Saturday, May 26, 2007

Raindance

Raindance presents:
Christopher Vogler's
The Writer's Journey


9.30-6pm Saturday/Sunday 9/10 June 2007
Greetings!

I'm writing to tell you we still have a few places left on The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structures for Screenwriters and Storytellers Mythic Structures for Screenwriters and Storytellers in London this June 9th and 10th.

The Writer's Journey, Christopher Vogler's book, has become a cornerstone of modern screenwriting theory. One of the most popular books on writing of the last fifty years, it has sold over 170 000 copies and has been translated into eight languages. His courses and book have influenced many many writers, producers, directors and stars, including: John Lee Hancock (THE ALAMO, MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL, A PERFECT WORLD), Ron Howard (A BEAUTIFUL MIND, APOLLO 13, PARENTHOOD), Mel Gibson (BRAVEHEART, APOCALYPTO, THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST), Roland Emmerich (INDEPENDENCE DAY, GODZILLA), Ted Elliot & Terry Rossio (SHREK, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN) and Darren Aronofsky (PI, REQUIEM FOR A DREAM).

In addition, Christopher Vogler has himself worked on countless feature film projects as a consultant, writer and producer, including FIGHT CLUB, THE LION KING, SPIDERMAN, THE THIN RED LINE, COURAGE UNDER FIRE, SUPERMAN, ANNA AND THE KING, THE LITTLE MERMAID, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, ALADDIN and HERCULES. He has also been a development executive at 20th Century Fox and worked as a story analyst for United Artists, Orion Pictures, The Ladd Company, Paramount, MGM, Warner Bros and Disney.

We have been trying for some time now to bring Chris over again. We have finally succeeded...but he has told us that he will not be able to return in either 2007 or 2008. If you miss him this time, can you afford to put your writing career on hold until 2009?

Chris' techniques are essential to scriptwriters of all levels, from beginner to professional, as can be seen from this short article he has written for us.

Read a snippet below:

ChrisVogler
Snippet:

A scene is a business deal. It may not involve money but it will always involve some change in the contract between characters or in the balance of power.

It's a transaction, in which two or more people enter with one kind of deal between them, and negotiate or battle until a new deal has been cut, at which point the scene should end. It could be the reversal of a power structure. The underdog seizes power by blackmail.

Or it could be the forging of a new alliance or enmity. Two people who hated each other make a new deal to work together in a threatening situation.

A boy asks a girl out and she accepts or rejects his offer.

Two gangsters make an alliance to rub out a rival.

A mob forces a sheriff to turn a man over for lynching.

The meat of the scene is the negotiation to arrive at the new deal, and when the deal is cut, the scene is over, period. If there's no new deal, it's not a scene, or at least it's not a scene that's pulling its weight in the script. It's a candidate either for cutting or for rewriting to include some significant exchange of power.

Want to read more? Email Chris Vogler@raindance.co.uk yourself


What they say about Christopher Vogler:
"It's like having the smartest person in the story meeting come home with you and whisper what to do in your ear as you write a screenplay. Insight for insight, step for step, Chris Vogler takes us through the process of connecting theme to story and making a script come alive."
- Lynda Obst, Producer, Sleepless in Seattle, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days; Author, Hello, He Lied

"Vogler is about the stories we write, and perhaps more importantly, the stories we live. It is the most influential work I have yet encountered on the art, nature, and the very purpose of storytelling."
- Bruce Joel Rubin, Screenwriter, Stuart Little 2, Deep Impact, Ghost, Jacob's Ladder

"The Writer's Journey should be on anyone's bookshelf who cares about the art of storytelling at the movies. Not just some theoretical tome filled with development cliches of the day, this book offers sound and practical advice on how to construct a story that works"
- David Friendly, Producer, Daylight, Courage Under Fire, Out To See, My Girl

"A classic of its kind full of insight and inspiration that every writer, both amateur and professional, must read"
- Richard D. Zanuck, The Zanuck Company, Driving Miss Daisy, Cocoon, The Verdict, Sting

"One of the most valuable tools in understanding and appreciating the structure of a plot that's available today. The Writer's Journey is an essential tool to any writer at any stage of their career"
- Debbie Macomber, Best-selling author, 42 million books in print, Author of Montana

"A seven-page memo by Christopher Vogler is now the stuff of Hollywood legend.The idea o f a "mythic structure"has been quickly accepted by Hollywood, and Vogler's book now graces the bookshelves of many studio heads"
- The Times, 1994



UniversityOfWestminster
The Writer's Journey
takes place on Saturday and Sunday 9th/10th June from 9.30-6pm each day. The registration cost is £250 + VAT = £293.75

Book online here

The course is taking place at the Large Lecture Theatre, Cavendish Campus, University of Westminster, 115 New Cavendish St, London, W1W 6UW. The closest tube stations are Goodge St and Warren St.


Topics covered include:
- New maps of story structure for a changing audience
- New concepts for troubleshooting story, character and structure
- How to create strong identification in the beginning
- How to survive the minefields of the middle
- How to build to a dramatically satisfying ending
- Developing literary works into coherent movies
- Creating broad appeal
- Weaving theme, psychological depth and a sense of meaning
- Common structural elements
- Myths, fairy tales, dreams and movies
- Archetypes in 'the hero's journey'
- The mythic structure that all stories follow
- Typological character study
- The stages of the journey through which the hero passes

Full details here.


Raindance takes screenwriting seriously. Christopher Vogler is an undisputed master of the craft of screenwriting and storytelling. Learn with a master. Call me on 0207 287 3833 to book your place.
Best,

Will Pearce
Raindance Festivals Limited

DISCOUNTS
- Ask about our special repeater fee (-50%) if you have taken this course before and would like a refresher
- Ask about our Group Booking discount for 3+ students
- Members of Raindance get a 15% discount.
- Students, OAP's and UB40's 10% discount
- our out-of-town discount is 10%

Discounts cannot be combined.

Check out Raindance courses
here...



The Raindance Guarantee
Try any course at Raindance and discover that the course isn't for you, just make yourself known to a member of Raindance for a no-questions asked refund.

The fine print:
Refund requests only accepted until the first break on a weeknight course, and lunch-time on a weekend course.

More about Raindance...

Since 1992 Raindance has been offering advice and support for independent fimmakers. We started the Raindance Film Festival in 1993, and the British Independent Film Awards in 1998. We also have a training programme that has had remarkable success. And all this without public funding. Presently there are nine of us working out of our office in Soho, London. Although we are London-based we are on the look-out for anyone who might like to work with us in another city or country.

We are always looking for new ideas, or your stories about your movie.

To contact us, try 44 (0)202 7287 3833, or send an email to info@raindance.co.uk

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