Marks & Gran Scriptwriting itinerary

This is a rough outline of the Scriptwriting week’s itinerary. It is not a straitjacket but rather a framework and we’ll alter it according to the group’s needs – and the weather!

First Saturday:

  • Pick-up at Pisa airport between 11:00 hrs and 13:00 hrs (1pm). Transport by mini-bus or car to the watermill. Light lunch in the watermill courtyard dining room.
  • Afternoon: settling in; exploring the mill, the gardens and the river.
  • Early evening: aperitivi on the vine verandah; Welcome and discussion of the week’s activities from The Watermill team and Laurence and Maurice.
  • Transport by mini-bus to the nearby walled Medieval town of Fivizzano (about 5 minutes’ drive).
  • Dinner: an introduction to Tuscan cuisine at the Caffé Elvetico in the Piazza Medicea Fivizzano.

Sunday

  • Continental breakfast at the mill.
  • 10:00 onward: First scriptwriting/discussion session, on the vine verandah, the studio (overlooking the gardens and the river) or the main salotto, as appropriate.
  • 13:00: Lunch in the watermill courtyard dining room.
  • Afternoon: More scriptwriting sessions, one-to-one tutorials and/or team writing exercises.
  • 19:00: aperitivi on the vine verandah.
  • 19:30: Dinner at the mill:
  • After dinner: Coffee/tea and digestivi in the main salotto. Showing of, and discussion about, films and TV series that have become ‘classics’.

Monday

  • Continental breakfast at the mill (cereals, fruit juices, fresh bread/toast, brioche, jams, fruit, boiled eggs, coffee, tea).
  • Morning session (say 10:00 to 12:15): Scriptwriting/discussion session, on the vine verandah, the studio (overlooking the gardens and the river) or the main salotto, as appropriate.
  • 12:15: Transport to Verrucola: impressive castle with village nestling around; walk around the village. Short talk on its history.
  • Lunch at Il Castello restaurant at Verrucola.
  • Transport to the Watermill.
  • Afternoon: More scriptwriting sessions, one-to-one tutorials and/or team writing exercises.
  • 19:00: aperitivi on the vine verandah.
  • 19:30: Dinner at the mill.
  • After dinner: Coffee/tea and digestivi in the main salotto. Showing of, and discussion about, films and TV series that have become ‘classics’.

Tuesday

  • Today is market day. To accommodate those who would like to visit the market, the day has been adjusted. Continental breakfast at the mill
  • Short morning creative writing Scriptwriting/discussion session, (say 09:30 hrs to 11:00 hrs) on the vine verandah, the studio (overlooking the gardens and the river) or the main salotto, as appropriate.
  • Transport to Fivizzano (around 11:15 hrs): market day: produce stalls etc.; opportunity to explore city walls.
  • Early lunch in Fivizzano: Panini, home-made ice cream and coffee at the Gelateria Ricci. Transport (say 13:30 hrs) to the watermill.
  • Afternoon: More scriptwriting sessions, one-to-one tutorials and/or team writing exercises.
  • 19:00: aperitivi on the vine verandah.
  • 19:30: Dinner at the mill.
  • After dinner: Coffee/tea and digestivi in the main salotto. Showing of, and discussion about, films and TV series that have become ‘classics’.

Wednesday
(No formal teaching sessions this day.)

  • Early continental breakfast (say 0800 hrs) at the mill.
  • Transport (say 08:30) to Aulla station for train to Cinque Terre or Lucca Morning and afternoon: sightseeing in the Cinque Terre or Lucca. Packed lunch provided by the watermill (or guests can buy their own lunch or a snack at location).
  • Train back to Aulla (arrives circa 18:30).
  • Transport to watermill.
  • Early evening: aperitivi on the vine verandah
  • 19:30: Dinner at the mill.
  • After dinner: Coffee/tea and digestivi in the main salotto. Possibly: Showing of, and discussion about, films and TV series that have become ‘classics’.

Thursday

  • Continental breakfast at the mill.
  • Morning creative writing session, (say 10:00 hrs to 12:30 hrs) on the vine verandah, the studio or the main salotto, as appropriate. More scriptwriting sessions, one-to-one tutorials and/or team writing exercises.
  • Light picnic lunch at the mill.
  • Afternoon: More scriptwriting sessions, one-to-one tutorials and/or team writing exercises.
  • 19:00: aperitivi on the vine verandah
  • 19:30: Dinner at the mill.
  • After dinner: Coffee/tea and digestivi in the main salotto. Showing of, and discussion about, films and TV series that have become ‘classics’.

Friday

  • Continental breakfast at the mill.
  • Morning creative writing session, (say 09:30 to 11:45) on the vine verandah, the studio or the main salotto, as appropriate. More scriptwriting sessions, one-to-one tutorials and/or team writing exercises.
  • Transport (say 12:00 hrs) to Monte dei Bianchi (circa 30 minutes)
  • Explore hill-top village: ancient houses and church, spectacular mountain views, valleys, hill-top villages, olive groves, etc.
  • Walk (circa 600 metres) to Vecchio Tino restaurant for special gourmet lunch.
  • Transport to the watermill.
  • Afternoon: Final scriptwriting session, with discussion, feedback.
  • 19:00: aperitivi on the vine verandah
  • 19:30: Dinner at the mill.
  • After dinner: Coffee/tea and digestivi in the main salotto.

Saturday

  • Continental breakfast at the mill.
  • Transport to Pisa airport between 8:30am and 9:30am. Those with late flights may leave their bags at the airport and take a (very short) taxi ride to Pisa for sightseeing.