GIVEN the need for capacity building and higher level of professionalism in the Nigerian motion picture industry, the Centre for Excellence in Film and Media Studies and Amaka Igwe Studios is organising a two-week screenwriting, producing and directing workshop in May.

A statement from the organisers indicates classes in the exercise which begins May 9, will hold Mondays through Fridays only. According to the statement, for screen writing, some of the lecture topics are Who’s a Screenwriter?, Script Appreciation, Finding the Story, The Film story, Story Development, Dialogue, Writing for Film and Writing for Television, Characterisation, Plot and Conflict and Understanding the Genre.

For Producing, the courses to be covered include, Who is a producer?, What is producing?, Breaking Down a Script, Shooting on Time and Budget, Working with a Director and Crew, Production Project Management, Creative Producing, Fund-raising and Sponsorship and Strategy.

And for directing, the courses will comprise Who is a Director?, Shot by Shot, Casting, Grammar of Directing, Planning the Shoot, Handling Cast and Crew, Geography of Shots, Shot Composition, Blocking and Choreography, Camera Placement, Directing Talent, and Shooting for Edit.

“All those specialising in screen writing will be expected to complete the screenplay for a short film during the workshop. Those for directing will be expected to shoot a short film. Workshop is open to only 25 participants. The team of facilitators will be led by the frontline script writer and director, Mrs Amaka Igwe.”