June 2004 | Pygmalion Labs

Part 1 (UK), Part 2 (Germany)

The third annual Pygmalion European Lab programme for writers for Film, TV and Interactive Media for Family Audiences

2004 saw Norwegian Film Development joining the European partnership of Pygmalion. All the partner organisations shared the conviction that it is essential to have specialised professional development programmes for those who want to make work for children.

Project development is a lengthy process. Pygmalion provides substantial support at a decisive phase of the process. During the first of the two Labs particularly, participants are encouraged to think around their projects rather than simply refine and develop scripts. The Lab provides an environment for experimentation and for exploring ideas and processes, which is not usually possible within the structures of commercial development. Both of the Labs give time and space, within a supportive working environment, for participants and mentors to work together and benefit from the experience each person brings – whether they be writer, producer, director, designer or actor. Each participant develops their own schedule with his or her mentor, designed to suit individual needs, including group and individual sessions, working with actors and private writing time.

“The best thing about the Labs is always the freedom to work the way that you want to combined with the support of mentors, actors, an artist and of course the other participants.”
Andrew Viner, writer

Lab Co-directors
Séverine Gautier
Jenny Thompson
Beate Voelcker

Lab mentors
Frank Alsema - creative producer/consultant/writer, interactive media
Johan Bogaeus - screenwriter
Harley Cokeliss - director
Joan Sauers - screenwriter
Chris Trengove - screenwriter

Guest mentor
Helen Carmichael - script consultant

Lab participants
David Collier - script editor
Astrid Dennerle - producer
Filip Fastenaekels - producer
Peter Gilpin - Lab chef
Teresa Godfrey - writer
Stefan Hafner - writer
Stephen Hanson - illustrator
Annick Hillger - on-line editor
Philipp Kahabka - screen designer
Brian Kelly - producer
Rose Lejeune - Lab co-ordinator

Khurram Longi - writer

Chris McQuarry - actor

Marion Moreau - storyboard artist
Joseph Mullin - writer
Deborah Pearlman - script editor
Huili Raffo - writer
Elizabeth Rapp - writer
Bram Renders - writer
Dan Rosewarne - actor
Hannah Storey - actor
Osnat Schmool - actor
Maria Uitdehaag - writer/director
Andrew Viner - writer
Robert Willox - actor
Annetta Zucchi - writer

Guest Speaker
Elaine Sperber - Head of Drama, CBBC

Industry Mentors
Greg Childs – MD, Childseye Consultancy
Samuel Kaminka – writer and producer, Samka Productions
Dagmar Ungureit – Commissioning Editor, Children’s and Youth Dept, ZDF
Sabine Veenendaal – producer, Bos Bros
Richard Morss – MD, Banjax

Pygmalion partners
Conservatoire Européen d’Ecriture Audiovisuelle (France)
PAL (UK)
Master School Drehbuch (Germany)
Norwegian Film Development (Norway)

Funded by
MEDIA
Skillset Freelance Training Fund
Mitteldeutsche Medienforderung
CNC
France 2
French Embassy, Federal Republic of Germany
Granada Television
Institut Francais
M6 (France)