Whether you’re starting a new project, working on a rewrite, or want to learn new skills - join us to hone your craft.
All Classes take place 100% online utilizing free video conferencing software ZOOM so you can participate from anywhere in the world with an internet connection!
Class is limited to 5 writers (open to both Features & TV Projects)!
The first draft is just getting it on the paper. Now that your ideas are on the page, the next step is to take it from half-baked to fully realized. To help you out with that, Roadmap has created a 4-week program to help you identify the issues and areas for improvement that you should focus on when composing your next draft.
Your instructor will read your entire script before the program starts to better help you understand the direction in which you want to take the story and how to further improve dialogue, character, flow, structure, etc.
Each week will include personalized feedback for each writer targeting specific areas and a face-to-face dialogue on how to potentially improve your overall draft.
Each writer will implement the notes given each week and will submit starred pages tracking the changes so that the instructor can help keep your progress on track.
By the end of only 4 weeks, you will have a strong next draft to start marketing!
John McKay is a UK-based producer of film and TV with a background in writing and directing, known for bringing powerful stories to the screen. In 2024, he was longlisted as a BIFA Breakthrough Producer for his work on FAALING INTO PLACE —the debut feature from writer-director Aylin Tezel, co-produced with Weydemann Bros (The Outrun), which received the FIPRESCI Critics Prize for Best Debut prior to its worldwide release.
John’s recent credits as producer also include THE PRIMROSE RAILWAY CHILDREN (2024), a 90-minute feature drama for BBC1 and BYU Networks starring Kevin McKidd, winner of the 2025 RTS Scotland Award; and THE BEAKER GIRLS(2022), a 3-part series for CBBC. He also produced MY MUM TRACY BEAKER (2021), a flagship 90-minute drama for BBC1 and CBBC, which was nominated for a BAFTA for Best Series.
Earlier in his career, John directed feature films including CRUSH with Andie Macdowell and Imelda Stanton, PICCADILLY JIM with Sam Rockwell and Allison Janney, and NOT ANOTHER HAPPY ENDING with Karen Gillan; leading TV direction includes CANTERBURY TALES, LIFE ON MARS, SHETLAND, and WE'LL TAKE MANHATTEN, which went on to win the Prix Europa for Best Drama; and charming family single film Katy, which won the International Emmy..
Partnering with award-winning queer producer Laura McBride at Compact, a new production company based in Scotland but producing and trading worldwide, projects in current development include Egyptian-Scottish Rachelle Atalla’s movie adaptation of her acclaimed novel The Pharmacist, set in a post-nuclear bunker, James Ley’s sparkling gay romcom, LOVESONG TO LAVENDER MENACE, selected for finance forum Inside Out 2023, and PRICKER, Cora Bissett’s debut feature, a feminist witch-finding drama; and a growing slate of TV drama, including thriller CUCKS by Layo Akinlude on the dangerous life of illegal immigrants in the UK, ASSYNT, a sophisticated eco-thriller created by writer James Mavor (Reichenbach Falls), and womens football drama THE MUNITIONETTES by Skye Lab alumnus Alice Clarke.
Originally a Perrier-nominated writer in theatre and comedy, McKay's hit debut play Dead Dad Dog was recently revived in sell out runs at the Finborough London and the Traverse Edinburgh, together with its contemporary sequel, Sunny Boy.
For screen, John wrote the aforementioned CRUSH and WE'LL TAKE MANHATTAN, and many others screen commissions, including GHOST HUNTERS for Warners UK and BREAK THE BANK for StudioCanal; as well as TV series projects THE PROS, THE BRUCE and STATE OF INDEPENDENCE for BBC Drama, Wallace for STV, and sitcom MY DEAD DAD for Channel 4.
Cancellation Policy: You may cancel for a full refund up to 5 days prior to the start of the class. Cancellations requested after this period will be ineligible for refunds.
Please ensure you are familiar with our Code of Conduct.