Whistling Woods International Presents SCREENWRITING WORKSHOP (Online) By Anjum Rajabali

What: Whistling Woods International (WWI) in association with Screenwriters Association (SWA) is organising its annual screenwriting workshop – a substantial, compact learning experience of the craft!

The fact that script is the most important element of cinema, TV or OTT series is no longer just a cliché. The need for good scripts and competent writers is being acutely felt by these industries, and every attempt is being made to source and hire good writers. And yet, the complaint that there aren’t enough trained writers, knowledgeable in the fundamentals of the craft, continues.

Take away for participants: It offers a compact 35-40-hour intensive grounding in the basics of the craft, touching upon the uniqueness of Indian screenwriting, peppered with sterling examples that one can be inspired by and learn from. In addition, this time, WWI has planned special sessions on web series, mythology, character psychology, on-scene design &dialogue and, a demonstration session on how to pitch your script.

Moreover, the workshop will witness the presence of several wonderful guest teachers who have done stellar work in their fields, and the representatives from India’s two leading talent agencies – Tulsea and KWAN.

Curriculum-wise:

One weekend on the basics of storytelling as an art and craft, on IDEA, PREMISE, PLOT, CHARACTER and STRUCTURE. If these are strong, they provide the foundation on which you can build an inventively written script

One weekend on SCENE DESIGN & DIALOGUE.

Your wonderful story reaches your audience via crisply written dramatic moments – scenes

Half a day on a basic primer on PSYCHOLOGY and the different DEFENCE MECHANISMS commonly used by human beings (and by characters) to hide their true feelings

Half a day on MYTHOLOGY, highlighting the complex motives of characters, and what we can learn from those beautiful stories

Half a day on Joseph Campbell’s ‘HERO’S JOURNEY’, which offers invaluable insights into the underlying struggles and structures of all storytelling

One weekend of four GUEST SESSIONS. Sudip Sharma (Paatal Lok), Juhi Chaturvedi (Piku), Smita Singh-Khan (Sacred Games), Hitesh Kewalya (Shubh Mangal Saavdhan)

A session on how to PITCH YOUR SCRIPTS, by Chaitanya Hegde (Tulsea) and Aashoo Naik (KWAN)

A session by SWA’s lawyer on WRITERS’ RIGHTS, PLAGIARISM DISPUTES, SWA

A final session with SUBHASH GHAI. His candour always delights our participants, since he frankly refers to his professional and creative struggles, and wittily exposes the foibles of this industry.

When: March 6 to April 4, 2021

Time: 10 AM to 1.30 PM on Sat-Sun (Five Weekends)

Fees: For SWA Members: Rs 8000/- (All Inclusive)

          For non-SWA Members: Rs 9500/- (All Inclusive)

For Participation: To register or for more information, please call +91 9619 268 423 or email: kanchi.parikh@whistlingwoods.net