Jean Lawless-Gill

Too many story ideas but unsure of the best way to take any of them forward? Join us for a day exploring creative writing and storytelling with a panel of four professionals in non-fiction, fiction, screenwriting and publishing. Through interactive talks, Q&As and lively discussions, they’ll share different ways of engaging with your writing and help you shape your ideas into stories that work. Perfect for anyone new to creative writing or still learning how to develop and assess ideas, this day will reveal how storytelling takes form across genres. Bring your questions – whether it is how to shape your story, what the best approach is to write your story, or anything from inspiration to getting published – and get them all answered. There will be breaks to meet other writers, compare experiences and feel part of a wider writing community. You’ll leave energised, inspired, and focused on how to move your best ideas forward. Bring a friend and make a day of it. Panellists: Isabelle Grey – Journalist, author of nine novels, five non-fiction books, and numerous TV drama scripts; teaches screenwriting and creative writing. Yemi Dipeolu – British-Nigerian writer and copywriter; holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Kingston University. Her debut novel Kiss Marry Kill will be published by Faber in 2026. Lisa Goll – Leader of the 4,500-member London Writers’ Café since 2010, with 750+ workshops delivered. Formerly at Bloomsbury Publishing and City Lit tutor; now a freelance editor, publicist and consultant. Liam Sherriff – English-Canadian documentary picture and story editor focused on contemporary social and political issues; also works in film, animation, and sound design. Refunds Please note, we are unfortunately unable to offer refunds for this event. Bursary tickets We’d like as many people as possible to be able to access and enjoy Bell House. We offer a limited number of income-based bursary tickets at half price on a first come, first served basis to those who currently receive any of the following: Universal Credit Disability Benefit, Income Support or Job Seekers allowance. Please email [email protected] to arrange your bursary ticket. Follow this link to book your tickets: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/bellhouse/1913836

Bell House is excited to announce their upcoming event, Acting for the Screen and Film-making course with Sven Arnstein. Who is it for? For Years 10 upwards, who have already acted at school or are in a drama group. It would be very suited to students studying drama, or are considering it, or are simply passionate about drama, and curious about film making. Aim To provide students with experience of: acting for the screen writing a short script core aspects of film-making directing working in a film-making team Duration 5 full days 9-5 (plus a possible evening on the 5th or 6th day), commencing Monday 27th October through Friday 31st There will also be some work required to prep for the next day, on the eve of days 1, 2 and 3. Students would need to be able to attend all of these days without exception. Who is running it? The course will be run by Sven Arnstein with a few guests: an actor, writer, camera assistant and an editor. Sven has worked in the TV and film industry for most of his life, including directing TV drama for 5 years. He has run lectures for the BBC and the National Film school, and has run this course over the summer. Cost £350 per head for a full 5-day course. To secure your place, a £50 downpayment is required upon booking. This amount is fully refundable if the minimum enrolment of 8 students is not met. Should the course proceed (which we certainly hope it does!), the remaining balance will be due two weeks prior to the start date. Activities Days 1,2,3 | Acting workshops in the am with course runner, and with a working actor on day 2 Days 1,2,3 | Writing workshops in the pm with course runner and with a working script writer on days 1 and 2. Days 1,2,3 | Evenings writing the script Days 4 and 5 | Filming the script. Each student will direct at least one scene. Day 5 eve | Review film (NB this will be edited as we shoot). Depending on numbers this may be on the 6th day. Purchase tickets here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/bellhouse/1879135