The Story Engine
The Story Engine
The Story Engine
The Story Engine
The Story Engine: Tuning, maintenance and spare parts for screenwriters
Wednesday 5 May, 9.30am-8.00pm and Thursday 6 May, 10.00am-4.30pm
Tickets: £110
Simon Beaufoy (Slumdog Millionare) talks about how he got into the industry
What is it?
The Story Engine is a two-day conference for screenwriters comprising of cases studies, master classes, panel discussions, and workshops by leading practitioners from the film, television and online industries. Now in its fourth year, the event has built a reputation for attracting some of the UK’s top screenwriting talent to the North East to discuss their work and working methods with fellow writers. The aim throughout is simple: to help new and emerging talent gain a better understanding of the art, craft, and business of screenwriting.
Who is it for?
The primary audience for The Story Engine is new and emerging screenwriters. However, there is much to be had for more experienced writers who can gain access to industry insiders rarely seen in the North East. Writers from other disciplines (theatre, prose etc) will also find the event rewarding.
What’s the programme?
This year The Story Engine explores three main themes: crisis, collaboration, and connections.
(1) Crisis
Does having a hot script and a good agent guarantee success?
We look at what happens when a writer’s career stalls and examine ways to get back in the game and stay there.
(2) Collaboration
Does having more than one brain help make for a more commercially and emotionally rewarding writing experience? We explore team-writing and writing partnerships and ask what role technology has to play in connecting us with potential collaborators across the globe.
(3) Connections
How can a writer use old fashioned networking techniques and new-fangled technology to help maximise the exposure they generate for themselves and their projects?
We will be exploring all of these through sessions on comedy writing, micro-budget features, transmedia experiences, storylining for soaps, and the relations between writers, directors, development executives and producers.
Confirmed speakers include:
Deborah Moggach, best selling author of Tulip Fever and screenwriter of critically acclaimed adaptations of The Diary Of Anne Frank and Pride & Prejudice. Gill Isle, producer at hugely successful UK comedy outfit Baby Cow Productions whose credits include Ideal and Gavin & Stacy.
Others confirmed speakers include: Danny Stack (Eastenders), Leigh Campbell (K I C K S), Karen Laws (Two Pints Of Lager), Kate Rowland (BBC), Lisa Holdsworth (Robin Hood), Andrew Kirk (Emmerdale) and Barbara McKissock (independent producer).
Tickets: £110
What do you get for your money?
The delegate ticket grants access to all programmed events during the two days, including case studies, panel discussion, workshops and networking lunches. Delegates also get a pack that features exclusive writers documents from the speakers including original treatments and outlines. Previous editions have seen an original treatment from Jimmy McGovern (Cracker) and the initial pitch for Peter Straughan’s adaptation of The Men Who Stare At Goats amongst many others.
More information
For more information please contact Holli McGuire on 0191 227 5511 or email holli.mcguire@tynesidecinema.co.uk.
For up-to-date programme information visit: www.thestoryengine.com.
Also on Twitter: twitter.com/storyengine and Facebook.
In conversation with Kevin Cecil and Andy Riley
Wednesday 5 May, 7.00pm
After over fifteen years of writing for the likes of Spitting Image, Black Books, and Little Britain, writers Kevin Cecil and Andy Riley are about to make the transition to the big screen with the Elton John produced Gnomeo and Juliet.
They join us as part of The Story Engine to discuss their long career and show off their funny bits. A must for all writers and people who like to laugh. Numbers strictly limited so book now to avoid disappointment. Tickets: £6
