New Writers

Northwest Film Writers of the Future Receive Unique Training

Eight promising film writers from the Northwest were selected to attend an intensive scriptwriting workshop last week where they developed and strengthened their skills to help them become accomplished feature film writers.

Run by established feature film writer Simon Van Der Borgh and organised by North West Vision the writers were selected through an intense 'X Factor' style process.

In early 2004, over eighty applications were received for the New Film Writer's Development Scheme and thirty were selected to attend the first round of training in Liverpool.

Eight budding film writers from the initial thirty were then selected to go through to the final stage where they were given four intensive days of writing workshops, tutorials and analysis. This will provide them with the knowledge and confidence to develop their feature film proposals into first stage drafts.

Commenting on this pioneering course, Alice Morrison from North West Vision, said:

"There are many training courses for scriptwriters, but this course has an extremely rigorous selection and training process. We gave intensive training to thirty writers who were all in various stages of their writing careers. We hope our final eight will seize this opportunity and come away with a strong first draft which can be presented to the agents who will help them carve out successful careers as feature film writers".

Middleton Lodge in Yorkshire (near Darlington) was chosen as the final location for the four-day training last week, as it was deemed to be the perfect retreat to inspire creativity.

This innovative scheme was financed by North West Vision though its lottery funding. North West Vision hopes to run this course again in early 2007.

"Just want to thank you for the series of residentials you have organised. They have been brilliant, and Simon and Ann inspiring. I have genuinely learnt a great deal. I sincerely appreciate the fact you've given eight writers the chance to develop their projects in such an intensive way as this." Phil Charles, one of the final eight selected for the new feature film writers scheme.