Come on already – cut to the chase!

Would you like your writing to dazzle and inspire, right from the get-go? Would you like it to jeté and fly, instead of dilly-dally and dawdle? Then Elements of Screenwriting is the workshop for you.

Come on already – cut to the chase!

Would you like your writing to dazzle and inspire, right from the get-go? Would you like it to jeté and fly, instead of dilly-dally and dawdle? Then Elements of Screenwriting is the workshop for you.

While running Writers’ Stretch & Tone workshops, I’ve found that whenever I’ve shared a few morsels of screenwriting craft, those tidbits invariably invigorate participant creations. Why?

Because screenplays only contain ACTION – which is what we (the camera) should see, and DIALOGUE – which is what the characters (or actors) should say.

Plus: screenplays simply cannot ramble on and on because one (correctly formatted) page equals approximately one minute of screen time.

The brevity and precise focus that screenwriting demand prove especially useful for writers who want to create memorable character introductions, or show instead of tell, or write more impactful dialogue. According to Alfred Hitchcock, “Film is life with all the boring bits cut out.” So, if you’d like to know how to cut out all the boring bits from any style of writing, sign up for this workshop!

Man sitting at his desk under a lamp light writing a screenplay.
Male videographer recording a film on an antique analogue camera.

We’ll watch and read and write…

During the workshop we’ll watch some film clips, read their counterpart script excerpts, and then do some writing of our own – in any form or style that you choose. This workshop is about applying the strengths of screenwriting to ALL kinds of writing. You’ll be in a safe supportive space that encourages exploration. Because we’ll only be creating first draft texts, we won’t be engaging in critique, but we will be looking for ‘What’s working? What’s strong in this piece of (new) writing?’

NOTE: you don’t need any prior film writing experience, and there is no requirement that you write a piece of screenwriting. The point is to simply observe (and try out, of course!) how the FORM of screenwriting can help you write with more clarity, no matter what style of writing you choose to write.

The brevity and precise focus that screenwriting demand prove especially useful for writers who want to create memorable character introductions, or show instead of tell, or write more impactful dialogue. According to Alfred Hitchcock, “Film is life with all the boring bits cut out.” So, if you’d like to know how to cut out all the boring bits from any style of writing, sign up for this workshop!

Man sitting at his desk under a lamp light writing a screenplay.
Male videographer recording a film on an antique analogue camera.

We’ll watch and read and write…

During the workshop we’ll watch some film clips, read their counterpart script excerpts, and then do some writing of our own – in any form or style that you choose. This workshop is about applying the strengths of screenwriting to ALL kinds of writing. You’ll be in a safe supportive space that encourages exploration. Because we’ll only be creating first draft texts, we won’t be engaging in critique, but we will be looking for ‘What’s working? What’s strong in this piece of (new) writing?’

NOTE: you don’t need any prior film writing experience, and there is no requirement that you write a piece of screenwriting. The point is to simply observe (and try out, of course!) how the FORM of screenwriting can help you write with more clarity, no matter what style of writing you choose to write.

Upcoming workshop dates

June

European + American time zones-friendly

Saturday, June 3rd
14:00 – 18:30 h (Amsterdam – CEST)
1.00 – 5.30 pm (London – BST)
8.00 am – 12.30 pm (New York – EDT)

Price: €85 incl. 21% VAT

August

European + American time zones-friendly

Saturday, August 12th
14:00 – 18:30 h (Amsterdam – CEST)
1.00 – 5.30 pm (London – BST)
8.00 am – 12.30 pm (New York – EDT)

Price: €85 incl. 21% VAT

According to our participants…

Amsterdam Writers is a beautiful safe womb for creativity. I learned so much there about the craft of writing, but also about myself as a writer. I looked forward to Wednesday nights with great anticipation and always felt exhilarated afterwards that I’d extended and stretched myself as an artist.

Matthew’s wonderful and unique exercises have given me a tool kit of questions and stimuli that I have taken away and can use at any time when writers block comes to visit. Thank you Matthew for this gift, and for creating such a fabulous environment and posse of inspiring artists.

Kim FarrantDirector of ‘Strangerland’ with Nicole Kidman and ‘Angel of Mine’ with Noomi Rapace

Amsterdam Writers is a beautiful safe womb for creativity. I learned so much there about the craft of writing, but also about myself as a writer. I looked forward to Wednesday nights with great anticipation and always felt exhilarated afterwards that I’d extended and stretched myself as an artist.

Matthew’s wonderful and unique exercises have given me a tool kit of questions and stimuli that I have taken away and can use at any time when writers block comes to visit. Thank you Matthew for this gift, and for creating such a fabulous environment and posse of inspiring artists.

Kim FarrantDirector of ‘Strangerland’ with Nicole Kidman and ‘Angel of Mine’ with Noomi Rapace