October 27, 2023 – October 30, 2023
Script writer kaise bane?
Screen writing is specialized, but it can be learnt. Whether you’re writing a film, a web-series, or a documentary, screenwriting has its own specific structure and rules.
The craft of script-writing is not as flexible as writing prose: mastering screenwriting can take much practice and time. The Himalayas are a good place to get started.
This course will be led by Sidharth Jain, who has worn many hats in the film-world. He is the founder of ‘The Story Ink’, India’s No.1 Book-to-Screen company. He is also the producer of ‘Trial by Fire’, currently streaming on Netflix. His detailed profile is below.
Like all our courses, this Screen / script writing course is not a one-to-many broadcast. It is a small group of fifteen people working together closely, practicing the art, reviewing each other’s work, and learning by doing.
If you’re wondering about the difference between screenwriting and scriptwriting, you will understand that at the course as well. In fact you’ll understand the three critical stages of a making a piece of video entertainment: Story, Screenplay and Dialogue.
The Workshop sessions are held in the open or in the book lounge. When the sun shines on a wintry morning, a chhole bhature meal in the lawn is bliss. The backdrop of snow-capped peaks completes it. This killer venue is the 5-star rated Himalayan Writing Retreat (you can read our reviews here).
While you’re here, walk in the wilderness, bask in the warmth of a sublime sunset, and gaze at the stars. Let your eyes feast on the magnificent Himalayan dusks and dawns, your ears on the live birdsong concert, your lungs on clean crisp mountain air, and your taste buds on the delectable, homely fare. When you’ll leave you’ll have answers to the question” Script-writer kaise bane?”
One of our past attendees – Radhika, has beautifully captured her experience of this retreat in her words. You can read her post Here.
The fees for this workshop is INR 22700* (+ taxes). This covers a shared room, all meals.
We only accept a total of fifteen applicants in this workshop on a first-come first-served basis. To apply, please click the blue button below and fill out the application. If accepted, you can pay the fees to secure your spot. Questions? Call or WhatsApp +91 73035 16665.
Script writer kaise bane? Click the blue “apply now” button.
About the Instructor
Sidharth Jain
Sidharth has been working as a Producer in the Indian Entertainment Industry for 20+ years.
He Founded The Story Ink in 2018 and it is now India’s Largest Book to Screen Adaptation Company, having set-up 200+ books across 50+ Production Houses. The Story Ink represents 250+ Authors and exclusively controls the screen rights of more than 500 books.
In 2021 Sidharth founded a development and production company – House of Talkies, which has a multi-format slate of film & series projects. The first series project commissioned by Netflix – Trial By Fire – launched on 13th January 2023. The show is about two parents fight for justice after the Uphaar cinema tragedy.
Sidharth’s last corporate stint was at Hotstar.com, India’s largest premium OTT platform owned by Star-Disney. He joined them in the launch year of 2015 and was an integral part of India’s incredible rise as an OTT content nation.
In 2002, he produced India’s first digitally-shot-theatrical-found-footage horror film – Ragini MMS out of India’s first script-factory – iRock Films, where he worked with 75+ writers and developed more than 35 scripts and 100+ stories, over 5 years. The film also launched the stellar acting career of actor Rajkumar Rao.
He started his producing career with Los Angeles based Hyperion Studio where he produced a 5-country co-production international film – Marigold – in 2003, starring Indian Superstar, Salman Khan. This was after he sold his Dotcom company to Ebay India (Baazee.com), which was the world’s first online auction portal for Original Bollywood Memorabilia.
Detailed Program – Screenwriting Workshop
We’ll be covering the following:
- How to select the right story to write.
- Essentials for writing a compelling Story & Screenplay – Film and Episodic.
- The age of collaboration and Writing Room Dynamics.
- Understanding the business dynamics of why and how any producer will pick your script/story.
- The better way to prepare a pitch for the producer and then, how to pitch it.
Pre-work
Go through your bank of story ideas. Make a one-page outline for your Top 3 projects that you would like to work on.
Day 1: Arrive at the Retreat
- Breakfast (10am to 11am)
- First Masterclass: Screenwriting 101 + What’s Your Story? (11am to 12pm)
Essentials for writing a compelling Story and Screenplay for both Film and Episodic content. What are things to focus on as a screenwriter – Story, Screenplay, Dialogue
An ice-breaking session for the group. Followed by how they should select their story and what is a good story to write. Genre trends, what works commercially, what producers are always looking for, etc.
- Group Discussion (12pm to 2pm)
Pitch your story ideas. Discuss which story each should go ahead with.
- Break for Lunch (2pm to 3pm)
- Second Masterclass: Pitching 101 (3pm to 4pm)
Then a basic rundown on the most important part of the business side of the story – a pitch deck. Go over the need for a pitch deck, how to prepare for pitching and what needs to be in the document.
- Breakout to Write + One-on-One Sessions: (4pm to 7pm)
Attendees start working on their projects + One-on-One Sessions with Sid simultaneously
Day 2:
- Breakfast (10am to 11am)
- Breakout to Write + One-on-One Sessions (11am to 2pm)
Attendees continue working on their projects + One-on-One sessions to understand your strengths as a screenwriter and go over each attendees basic pitch deck and give feedback
- Break for Lunch (2pm to 3pm)
- Breakout to Write: (3pm to 5pm)
Attendees finish working on their projects
- Third Masterclass: Present Your Pitch + Feedback (5pm to 7pm)
Each person gets 10 minutes to pitch their story to the group
- Final Session: Entertainment Business (7pm to 8pm)
The current trend and need for writer rooms in the industry. The difference of writer rooms for Films v/s Web Series. How they divide the work, types of writers in writer rooms, etc. + Producer Aspect – How do producers think, how they create writer rooms, basic financial overview, etc.
Day 3: Leave the Retreat
Travel and Stay
The Himalayan Writing Retreat is built for writing and learning. We are rated 5-star on google and facebook.
Once here, you will be sharing a room with fellow participants (unless we’ve confirmed a single). All essentials like food, hot water, towels etc. are provided. No hidden costs.
It can snow in winter. Weather can vary and the weather chart of Mukteshwar (12 km from the retreat) is here. A pair of sturdy walking shoes, some rain protection and an extra layer or two are always a good idea.
Our rooms are built to let nature in and inspire you. To see pictures of the rooms click here . To see pictures of the writing spaces click here
Depending upon where you travel in from, you can reach us by road, train or air. Even if flying or taking a train, the final stretch is a drive, and the last 150 metres is a walk.
By Road
The retreat is a 370 km/9 hours drive from Delhi. If driving, we recommend you leave early. Note that parking at the retreat is on the road – we do not have any private parking. We have limited driver accommodation, so please check in advance.
Overnight Volvo buses ply between Haldwani and Delhi, the more reliable of which are government operated. You con book those here. Private Volvos and Sleeper buses also ply between Delhi and Haldwani, which you can book on redbus. Make sure you pick a bus with a high (4+) rating.
By Train
There are three trains a day from Delhi to Kathgodam, the nearest train station. Some others also come in from Kolkata, Lucknow and Dehradun. From Delhi, Ranikhet Express is a convenient overnight train both ways, but finding tickets can be difficult.
Most people prefer to take the Kathgodam Shatabdi (Delhi dep: 6.20 AM, Kathgodam Arr: 11.40 AM). A cab from Kathgodam to Satkhol takes about 2.5 hrs / Rs. 2200 (more for a big car). Cabs are often shared by participants.
By Air
There are daily flights from Delhi to Pantnagar. A cab from Pantnagar to Satkhol takes about 3.5 hr / Approx INR 4K.
There are direct flights from Mumbai and Bangalore to Bareilly 3-4 days a week. Satkhol is a 5hr / INR 5.5k cab ride from Bareilly. (More for a big car). Cabs are often shared by participants.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why should I choose HWR Workshops?
- Personal Attention: We don’t take more than 10 students in a class. You get a lot of personal attention and feedback. No classrooms of 20-30 people or one-way pre-recorded videos here.
- Class Quality: For most courses, we filter our participants. You can’t just pay and sign up. We need to see a writing sample (in our application form) to ensure the class is of a uniform standard.
- Quality of faculty: No lightweights here. Many of our faculty are award-winners. All are experts and great teachers. We don’t settle for average.
- Feedback scores: Across courses, we are rated 4.5/5, or higher. You can read our reviews HERE.
- Do I get a certificate of participation?
Yes, certificates are available on request.
- Any discounts for students / other categories?
At the Himalayan Writing Retreat, we follow a strict no-discount policy.
- Is the workshop fee refundable? Our cancellation policy is as follows:
- Online Writing Workshop: 100% refund if cancellation 2 weeks before the event start date, 50% if cancellation one week before the start date, 0% if less than one week before the start date.
- Courses / Workshops at the Himalayas: 100% refund if cancellation 4 weeks before the event start date, 50% if cancellation two weeks before the start date, 0% if less than two weeks before the start date.
- Is the Himalayan Writing Retreat a business or an NGO?
The Himalayan Writing Retreat is a social enterprise. It works closely and actively with two local NGOs in its community work initiatives: Chirag and Alaap. In 2023, HWR targets to raise INR 8 Lakhs to support the Chirag School. - To script writer bane ge kaise?
There are many paths to becoming a script writer. The most common is to join a writing room of some established writer like Anu Singh Choudhary. You may also get a full-time job with a production house. But the writer room gigs are usually linked to a particular project : a film or a show, so your work is contractual.
Once you start on that path, you gain a reputation, and then you can become a writer in your own right.
Have more questions? Feel free to write to us at info@himalayanwritingretreat.com or connect with us at +91 73035 16665 (Call/ WA/Signal).
Event Summary
* Taxes extra.