not going according to plan - when to step forward and when to step back

• When to change direction and/or the writer

• Pitching the project - and knowing the purpose of each pitch

HOW:

All participants of each course will need to have watched five selected feature films and read six screenplays that will be used as case studies. The courses will be a mixture of lectures, screenings, discussions and practical work.

The last two days of the course will focus on practical exercises which will give producers the opportunity to analyse and discuss screenplays.  The scripts that will be used for these exercises can be one of the following:

• One the six screen plays read in preparation for the course

• A five page pitch written by the producer

• A screen play that the producer brings to the workshop. It can be a screenplay written by the producer themselves, or be a film in their slate that they would like to discuss.

Each producer will have the opportunity to be both the script editor and the person pitching. This exercise is designed to refine the skills of the producer acting as the script editor. Producers who bring their own work should be aware that scripts and pitches which are underdeveloped are very welcome, as this will give the producer acting as the script editor great opportunities to strengthen the work – it will be harder for the script editors to work with projects that are already well developed. For this reason producers are encouraged to bring their own underdeveloped pitches and or screenplays.

Producers will discuss these screenplays with each other and provide feedback on the strengths, weaknesses of the screenplays and consider other choices the writer could make.

COST:

Experienced Film Producers Four Day Course - NZD$600 +GST

Emerging Producers Three Day Course - NZD$400 +GST

DELIVERED BY:

SCRIPT EDITING FOR PRODUCERS has been developed by Course Leader Claire Dobbin and delivered through Share the Knowledge with the support of the New Zealand Film Commission

APPLICATIONS CLOSE FRIDAY 31 MAY, 5PM

Apply for the Experienced Producer course here.
Apply for the Emerging Producer course here.

MEET THE EXPERT

Claire Dobbin is a script editor/ EP/ Creative Producer who works globally with development agencies, screenwriters, producers and directors.

Claire is also -
- Script advisor (since 2005) for the acclaimed international script workshop éQuinoxe Europe.
- Jury member of key international film festivals
- Devises and runs international screenwriting workshops including Italy, Ukraine, India, Norway, Doha, Dubai, Iran, Germany, NZ.

From 1986 – 2000 Claire was the Senior Executive (Creative) at Australia’s national screen agency with responsibility for the development and production of many key Australian films and filmmakers. She was instrumental in establishing the Indigenous branch which led to the rise of Australia’s internationally acclaimed Indigenous cinema.

From 2003 – 2019 Claire was Chair of “Australia’s most significant screen event” (International Screen Guide), the Melbourne International Film Festival.

Claire devised, and secured the funds for:
• MIFF’s international film finance market MIFF 37 Sth which brings over 50 international sales agents / distributors/ financiers to Melbourne every year to secure attachments for Australian and NZ productions.
• Claire also devised and secured the funds for MIFF’s film investment fund, The MIFF Premiere Fund.

From 2007 – 19 Claire oversaw MIFF’s investment in over 50 Australian films receiving their world premiere at MIFF – many of which also screened in major international festivals including Cannes, Berlin, Toronto, Sundance and Venice, and launched the international careers of Australian filmmakers.

In 2017 Claire was awarded an AM for Services to the Australian Film Industry and in 2019 Claire received the Jill Robb award for outstanding leadership in the Victorian Screen Industry.
Claire is currently the Executive Producer of several films and is script editing a number of international feature films and TV series in NZ, Australia, Europe, India and the US.