Flying Turtle Productions

at the Abbey School of Drama, Dublin

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Screenwriting

Facilitator Barry McEvoy and the eight "First Look 2016" screenwriters.

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

 Scroll down for latest course options for 2021!

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 – 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.

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.

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

Current & Upcoming Options

Course #11: Intro to Screenwriting (6-week course) Spring 2021 - SORRY WAIT LIST ONLY - See June Option below!

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.

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 via a laptop or tablet, with earphones/microphone and camera in order to participate in this class on ZOOM.

  • When: TUESDAYS 7:00-9:30pm, May 4th - June 8th 2021
  • Where: Via ZOOM live interactive video with the tutor
  • Instructor: Barry McEvoy (click for full bio)
  • Fees: €270, minimum non-refundable deposit of €100 due within 3 days of reservation. Remaining balance due April 20th , 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 #22: Intro to Screenwriting (6-week course) Summer 2021

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.

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 via a laptop or tablet, with earphones/microphone and camera in order to participate in this class on ZOOM.

  • When: TUESDAYS 7:00-9:30pm, June 29th - August 3rd, 2021
  • Where: Via ZOOM live interactive video with the tutor
  • Instructor: Barry McEvoy (click for full bio)
  • Fees: €270, minimum non-refundable deposit of €100 due within 3 days of reservation. Remaining balance due June 15th , 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 #10: Screenwriting - Experienced and Improvers Level (10 classes) - SORRY FILLED!! Next option late 2021

This 10-week course aims to have you finish the first 50 pages of a full length feature screenplay. From inception to loglines, this class requires a commitment of at least 5 pages per week. With a focus on originality and 3 dimensional characters, each week will see coverage and feedback of your weekly writing as well as suggestions toward the development of your concept. It begins with you pitching ideas, characters and concepts to Barry and the class and ends with the FIRSTLOOK showcase evening of your best 10 pages.

Admission to this class is based on either a 3-page sample of your previous screenwriting 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.

Access to ZOOM is required for this course. 
We will be keeping the same SMALL CLASS SIZE of only 7 students in order to maintain the highest standard of tutoring and full interaction. You must have access to the internet via a laptop or tablet with earphones/microphone and camera in order to participate in this class on ZOOM. We are hoping that the final "First Look" sharing of work will take place in a live setting to be determined depending on COVID-19 restrictions.

  • When: THURSDAYS 7:00-9:30pm, April 22nd - June 24th, 2021 - SORRY FILLED - Next option to be finalized for late 2021
  • Where: Via Zoom live interactive video with the tutor
  • Instructor: Barry McEvoy (click for full bio)
  • Fees: €415, non-refundable deposit of €165 required within 3-days of reservation. Remaining balance due in full April 8th, 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)

        “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)

See more…

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