Developing a Short Film Idea That Gets Made
Developing a Short Film Idea That Gets Made
Using real world case study; from the first spark of an idea to developing a script, and finally moving towards production.
This workshop will take place over Zoom in 2027. Date and time to be confirmed.
Welcoming Jordan John!
–
A short film idea and one that actually gets made are two different things. We’ll explore what separates the two!
In this practical, honest workshop, writer and Underscore Studios founder Jordan John will explore the journey from an initial idea to a short-film project with the potential to reach the screen.
Drawing on his own experience developing Threads (2027) over more than two years, Jordan will share the lessons behind a project that was secured by production company Finite Films and shot in March 2026 on a 5 figure budget. A BFI and BSFA-longlisted writer and Top 5 finalist in the 2025 Shore Scripts competition, Jordan has experienced first-hand the work, persistence and creative development that can sit behind a short film long before it reaches production.
We’ll explore taking a project forward without an established network.
This session brings those experiences together. From identifying the potential in an idea and developing it into a compelling script, to finding the right collaborators and keeping a project moving, Jordan will explore the creative and practical considerations that can help a short film progress beyond the page.
Using Threads as a real-world case study, he’ll share what he learned along the way, what helped the project move forward.
Workshop Focus:
✅ Identify its central story
✅ Turning it into a Strong Script – Developing the premise, characters and story into a script with purpose, clarity and a compelling reason to exist
✅ Developing Beyond the First Draft – Understanding how to question, refine and strengthen your work, respond to feedback and keep developing a project without losing sight of what makes it distinctive
✅ Keeping a Project Moving – Navigating the uncertainty of development, identifying your next steps and understanding the persistence involved in moving from a script towards production
Alongside our standard and concessionary ticket prices, we’ve introduced a Pay What You Can option below.. This allows you to choose a contribution that works for your circumstances.
EXACT DATE AND TIME TBC.
Using real world case study; from the first spark of an idea to developing a script, and finally moving towards production.
This workshop will take place over Zoom in 2027. Date and time to be confirmed.
Welcoming Jordan John!
–
A short film idea and one that actually gets made are two different things. We’ll explore what separates the two!
In this practical, honest workshop, writer and Underscore Studios founder Jordan John will explore the journey from an initial idea to a short-film project with the potential to reach the screen.
Drawing on his own experience developing Threads (2027) over more than two years, Jordan will share the lessons behind a project that was secured by production company Finite Films and shot in March 2026 on a 5 figure budget. A BFI and BSFA-longlisted writer and Top 5 finalist in the 2025 Shore Scripts competition, Jordan has experienced first-hand the work, persistence and creative development that can sit behind a short film long before it reaches production.
We’ll explore taking a project forward without an established network.
This session brings those experiences together. From identifying the potential in an idea and developing it into a compelling script, to finding the right collaborators and keeping a project moving, Jordan will explore the creative and practical considerations that can help a short film progress beyond the page.
Using Threads as a real-world case study, he’ll share what he learned along the way, what helped the project move forward.
Workshop Focus:
✅ Identify its central story
✅ Turning it into a Strong Script – Developing the premise, characters and story into a script with purpose, clarity and a compelling reason to exist
✅ Developing Beyond the First Draft – Understanding how to question, refine and strengthen your work, respond to feedback and keep developing a project without losing sight of what makes it distinctive
✅ Keeping a Project Moving – Navigating the uncertainty of development, identifying your next steps and understanding the persistence involved in moving from a script towards production
-
Jordan John is a writer and the founder of Underscore Studios, a social enterprise supporting working-class filmmakers through development opportunities, workshops and its Film Fund.
His writing spans film, television and theatre. He was longlisted for the BFI for his short-film screenplay Threads in 2024, with the film subsequently produced by Finite Films and completed in 2026. He was also a Top 5 finalist in the 2025 Shore Scripts competition. His screen credits include These Streets, Disco, Lovebirds and Shampoo.
Jordan is a contributing writer to COMMON: An Anthology of Working-Class Monologues, published by Rikki Beadle Blair MBE, and a recipient of Arts Council England funding for his creative work, including his poetry film These Streets and upcoming play Upward Living. He was also selected for the Creative Access x McLaren Racing Career Development Bursary and Guy Ritchie’s Set Access mentoring programme.
-
ATTENDANCE
If you can't attend the event on the day. We’ve got you covered. This workshop will be recorded and available for you always.
CAPACITY
We have a limited number of concession tickets available on a first-come-first-serve basis. If you identify as working class, are currently on benefits, or if you consider yourself to be financially disadvantaged in a way that is hindering your progression in your career, these tickets are available to you.
WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?
Underscore Studios is unfunded and comprised of three volunteers. We believe that upskilling yourself should be affordable, engaging, and transparent. The money towards Workshops such as these means that we can keep them as low as they are, pay our Freelance Workshop leaders, support the organisation to be sustainable, and when we can, make more of our services available for Free._
We are aware that even the cost of a concession ticket may be a key barrier for many people.From time to time we are able to offer Bursary places, please email info@underscorestudios.co.uk for more details.