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How to Write a Script You Love

Did you ever wonder how to get your script produced or your novel published?

Transatlantic duo Alison Larkin and Lucy Shuttleworth reveal all their secrets in a one-off weekend Masterclass in how to turn your story into a successful TV series, screenplay, play, or book.

Learn how to pitch and write decks like a professional.

Packed with exercises, insight and the tips, tricks and techniques of working as a professional writer.

Our instructors

Alison is a bestselling novelist/producer/comedienne and Lucy is a screenwriter, former development executive and Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing at the University of Portsmouth.

Alison Larkin

“Alison Larkin offers hugely entertaining reflections on how we become the kind of people we think we are . . . nature versus nurture, the eternal search for roots and the ups and downs of the great Anglo American love affair… marvelously light-footed…her script is really a lesson in the human condition.”

—Clive Davies, The Times

Lucy Shuttleworth

“Lucy’s guidance was invaluable for my writing. She immediately understood the tone I was aiming for, and helped bring my script to life — communicating the main themes to the foreground. Each set of notes helped refine my piece into the project I had originally set out to write. Her opinions are always insightful — with a desire to reveal the heart of the story.“

—Heidi Carmichael Writer/Actor

“If you feel safe in the area you’re working in, you’re not working in the right area. Always go a little further into the water than you feel you’re capable of being in. Go a little bit out of your depth. And when you don’t feel that your feet are quite touching the bottom, you’re just about in the right place to do something exciting.”
 ― David Bowie

2 day masterclass

2023 - Stay Tuned!

Cost: Cost £495 (~$620).

Students: Concessions £295 (~$360)

“Lucy has a seamless knowledge of the development process and her expertise and in-depth knowledge and practical advice are extremely helpful for emerging writers.”

—Mary Lee Wolf, Writer/Director

“Alison Larkin is an original, with a gift for telling stories you have never heard before. Her intelligence is quick and the humor fast. She is a terrific writer and inspires the people around her. A huge asset in any writers room.”

—Gail Parent, multi Emmy award-winning head writer for The Golden Girls, The Tracy Ullman Show and creator of Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman

“I have worked with Lucy for many years and she brings a rare understanding of story, structure, genre and visual storytelling to every project. She has a unique ability to get the very best out of writers. I cannot recommend her too highly.”

—Shrine Best, Producer, Other Productions: BFI Vision Awardee

“Alison said to me once ‘It’s not going to be funny if it doesn’t hurt to write it.’ This is true and I never forgot it. I am so grateful to her for her unfailing enthusiasm and encouragement that gave me the confidence to become a writer.”

—Sarah Marshall, student

Day One:

What is your idea?

The basics: are you an architect or a gardener? Do you plot and seed every idea as you go along, or do you plan every moment, character, idea?

Alison is a gardener and writes as the muse takes her and Lucy is an architect, preferring to plot and structure before she starts writing. Both techniques are viable, let’s find out what you are?

Now you have your idea, how do you pitch it?

The art of pitching and how to write a deck.

Editing your work.

Developing your idea into something that is commercially viable.

Day Two:

Emotional Storytelling.

The emotions we feel connect us with the story, ‘showing, not telling’, how the character is feeling.

We will provide exercises to help elevate your work to the next level.

Generating an emotional response from your writing is one of the most important elements and the best way to to engage the reader.

Divide into groups:

Work with either Lucy, or Alison to develop your idea with specific exercises to elevate your project.

In the afternoon pitch your developed idea and receive detailed feedback.