The Algarve Indie Scriptwriters Workshop completed last week in Ferragudo with the selection of two storylines created by scriptwriters who live and work in Portugal, which will later become a new TV series filmed and produced in the Algarve.
Eight experienced producers and scriptwriters from Portugal and the UK spent three days working alongside ten local scriptwriters at Spy Manor Productions in Ferragudo, creating two unique stories to be further developed in the next six to eight months and pitched to international streaming services.
Spy Manor Productions in association with The Algarve Film Collective developed the novel immersive workshop as a powerful platform for local talent to connect and engage with experienced peers from the Portuguese and British filmmaking community. The motto of their initiatives is "About the Algarve, produced in the Algarve, watched around the world”, inspired by NETFLIX’s ethos of providing entertainment that transcends languages and borders.
The experience followed all social distancing guidelines enforced by a COVID compliance officer, a role that will become crucial for all Film productions in the years ahead.
The two stories selected discuss modern themes that also showcase Portugal’s rich heritage, creativity and culture, as a way to promote the region to a wider audience.
The local scriptwriters selected to participate in the workshop were:
Ana Delgado Martins
Luís Cardoso
Jessica Palmeiro
Raquel & Rita Ferreira
André Coelho
Daniel Azevedo
João Freire Pelica
Debbie Simmons
Nélia Matos
The Scriptwriters who will be further developing the script in the coming months are:
Luis Cardoso
Debbie Simmons
Jessica Palmeiro
Nélia Matos
The guest speakers and mentors were:
- Pedro Lopes, author of Glória, Netflix’s first Portuguese original series directed by Tiago Guedes which began production this year
- Vera Casaca, the Algarvian screenwriter and director behind the films “On the Phone with God” and “If Poirot was Here”
- Luís Campos, screenwriter and producer, founder of Squatter Factory
- Nissan Stern, Head of Creative Development at Spy Manor Productions, script doctor and producer
- Emily Morgan, a UK based producer and production manager, recently having completed Supernova, a film with Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci
- David Allain, a UK scriptwriter and director whose work recently won the distinction award for CNN for the “Best Inspirational Communication Campaign”
- Peter Ogunsalu, Spy Manor Production’s producer and business development executive
- Harry Klunder, production manager at Production Algarve and Monte Productions
Among important guests joining the workshop, Spy Manor Productions also welcomed:
- Manuel Claro, Film Commissioner, representing Portugal Film Commission
- Manuel Baptista, leading the Loulé Film Office
- Gonçalo Galvão Teles, film director, scriptwriter and producer
Rather than taking the easier route and appointing well-known scriptwriters to select the themes and develop the storylines of the TV series, Spy Manor Productions and The Algarve Film Collective have chosen to take the opportunity to involve the local community in order to find, nurture and promote local talent.
One of the activities of the workshop was the creation of a dedicated Instagram account with the handle Script.In.Motion and the hashtag #ScriptinMotion to encourage all writers to share their day to day challenges, tips and inspiration for their own creative process. The account can be viewed and followed by accessing the link: https://www.instagram.com/script.in.motion
Portuguese movie critic Rui Tendinha from Cine Tendinha documented this valuable initiative through video, which can be seen here: https://youtu.be/1OSG3dC5_b4
To learn more about Spy Manor Productions and the activities related to the Algarve Film Collective visit: www.SpyManor.com
