Euroscript was set up in 1995 by The London Screenwriters' Workshop with the aim of improving the quality of film scripts going into production in Europe. It received its initial funding from the European Commission’s Media II programme, but is now financially independent.
Aims and Methods
Influential figures such as cinematographerBrian Tufano have pointed out that many British and European scripts go into production too early, leading to sub-standard films. This is partly due to European producers lacking the funds to pay writers for adequate script development - but also to a culture which underestimates its importance. Euroscript’s brief is to rectify these problems, developing writers’ careers and creative skills over a sustained period through courses and workshops, and facilitating the creation of high-quality, marketable screenplays. Euroscript's stated aim is to create a community offering screen, TV and radio writers support and guiding them through all the stages of script development. Its script editors give writers one-to-one help in an extended development programme which nurses projects from initial idea to final draft. Producers and production companies use Euroscript as an ancillary script department, outsourcing development tasks to its team of editors.
Screen Story Competition
Euroscript's annual Screen Story Competition was launched in 1994, again with backing from the Media II programme. Philippa Goslett is a previous winner with her script Little Ashes, which dramatises the complex relationships between Salvador Dalí, Federico García Lorca and Luis Buñuel. The film, which was script-edited by Lara Masters for Euroscript, has recently been released and has garnered some excellent reviews. Paul Sellars is another previous winner with his drama The Judas Boy.
Worldwide Links
Euroscript has launched numerous foreign initiatives, its most recent venture being a series of Danish workshops in conjunction with the Copenhagen Screenwriting School.
Euroscript Promotion
Euroscript is currently setting up a new initiative aimed at promoting the best scripts from its consultancy programme to the film industry. It will take no fee for this service, but will ask for a script-editing credit should the film be made.