with Ingrid Oliver, Katy Manning, Pearl Mackie, and Robert Shearman
moderated by Lisa Bowerman
Have you ever wondered what it’s like, writing for the fourth dimension? Wonder no more!
A new era dawns for Doctor Who and we have a host of its on and off-screen talent giving you the scoop on the most enduring sci-fi show of all time.
So how do you write for a show like Doctor Who? How does it approach story and characters for these exciting new times, given the rich heritage it enjoys over the past 55 years?
Join us for an in-depth look at writing for Doctor Who today….
Appearing in this session
Ingrid Oliver – Actor, Screenwriter & Director
Credits include: Doctor Who, Peep Show
Katy Manning – Actor
Credits include: Doctor Who, Iris Wildthyme, Casualty
Lisa Bowerman – Audio Director & Actress
Credits include: Doctor Who, Casualty, Bernice Summerfield
Pearl Mackie – Actor
Credits include: Doctor Who
Robert Shearman – Screenwriter
Credits include: Doctor Who, The Chain Gang
Screenwriting for Film and Television
'Patrick Melrose' Screenwriter David Nicholls and how he 'made the nation cry'
Fresh off the success of Sky Atlantic’s cracking Patrick Melrose, spend an hour exploring the depth and breadth of the man described by Rachel Cooke in the Observer as “The Man Who Made a Nation Cry”.
Acting Up: Writing to Attract the Killer Cast
In this session, writers will hear directly from professional actors what they look for in a script, what turns their “Maybes” into “Yes’s.” and what are the convincers that will make them happily work for on-a-budget (and sometimes even for free!).
Chutzpah: Welcome to the Punch of Eran Creevy
Eran’s Creevy’s trajectory to the top is both meteoric and inspirational and he is coming to LSF to share it with you.
Crafting the Perfect Character: The Heart of Your Story
Your characters need to connect with your audience. They drive the story through their choices. They must simultaneously be multi-layered and clearly-defined, nuanced and precise, complicated and accessible. And they must attract actors and directors.
Going low budget doesn’t mean you can’t aim high - the working process
BAFTA Rocliffe founder and Producer Farah Abushwesha reflects on how projects came to her and came to be using Irreplaceable You and The Last Photograph as case studies.
Inside the BBC Writers Room
Simon Nelson, Development Executive at BBC Writersroom, provides us with invaluable tips and answers those burning questions we have about breaking in and writing for the BBC.
Making My First Feature… The true story of LondonSWF delegates who made their movie!
They met at LondonSWF events, made a Create50 film and committed to making a world class feature together… Their movie, 2:Hrs, is released on July 29th. How did they do it? How can you too?
Making the Mash Report
Join Mash Report lead writer Tim Telling and executive producer Christopher Stott as they discuss the challenges of running a news-reactive television comedy show, making the transition from internet to TV and the inevitable Daily Show comparisons.
Netflix and chill: Writing TV Drama
Drama is the backbone of story-telling. After all, what is a story without conflict? In this age, where binge-watching exists alongside traditional episodic fare, how does a writer craft a series to appeal to executives and audiences?
Nordic Noir... Writing compelling crime drama
Freezing and austere worlds with unspeakable yet all too believable crime, told through the eyes of protagonists we recognise in our own world, dark revelations and slow but unstoppable plotting. We LOVE it!
Political Comedy: Yes Minister
Yes Minister Creator and Co-Writer Jonathan Lynn will discuss the development and execution of the show, and share insights into comedy writing and show structure, this session will be a must for all lovers of political satire and sitcom.
Prime Time: In Conversation with Tony Jordan
Join Tony Jordan, the man who’s become synonymous with successful prime time drama, and have your chance to ask him anything! Settle in for an inspirational and entertaining hour.
Reclaim your Creative Freedom and Master Story Structure
Feeling bored, confused or constrained by the old paradigms? Yet you’d like to write a tightly structured screenplay that sells? Reach a wider audience without compromising your creative integrity.
Reflecting and Changing the World By Writing SciFi
In this cracking session we’ll go into what science fiction is, what its conventions are, how to best write it and what the differences are between SciFi for film and TV.
Running the Show: Inside the Writers Room and beyond
Learn from some of the UK’s most prolific Showrunners how they staff their writers rooms, what they expect of their writers in their day-to-day, and perhaps most importantly, what writers need to do to get (and stay) on their radars.
Something Old, Something New...The Art of the Adaptation
Our panel of writers (both adaptors and adaptees) will examine broad strategies to help you plan your adapted works, as well as share personal anecdotes of their own adaptation journeys.
Starship Troopers... 'Do you want to know more?'
Robert Heinlein’s Starship Troopers is a classic in sci-fi literature. Screenwriter Ed Neumeier turned Heinlein’s glorification of militarism into a satire of war and propaganda. Join us as we bug out with Ed to examine his viscerally satisfying, smart and funny examination of our own natures.
Story Concept: How to Rapidly Generate, Assess, and Develop Story Ideas
Get into the mindset of studio executives, film producers, agents, managers and TV execs to get the lowdown on High Concept, the commercial obsession with ‘Similar but Different’, Genre Bending, Gender Bending, Geo-Bending, and more.
Substance and Subtext: Finding the Fractal of your story
Explore whether a film script can be written in such a way that it does not necessarily follow the standard hero’s/heroine’s journey structure of traditional Hollywood films, but is written so that the structure reflects the essential characteristics of the protagonist.
The Primary Colours of Story: Character Contrasts
Without character, you have no story. In this session, David Baboulene discusses the primary colours of character so that you can write with greater clarity, depth and brevity.
The Primary Colours of Story: Genesis
David Baboulene demonstrates the link between the way the mind works and the way stories grip and engage us; and how you can use this knowledge to create power in your stories.
The Scott Myers Double Bill: Good Vs Evil
Dark and light, yin and yang… good and evil, all within us all and inside the characters we write. Scott Myers delves DEEP into powerful, authentic character exploration and development of both antagonist and protagonist in this juicy double bill.
The Television Players: Understanding and penetrating the global TV market
When you choose the subject of your forthcoming TV series, how much do you really know about what the market is looking for next year or in two years’ time? Find out in this session with three of the biggest guns in TV finance, acquisition and distribution today.
Theme: What It Is, How to Find It, and How to Use It to Enrich Your Story
How does theme function in relation to your story? Scott Myers will present a clear articulation of theme — what it is, how it functions, and how to use themes to both expand and focus your understanding of the stories you write.
Trading Places... Writing Comedy Features
British Screenwriter Timothy Harris wrote some of the most enduring comedies of the 80s: Kindergarten Cop, Twins and the Eddie Murphy/Dan Aykroyd Trading Places. Access to a comedy mind like Harris’ is a fantastic opportunity to get ahead of the comedy curve for delegates.
What Can We Learn from the Dark Masters of Horror?
Writing horror or paranormal? Stephen Volk (Ghostwatch, Afterlife) explores what dark delights the modern genre screenwriter can learn from the demented practitioners of the past.
What Can Writers Learn From 'The Handmaid's Tale'?
Lucy V Hay will be discussing the craft that underpins the writing and making of The Handmaid’s Tale, as well as its controversies. When so many writers want to conceive of storylines that ‘say something’ and send red alerts about the state of the world today, this session is unmissable!
Why’s That Funny?
Join Jonathan Lynn, creator of the original political comedy Yes Minister and Yes, Prime Minister, director of some of Hollywood’s most enduring comedies such as Clue and My Cousin Vinny, in this masterclass of comedy.
Writer Turned Director: Meet Stuart Hazeldine and MJ Bassett
Screenwriter/Directors Stuart Hazeldine and MJ Bassett will examine the intersection between writing and directing, and the challenges of shifting between the two.
Writing Authentic, Haunting and Human stories...with Lynne Ramsay
Meet Lynne Ramsay who has made a career examining and creating films that leave us often breathless. Her career has spanned three decades, working with unknowns and movie stars alike, while tackling genre stories alongside social issues.
Writing For The Right Young Audience; how to hit your mark every time!
Do you want to write for children, but worry about hitting the right tone? Worry no more! This panel of outstanding screenwriters will give you all the advice you could ask for to make sure your script is aimed at the right young audience.
Writing Horrible Histories
Horrible Histories is a multi-award winning comedy sketch show for children, in this session, the writers will give us an in-depth insight into the creation of this ground breaking show.
Writing in the shadows... Spies, Espionage and Special Forces
How true is James Bond to real life MI6 operatives? How do the police and MI5 work together on terrorism cases? Where do Special Forces fit in? This session will provide a fascinating look into the spying game, and answer your research questions.
Writing Social Realist Magical Reality... Pin Cushion with Deborah Haywood
The LSF is overjoyed to bring Screenwriter/Director Deborah Haywood and her Producer Gavin Humphries to speak about the remarkable debut Pin Cushion; a film that has exhibitors salivating on every continent.
Writing The 21st Century Sitcom
How hard is it to make your sitcom fresh, funny and original in 2018? We’ve brought in a gaggle of the funniest writers to answer that question and help YOUR comedy sitcom breakthrough the broadcast noise.
Writing The Hit TV Show: Dominic Minghella on 'Doc Martin' and 'Robin Hood'
In this informative one-on-one interview, Dominic Minghella will dig deep into his own process and speak frankly about the longevity of his shows, and the fun of expanding known universes.
