Simon Beaufoy at the BFI

G.Pics spent last Friday night at the BFI, attending a talk by Simon Beaufoy, the BAFTA and Academy Award winning Screenwriter of The Full Monty and Slumdog Millionaire. As part of the BAFTA / BFI lecture series, the night took the form of an interview / Q and A session, giving an insight into how Simon works and his screenwriting process.  So, we thought we'd share some of his thoughts with everyone.

Initially starting out in documentary film making, he stressed the importance of authenticity and the power of narrative structure in storytelling.

 "Ask yourself, if I gave you a camera, what would you point it at?"

Throwing yourself into your story world is integral, to take the time to listen to people, to soak up the visual landscape and to learn from everything that surrounds you.

Remember as you write, to be flexible with your story as ultimately it will take on a life of its own, telling you what it wants to be.  However, hold on to the truth of your story, don't start writing scenes just to try and manipulate your audience.

Finally, remember to write what you love, as inadvertently a part of who you are will creep in to your writing. If you start to feel any doubts, remind yourself why you love film-making.

Another fantastic night at the BFI – They hope to make the Screenwriting Lecture series an annual event, so make sure you book up early next year and get to as many as you can.

An evening with David Hare (Screenwriter)

GPics was at the BFI last night to attend a lecture by Screenwriter David Hare (one of the numerous evenings being held as part of the BAFTA/BFI Screenwriters Lecture Series).

Our writer, Sinead, arrived to a buzzing atmosphere and a packed auditorium, with everyone jostling to find their seat and get settled for the event ahead. Anticipation filled the air and after a brief introduction, David Hare stepped on stage to share some of his thoughts and experiences with the eager crowd.

Screenwriter of The Hours and The Reader (for which he was nominated for a BAFTA, Golden Globe and Academy Award), David opened by speaking about how, as a screenwriter he spends time imagining and thinking about the story he will mould.

Over the next hour he outlined the following beliefs that he currently holds about screenwriting (but beware, they may change as of next week - this is an ever evolving process).

• Make the outcome more interesting the proposition (it's the ending that people will remember


• Write a scene through the presence of a third person (this will add an extra layer to enrich your scene)


• Don't underestimate the power of language (it beautifully interacts with image to create a perfect whole)


• Make way for others more talented (present a script that will excite others to come forward and lift it further)

Ilustrated with fabulous clips from Citzen Kane, The Fallen Idol and Mad Men, it was a truly inspiring and entertaining evening.

Sinead is already excited at the thought of next weeks talk by Simon Beaufoy, Screenwriter of The Full Monty and Slumdog Millionaire. So make sure you check back to hear all about it!

Copyright Guildhall Pictures Limited. All rights reserved.

Canon 5D day.

Fantastic news!
We are off out with our good friend, editor and cameraman, Tim Parsons of 'another schmuck', this weekend to have a close look at the Canon 5D Mk II. The camera that is starting a minor revolution among independent film makers.
Tim has kindly offered to take Brian out around the big smoke to really test out the possibilities of this amazing piece of equipment.
Of course, we will let you know what Brian finds and thinks. It is a camera that we are all incredibly keen on here, so fingers crossed, it lives up to our initial impression and very high expectations.
It is going to be an amazing week.

Guildhall Pictures