Celebrated Yorkshire screenwriters to share secrets of their trade

Join screenwriters and honorary graduates Mark Herman and Lisa Holdsworth in conversation at York St John University on 4 October 2023. 

Renowned screenwriters Mark Herman (Brassed Off, Little Voice) and Lisa Holdsworth (Call the Midwife, A Discovery of Witches, Dance School) will share industry insights with a public audience at York St John University on Wednesday 4 October. Titled ‘Script to Screen: the reality of the process’, the event headlines a new series from the University’s York Centre for Writing, welcoming film, television and literary experts for lively discussion and topical debate. 

Led by Dr Robert Edgar, Professor of Writing and Popular Culture at York St John University, the event will explore the different approaches to writing from original play to screen with Mark Herman and Lisa Holdsworth sharing their vast experience in scriptwriting for film and television. They will describe the process of developing a script for screen, talking the audience through language choice, creating and describing scenes, character development and the delivery of voice for transitioning to screen. 

Professor Edgar said:  

“We are delighted to welcome back two of our highly esteemed honorary graduates and hear about the pathways they took to establish their careers. Sharing the highs, lows and everyday realities of working within film and television, the audience will gain a unique insight into screenwriting with top tips from Mark and Lisa.” 

The free event takes place on Wednesday 4 October from 6pm to 7.30pm at York St John University and all are welcome to attend. Book on Eventbrite. 

The next events in the York Centre for Writing’s autumn series are: 

• Writing children’s literature – Award-winning stand-up comedian and York St John alumnus Alasdair Beckett-King will talk about his novel ‘Montgomery Bonbon: Murder at the Museum’ with Creative Writing lecturers and authors Liz Flanagan (the Wildsmith series) and Andy Parrott (The Boy Who Went Magic).
  Wednesday 18 October at 3pm, York St John University
  
  
• Author Helen Palmer will discuss her debut novel ‘Pleasure Beach’, a queer love story spanning multiple voices and styles in 24 hours, with Caleb Klaces, Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing and English Literature.
  Tuesday 24 October at 6pm, York St John University
  
  
• A Christmas themed event featuring Tim Major introducing his latest novel ‘Sherlock Holmes and the Twelve Thefts of Christmas’. Tim will discuss how he works with such a well-known and loved literary figure.
  Thursday 7 December at 6.30pm, York St John University 

The York Centre for Writing is a hub for York St John University’s creative writing and publishing degree programmes and the focus for its thriving community of student writers. Details of all events and tickets can be found on York St John University events webpages.