THE SELECTION FOR THE 2008 PROGRAMME HAS BEEN MADE. PLEASE CONTACT US IN NOVEMBER 2008 TO APPLY FOR 2009 PROGRAMME.

Athena Screenwriters - The Business of Screenwriting is a new course for 8women screenwriters who want to move their screenwriting careers forward and who want to get a development contract for a feature script.

The course has been developed with the assistance of an advisory panel that includes Juliette Towhidi (writer - Calendar Girls), Pippa Cross (producer - Shooting Dogs), Katherine Butler (Head of Development Film 4), Martha Fiennes (Director - Onegin) and Sarah Golding (script editor - The Constant Gardener).

Who is it for?

The course is for 6 women screenwriters who have at least one completed feature script and who want to (a) get a development contract for their project with a reputable producer, (b) develop a network of contacts for future commissions and (c) develop heir business skills to manage their careers as screenwriters.

We are primarily looking for writers who are not represented by an agent but who are highly talented and have good knowledge of screenwriting.

What is the aim of the course?

The aim is to provide high level tuition and support so that the participants can realise their goals in (a) securing a development contract with their script, (b) acquiring business skills and contacts which will help them secure development contracts in the future and (c) learning how to strategise their writing careers.

How does it work?

The main formal component consists of 2 x 2-day sessions which cover how to refine and market your script.

• Understanding the market
• Finding your project's USPs
• Pitching and one-pagers
• Main commissioning options
• Marketing strategies
• Alternative marketing strategies
• Contracts
• Working with producers and script editors
• Negotiating skills
• Building a career as a writer

In addition each writer will have a series of one to one mentoring sessions with experts on:

• Strategising your choice of projects - which projects should you pursue and which should you leave for later
• Establishing goals and managing your career
• A bi-monthly general progress report (over 10 months - so 5 sessions).

We will also provide 6 online / lecture sessions with experts to follow-up on the sessions listed above.

Initialize will also send out participant scripts to UK and international producers as part of a mutually agreed marketing plan.

The course is limited to 8participants.

Price

The price per participant is £ 895. The price includes all documentation and light refreshments.

Funding

We advise all applicants to apply for a Skillset Screen Bursary which may provide up to 80% of the course fee and travel expenses. For more information, please click here. Applicants should also find out if their regional screen agency can provide financial assistance towards the costs of the course.

When?

The course runs for 10 months from 1 February to 1 December 2008. The formal weekend sessions will be held in central London on:

1 - 2 March 2008;
5 - 6 April 2008.

The one to one sessions will be held at a mutually convenient time for the expert and the participant.

Dates of the online sessions will be confirmed at the start of 2008.

Applications

The first application deadline is 28 September 2007. The second deadline is 18 December 2007.

Depending of the quality of the applications, we will select up to (but no more than) 3 participants in the first deadline and at least three for the second deadline.

To apply please send:

• A pdf of your screenplay;
• A CV;
• Synopses of at least one other screenplay;
• A statement of intent - why do you want to do the course (no more than 200 words).

to applications@initialize-films.co.uk or to:

Initialize Films
Athena - The Business of Screenwriting
15 Southampton Place
London
WC1A 2AJ

For more information on other training and project development programmes click on the links below:

Screenwriters
Producers
Documentary Filmmakers and Documentary Producers

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