A re you a scriptwriter looking for a director or a producer? Or, are you a producer longing for a script that has all the ingredients of a potboiler? Then, chances are high that you spend, or rather waste, a very long time before getting to your target. That’s because there exist few professional avenues to link aspiring writers with producers or directors in India.
John Edathattil, aka Sab John, is trying to change that situation with his Chennai-based venture, Irene Cooper. “We have set up a platform, ScreenWrite.In , to vet, create and distribute quality screenplays in India,” says John, who has penned nearly 30 screenplays, including films such as Kamal-starrer Chanakyan and Guna .
At ScreenWrite.in, John and team conduct long and short programmes on screenwriting, business-storytelling and communication skills. “We are promoting professional screenwriting across India, Australia, South East countries and the Middle East,” says John.
Describing the venture as a ‘scrip incubator’, John, who was heading the screen writing programme at Chennai’s LV Prasad Film & TV Academy, says, “Ours is a one-shop-stop for all scripting needs. Writing a screenplay needs more focus along with creativity. Many young and talented writers need to get a grip on this focus,” explains John.
He believes that this world’s communication pattern, with its myriad social networks and expression platforms, is moving towards an audio-visual precept which triggers emotional hype. “Anything that stirs emotional hype works – be it movies, presentations, blogs, web stories, novels, screenplays, corporate stories, marketing pitch and more.”
John is assisted by a team of professional writers, directors, producers and businessmen. “We’re popularising the concept of dramatic storytelling to companies as well, helping them produce world-class corporate films.” John has just finished a screenplay for an Indo-Australian project – a joint venture of Irene Cooper and Nepean Films, Australia. A movie based on music and dance, this project is in the pre-production stage.
He’s also working towards creating a private equity fund dedicated to producing films. “We are venturing into producing medium-budget movies with already-identified, analysed and approved screenplays,” he says. “We are creating a pool of around 5,000 screenwriters supported by ScreenWrite.In,” John sums up.
Reach the team at info@irenecooper.in
