A film can do wonders. It has the power to make hundreds of people sitting in a dark room collectively feel the emotion that you intended as a filmmaker. It can grab your audience’s attention so well that they forget about the world outside. But all these remarkable things start from one plain piece of document that makes for the foundation of any film — a screenplay. 

It looks like a bland document written in the most archaic font possible. But as you navigate those carefully chosen words for descriptions and dialogues, you notice that a screenplay encapsulates so much more. The flow of the film, various plot points, the protagonist’s drive, their journey to overcome their flaws, the antagonist’s morally complex character, and the list goes on. 

For any filmmaker, no matter at what stage they are in their career, it becomes vital to understand something as central to films as screenplays. While writing your own screenplay is the best way to fully grasp the extent of this technical document, the second-best thing you can do is read — or rather study — as many screenplays as you can, which can be as helpful, if not more. 

That’s precisely why I am starting a script reading club right here in Lucknow for anyone aspiring to be a filmmaker. 

Our small group of screenwriters will meet every other week for a couple of hours and talk about a screenplay that we’ve all read (or watched as a film). We will dissect every scene to its smallest shred, trying to understand why the writer made those decisions and how that finally translates on screen. There will be various activities, like we could do narrations to hone our speaking skills because you will need that quite a lot when pitching your stories. 

But more importantly, we all are going to learn together. And maybe even be a support system for bouncing off ideas for a story you’re working on. 

I invite anyone with an inclination for filmmaking to join me in this script reading group. Fill up the application form using the link below to register your entry. Following the submissions, I will pick not more than five candidates who will be the founding members of this script reading group. So, sign up right away!

Apply here

Depending upon the number of applications I receive, I will announce the final selection sometime between late August and early September. If selected, you will be notified at the email address provided in your application. I will also put up the selection list on my Twitter so you can keep an eye there as well. 

Following this, our first meetup will happen around mid-September. 

FAQs

1. Will the meetups happen online (on Zoom or Google Meet)? 
   For now, no. Our group will meet offline at a pre-decided place to discuss our agenda for the week. 

2. Can only those in Lucknow can apply? 
   Yes. Since we’re going to meet offline, you will have to be present in Lucknow to be a part of our little club. 

3. Do you need to pay anything? 
   Definitely not. It’s completely free to join. But if you offer to buy me a coffee, I won’t refuse!

4. How often will the group meet? 
   Initially, we’re going to meet every other weekend. But our routine may change going forward. 

5. Will I be teaching screenwriting?  
   Hell no. We’re all going to be screenwriting students in this group, just at different levels of understanding. There won’t be a ‘teacher,’ but everyone will surely get to learn a lot! 

While these FAQs should answer most of your questions, feel free to drop me an email from my profile section at the top or DM me on Twitter for any queries. 

Can’t wait to meet you all soon!