Screenwriting

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

RESERVING NOW FOR COURSES LISTED BELOW -SCROLL DOWN!
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. Courses tend to fill up weeks in advance.

OUR COURSES… 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 (An Everlasting Piece, Veronica Guerin, Dreamworks, Touchstone, Artisan/Summit and Parallel Pictures among others – click name for full bio!)..

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.

As always, we continue to have very small class sizes (6 – 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.

See more about Barry McEvoy and his work doing individual screenplay coverage in his website here: Out Come the Knives

PRESS AND RADIO:

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

Read Barry’s article from Script Magazine on “Paradox, Pressure and Metaphor in “Joker”:

https://scriptmag.com/screenplays/paradox-pressure-and-metaphor-in-joker?fbclid=IwAR23QlSgYXXJyx-FJOCpGZEYXucObpdaccnL16TYNP7fn5kDiKurPrRy0tY

Listen to this interview with Barry on soundcloud, by Frances Flannery of Flaneur Productions: http://www.soundcloud.com/francesflannery

COVID-19: Providing that the COVID-19 government regulations continue to allow us, we will proceed with our live classes and will have procedures in place such as small class size, ventilation and santizing.

Current & Upcoming Options

Course #2609: Intro to Screenwriting LIVE CLASS! April-June 2026 Reserving now!

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, clean formatting and stage directions, and most importanatly, the belief in your own personal 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.

COVID-19: Providing that the COVID-19 government regulations continue to allow us, we will proceed with our live classes and will have procedures in place such as small class size, ventilation and santizing.

When: TUESDAYS 7:00-9:30pm, April 28th-June 2nd, 2026
Where: Flying Turtle Productions, 27 Pearse Street, Dublin D02K037,
Instructor: Barry McEvoy
Fees: €295, minimum non-refundable deposit of €100 due within 3 days of reservation. Remaining balance due Apirl 14th. 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 #2608: Screenwriting - Experienced and Improvers Level (10 classes) -SORRY WAIT LIST ONLY - RESERVATIONS BY WRITING SAMPLE or Completion of 6-week Intro course

CLASS SIZE FOR THIS COURSE IS LIMITED TO ONLY 6 STUDENTS....NEARLY FILLED
This 10-week LIVE course aims to leave you well on your way toward the completion of an original, full length, feature film screenplay.

From inception to performance, this class requires a commitment of at least 5 pages per week. With a focus on originality and the creation of complicated, unpredictable characters, classes will see coverage and feedback of your weekly writing as well as suggestions toward the development of your protagonist and premise. It begins with you pitching: scenarios, ideas, characters and concepts and ends with the FIRSTLOOK showcase evening of your best 10 pages presented by professional actors in front of a live audience.

This development class rigorously avoids the traditional route of story and structure ahead of character and creativity. A route which has given the world an endless stream of rote and unimaginative films and television.

Previously developed writing will not be accepted. The aim is for the birth of a fresh, new work

If accepted, you will be required to submit a Pitch Worksheet, containing potential premise and character ideas, to ensure you are able to hit the ground running from the start of the course. This must be completed no later than 1 week prior to commencement.

Completion of the 6 week Intro course is greatly encouraged but not mandatory. If you have not taken the intro course, then admission is based on a 3-page sample of your previous screenwriting.

Course Overview is LIVE IN PERSON:

Class 1: The pitch.

Class 2: Development of your protagonist.

Class 3: Unpacking your premise. The brainstorming of various and creative ways to provoke, prod and pressure your protagonist.

Class 4: Writing and feedback

Class 5: Writing and feedback

Class 6: Writing and feedback

Class 7: One to one mentoring and feedback session

Cass 8: Writing and feedback

Week 9: Finalise logline. Selection and editing of 10 page extract.
Week break
Week 10: LIVE IN PERSON Firstlook public showcase performance with professional actors (THURSDAY, June 8th)

In addition to your partially completed screenplay, you will leave the course with an original premise, strong title and logline and a clear and representative 10 page sample extract of your best work.

We will be keeping the same SMALL CLASS SIZE of only 6 students in order to maintain the highest standard of tutoring and full interaction.

When: TUESDAYS 7:00-9:30pm, LIVE February 17th -April 21st, 2026. No class March 17th. Final presentation of FIRST LOOK on a THURSDAY Eve May 7th, 2026
Where: Live at Flying Turtle Studio at 27 Pearse Street, Ground Floor, Dublin D02K037 Plus Dublin venue for First Look sharing of work
Instructor: Barry McEvoy (click for full bio)
Fees: €535, non-refundable deposit of €200 required within 3-days of reservation. Remaining balance due in full February 3rd, two weeks prior to the start of the course. No credit, refund, or transfer, for any reason at all if a student misses classes including illness. Refund only in the event of Flying Turtle cancellation.

RESERVE NOW

Course #2613: Screenwriting - Experienced and Improvers Level (10 classes) - SORRY WAIT LIST ONLY -RESERVATIONS BY WRITING SAMPLE or Completion of 6-week Intro course

When: THURSDAYS 7:00-9:30pm, LIVE March 5th-APpril 30th, 2026, Final presentation of FIRST LOOK on a THURSDAY Eve May 14th, 2026
Where: Live at Flying Turtle Studio at 27 Pearse Street, Ground Floor, Dublin D02K037 Plus Dublin venue for First Look sharing of work
Instructor: Barry McEvoy (click for full bio)
Fees: €535, non-refundable deposit of €200 required within 3-days of reservation. Remaining balance due in full February 19th, two weeks prior to the start of the course. No credit, refund, or transfer, for any reason at all if a student misses classes including illness. Refund only in the event of Flying Turtle cancellation.

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)

“Within his coverage and development work, Barry always remains respectful and at the service of your creative process: he knows this is your journey. Your story always remains your own, but Barry will come on board of the same boat you’re sailing and will use his expertise to suggest you the best route. It is a pleasure to have developed my script “A Natural History Of Invertebrates” under Barry Mc Evoy’s guidance and I’m looking forward to work again with him in the future.” – Chiara Viale (Writer/Director: The New Music, A Natural History of Invertebrates)

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