Letting It Rip! – Renegade Writing Workshop – Fiction/Non-ficton online course

1 – 3 people 2 day or 5 day.

Fun high-energy course that gets stuck in, perfect for those used to creativity and those that like to break rules.

Award winning film maker, writer, poet and memoirist John L Matthews is ready to help you harness your inner superpowers! This is the time to forget everything you think you know about writing. This is the time to stop thinking and dive in!

John’s self-confidence developed in part from self-shooting four films, most of which ended up on national and international TV channels. He has self-published several books and many of his ideas have been developed into TV series and feature films. His non-fiction ‘Killer Years’ sold 13,000 copies in just a few months. You can tap into his knowledge and skill in how to get things made, finished, completed. And maybe even one day sold!

Many have discovered that writing is a way to explore the world and yourself. What if you had new ways of expressing yourself that fired you up? If this resonates with you, then this is the course for you!

For details contact us via 07855 375 615 or e-mail john@big-pic.co.uk

Start Me Writing!

Start Me Writing! Fiction/Non-fiction

1 – 3 people 2 day or 5 day.

Gentle introduction to writing using workshops, discussion and one-to-ones.

Do you love telling stories? Would you like to take stories from your own life, or from people you know? Maybe you are new to writing or are coming back to it? If so this is for you.

This life-changing Start to Write Week with award winning film maker, memoirist and writer John L Matthews will guide you to pulling your story together. It can be non-fiction or fiction, poetry, prose, anything! Using different ideas as launching pads we will explore place, character and structure. Before you know it, your idea will be flying!

With support from your tutor and new and back-to-it writers, you will begin this important journey of discovering your voiceFor details contact us via 07855 375 615 or e-mail john@big-pic.co.uk

Screenwriting

1 – 3 people 2 day or 5 day.

A dip into the complex world of screenwriting, looking at structure, character, world and theme, all in a safe, encouraging environment. You can be a beginner or have experience.

Screenwriting is by definition an exciting genre. It is also complex, and sometimes difficult to begin. Is there something burning inside of you that you can see on the big screen but you’ve no idea where to start? If so, this course is for you. Combined with other writing, we explore the potential of your idea for the silver screen. And start writing it!

Film maker and Master in Screenwriting John L Matthews will share tips and tricks to help get you on your way. This is a rare opportunity to tap into an experienced story tellers experience who has film making knowledge. You will break through red lights, begin thinking in pictures and sound: John will have you on your way before you know it!

For details contact us via 07855 375 615 or e-mail john@big-pic.co.uk

Memoir/Life Writing

Online / In-Person / Master Class

1 – 3 people 2 day or 5 day.

A course that uses your own experiences to understand yourself better and potentially share your learnings with others. Uses a mix of genres including non-fiction, poetry and dramatisation.

Has something happened to you that you just know will make a compelling book, film or play? If you have already jotted down ideas but don’t know where to start, then this course is for you. 

With award winning producer, film maker, memoirist and writer John L Matthews, you are in safe knowledgeable hands.

When writing memoir, it’s important to think of the drama in your story, the exciting characters, the pivot points that will have the reader or viewer on the edge of their seats. You need to ‘Think Like a Movie Maker!’ With exercises, tutorials and one-to-ones, we will teach you tools and approaches for digging inside your head for stories: how to turn vivid memories into well-honed narrative. How to turn real-life into compelling narratives. We want you to embrace writing and it to become a part of who you are, so when you leave, your writing can soar!

For details contact us via 07855 375 615 or e-mail john@big-pic.co.uk

Non-fiction/Dramatisation

Up to 3 people for an agreed fee.

1 – 3 people 2 day or 5 day.

A course that helps bring non-fiction/factual stories to vivid life using techniques from other genres so your story leaps off the page!

Non-fiction, factual, whatever you want to call it, should never be dull! When you start your non-fiction project, it’s important to think of all the areas it touches. But where to start? We will help you get on your way.

With the expert guidance of award-winning investigative documentary maker, memoirist, researcher and writer John L Matthews, you will explore the complexity of your story, the places, the people, working out whose voices are most important. Why are some more important than others? What to do with the lesser voices?On this course you will work out how to bring your stories to life, and the moral issues which you inevitably will touch upon. It does not matter in which genre your story will end up, under close guidance of your tutor you will explore different ways of approaching your story. You will learn how to combine your own knowledge and learn what can be gleaned from research. Ultimately, we want the reader gripped by your narrative! This will be the start of a challenging and exciting journey for you. At the end of the course you will know exactly where you are and what to do next on your journey.

For details contact us via 07855 375 615 or e-mail john@big-pic.co.uk