drawing by Miquel Calatayud  
  Tools for European Screenwriters' Training
 
     
   
  The current content has been published in 2004.

The TEST library proposes books, articles, researches and links related to the topics of TEST. You can consult references in the following categories:

Transmission of specific methods and tools for creative writing for the screen
Online documents
Articles
Books
Websites
Documentation of SOURCES 2 lectures and round table discussions
Screenwriting manuals (English)
Screenwriting manuals (French)
Screenwriting manuals (German)
Screenwriting manuals (Spanish)

The narrative identities of the “American Studio” and the “European workshop” script development models
Online documents
Articles
Books about European cinema
Books about European cinema in relation to Hollywood
Websites

The interaction between industry, training/development programmes and screenwriters
Online documents
Research
Websites
Articles about script development
Books about script development

 

 


Transmission of specific methods and tools for creative writing for the screen

Online documents

Joan Alvarez (2004). New challenges in European screenwriter training.
Document on the TEST website – English
General presentation of the TEST programme, touching the following topics: ‘towards a new European Cinema’, ‘more and better development’, ‘new training needs’, ‘the TEST proposal’.
../seminar/PDF/NEW_CHALLENGES.pdf

Patrick Cattrysse (2003). Training & Research in scriptwriting; Some considerations.
Online document – English
Cattrysse looks at the need for training aimed at four different types of script users: training for writers, training for readers, training for trainers and training for researchers.
http://comcom.uvt.nl/e-view/04-1/cattrijsse.htm

Arjen van Dalen (2004). 2 or 3 things I know about her; discussing the training of professional European screenwriters.
Article in TEST newsletter 1 (downloadable from TEST website) – English
A look at the current discussions about the training of European professional screenwriters: the need to train, characteristics of training programmes, qualification of trainers and the European dimension in the training programmes.
../newsletter/

Michel Gaztambide (2004).Concrete Solutions to abstract Problems.
Document on the TEST website – English
Michel Gaztambide talks about how to teach screenwriting, touching the topics ‘students’, ‘teachers’, and ‘exercises’.
../seminar/PDF/michel_gaztambide.pdf

Jorge Goldenberg (2004). We all have stated our position on that immense field we agreed on calling cinema.
Document on the TEST website – English
Goldenberg’s contribution to the discussion within the TEST network. Introduction to his method of training.
../seminar/PDF/Jorge_Goldenberg.pdf

Roman Gubern (2004). Opening conference for the TEST seminar.
Document on the TEST website – English
In the opening conference for the TEST seminar Roman Gubern speaks about teaching writers, the way technological changes influenced film making and about the traditions of European culture.
../seminar/PDF/Roman_Gubern.pdf

Antoine Jaccoud (2004). Between the bull and the Chameleon.
Document on the TEST website – English
Antoine Jaccoud talks about his work as a script consultant. The key word in his work is 'distance'.
../seminar/PDF/Antoine_Jaccoud.pdf

Manolo Matji (2004). Bleach resistant.
Document on the TEST website – English
Experienced screenwriter and director Manolo Matji speaks about his experiences in training screenwriters.
../seminar/PDF/Manolo_Matji.pdf

Alexia Meyer-Kahlen (2004). Creative Matrix Navigation; a possible approach to European screenwriting training in the light of the development of a new European cinema.
Document on the TEST website – English
Alexia Meyer-Kahlen explains how Creative Matrix Navigation can be applied to every creative process. According to her it is a possible approach to European screenwriting training.
../seminar/PDF/Alexia_Meyer-Kahlen.pdf

Margot Knijn (2003). The right training for the right people.
Online document – English
Document about training professional screenwriters, submitted to the public consultation of the MEDIA programme.
http://europa.eu.int/comm/avpolicy/media/contrib/mk.pdf

Christopher Meeks – Seeking and receiving feedback.
Online document – English
A section of this article is dedicated to giving feedback in a group setting. Guideline: be honest, but do not be brutal.
http://www.efuse.com/Design/wa-feedback.html

Beth Serlin (2004). Some like it Frank Daniel.
Document on the TEST website – English
Beth Serlin’s talk about the screenwriting methodology created by Frank Daniel: how does it work? “somebody wants something badly and is having difficulties getting it”, practical applications, creating tension.
../seminar/PDF/Beth_Serlin.pdf

SPARK ARTICLE: March AFC news (2004).
Document on the TEST website – English
Description of the SPARK training programme.
../seminar/PDF/John_Cassavetes.pdf

Articles                back to index

CILECT (2004). An informal talk with Frank Daniel. CILECT newsletter, June 1989.
Article in CILECT newsletter/online document – English
Transcript of a meeting with scriptwriting teacher Frank Daniel in which he explains the methodology he uses in his course.
http://161.58.124.223/News0411light1.pdf/

Janice Day (November 2002). Who trains the trainers? ScriptWriter Magazine, issue 7.
Article in ScriptWriter Magazine – English
Janice Day reviews a scriptwriting workshop in the light of communication/didactical skills and asks trainers about their didactical experiences.

Julian Friedmann (March 2002). What actors can teach writers. ScriptWriter Magazine, issue 3.
Article in ScriptWriter Magazine – English
Review of a workshop, organised by Marilyn Milgrom, on how actors can help writing a script.

Got a sick script? Get a second opinion.
Article in New York Screenwriter Magazine/online document – English
Interview with script consultants who work in Hollywood, talking about how a script consultant/script doctor can improve a script.
http://www.nyscreenwriter.com/article108.htm

Patrick G. Johnston (1999). Write, write, write; an chat with Lew Hunter.
Article in SCREENTALK magazine/online document – English
Lew Hunter, chair of the screenwriting department of UCLA talks about his transformation from writer to screenwriting teacher, the difference between American and European screenwriters (amongst others).
http://www.screentalk.biz/int001.htm

Metthew Ogborn (2002). Screenwriters anonymous; a.k.a. the Arista Story Editor Workshop.
Article in SCREENTALK magazine/online document – English
Review of an screenwriters´ workshop organised by Arista.
http://www.screentalk.biz/art049.htm

Dick Ross. In a class of their own; Film makers as teachers. The experience of professional film makers in education. The Norwegian National Film School.
Essay – English
Experiences screenwriting teacher Dick Ross writes about film professions (Jean-Claude Carrière and Milos Forman amongst others) who have taught in film schools.

Books                back to index

Rafael Ballester Añon (2001). Manuales de construcción de guiones. Historia y naturaleza textual. Universidad de Valencia: departamento de Téoria de los lenguajes.
A thesis about screenwriting manuals – Spanish

Wendy Bishop, Hans Ostrom (editors). (1994) Colors of a different horse: rethinking creative writing theory and pedagogy. National counsil of teachers.
Book – English
22 essays on creative writing and pedagogy, some articles discuss creative writing courses (teaching composition, what experience should teacher have, pedagogical or published works?). This book does not look specifically into training screenwriters, but touches similar questions.

Stephen D. Brookfield (1991). Understanding and facilitating adult learning: a comprehensive analysis of principles and effective practices. Jossey-Bass Higher Education Series.
Book- English
This book analyses how adults learn: presentation of research currently available and analysis of methods that are used in teaching adults.

Roger H. Bruning, Gress J. Schraw, Monica M. Norby and Royce R. Ronning (2003). Cognitive psychology and instruction, fourth edition. Prentice Hall.
Book – English
Applies research on cognitive psychology to teaching and learning. According to the writers knowledge of cognitive psychology helps to understand educational goals and processes.

Don Fry and Roy Peter Clark (2003). Editors and reporters working together across media platforms. Second edition. Bedford/St. Martin´s.
Book – English
The coaching technique described by Fry and Clark is primarily aimed at editors working with journalists, but can also be adapted to other editor-writer situations (like screenwriters and script editors).

Malcolm S. Knowles, Elwood F. Holton and Richard A. Swanson (1998). The adult learner: the definite classic in adult education and human resource development (managing cultural differences).Fifth edition. Gulf Professional Publishing.
Book – English
The roots and principles of andragogy, latest perspectives, practical applications of adult learning theory, topical readings.

Leonard A. Podis, Joanne M. Podis (1999). Working with student writers: essays on tutoring and teaching. Peter Lang Publishing.
Book – English
Essays on tutoring and teaching for student writers.

Mark Readman (2002). Teaching scriptwriting, screenplays and storyboards for film and TV production. Bfi Education.
Book – English
Practical guide on how to teach scriptwriting; teaching tips, terms and concepts, planning a project (including developing treatment and pitch).

Ian Reece and Stephen Walker (2003). Teaching, training and learning: a practical guide. Business Education Publishers.
Book – English
A teacher-training course book.

Jenny Rogers (2001). Adult learning (fourth edition) Open university press.
Book – English
A guide on how to teach adults.

Wallace Stegner and Edward Connery Lathem (editor). (1989). On the teaching of creative writing: responses to a series of questions. Dartmouth College.
Book – English
Wallace Stegner is founder of creative writing courses. He addresses questions related to teaching creative writing like talent and a Socratic training method.

Websites                back to index

CILECT
Website – English
Website of CILECT (Centre International de Liaison des Ecoles de Cinéma et de Télévision / International Association of Film and Television Schools), an association of the world´s major film and television schools. The website includes a newsletter, information about conferences, links and a list of member and partner schools.
http://www.cilect.org

FOCAL
Website – English, French, German
The website of FOCAL (foundation for professional training in cinema and audiovisual media) is devided in four sections. The first section includes information about training possibilities for media professionals, the second a meeting place for screenwriters and producers. Furthermore there is a documentation section with annotated bibliography and a section with links to useful sites for media and audiovisual professionals.
https://focal.ch

Worldplayer
Website - English
Website by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio (co-writers of Shrek). 35 answers to questions on screenwriting, moderated discussion forum about screenwriting, with search option, columns about screenwriting, indexed by short description, archive with text files, screenplays, treatments, interviews, downloads, links.
http://www.wordplayer.com

Documentation of SOURCES 2 lectures and round table discussions               back to index

Film i Väst and SOURCES 2 (1999). Point of Departure: The Script. A European Journey.
Round Table Discussion at the XXII Göteborg Film Festival in 1999.

SOURCES 2 (2000). Sources of Inspiration Lectures 1997-1999. SOURCES 2.
Lectures held by guests of honour at five Sources 2 development workshop in 1997, 1998 and 1998. The guests of honour are Gianni Amelio, Hark Bohm, Férid Boughedir, Fridrik Thor Fridriksson and Mogens Rukov.
Available upon request from the SOURCES 2 office.

Dick Ross (2000). Maria is 25 and She is Beautiful; Words at Work: Functions of Dialogue; Tips on Screenwriting. SOURCES 2.
Two lectures by Dick Ross held in front of an audience of professional screenwriters and producers, one on character and one on dialogue. Furthermore sixteen tips on screenwriting.
Available upon request from the SOURCES 2 office.

SOURCES 2 (2001). Sources of Inspiration Lectures 2000. SOURCES 2.
Lectures held by guests of honour at three Sources script development workshops in 2000. The guests of honour are Ken Loach, Michael Radford and Jasmin Dizdar.
Available upon request from the SOURCES 2 office.

SOURCES 2 (2002). (Creative) Documentary in Europe 2001/2002. SOURCES 2.
SOURCES 2´s first documentary booklet. Texts by documentary filmmakers and specialists Tine Fischer (Danish Film Institute), Markku Flink (Northern Film and Media Centre POEM), Knut Erik Jensen, Tue Steen Müller (EDN-European Documentary Network), John Purdie (SOURCES 2), Kees Ryninks (Dutch Film Fund) and David Wingate (SOURCES 2).
Available upon request from the SOURCES 2 office.

SOURCES 2 (2003). Sources of Inspiration Lectures 2003. SOURCES 2.
Lectures held by Lone Scherfig, Peter Mullan, Mika Kaurismäki, guests of honour at Sources 2 Script Development Workshops 2001-2002.
Available upon request from the SOURCES 2 office.

SOURCES 2 (2004). (Creative) documentary in Europe 2003/2004. SOURCES 2.
Texts by documentary filmmakers and specialists Herz Frank, David Wingate, Nicolas Philibert and Andres Veiel.
Available upon request from the SOURCES 2 office.

Screenwriting manuals (English)                back to index

Tony Bicât and Tony Macnabb (2002). Creative screenwriting; a practical guide. The Crowood Press.
Screenwriting manual – English
Click here for more information about this title

Lajos Egri (1960). The art of dramatic writing; its basis in the creative interpretation of human motives. New York: Touchstone book.
Writing manual – English
Click here for more information about this title

Syd Field (1984). The screenwriters workbook. New York: Dell Publishing.
Screenwriting manual – English
Click here for more information about this title

Elliot Grove (2001). Raindance writers´ lab; Write + sell the hot screenplay. Oxford: Focal Press.
Screenwriting manual – English
Click here for more information about this title

Andrew Horton (1999). Writing the character-centered screenplay. Berkeley: University of Berkeley press. Second edition.
Screenwriting manual – English
Click here for more information about this title

David Howard and Edward Mabley (1993). The tools of screenwriting; a writer´s guide to the craft and elements of a screenplay. New York: St. Martin´s Griffin.
Screenwriting manual – English
Click here for more information about this title

Lew Hunter (1994). Lew Hunter´s screenwriting 434. New York: Perigee Books.
Screenwriting manual – English
Click here for more information about this title

Christopher Keane (1998). How to write a selling screen-play; a step by step approach. Broadway Books.
Screenwriting manual – English
Click here for more information about this title

Robert McKee (1997). Story: structure, style and the principles of screenwriting. Regan Books.
Screenwriting manual – English
Click here for more information about this title

Margareth Mehring (1990). The screenplay; a blend of film form and content. Boston, London: Focal Press.
Screenwriting manual – English
Click here for more information about this title

William Packard (1987). The art of screenwriting. New York: Paragon House.
Screenwriting manual – English
Click here for more information about this title

Phil Parker (1999). The art & science of screenwriting (second edition). Exeter: Intellect books.
Screenwriting manual – English
Click here for more information about this title

Cherry Potter (1990). Screen language; from film writing to film-making. London: Methuen Publishing.
Screenwriting manual – English
Click here for more information about this title

Michael Rabiger (2000). Developing story ideas. Boston: Focal Press.
Screenwriting manual – English
Click here for more information about this title

Robin U. Russin and William Missouri Downs (2003). Screenplay: writing the picture. Los Angeles: Silman-James Press.
Screenwriting manual – English
Click here for more information about this title

Linda Seger (1990). Creating unforgettable character. Owl Books.
Screenwriting manual – English
Click here for more information about this title

Linda Seger (1994). Making a good script great. Samuel French Trade; 2nd edition.
Screenwriting manual – English
Click here for more information about this title

Dwight V. Swain with Joye R. Swain (1988). Film scriptwriting; a practical manual, second edition. Boston, London: Focal Press.
Screenwriting manual – English
Click here for more information about this title

Jurgen Wolff and Kerry Cox (editors) (1993). Top secrets: screenwriting. Los Angeles: Lone Eagle Publishing Company.
Book – English
Click here for more information about this title

Screenwriting manuals (French)                back to index

Yvette Biro & Marie-Geneviève Ripeau (2001). Direction scénario; exercices d´imagination. Paris: Séguier.
Screenwriting manual – French
Click here for more information about this title

Christian Biegalski (2003). Scénarios: modes d´emploi. Paris: Dixit.
Screenwriting manual – French
Click here for more information about this title

Jean-Claude Carrière and Pascal Bonitzer (1990). Exercice du scénario. Paris: Femis.
Screenwriting manual – French
Click here for more information about this title

Jean-Claude Carrière (1993). Raconter une histoire; quelques indications. Paris: Femis.
Screenwriting manual – French
Click here for more information about this title

Michel Chion (1986). Écrire un scénario. Cahiers du Cinéma.
Screenwriting manual – French
Click here for more information about this title

Pierre Jenn (1991). Techniques du scénario. Paris: Femis.
Screenwriting manual – French
Click here for more information about this title

Yves Lavandier (1994). La Dramaturgie: Les mécanismes du récit : cinéma, théâtre, opéra, radio, télévision. Le Clown & l’enfant.
Writing manual – French

Pierre Maillot (1989). L´écriture cinématographique. Paris: Meridiens Klincksieck.
Screenwriting manual – French
Click here for more information about this title

Jean-Marie Roth (1999). L´ecriture de scénarios. Top Editions.
Screenwriting manual – French

Francis Vanoye (1999). Scénarios modèles, modèles de scénarios. (2e edition). Paris: Nathan.
Screenwriting manual – French
Click here for more information about this title

Screenwriting manuals (German)                back to index

Vivien Bronner (2004). Drehbuch-Dramaturgie für TV-Film und TV-Serie. Berlin:
Autorenhaus-Verlag.
Screenwriting manual – German

Peter C. Hant (1999). Das Drehbuch. Praktische Filmdramaturgie. Das deutsche Standardwerk für Drehbuchautoren. Verlag Zweitausendeins.
Screenwriting manual – German

Oliver Schütte (1999). Die Kunst des Drehbuchlesens. Bastei-Lübbe.
Screenwriting manual – German

Screenwriting manuals (Spanish)                back to index

Pablo Alvort (2002). La artesanía del guión; técnica y arte de escribir un buen guión para el cine. Taller de Cine: Pablo Alvort.
Screenwriting manual – Spanish
Click here for more information about this title

Carmen Sofía Brenes (2001). ¿De qué tratan realmente las películas? Claves prácticas para analizar y escribir guiones de cine y televisión. Ediciones Internacionales Universitarias, Madrid.
Screenwriting manual – Spanish

Julio Diamante (1998). De la idea al film; El guión cinematográfico: narración y construcción. Junta de Andalucía. Consejería de Cultura.
Screenwriting manual – Spanish
Click here for more information about this title

Antonio Sánchez Escalonilla (2001). Estrategias del guión cinematográfico. Barcelona: Ariel Cine.
Screenwriting manual – Spanish
Click here for more information about this title

Mario Onaindia (1996). El guión clásico de Hollywood. Barcelona: Paidós.
Book – Spanish
Click here for more information about this title

Various authors (1998). Imágenes que cuentan; Reflexiones sobre el arte de escribir guiones. Valencia: Generalitat Valenciana.
Book – Spanish
Click here for more information about this title

Various authors (2000). Imágenes que cuentan II; Reflexiones sobre el arte de escribir guiones. Valencia: Generalitat Valenciana.
Book – Spanish
Click here for more information about this title

Lorenzo Vilches (editor) (1998). Taller de escritura para cine. Barcelona: Gedisa.
Screenwriting manual – Spanish
Click here for more information about this title

Lorenzo Vilches (editor) (1999). Taller de escritura para televisión. Barcelona: Gedisa.
Screenwriting manual – Spanish




The narrative identities of the “American Studio” and the “European workshop” script development models

Online documents                back to index

Cannes 2004 declaration: European day
Decaration of the European Ministers for Culture and the Member of the Commission in charge of Education and Culture. Available on the website of the MEDIA programme of the European commission.
http://europa.eu.int/comm/avpolicy/media/pdffiles/decl_en.pdf

FIAPF (2003). Improving the circulation of non-national films in Europe – a film producers’ perspective.
Online document – English
FIAPF. the international federation of film producers’ associations, presents seven possible solutions to increase the circulation of non-national European films.
http://www.fiapf.org/pdf/improvingcirculation.pdf

David Kipen (2004). Offshoring the Audience.
Article in The Atlantic Monthly/Online document – English
Review of the book Screenwriting for a global market (Andrew Horton). According to Kipen aiming movies at a global market limits creativity.
http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/prem/200406/kipen

Media Salles (2004). Which market for European films? An analysis of the circulation of European films in 2002.
Online document – Italian, English, French
Study about the audiences of European films in their home countries and across the borders.
http://www.mediasalles.it/yearbook.htm

Philippe Meers (2004). Look who´s watching! A brief reflection on European cinema audiences. Mediasalles.
Online document – English
Using the data of the European Cinema Yearbook as a starting point, Philippe Meers critically evaluates the ‘concept European cinema’ and reconsiders the role of the audience within European film industry.
http://www.mediasalles.it/crl_meers.htm

Isabelle Fauvel (2004). "The European tradition of the author and its influence on script development strategy."
Document on TEST website - English
Isabelle Fauvel talks about script development in Europe.
../seminar/PDF/Isabelle_Fauvel.pdf

Christian Routh (2004). The current scene of script development practices in Europe.
Document on TEST website – English
Transcript of Christian Routh´s lecture during the TEST workshop about script development workshops in Europe.
../seminar/PDF/Christian_Routh.pdf

Articles                back to index

Michel Henry (2004). Le cinéma européen fait de la figuration. Libération, 19 May 2004.
Article in Libération – French
Jean-Luc Godard gives his answer to the Declaration of MEDIA´s Cannes 2004 European day.

J. Hill (1994). The future of European cinema: the economics and culture of pan-European strategies. In J.Hill, M.Mcloone and M.Hainsworth (editors). Border crossings. Institute of Irish Studies in association with University of Ulster and the BFI. (pp. 53-80).
Article – English

Laura Moss (September 2003). Script development in Hollywood. ScriptWriter Magazine, issue 12.
Article in ScriptWriter Magazine – English
Colleen Woodcock, who has worked in the script development industry in Hollywood, gives insight into the difference between the USA and the UK.

Richard Shepherd (March 2004) An American perspective. ScriptWriter Magazine, issue 15.
Article in ScriptWriter Magazine – English
This article looks into the differences of American and UK scripts and script development.

Synopsis Magazine nr. 13 (2001) Histoires de France, histoire d´Amérique.
Articles in Synopsis Magazine – French
Comparison between French and American scripts. Some subjects: collective writing, artists or technicians?, script presentation and legal questions.

Books about European Cinema                back to index

Ian Aitken (2001). European film theory and cinema; a critical introduction. Edinburgh: University Press.
Book – English
Click here for more information about this title

P. Drummond, R. Paterson and J. Wilis (editors) (1993). National identity and European cinema. London: BFI.
Book – English

Richard Dyer & Ginette Vincendeau (1992) Popular European cinema. London and New York: Routledge.
Book – English
Click here for more information about this title

Wendy Everett (editor) (1996). European Identity in Cinema. Exeter: Intellect books.
Book – English
Click here for more information about this title

Elizabeth Ezra (editor) (2004). European cinema. Oxford: University Press.
Book – English
Click here for more information about this title

Angus Finney (1996). The state of European cinema; a new dose of reality. London: Cassell.
Book – English
Click here for more information about this title

Jill Forbes & Sarah Street (2000). European Cinema; an introduction. Palgrave.
Book – English
Click here for more information about this title

Catherine Fowler (editor) (2002). The European cinema reader. London and New York: Routledge.
Book – English
Click here for more information about this title

Diana Holmes & Alison Smith (editors) (2000). 100 years of European cinema; entertainment or ideology? Manchester: University Press.
Book – English
Click here for more information about this title

Duncan Petley (editor) (1992). Screening Europe: Image and identity in contemporary European cinema. London: British film institute.
Book – English

Pierre Sorlin (1991). European cinemas, European societies: 1939-1990. London: Routledge.
Book – English
Click here for more information about this title

Ginette Vincendeau (editor) (1995). The encyclopedia of European cinema. London: BFI/Cassell.
Book – English

Books about European cinema in relation to Hollywood                back to index

Christiane Altenburg & Ingo Fliess (editor) (2000). Jenseits von Hollywood; Drehbuchautoren über ihre Kunst und ihr Handwerk. Frankfurt/Main: Verlag der Autoren.
Book – German
Click here for more information about this title

David W. Ellwood and Rob Kroes (editors) (1994). Hollywood in Europe – Experiences of a cultural hegemony, Amsterdam: VU University Press.
Book – English

Gustav Ernst (editor) (1992). Drehbuch Schreibtisch; Film schreiben in Europa und den USA.
Book – German
Click here for more information about this title

Andrew Higson and Richard Maltby (editors) (1999). ´Film Europe´ and ´Film America´: Cinema, commerce and cultural exchange 1920-1939, Exeter: Exeter University Press.
Book – English

Mette Hjort & Scott Mackenzie (editors) (2000). Cinema & nation. London and New York: Routledge.
Book – English
Click here for more information about this title

Peter Lev (1993). The Euro-American cinema. Austin: University of Texas Press.
Book – English

Geoffrey Nowell-Smith & Steven Ricci (editors) (1998). Hollywood & Europe; Economics, culture and national identity 1945-1995. London: British Film Institute.
Book – English
Click here for more information about this title

David Puttnam (1997). The undeclared war; the struggle for control of the world´s film industry. London: HarperCollins Publishers.
Book – English
Click here for more information about this title

Ruth Vasey (1997). The world according to Hollywood 1918-1939. Exeter: University of Exeter Press.
Book – English
Click here for more information about this title

Websites                back to index

European Audiovisual Observatory
Website – English
“The services offered by the Observatory can be divided into five groups: print publications, online publications, online services, databases, conferences and workshops.
Three databases are available free of charge:
- database on admissions for films released in Europe;
- database on public funding for the film and audiovisual sector in Europe;
- database on legal information relevant to the audiovisual sector in Europe.”
http://www.obs.coe.int

European cinema on-line database
Website – English
This database gives an overview of the European cinema industry, presenting European films produced since 1995, together with companies handling production, distribution, foreign sales of European titles, as well as theatres and exhibition companies.
http://www.mediasalles.it

European Film Promotion (2002-2004)
Website – English
European Film Promotion is a network of organisations that are active in the field of promotion and marketing of European cinema. Visitors can download newsletters about the European film industries, each newsletter focuses on one industry (newsletters about Spain, the Nordic countries, Greece, Italy, Ireland and The Netherlands are available). The website includes a database with production details of European film productions from 2003 onwards.
http://www.efp-online.com

European film resources
Website – English
Links to about 30 websites dedicated to cinema.
http://www.academicinfo.net/filmintereurope.html

Euro screenwriters
Website – English
Website about filmmaking, and especially screenwriting in Europe. The website includes articles on European screenwriting and films (comparison to writing in Hollywood, future of European films etc.) and interviews with European filmmakers (such as Roberto Begnini, Luc Besson, Ken Loach and Lars von Trier).
http://www.euroscreenwriters.tsx.org


The interaction between industry, training/development programmes and screenwriters

Online documents                back to index

Julian Friedmann (2004) The emperor’s new clothes.
Article on the TEST website – English
Julian Friedmann looks into problems related to the link between training programmes for screenwriters and the industry.
../seminar/PDF/Friedmann.pdf

René Odenthal (2004) Script-development in Germany.
Article on the TEST website – English
René Odenthal, member of the managing-board of the German association of dramatists for film and TV, looks at script development in Germany: lack of funding, training models, demands for the near future.
../seminar/PDF/Rene_Odenthal.pdf

Phil Parker (2004). Tools for European Screenwriters´ Training; a few thoughts on an integrated approach.
Article on the TEST website – English
Phil Parker stresses the need for an integrated training strategy for European screenwriters. Training should be provided on four levels (introductory, establishing, transitional and developmental).
../seminar/PDF/Phil_Parker.pdf

MEDIA seminar (2005). Workshop 1: Training – How to foster entrepreneurship.
Online document - English
Conclusion of workshop about training during the MEDIA seminar about creativity & market access, which was hosted by the Luxembourg presidency of the Council of the European Union, in association with the Department of Media and Communications and the Film Fund Luxembourg – with the support of the European Commission.
http://www.media.eu2005.lu/WKSP1 (DE BAUW).pdf

Research                back to index

APRIL (2003). Mid-term evaluation of MEDIA plus.
Research done for MEDIA plus – English
Mid-term evaluation of MEDIA plus, includes an evaluation of training which is supported by MEDIA Training (number of people trained, country of origin, etc).
http://europa.eu.int/comm/avpolicy/media/eval2_en.html

Arne Birkenstock (2002). Autoren- und Drehbuchförderung in Deutschland; Dokumentation und Wirkungsanalyse der bestehenden Instrumente.
Research – German
Arne Birkenstock wrote a report about the current state of script development in Germany. Chapters of this book are devoted to initial and professional training aimed at screenwriters in Germany in comparison to the United States.

FÁS/Screen training Ireland – McIver report.
Research – English
“A strategic overview, at national and international levels, of the training challenges confronting the Irish film and television production sector over the next six years.”
http://www.screentrainingireland.ie/reports.cfm

Rapport Gassot (2000). L´écriture et le développement des scénarios des films de long métrage.
Research – French
The Rapport Gassot examines the situation of producers and screenwriters, with respect to writing and development and looks into training.
http://www.cnc.fr/b_actual/r5/ssrub4/gassot/sommaire.htm

UK film Council, Skillset (2003) A Bigger future; the UK film skills strategy.
Research – English
Report on actions that should be taken to improve the skills of people entering and working in the film business.
http://www.skillset.org/film/bigger_future/

Websites               back to index

MEDIA programme
Website – English, French
The website of the MEDIA programme of the European Union features calls for proposals, evaluation of previous support programmes, a proposal for a new MEDIA programme and documents that were used for the public consultation. A section is devoted to training.
http://europa.eu.int/comm/avpolicy/media/index_en.html

Skillset
Website – English
Skillset is funded by the English film industry and government with the aim to make sure the film industry has well equipped professionals.
“This website contains details of Skillset´s research and consultation work with industry, our strategic documents, funding schemes and project work, and information about the challenges that face the industry and what we need to do to overcome them.”
http://www.skillset.org

Articles about script development                back to index

Clive Dawson (January 2003). Bunker Mentality. ScriptWriter Magazine, issue 8.
Article in ScriptWriter Magazine – English
Clive Dawson describes the development process of his movie The Bunker.

Julian Friedmann (September 2002). Development heaven? The ambitions of the Film Council. issue 6.
Article in ScriptWriter Magazine – English
Interview with Jenny Borgars, head of the Development Fund at the Film Counsil, on the Film Counsil´s policies and views.

Caroline Hancock (September 2003). Screenwriting, development and film finance. ScriptWriter Magazine, issue 12.
Article in ScriptWriter Magazine – English
Description of the development process from a producer’s point of view.

Ian Macdonald (November 2002). Script readers: the eye of the needle. ScriptWriter Magazine, issue 7.
Article in ScriptWriter Magazine – English
Results of a survey amongst people who read and evaluate screenplays (producers, development executives, agents etc).

Phil Parker (January 2002). Lost in development. ScriptWriter Magazine, issue 2.
Article in ScriptWriter Magazine – English
What is development?, six key concept which should help to clearly identify problems and solutions in development.

Lucy Scher (January 2003) Reading a Script; a guide to the mind of the reader. ScriptWriting Magazine, issue 8.
Article in ScriptWriter Magazine – English
Lucy Scher describes how scripts are read by professional script readers.

Lucy Scher (July 2003). Under development. ScriptWriter Magazine, issue 11.
Article in ScriptWriter Magazine – English
The ´problem´ with development and three solutions.

Jonathan Sendall (January 2003). Developing with the enemy. ScriptWriting Magazine, issue 8.
Article in ScriptWriter Magazine – English
Tips, comments on the development process, includes ideas to break deadlocks.

Books about script development                back to index

Isabelle Fauvel (2000). Developper un projet pour le cinema. Dixit.
Book – French
Click here for more information about this title

Angus Finney (1996). Developing feature films in Europe; a practical guide. London: Routledge.
Book – English
Click here for more information about this title

Media Business School (1998) Media Business File 2.
Book – English
This issue in the media business file series of the Media Business School speaks about the changing face of European film distribution and gives tips for producers who are working with a script.

Media Business School (1998) Media Business File 3: How to prepare your business plan!
Book – English
Experts explain how to write a business plan for feature films, TV programmes and multimedia projects.

Media Business School (1999) Media Business File 5 “Getting started; an introduction to development”
Book – English
This issue of the Media Business Files focuses on script development in Europe. This manual includes tips for working with writers and a list of European Development Funding Bodies.

Media Business School (1999) Media Business File 6 “Production trends: interviews with producers”
Book – English
Five interviews with producers who were honoured during the 51st edition of the Cannes festival. In the interviews they speak about the present and future of the film industry.

 
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