2.Main Content
About Us
About Us
Photo: Fiona Fouhy
In business since 1996, The Script Factory has become one of Europe’s leading filmmakers’ organisations finding and developing new screenwriting talent; supporting the people who work with screenwriters and screenplay material; and presenting unique and unmissable live filmmaking events with some of cinema’s top creative talent.
Everything we do is designed to fill the gap between writers and the film, TV or radio industries.
We’re a small company with a very big programme!
Script Factory trainers at The Bigger Picture in London, 2004We offer Training for writers and people who work with writers, both at home and abroad.
We stage inspirational Events where the best creative filmmakers take the stage to inspire audiences.
Photo: Micky Goeler
Mike Leigh on stage with Sandra Hebron at SCENE 2004 We produce Performed Readings to showcase new writing to the industry.
We offer Development tools for writers including Script Feedback which provides in-depth coverage reports, Private Performed Readings, and the opportunity for you to book a one-to-one Development Meeting.
Stephen Frears turns out for The Script Factory in Cannes
The Script Factory also has a Membership Scheme which offers exclusive events and discounts - and is a great place to start your relationship with us!
How we got here
Established in 1996 when founder, Charlotte Macleod, transferred the idea of staging Performed Screenplay Readings from New York to London, The Script Factory was initially housed within the British Film Institute and used the talents of an esteemed Board of advisors to help stage an annual season of Performed Screenplay Readings. Screenwriters from Christopher Hampton and Mike Figgis to Jimmy McGovern saw their work performed by stars including Charles Dance, Christopher Eccleston, Ioan Gruffud, Irene Jacob, Art Malik, Anna Massey, Gina Mckee, Bill Nighy, Stephen Rea, Fiona Shaw, Mark Strong and Emily Watson. The Script Factory Performed Readings entertained audiences and helped numerous projects find finance, producers and cast, and served to bring projects like the Oscar-nominated Dirty Pretty Things, Bafta-nominated Lawless Heart, BIFA-nominated Liam, and Bafta-winning short Shadowscan to life.
As the open-submissions policy for Performed Readings generated an ever-increasing number of scripts to be read, The Script Factory began to train its own Script Readers, inadvertently tapping into a huge vein of demand for reader and development training.
Simon Pegg, Mike Figgis, Danny Boyle and Gurinder Chadha during SCENE London 2004 At the same time, Board Members Anthony Minghella and Mike Figgis offered to give Script Factory Masterclasses, so inspiring the Company to launch its Live Events programme.
Now, over a decade after staging its first Performed Reading, The Script Factory delivers an annual Training Programme which satisfies approximately 2000 people per year from fields across the industry from directing to distribution; stages more than 50 Live Events per year in partnership with some of the most senior filmmakers in the international industry; stages training and event programmes with partners across the globe from Brazil to Israel; is building relationships to help develop and support selected individual writers; is expanding its focus from film only to include TV and Radio activities; and has a busy and enthusiastic Membership.