Photos of 1st and 2nd sessions - 2005

Photos of 1st session - 2006

Testimony from last year

Katapult Script Centre Workshops 2005

Stage 1

As a result of a partnership between Hungarian film production company Katapult and Media Desk Hungary, the first Katapult Script Centre Workshop was held in Budapest from 24-30 May 2005.

Entry was competitive. Scriptwriters from throughout the newly expanded European Union were invited to submit treatments for projects they were developing.

From Scotland, POINT NORTH EAST and its writer Mark Jackson were selected. Other participants included Polish, Finnish, German, Spanish, Italian and Hungarian scriptwriters and filmmakers. Many were graduates of their national film schools.

The intensive workshop included individual and group sessions with experienced script editors and screenwriters.

The contribution and insight of the tutors was outstanding and thought provoking. Participants were challenged on their concept, structure and motivation of characters. While not for the faint-hearted, the critical exchanges were forceful and full of humour and wit. Both POINT NORTH EAST and its writer came back sharper, leaner and fitter as a result of this exercise. The quality of tutorage and participants saw to that.

The goal of Katapult was to provide a platform for European filmmakers to interact and share their knowledge and experience. It certainly succeeded in this. It allowed a relaxed and incisive exchange of ideas, with projects benefiting from the input of a diverse collective of people passionate about storytelling.

Participants now have until early August to write a draft feature film script, so that their tutors and fellow Katapult participants can digest and dissect it prior to the second session in September.

It promises to be just as a rewarding and productive experience.

Mark Jackson Fraserburgh June 2005

Stage 2

Returning from the Katapult Script Centre Workshop, Budapest, the participants were faced with turning their treatments into a draft screenplay.

Two months in which to absorb the views, ideas and reactions from a cross section of Europe. To sift through the likes and criticisms of the group; weigh up the pros and cons of each idea.

The first session, a residential week in Budapest had thrown up a lot of possibilities as to the next direction of the script. POINT NORTH EAST had been dissected, digested and reconstructed, during an intensive exchange throughout the week.

Now the writer, Mark Jackson, with his tale of two-surf crazy fishermen, who live to surf, and their fight to save their fishing vessel, had to sit down and assess all the contributions from scriptwriters from Poland, Finland, Hungary and Germany.

The writer spoke to surfers and fisherman during this period. Listened and photographed them.

Come the beginning of August, a draft screenplay was forwarded to the Tutor Hana Cielova and the members of the group.

In return, their drafts arrived. The build up to the return to Budapest was spent reading the group’s output. Some scripts remained true to the original treatment, others had been bolder.

The second session was also held in Budapest in September, 2005.

Again, the workshop included individual and group sessions with experienced script editors and screenwriters.

At this stage, the group were all far more familiar with each project. Views had polarised. The exchanges and degree of fault finding were sharper. That was balanced by the praise for what truly worked.

Because, the group now knew the project, had a stronger sense of it’s dynamic, the contributions were fuller and bolder.

Through it all, the writer listened, absorbed and filed the other scriptwriters and tutor’s views.

The next step was to to return from Budapest, walk the beach, clear the head. Write.

The next draft was due at the beginning of December 2005.

Stage 3

Having had two intensive discussion sessions, it was time to filter the many view points. Assess the merits of the points made within the group.

It was also a time to tell POINT NORTH EAST, the story of Alan and Suds.

This was the distillation process. To hear all that had been said; the good and the bad. To condense it, use it, but to also listen to what originally drove the writer to embark on the journey - Alan and Suds’ saltwater roadmovie.

The next draft was submitted to the third online session in the first week of December 2005.

The feedback from the tutor was incisive, constructive and encouraging. It has helped drive this project forward.

POINT NORTH EAST and it’s writer are both leaner and fitter due to the tutor’s expertise and the enthusiasm and passion of the group.

The Katapult online session is ongoing. An unofficial support network of European script writers and filmmakers.

The writer and the project have grown. Katapult has helped raise the bar.

Mark Jackson Fraserburgh February 2006