Quebec Writers' Federation Workshops

Spring Session 2012

WRITING FOR THE SMALL SCREEN

Eight Wednesdays, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (March 7 to April 25)

1200 Atwater Avenue, Suite 3
Workshop leader: Leila Basen

Every new television series starts off as someone’s great idea. But how do you turn that idea into a one-page pitch that will spark the interest of agents, producers and network executives? How do you turn that pitch into a pilot script that has a beginning, middle and end? How do you interweave multiple story lines and capture the voices of characters?

You can start by taking Writing for the Small Screen — a hands-on workshop that is run like a simulated writers’ room. Participants should be somewhat familiar with screenwriting in order to benefit from the weekly discussions as well as guest speakers currently working in television. And they should be prepared for some required reading as well as an intensive small group writing experience with deadlines similar to those found on a show currently in production. The hope is to gain an understanding of the importance of collaborative work and how to successfully marry creative inspiration with the requirements of the television industry.

For too many years to even mention, Leila Basen has worked as a screenwriter, writing countless episodes of shows such as "Street Legal," "Road to Avonlea," "Max Glick," "Ready or Not" and "Bliss." Her credits as supervising producer/writer include "Emily of New Moon" for CBC, "Blackfly" for Global, "Tales of The Neverending Story" (winner of the Grand Prize for Best Program, All Categories, 2003 Awards of Excellence, Alliance for Children & Television) and "Mental Block," broadcast on YTV which she co-created with David Pres ton. She also co-wrote the award winning, boffo box office feature Bon Cop/Bad Cop starring Patrick Huard. She’s currently writing a feature film based on the novel The Postman’s Rounds.

In a couple of months, Leila will be packing up the truck and heading out to Calgary for the fifth season of "Heartland". With over a million viewers per episode, it is the highest rated scripted drama on CBC.

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