Euroscript

Euroscript was set up in 1995 by The London Screenwriters' Workshop (later known as the Screenwriters’ Workshop) with the aim of improving the quality of film scripts going into production in Europe. It received its initial funding from the European Commission’s Media II[1] programme, but is now financially independent.

Influential figures such as cinematographer Brian Tufano (director of photography on a range of successful films including Quadrophenia, Billy Elliot and Trainspotting) have pointed out that many British and European scripts go into production too early,[2] leading to sub-standard films.[3] This is partly due to European producers lacking the funds to pay writers for adequate script development[4] - but also to a culture which underestimates its importance. Euroscript’s brief is to rectify these problems, developing writers’ careers and creative skills over a sustained period through courses and workshops,[5][6][7][8] and facilitating the creation of high-quality, marketable screenplays.

Euroscript's stated aim is to create a community offering screen, TV and radio writers support and guiding them through all the stages of script development. Its script editors give writers one-to-one help in an extended development programme which nurses projects from initial idea to final draft. Producers and production companies use Euroscript as an ancillary script department, outsourcing development tasks to its team of editors.

Euroscript's annual Screen Story Competition was launched in 1994, again with backing from the Media II programme. Philippa Goslett[9] is a previous winner with her script Little Ashes,[10] which dramatises the complex relationships between Salvador Dalí, Federico García Lorca and Luis Buñuel. The film,[11] which was script-edited by Lara Masters for Euroscript,[12] has recently been released (directed by Paul Morrison) and has garnered some excellent reviews.[13] Paul Sellars is another previous winner with his drama The Judas Boy.

Euroscript has launched numerous foreign initiatives, its most recent venture being a series of Danish workshops in conjunction with the Copenhagen Screenwriting School.[14]

Euroscript is currently setting up a new initiative aimed at promoting the best scripts from its consultancy programme to the film industry. It will take no fee for this service, but will ask for a script-editing credit should the film be made.

Euroscript comprises a diverse team of industry professionals including producers, working screenwriters, script consultants, film-makers and intellectual property lawyers. Among these are Andrew Clifford,[15] Paul Bassett Davies,[16] Paul Gallagher,[17] Fenella Greenfield,[18] Charles Harris,[19][20] Ian Long, Anne Woods and Kevan Tidy.

• Euroscript's Official website
• Natalie M. King