Writers go on a crime spree
Posted on 2nd February 2011
2 February 2011
Writers go on a crime spree as the Story Engine and Tyneside Cinema
celebrate 40 years of Get Carter
Newcastle’s historic Tyneside Cinema will be taken over by crime writers of all
genres for two days, as the annual screenwriting conference The Story Engine
returns to Tyneside.
The Story Engine takes place on Friday 11th March (evening) and Saturday 12th
March 2011 for what promises to be the crime spree of the year. Taking the
fortieth anniversary of the UK release of Get Carter as a starting point, the Story
Engine brings together the people behind that classic film in a special event with
Mike Hodges, its writer and director.
The Story Engine will also look at other major crime-based films and TV series:
Stieg Larsson’s Millennium trilogy; C4’s landmark Red Riding films, and ITV’s
upcoming North East-based crime series Vera, to examine how the crime genre
continues to enthral filmmakers and audiences alike.
Writers can expect industry insights into the character, setting, structure and tone
of major crime series. Adaptation for screens large and small will be a major
theme, and the conference will ask what filmmakers can learn from the work and
working methods of crime novelists.
The event is aimed at all those engaged in creating fiction for the screen, be they
screenwriters, producers, or directors. Novelists, and fans of crime fiction in
general, will also find the programme of relevance to their interests.
Featuring case studies, panel discussions, screenings, and networking with
leading industry insiders, the aim throughout is simple: to help emerging and
established talent gain a better understanding of the art, craft, and business of
creating engaging stories for the screen.
The Programme:
Get Carter at 40: Writer and director Mike Hodges joins us for a unique insight
into the creation of this seminal British gangster film. Followed by screening of
Get Carter.
A Perfect Crime: Novelists Val McDermid and Denise Mina discuss how they
approach creating their unique brands of crime fiction.
The Bloody North: Mike Hodges and David Peace explore the importance of
place within the genre and discuss the problems of mixing fact and fiction.
Setting The Tone: Screenwriter Tony Grisoni outlines his approach to adapting
the Red Riding quartet into three films for Channel Four, and examines the
importance of tone within the world of crime fiction.
Commissioning Criminals: The BBC’s John Yorke looks at crime on television
and offers his own take on the genre.
Scandinavia Rising: Script editor Eva Ward and writer Antonia Pyk discuss their
work for Swedish production company YellowBird (makers of Wallander and the
Millennium films) and give us a unique insight into the company’s next large
scale venture: the production of six feature films based on the Annika Bengtzon
series of books by Liza Markalund.
Hidden Depths Ahead of the network premiere of Vera, ITV’s new North Eastbased
crime drama, we’re joined by creator and novelist Ann Cleeves and
screenwriter Paul Rutman to find out how they brought the books to the screen.
The Larsson Legacy: Eva Ward from YellowBird explains the complex process
of bringing Stieg Larsson’s Millennium trilogy to the screen. Followed by
screening of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.
Venue and Times
The event will take place at the Tyneside Cinema in central Newcastle on Friday
11 March (evening) and all day Saturday 12 March.
Please check Story Engine website www.thestoryengine.com for more details
and exact timings, and to book your place.
For all media enquiries and interview requests please contact Olivia
Chapman on 0191 233 3850 or email olivia@newwritingnorth.com.
