Film London Labs: The Script Sessions

A brand new lab for scriptwriters, delivered by writer/producer Angeli Macfarlane!

Want help getting your first draft onto the page? Need vital support for the next draft? The Script Sessions is for writers who are embarking on the first draft their feature script, or who have already written a draft. Strong ideas development leads into productive script development and so, we will look at how to initiate robust structures for your work in order to create a solid draft.

The three sessions will cover three stages of the writing process:

• 3rd JUNE, SESSION ONE: Breaking down screen building blocks together - character, dialogue, place, time, genre. We will examine how each of the key factors in screen writing can inform your path, give you inspiration, create plot and help you know your direction of travel.
• 4th JUNE, SESSION TWO: (TBC) In conversation and insightful feedback from a filmmaker who’s recently made their film and for us to discover the questions they asked themselves in the making and the paths they trod to get their story to come to life. Then, the importance of theme, intention and emotion - we will explore how to talk about meaning to propel you on your way. and how to identify the best way to bring that meaning to life. Having a clear sense of what you are writing about is helpful - applying it successfully to the page can require work on genre and tone.
• 5th JUNE, SESSION THREE: The nuts and bolts session - structural and plot work, creating beginnings and endings and working through the next iteration of your film. We will also look at useful documents to help you break down and analyse your work without having so many versions of your idea you actually don’t feel like you’re getting on with the business of writing.

Each participant will come away from the lab with new tools to organise ideas into a screen story and fresh insights into development that will help deliver on the intention and ambition of the work. Market-relevant examples will be given to ensure the lab offers fresh and lively insights into how to make a strong script for today’s audience.

If you plan to apply for the Production Finance Market in the coming weeks, this Lab could be helpful in helping you with the progress of your project and its script. That said, if an application to the Production Finance Market is not necessarily your end goal, that’s okay too.

The lab will be run by Angeli Macfarlane, who is a story editor, writer and producer. For many years Angeli was a script consultant and development producer for production companies, broadcasters and funders in the UK and worldwide. She has worked on many features and shorts, both as commissioner and developer. When she was at Film London Angeli was development producer on six first features as part of the Microwave scheme for BBC Film and the BFI. She has run first feature schemes for both Film4 and Pathe. In recent years Angeli has begun writing scripts: LOLA which was nominated for best screenplay at the Irish Film and TV Awards 2024, MOMO with director Christian Ditter which is in post and in development she has a six part TV series with Shy Punk and a feature set during the Troubles in Northern Ireland with THE FAVOURITE producer Sleeper Films. Her producing debuts are with Rebecca Lenkiewicz (SHE SAID, IDA, HOT MILK) and with Cineman Films on a first feature developed with the BFI. Angeli is a senior tutor in screenwriting at the National Film and Television school and she has taught screenwriting internationally for many funds and commissions.

DATES AND TIMINGS

Tuesday 3 - Thursday 5 June 2025, 1pm-3pm BST each day

FORMAT

The will be one session each day (three in total). Each session will comprise two hours’ teaching time, with a break. At the end of each session there will be space for questions.

HOW TO TAKE PART

Please note that no scripts are to be submitted. Space is operated on a first come first served basis. We will record each session and make the videos available to attendees for six months after the end of the Lab so all can catch up on any missed sessions, or re-watch (only with the purchase of a ticket).

Fee: £70 +VAT & transaction fee.

NOTE: We recognise that this is a challenging time for many in our industry, and we have ventured to keep costs as low as possible.

We’re keen to make this series accessible so if the cost is a barrier for you, do get in touch at production@filmlondon.org.uk

Refund policy: Refunds can only be issued BEFORE the lab starts, any additional booking fees are non-refundable.