WORKSHOP Programme

DAY 1 – Tuesday October 1st, 2024

09:30 – 10:00

Meet & Greet
Welcome by Athens Film Office
Short Introductions by Mentors and Writers

10:00 - 11:30

Masterclass #1
The Protagonist’s Journey and the Unity Arc
A presentation on the importance of the Protagonist character and the universality of the most common narrative archetype – the Unity Arc.
By Professor Scott Myers

11:30 - 11:45 Coffee Break

11:45 - 12:45

Notes Session #1
One-to-One Script Meetings with Mentors and Experts

12:45 - 14:00 Lunch

14:00 - 15:00

Panel Talk #1
The Art of Giving and Receiving Notes
Writers often develop screenplays together with producers, script consultants, executives and financiers. We’ll explore writing for film and television as a team sport rather than a solo endeavor.

Speakers: Rose Bosch, Carlo Dusi, Kurban Kassam

15:00 - 15:15 Coffee Break

15:15 - 16:15

Notes Session #2
One-to-One Script Meetings with Mentors and Experts

16:15 - 16:30 Coffee Break

16:30 - 17:30

Panel Talk #2
How to Pitch Your Project
We will discuss how writers for both film and TV can identify the key elements of a successful pitch. Executives and writers will share perspectives on this key moment in the life of a project and explore how a good pitch should reveal the project DNA.

Speakers: Mirela Nastase, Julien Leroux, Katie O’ Connell

18:00 – 20:00

Athens for Creatives: A Walking Tour

20:00 - 22:00

Dinner with Owl Screenwriters and Mentors
at Yiantes Restaurant

DAY 2 – Wednesday October 2nd, 2024

09:30 - 10:30

Panel Talk #3
The Showrunner and the Writer’s Room
We will discuss the role of the showrunner, their relationship with directors, producers and networks, and their day-to-day during the writing and production of a TV series. We will also explore the changing dynamics inside the Writer’s Room.

Speakers: Hector Caballo, Katie O’ Connell, Kristinn Thordarson

10:30 - 10:45 Coffee Break

10:45 - 11:45

Notes Session #3
One-to-One Script Meetings with Mentors and Experts

11:45 - 13:15

Masterclass #2
The Family of Characters
and Five Primary Character Archetypes
A presentation exploring the respective narrative functions of a story’s principal characters and studies of five character archetypes:
Protagonist, Nemesis, Attractor, Mentor, Trickster.
By Professor Scott Myers

13:15 - 14:30 Lunch

14:30 - 15:30

Panel Talk #4
Scripts that Cross Cultural Boundaries
The panel will look at the key ingredients in making a film or TV drama work internationally – creating a bridge between the local storytelling voices and the global market.

Speakers: Mark Lorber, Mirela Nastase, Julien Leroux

15:30 - 15:45 Coffee Break

15:45 - 16:45

Notes Session #4
One-to-One Script Meetings with Mentors and Experts

16:45 - 17:00 Coffee Break

17:00 - 18:00

Panel Talk #5
Adaptation: Sourcing IP to generate IP
The panel will explore how IP coming from sources such as books, podcasts, articles etc. can be transferred into narratives for film and television.

Speakers: Erik Pack, Kurban Kassam, Rose Bosch

18:00 – 18:15 Coffee Break

18:30 – 19:00

Meet the class of the Owl Screenwriting Workshop 2023!
The screenwriters from the Owl 2023 come to town to discuss their experience and pitch of their projects.

20:00 - 22:00

Dinner and Networking
Both Owl delegations – 2023 and 2024

DAY 3 – Thursday October 3rd, 2024

09:30 - 11:00

Masterclass #3
A Character-Driven Approach to Breaking Story
A presentation laying out a set of brainstorming and character development tools as key parts of a story prep process leading to a scene-by-scene outline for a feature film or television pilot script. By Professor Scott Myers

11:00 - 11:15 Coffee Break

11:15 - 12:15

Notes Session #5
One-to-One Script Meetings with Mentors and Experts

12:15 - 13:15

Creating a Script Teaser with AI-Generated Footage
An introduction to the basics of using AI tools to create a teaser for your scripts. Participants will learn how to craft a teaser script, generate visual content, and assemble a rough cut using AI-driven platforms. This workshop is designed for beginners, with no technical experience required. The focus is on creativity and understanding the possibilities of AI in the filmmaking process.
By Julia Keller

13:15 - 14:30 Lunch

14:30 - 15:30

Representation: Working with Agents
A conversation on what to expect from an agent or manager, exploring the path to obtaining representation or when to move on.
By Tanya Tillett

15:30 - 15:45 Coffee Break

15:45 - 16:45

Marketing: Anne Thomopoulos in conversation with Theano Apostolou
Executive producer Anne Thomopoulos discusses with former EVP of Communications at Starz Entertainment marketing tools and working with writers.

18:00 - 20:00

Pitching Event
The Owl Screenwriting Workshop 2023 screenwriters pitch their projects. Discover original concepts, meet and network with the creators.

20:00 - 21:00

Networking drinks

21:30 – 01:00

Party
Muse Urban Venue

DAY 4 – Friday, October 4th, 2024

10:00 - 13:00

Group Workshop #1 (Television)
A group conversation about each of the writer’s script projects including mentor and cohort feedback, as well as specific story and page notes.
Goal: Each writer emerges from the week with a clear understanding of how to approach the next stage in their script’s rewrite.

13:00 - 14:30 Lunch

14:30 - 17:30

Group Workshop #2 (Film)
A group conversation about each of the writer’s script projects including mentor and cohort feedback, as well as specific story and page notes.
Goal: Each writer emerges from the week with a clear understanding of how to approach the next stage in their script’s rewrite.

17:30 - 17:45 Coffee Break

17:45 - 18:00

Closing Remarks by the AFO

18:00

Workshop Ends

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