Screenwriting

Facilitator Barry McEvoy and the “First Look 2016” screenwriters.

Next course option reserving now! Scroll down for full course options!.

COVID-19 Updates:
In order to maintain a high standard of tuition, as well as the health and safety of our community,
all Screenwriting classes are going ahead as scheduled via remote live video over ZOOM with the tutor. Full details available for those reserving.

Most writing courses encourage you to write what you know. Our classes encourage you to write what you can imagine, given what you know. This course series is taught by internationally renowned actor/screenwriter, Barry McEvoy (Veronica Guerin, Dreamworks, Parallel Pictures, Workhorse and Touchstone, among others!).

Barry McEvoy’s philosophy stays away from unhelpful labels and tropes like conflict and obstacles, replacing them with less sports driven terms like pressure and paradox and metaphor.

The aim is to avoid the superheroes-type screenplay-by-numbers approach that has brought the world a seemingly endless supply of cliché, tired, and unoriginal films and television series.

We currently have TWO levels of screenwriting courses detailed below: Intro to Screenwriting (6-weeks) and Screenwriting – Experienced and Improvers Level with a presentation of work.(10-weeks). See course details below.

As always, we continue to have very small class sizes (7 – 10) to maintain an excellent standard, with experienced and dedicated facilitators with high-level professional industry experience.

See our many TESTIMONIALS at the bottom of this page.

Have a listen to this dynamic and engaging Film Network Ireland podcast interview with Barry McEvoy as he shares about his work in the international film world and his passion for teaching:
https://audioboom.com/posts/7360335-73-barry-mcevoy-producer-writer-director?fbclid=IwAR0of7_1eZZpUKH4pz88M7KJ43OUYryegGPdNmwQXRYi1i8RknP49KZ-vlk

Current & Upcoming Options

Course #24: Intro to Screenwriting (6-week course) Autumn 2020

A screenplay is a collection of scenes, laid out like beads on a necklace. Most screenwriting courses focus front and centre on the big picture, on the hero’s journey, on story and plot structure. This is putting the cart before the horse. In this 6-week course we set out to create unpredictable characters… then put them in great scenes. We focus on the basics of clean screenplay formatting, and on stage directions that never waffle.

We look to banish writer’s block forever with tailor-made pressures on a character and with settings and scenarios that are loaded with symbolism, irony and depth.

Areas to be covered:
The generation of original content, depth of character, dialogue that sings, the power of images and setting, and stage directions, taste, tone and style. Film making as a collaborative art: agents, producers and "the Business". No experience is needed for this course; just the enthusiasm to write the film that YOU would love to see.

Access to ZOOM is required for this course.
We will be keeping the same SMALL CLASS SIZE of only 10 students in order to maintain the highest standard of tutoring and full interaction. There will be constant interaction with specific writing assignments for you that will be shared within the course. You must have access to the internet, earphones/microphone and camera in order to participate in this class on ZOOM.

When: THURSDAYS 7:00-9:30pm, October 15th- November 19th, 2020
Where: Via ZOOM live interactive video with the tutor
Instructor: Barry McEvoy
Fees: €270, minimum non-refundable deposit of €100 due within 3 days of reservation. Remaining balance due October 1st, two weeks prior to the start of the course. Refund only in the event of Flying Turtle cancellation. No credit/refund if student misses class.

RESERVE NOW

Course #: Screenwriting - Experienced and Improvers Level (10 classes) - Next Option being finalized for 2021!

This 10-week course aims to have you finish the first 60 pages of a full length feature screenplay. From inception to loglines, this class requires a commitment of at least 6 pages per week. It begins with you pitching ideas to a writers room environment and ends with the FIRSTLOOK showcase evening of your best 10 pages to be read by professional actors in front of an audience of friends, family and invited industry professionals.

Admission to this class is based on either a 3-page sample of your previous writing or on completion of the 6-week Intro course.

Course Overview
Classes 1-4: Group Sessions covering structure, development, and the business of marketing screenplays.
Classes 6: One-to-one mentoring and guidance in seeing your first draft through so individual appointments will replace group class.
Classes 7-9: Return to group class and prep for public reading on the evening of the 10th class presentation.
Class 10: "First Look" a public sharing of work with professional actors reading selected scenes.

Class size will be limited to ONLY 7 STUDENTS MAXIMUM in order to provide the highest level of tuition - so apply early!!

When: One weeknight for 10 weeks, including a public sharing of work.
Where: Via Zoom live interactive video with the tutor
Instructor: Barry McEvoy
Fees: €415, non-refundable deposit of €100 required within 3-days of reservation. Remaining balance due in full two weeks prior to the start of the course. Refund only in the event of Flying Turtle cancellation. No credit/refund if student misses class.

RESERVE NOW

Testimonials

“This Screenwriting course is by far, the best, no holds barred, peel it right back creative Screenwriting course I’ve ever taken. It’s intense, enjoyable and most of all rewarding beyond compare.” – James O’Connell

“I am the author of two books; both true stories about my life. So I never had to use my imagination. That all changed when I met Barry McEvoy. He’s the type of guy who will open your eyes to an imaginary world. If you want to do a course that will change your life, look no further.” – Paul Keany (The Cocaine Diaries, The Party Animals)

Please contact us to reserve or if you have any further questions.

Flying Turtle Productions

at the Abbey School of Drama, Dublin