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The Script Factory is a European script development organisation based in London, which aims to close the gap between writers and the film, TV and radio industries.

The Script Factory stages extensive Training programmes for scriptwriters and script developers, and has been a major provider of training programmes for the National Film and Television School, the UK Film Council and Skillset. It offers Development tools for screenwriters including script feedback with in-depth coverage reports; scriptwriter support and script development schemes; and the opportunity for one-to-one development meetings with experienced developers as well as established industry producers. The Script Factory also produces high-profile filmmaker Masterclasses across the UK and at major international film festivals, with previous guests including Richard Linklater, Charlie Kaufman, Frank Cottrell Boyce, The Coen Brothers and Wes Anderson.

History

The Script Factory was established in 1996 when founder, Charlotte Macleod, transferred the idea of staging Performed Screenplay Readings from New York to London. Initially housed within the British Film Institute, The Script Factory used the talents of its Board of advisors to help stage an annual season of readings. Screenwriters including Christopher Hampton, Mike Figgis and Jimmy McGovern saw their work performed by stars including Charles Dance, Christopher Eccleston, Ioan Gruffud, Irene Jacob, Art Malik, Anna Massey, Gina Mckee, Bill Nighy, Stephen Rea, Fiona Shaw, Mark Strong and Emily Watson.

As the open-submissions policy for the readings generated an ever-increasing number of scripts to be read, The Script Factory began to train its own script readers, inadvertently tapping into a growing demand for reader and development training. At the same time, Board members Anthony Minghella and Mike Figgis offered to give Script Factory masterclasses, inspiring the company to launch its live events programme.

Nearly 15 years after staging its first reading, The Script Factory now:

  • delivers an annual training programme which reaches more than 3000 people each year;
  • stages more than 20 live events per year in partnership with established filmmakers in the international industry;
  • develops and manages training and event programmes with partners across the globe from Brazil to Israel;
  • continues to build relationships to develop and support selected individual writers;
  • has expanded its focus from film to TV and radio activities;
  • and continues to grow its busy and enthusiastic membership programme.

Training

The Script Factory runs a range of training courses across the UK and abroad, mainly in scriptwriting, and script reading and development. Courses have traditionally focussed on film training, but in recent years have expanded to include story-based TV and radio training courses. Along with scriptwriter training in Radio Drama, Treatment Writing, Thriller and Adaptations, regularly offered Script Factory training courses include:

  • Film Script Reading Programme - The Script Factory's essential start for anyone learning to assess feature film scripts and write industry-standard reports.
  • Serious Screenwriting - The Script Factory's flagship 2-day screenwriting forum offered in partnership with BAFTA every June.
  • Story Design - a brand new 2-day screenwriting workshop offered in September 2010, and aimed to help writers hone their film ideas into a solid screen story.

International Training

The Script Factory designs bespoke film training courses in partnership with regional, national and international agencies. Along with providing training as part of the British Council's Creative Collaboration producers programme, The Script Factory has conducted bespoke international training courses in Sweden, Germany, Spain, Israel, Brazil, Ireland, Singapore, Slovenia, India, Poland, Australia, Palestine, Latvia, Macedonia, Ukraine and Turkey.

Current international programmes include Scriptwriting Scheme for Irish Language TV Writers, offering training and mentoring to six Irish speaking writers interested in writing drama for television; and Screen Australia - Script Development Initiative 2010. In 2009 and 2010, The Script Factory traveled to Australia to help Screen Australia strengthen and advance their screenwriting culture and its practitioners, and will return to undertake further training work during Autumn 2010.

Digi Shorts

Since 2007, The Script Factory has offered training to filmmakers selected by their regional screen agencies as part of the UK Film Council's Digital Shorts filmmaking scheme. Training has included sessions on Script Development, Producer Training, Digital Directing, Directing Actors, and Post-Production workshops in Sound and Editing. Guest tutors have included directors Mike Figgis (Timecode), Paul Andrew Williams (London to Brighton), Josh Appignanesi (The Infidel) and Eran Creevy (Shifty), as well as editor Nicolas Chauderge (Fish Tank) senior sound designer and creator of The School Of Sound Larry Sider, and post-production supervisor Alistair Hopkins (Tamara Drewe).

Development Services

The Script Factory offers a range of feedback and development services, providing independent professional input which can help prepare a film project for the industry:

  • Feedback Report, providing industry-level feedback reports on feature and short screenplays.
  • Development Meeting, a chance for individual writers to discuss their project with one of The Script Factory team.
  • Private Development Readings can also be booked for writers and production companies whose feature and short film projects are at an advanced stage of development (with some finance in place).
She Writes

She Writes is a training programme aimed specifically at emerging women screenwriters, and presented in partnership with Birds Eye View and Skillset. The programme, catering for eight emerging women writers, takes place over the course of 2010, during which time participants enjoy a residential retreat, attend two specialist workshops, meet with mentors, gain a better understanding of the industry, have exclusive access to industry and training events at the Birds Eye View Film Festival and at Script Factory preview events and masterclasses, and have the opportunity to workshop a feature screenplay project with actors.

Friendly Producers Scheme

This initiative offers one attendee of certain Script Factory courses the chance for a one-to-one meeting with one of the Script Factory's Friendly Producers. This offers selected writers not only the chance to make industry connections, but also to receive feedback on a current project as well as career guidance. Some of The Script Factory's Friendly Producers have included Stephen Woolley (The Crying Game), Andrea Calderwood (The Last King of Scotland), Finola Dwyer (Backbeat), Kevin Loader (In The Loop), Gareth Wiley (Vicky Christina Barcelona) and Amanda Posey (An Education) .

Script Development Scheme

The Script Factory offers an annual Script Development Scheme. Launched each year at Serious Screenwriting, the scheme offers one screenwriter or screenwriting partnership year-long support on a film project in development. In 2010, the scheme offers a cash bursary of £1,000, free attendance on selected Script Factory training programmes, a guaranteed development meeting with BBC Films, and lunch with Oscar nominated screenwriter Peter Morgan (The Queen, Frost/Nixon).

Masterclasses and Live Events

The Script Factory stages Masterclasses, previews and other live events designed to encourage and inspire filmmakers.

Previous Script Factory Masterclasses and Screen Talks have included:

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