Scottish Writers' Centre 'In Process' Masterclass with John McShane

Alfred Hitchcock famously stated that three things were needed to make a good movie: the script, the script, and the script. Screenwriting is completely unlike other forms of writing in that the script is not the finished work, but more akin to an architect's plans for a building. What appears on screen may differ from what is on paper, but the script should provide the structure without which the whole edifice will collapse.

John McShane of Scottish Screen Writers will discuss the basic components of a script: premise, genre, theme, 2/3/4/5/8 act structure, dialogue, the primary importance of visuals, foreshadowing, and motifs. He will also demonstrate how to lay out a script correctly - without an understanding of this, no one will read your script.

The talk will be illustrated with sample scripts and short films. There will be exercises for the audience to take part in to set you on your way to your first script.

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