TV Drama Tutored Writers’ Retreat
Umbria, Italy
THE UMBRIA RETREAT
#TheUmbriaRetreat24
September 3rd – September 10th, 2024
Treat yourself and your writing project to a week of tutored, focused, quality development time in beautiful, rural Italy.
A rare opportunity to work on your project with our founder, writer and showrunner, Dominic Minghella.
Tutor
Dominic Minghella. There will also be a small number of visiting professionals, including experienced screenwriters and a literary agent.
For
Talented writers, with or without onscreen credits, who have a script (or detailed outline) to develop. This is an intermediate to advanced level retreat, but beginners with evident talent will be warmly welcomed.
Tuition
£2,500+VAT (includes accommodation and some meals)
Location
South-west Umbria, Italy, approximately 1hr30 from the airports of Rome, and 1hr30 from the airport at Perugia.
LIMITED SPACES
Email writersretreat@islandpicturesmedia.com now to express your interest
The Retreat
This tutored retreat is designed to give you the time, focus and support to develop your writing strengths and move your project forward.
Our aim is to bring together a small group of writers on projects which we think can really benefit from the tuition Dominic has to offer, and to give you the best value for your investment of money and time, so we ask you to send in the project you intend to work on, so that we can ensure a ‘good fit’.
Beating your story
Dominic will work with you principally on narrative, helping you to “beat” your story so that it has the appropriate drive, turning points, and overall potential to engage your readers, and eventual audience. This process will be new to some, but familiar to those with experience of working collaboratively in a writers’ room, or of working closely with a script editor.
Of course you will also work on character, form, tone, and dialogue to suit your specific project and style, and there will be a group session on narrative technique with a guest speaker.
Daily tuition
You will meet daily with Dominic to discuss your project and any matters arising from the previous day’s work. Afternoons will be primarily protected for solo work, but there will be informal excursion opportunities for those who work better with breaks.
The atmosphere will be convivial. Writing is hard and writers need to support each other. That is the benefit of convening, in beautiful surroundings, and with good food on the table. The expectation will be to meet regularly as a group for meals, some of which will be provided, but this will be voluntary. The food in the area is generally excellent, as you would expect!
But the atmosphere will also be serious; you should be open to (and expect to find yourself) substantially rewriting your project. The tutoring will be practical more than theoretical. This is not intended to be a conventional writers’ course. We might discuss a story method – and we will even introduce you to a new, home-grown one! – but we are not going to sell you promises of enabling you to ‘turbocharge your characters’ or ‘hone dynamic, unputdownable scripts’ or ‘craft iconic dialogue’ or ‘nab that great agent’. This retreat is about you, your project, and the meeting of writing minds. It’s about straightforward practical steps for improving your work, and it starts – quietly, thoughtfully – from the inside, from you and your project, rather than from some external formula. In short – there will be no screenwriting manuals. The best writing has a truth to it; this is about helping you find yours.
The Umbria Retreat – Programme
Saturday
3pm – 6pm Arrivals
630pm Welcome drink and introductions
730pm Welcome dinner (included)
Sunday
930am Breakfast
10am – 1pm Tutor meetings
1pm Lunch
Afternoon Independent writing
430pm Visitor session on narrative: “Story cake”
730pm Dinner (included)
Monday
930am Breakfast
10am – 1pm Tutor meetings
1pm Lunch
2pm Group session – participation optional.
Afternoon Independent writing
6pm Additional tutor meetings
730pm Dinner (in the bar) (included)
Tuesday
930am Breakfast
10am – 1pm Tutor meetings
1pm Lunch
Afternoon Independent writing
Pre dinner Additional tutor meetings
730pm Dinner
Wednesday
9am – 1pm Breakfast and Tutor meetings
1pm Lunch
Afternoon Independent writing
& Evening Optional trip to local winery, famous hot baths, or historic Orvieto
to be chosen by the group (included)
Thursday
930am Breakfast
10am – 1pm Tutor meetings
1pm Lunch
Afternoon Independent writing
Pre dinner Additional tutor meetings
730pm Dinner
Friday
930am Breakfast
10am – 1pm Final Tutor meetings
1pm Lunch
Afternoon Independent writing
Pre dinner Additional final tutor meetings
730pm Farewell BBQ dinner (included)
Saturday
930am Breakfast
10am Departure
About Dominic Minghella
Dominic started his career as script editor and writer on Hamish Macbeth (BBC), starring Robert Carlyle, and went on to write, create and produce hit drama series which have been admired, and even remade, around the world.
Dominic wrote and created Doc Martin starring Martin Clunes for ITV/Buffalo Pictures. In its first series, Doc Martin averaged a whopping 40% audience share. It went on to win Best Comedy Drama at the Comedy Awards and the curmudgeonly doctor remained a star of the ITV drama schedules, and around the world, for an extraordinary 18 years.
Dominic wrote, created and was showrunner of the Robin Hood series for BBC/Tiger Aspect, starring Jonas Armstrong, Richard Armitage, Keith Allen, Lucy Griffiths, Joe Armstrong, Sam Troughton, Harry Lloyd and Anjali Jay. The show was distributor BBC Worldwide’s biggest earner around the globe.
Dominic was producer alongside Sarah Beardsall of Island Pictures’ film adaptation of The Scapegoat (2012), based on the novel by Daphne du Maurier, starring Matthew Rhys, Eileen Atkins, Anton Lesser, Jodhi May, Phoebe Nicholls, Andrew Scott, Sheridan Smith, Sylvie Testud, Pip Torrens, and written and directed by Charles Sturridge.
Dominic was executive producer (and showrunner) of Knightfall for A&E Studios and History, starring Tom Cullen, Olivia Ross, Julian Ovenden, Ed Stoppard, Padraic Delaney, Simon Merrells, Jim Carter, Sabrina Bartlett, Bobby Schofield and Sarah-Sofie Boussnina.
Dominic is a member of the Writers’ Guild of America (West), and has served on the Executive Council and Film Committee of the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain. He is a member of BAFTA and has served on a variety of juries at BAFTA and beyond. He has guest-lectured at a number of universities in the UK and the US, and taught, mentored and spoken at drama programmes around the world. The Umbria Retreat is a unique opportunity to access Dominic’s experience on a one-to-one basis.
About the location
We will convene in a small, ancient hilltop town, steeped in history, art and beautiful umbrian architecture. In early September, the weather is usually fabulous – warm sunny days, giving way to evenings perfect for eating outside.
Nearby are the iconic towns of Orvieto, Narni, Spoleto, Todi, Perugia and many more, not to mention the eternal city, Rome, which can be reached by train in little over an hour.
Travel and accommodation
Accommodation is included and based on single occupancy.
Please do not book any travel until final arrangements are confirmed.
If flying into Italy, we recommend travelling via Rome, and hiring a car. However the train connections are good from Rome’s main airport, Fiumicino. For those arriving in Umria by train, we can organise an informal pickup from nearby stations at Attigliano or Orte if requested.
Perugia airport is also not too far, but it is better suited to those who intend to hire a car for their stay.
There is no need to drive if you can’t or prefer not to. But participants who choose to hire a car will have significantly more freedom to explore the local area in down time. and are likely to be popular members of the group! Free parking is available. Don’t forget your licence!
FAQ
I’ve never written anything before. Is this retreat for me?
This is an intermediate to advanced level retreat, aimed at writers who are already on the journey of honing their skills, and, ideally, who have already been ‘published’ in some shape or form. However, every writer’s journey is different. If you feel you and your project might benefit, don’t be deterred. Drop us a line and we’ll take it from there.
I don’t have an agent; does that matter?
No.
I have only written an outline, not a full script. Can I still apply?
Yes. It may actually be easier to ‘beat’ the story while it is still in outline form. However, the outline will need to be very clear and detailed at submission stage.
My project is a film, not a TV project. Can I still apply?
Yes.
My project is not a drama. Can I still apply?
The retreat is for drama writers. Comedy-drama is welcomed, but other genres including horror and outright fantasy are not covered this time.
I’m a director, producer, script editor, agent or other industry professional. Can I come along?
Only if you are also a writer, and you want to develop a project.
My project is in development with a production company. Can I still come?
In theory yes. We’d have to work that out with your producers.
Can co-writers apply jointly?
Yes. Contact us for a bespoke arrangement.
Can you help me get an agent?
No. Only you – and your writing – can do that.
Are you looking for scripts to produce?
No. This is a writer-to-writer thing.
I have special catering or accommodation needs. Can you help?
Yes. We’ll try. Please let us know what you need.
Can I bring a plus-one?
Possibly. We may be able to offer some double-occupancy accommodation.
I want to arrive earlier or stay later. Is that possible?
Great idea. There is so much to enjoy in the area. Unfortunately we do not have availability to meet with you before or after the retreat, but we can certainly advise on places to stay.
How to Apply and Terms and Conditions
- Applications will be prioritised on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.
- Please drop us a line at writersretreat@islandpicturesmedia.com to express your interest.
- We will send you submission instructions by email. We will ask you to send your detailed outline/script and a brief covering letter/CV.
- If your application is accepted, we will ask for your deposit of £250+VAT to secure your place. The balance of the fee will be due by 30 June 2024.
- If you cancel:
– before 30 June 2024, you will be entitled to a full refund, excluding your deposit.
– after 30 June 2024 but before 31 July 2024, you will be entitled to a refund of 50% of the total fee, exluding your deposit.
– after 31 July 2024, you will not be entitled to any refund. - You must take appropriate insurances to cover any losses you might incur due to cancellations, travel disruption, illness and any other unforeseen circumstances.
- If we cancel, we will offer you your choice of a full refund or a place on another retreat at a future date. Our liability will always be limited to the amount you have paid us and will not extend to accommodation, travel costs or any other costs you may have incurred, directly or indirectly, as a result of your application or acceptance.
- All dates, details and prices subject to final confirmation. You must not make any travel arrangements prior to receiving final confirmation.
- Your data and work are your own and never shared without your explicit consent.
- Application, submission and participation are intended to develop you as a writer, and your project. Please do not look to Dominic, Island Pictures, or any visiting professionals on this retreat for representation for your project or for your career, as this will NOT be the right forum.
- Spaces are very limited, and will be prioritised on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, so contact us now to avoid disappointment.
Invest in your writing career
Email writersretreat@islandpicturesmedia.com now to express your interest
