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Welcome to the MFJF Writer's Corner, our virtual career clinic for aspiring screenwriters to seek career guidance and advice from a current industry professional.
The Writer's Corner is a virtual career clinic and forum to discuss all things screenwriting, built around the burning questions you have about breaking into the industry and embarking on a screenwriting career.
The intention is to help aspiring screenwriters by giving them the career and writing advice they’re looking for. This virtual workshop is run by the Head of the MFJF Writer's Corner Jon Gilbert.
Jon's aim is to give you the insider's view and practical advice he wishes he had known when he started his film career.
The workshop is a 90 minute long Q&A, delivered via Zoom. It is an interactive format, so please come prepared with questions you've always had about starting your screenwriting career, as these questions will form the basis of each session.
Details
When: Monthly, 7pm. Click on the button below for the date of the next workshop.
Where: Virtual, via Zoom
Who: Aspiring Screenwriters
Cost: Free for MFJF PRO Members
This Career Advice Clinic is for anyone who is on the fraught journey to become a professional (ie getting paid!) screenwriter.
That covers everyone from those who have never written a script before but need a little nudge to those who have written many but just can't get to that critical point of breaking through commercially.
Yet we all share that same passion for reading and writing scripts!
This is not for people to boast about their achievements, but a genuine place to share advice and guidance through the cold face of experience.
Whilst Jon will be on hand to present and be the focal point this is an interactive forum for members to ask questions and be heard. If you just want to listen that is absolutely fine too!
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This is your safe space to meet other writers, and gain tips and advice. Plus have a good old moan!
Book your place and have your questions ready!
We look forward to having you join the MFJF Writer's Corner community.
This 90 minute Q&A has no set agenda, but will talk around the main question we all have, how do you start and develop a successful screenwriting career?
With that as the overarching theme, we will cover some or all of the following depending on your questions:
How can you break into the writing world and get your material recognised?
If you’re not in the industry, which entry-level positions should you look for?
What do these positions offer as far as honing your skills? And once you have it, how do you take those next steps and what strategies work?
What are the avenues to success? Contests, professional courses, internships, producer assisting - which are best for you?
What do these paths look like on a practical level?
Ways to legitimise your writing in the eyes of producers and co-workers on set or in the office.
What are the skills beyond the typing you’ll need to be successful?
What does a writer actually do on set?
How does a writer's room function?
Creating and improving your own writing style
What makes a script stand out?
What type of material should you focus on?
What will you want in your portfolio to attract agents or representation?
How do I get my script sold or get hired onto a show?
The way that you can get the most from this Q&A is to have some questions ready to ask. There is no wrong questions, so do not ever feel hesitant, just ask!
Jon is a screenwriter with a twin passion for psychological thrillers and human interest stories, who has developed projects with production companies including Kudos, Big Talk, Range and Bedlam, as well as with the BFI, and collaborated with directors such as Joel Schumacher and Jaume Collet-Serra.
He wrote for the Channel 5/Netflix thriller THE TEACHER, starring Sheridan Smith, and C5’s LOVE RAT, with Sally Lindsey and Neil Morrisey, as well as co-writing award-winning feature film THE ZIGZAG KID, starring Isabella Rossellini.
Jon started out in the industry reading scripts for Universal Pictures, the Works, and the BFI, subsequently working extensively as a teacher and script consultant at places such as the London Film School and the Met Film School, where he was a senior screenwriting tutor and Programme Leader of the BA in Practical Filmmaking.
This workshop is for MFJF Pro Members. To join and participate create your account on MFJF and then upgrade to become a PRO Member.
Here is a list of recommended reading, websites and tips for your to achieve this:
Any MFJF Pro Member can attend regardless of prior film industry experience or knowledge.
This workshop is ideal for:
those who have ambitions of becoming a screenwriter
career changers interested in knowing more about a potential new start in the film industry
or even those with several professional credits wanting to meet more industry professionals to seek advice
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