Creativity cannot be taught. Every idea is different. Every writer finds their own voice in their own way. ScriptLab is not a traditional workshop or training course in scriptwriting. It is an opportunity for scriptwriters to share their work, support and encourage each other and have one-to-one script surgeries with a more experienced scriptwriter. The emphasis is on the writers to write, and through that process to learn about structure and story and character by applying scriptwriting techniques to their own specific projects. All participants will join the script lab with an idea for a project summarized in 150 words. An initial group session on 2nd August will bring all the invited participants together.

As a group we will look at the openings of a number of films, and watch some short films together. This will open up the discussion of how stories work and how to create an impactful opening. It will also give all the writers the chance to get to know one another and their projects.

After this introduction, writers will be “buddied up” working in pairs to support each other through the writing process. Over the course of the following few weeks and months, a series of one-to-one sessions will focus specifically on the writers’ individual stories. These will take place in cafes at times suitable to the participants.
All sessions will be conducted in English and hosted by Ian Masters, Lead Scriptwriter at BBC Media Action, Cambodia, writer/producer of The Last Reel, and the founder of ScriptNet, an NGO which for ten years worked with new writers in Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

All documents must be sent in English.

Please indicate in the subject of your email “Script Lab – FirstName LastName”.

Priority will be given to Cambodian applicants.