Screenwriting with Pilar Alessandra – On the Page course

I went to my first writing course on Saturday 29th November in London: On the Page with Pilar Alessandra.
I was a little nervous but more excited about going to the course. I have only just decided I am going to do this, so I didn’t want to turn up and be the student who can’t write because I think I am good at this and I didn’t want to fall at the first hurdle.

Anyway the course was exactly the right one for me as ‘On the Page’ refers to getting those ideas out of your head and, you guessed it, on the page! 

The course was fantastic, not only because, thank god, I didn’t suck but, Pilar gave us simple and easy steps that made the prospect of going on and writing seem easy. Also the group was put at ease by Pilar’s approach to teaching so you felt safe sharing ideas and they were a great bunch of writers. I felt a little intimidated as everyone else was obviously used to calling themselves a writer whereas I feel like I can, could, will be one, but I’m only at the ideas stage!However I have now been inspired by Pilar and with my resources at my finger tips I shall write all I need to get a calling card script and a writing agent. 

This being my first and only course I have nothing to compare it to but after talking with others on the course it seems it was a favorite for even the more seasoned course attendees. Here’s some of their quotes:

“Must say that I’ve done many classes in my time but I’ve never met anybody who imparts quite so much really useful information in such a short space of time. Quite invigorating.” Simon Rose
I thoroughly enjoyed the class on Saturday.  I must admit to being somewhat sceptical going in; I am not a fan of structural preachings (I threw McKee’s book ‘Story’ so hard against my living room wall that it has become structurally integral to the building).  However, I was turned. ” James Bicknell

You can find out lots about Pilar and the course online. I’d recommend it for anyone who really wants to start the process of putting the ideas you’ve had for ages to good use!
I consider this my step 2 in writing. Step 3 requires action!!!!

Acclaimed writer-director Paul Haggis has been a fixture of television and film for over 25 years. In this wide-ranging interview, the Oscar®-winning co-screenwriter, director, and producer of Crash (Best Picture 2005) discusses a three-decade career that led from writing for sitcoms like Diff’rent Strokes and The Facts of Life to his breakthrough screenplay for Oscar®-winning director Clint Eastwood, Million Dollar Baby (Best Picture 2004). Haggis’s matter-of-fact stories of navigating the entertainment industry are an indelible primer for how to manage the screenwriting life, make a successful transition from TV to film, develop a strong story and characters, pitch an idea, and surmount Hollywood’s more frustrating obstacles.
Video Rating: 4 / 5