--- title: Award-winning Play & Screenplay writer of the ‘Mamma Mia!’ films joins our writing workshop description: Renowned Hollywood screenwriter and Mamma Mia! writer Catherine Johnson joins Redmaids' High School for a writing workshop. image: https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hubfs/cathjohnworkshop-1.jpg --- [![Black left aligned RHS GDST logo](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/logos/Black%20left%20aligned%20RHS%20GDST%20logo.png?width=215&height=100&name=Black%20left%20aligned%20RHS%20GDST%20logo.png "Black left aligned RHS GDST logo")](https://www.redmaidshigh.co.uk/) [Back to Main Site](https://www.redmaidshigh.co.uk/) [![Redmaids' High School](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Redmaids_High_School_April2021/images/mobile-logo.png?width=270&height=472&name=mobile-logo.png "Redmaids' High School")](https://www.redmaidshigh.co.uk/) [Back to Main Site](https://www.redmaidshigh.co.uk/) [< Back to Blog](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/) # Award-winning Play & Screenplay writer of the ‘Mamma Mia!’ films joins our writing workshop ![cathjohnworkshop-1](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/cathjohnworkshop-1.jpg?width=641&name=cathjohnworkshop-1.jpg)Getting the chance to speak with one of Hollywood’s most renowned and talented screenwriters, doesn’t happen every day! It did happen to us though last week, when we had the pleasure and the honour to have the incredible Catherine Johnson with us for a two-hour writing workshop! [Catherine Johnson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catherine_Johnson_(playwright)), award winning Play and Screeplay writer of the “Mamma Mia!” films, and also screenplay writer for Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan, and Cher, was here at Redmaids’ High, to co-host a screenplay writing workshop for students aged 14-18 years, led by our Head of English, and creative writer, Clare Rodliffe. The event was one of the free pre-challenge workshops in filmmaking, improv acting and film editing, for the ‘[Bristol Schools 48 Hour Film Challenge](https://www.redmaidshigh.co.uk/bristol48hourfilmchallenge)’.  It was such a rare and unique opportunity for all of us who attended the workshop to be there and get a taste of the breadth of her knowledge and expertise in the field. Mrs Johnson engaged brilliantly with the students who joined the event and shared some key hints and tips with them: ‘Don’t be afraid of an empty page, just write’, ‘Be prepared to draft and draft again’, ‘Start with a character’s name and build their personality from there. Get to know your character’ ‘Don’t be afraid to *kill your darlings*, i.e. to cut your favourite ideas because they just aren’t working’, ‘Knowing when you’re wrong and knowing when you’re right’, ‘Show, don’t tell!’. Sarah Bramley-Dymond, Co-ordinator for the 'Bristol Schools 48-Hour Film Challenge' and Head of IT at Redmaids’ High, commented, “Getting the chance to take part in the 48 Hour Challenge is so much more than just the buzz of making an original film in 48 hours. It's also about providing students with the opportunity to benefit from the expertise of industry professionals before the challenge too.  We were incredibly lucky to have the screenplay writer of 'Mama Mia!' Catherine Johnson with us for a brilliant workshop which was led by creative writer Clare Rodliffe. Students from QEH Boys and Colston School stunned us with their original  ideas in the two- hour writing workshop.” One of our aspiring and award-winning student writers Cecilia, shared with us her experience: “I had an amazing time on the workshop and it was not only instructive but enjoyable too. There was a really nice creative atmosphere, and it felt easy to share and collaborate. Catherine Johnson was very friendly and approachable, which I honestly did not expect from such a talented and successful screenwriter. She shared amazing advice and ideas, the one that resonated with me most was not to be scared when starting out and that the first draft and idea will change a lot as you go along. I feel very encouraged by the workshop and I am glad I took part.”. If you missed this workshop, there is still time to sign up for the 48 Hour Film Challenge. If you would like to enter, all you need to do is complete the registration form below. Deadline for entries is this **Friday, 17th June**. For more information on the challenge click [here](https://info.redmaidshigh.co.uk/bristol-school-48-hour-film-challenge?hsLang=en). There are also places left on the **Improv Acting workshop this Thursday, 16 June** - again just complete the form [here](https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=vWXS_g1lhkK1bp-a_geCoYwNAiBnZ09KhiV6aBlCgX5URDgwWVkzUTFYMjFSTDJPWElSSjk3T0NBMS4u). It would be great to have as many teams as possible taking part and this year there are prizes!   Date Posted: 14 June, 2022 [Share](http://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/award-winning-play-screenplay-writer-of-the-mamma-mia-films-catherine-johnson-joins-our-writing-workshop) ## Articles for: ![Writing competition success for Redmaids' High students!](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/cecilia%20and%20louise.jpg?width=770&name=cecilia%20and%20louise.jpg) **Writing competition success for Redmaids' High students!** Date Posted: 16 May, 2022 Enormous congratulations to Esther in Year 8 and our Sixth Formers, Cecilia and Louise, who have been successful in two... READ MORE ![A culinary-inspired World Book Week at the Junior School](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_0590.jpg?width=770&name=IMG_0590.jpg) **A culinary-inspired World Book Week at the Junior School** Date Posted: 8 March, 2023 The Juniors enjoyed a fun-filled week of activities to mark World Book Day last week. Inspired by this year’s culinary... READ MORE ![New celebrity judge and charity partner announced for Bristol School's 48 Hour Film Challenge | Redmaids' High School](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/andrew-kondrakov-s7Mc0yKTppo-unsplash-450_th.jpg?width=770&name=andrew-kondrakov-s7Mc0yKTppo-unsplash-450_th.jpg) **New celebrity judge and charity partner announced for Bristol School's 48 Hour Film Challenge | Redmaids' High School** Date Posted: 7 April, 2021 READ MORE ![The Junior School appoint a new Deputy Head. | Redmaids' High School](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/thumbnail_Christopher%20Haynes%20portrait%201-450_th.jpg?width=770&name=thumbnail_Christopher%20Haynes%20portrait%201-450_th.jpg) **The Junior School appoint a new Deputy Head. | Redmaids' High School** Date Posted: 26 April, 2021 READ MORE ![Redmaids’ High juniors help Australian wildlife | Redmaids' High School](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/IMG_8317-450_th.jpg?width=770&name=IMG_8317-450_th.jpg) **Redmaids’ High juniors help Australian wildlife | Redmaids' High School** Date Posted: 6 February, 2020 READ MORE ![The crocodile - Year 5 Art Project | Redmaids' High School](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Croc%20pic%20-450_th.jpg?width=770&name=Croc%20pic%20-450_th.jpg) **The crocodile - Year 5 Art Project | Redmaids' High School** Date Posted: 11 January, 2021 READ MORE ![Sorting Hat Ceremony](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/DSCN0066.jpg?width=770&name=DSCN0066.jpg) **Sorting Hat Ceremony** Date Posted: 15 September, 2021 On Friday, our new Junior School girls enjoyed the traditional ‘Sorting Hat’ ceremony to determine which of the four... READ MORE ![Award winning Junior School | Redmaids' High School](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/SA_Mental%20Health%20-%20Award%20(1)-450_th.jpg?width=770&name=SA_Mental%20Health%20-%20Award%20(1)-450_th.jpg) **Award winning Junior School | Redmaids' High School** Date Posted: 18 January, 2021 READ MORE ![Award-winning Junior School STEM teams | Redmaids' High School](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/IMG_8288%20edited%20-450_th.jpg?width=770&name=IMG_8288%20edited%20-450_th.jpg) **Award-winning Junior School STEM teams | Redmaids' High School** Date Posted: 17 January, 2020 READ MORE ![National Orienteering Success](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Square%20orienteering%20.jpg?width=770&name=Square%20orienteering%20.jpg) **National Orienteering Success** Date Posted: 26 November, 2021 Both the Junior and Senior School orienteering teams swept the board at the British Schools’ Orienteering... READ MORE ![Commemorative plaque unveiled at site of Redland High School | Redmaids' High School](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Alice%20Bird%20unveling%20plaque-450_th.jpg?width=770&name=Alice%20Bird%20unveling%20plaque-450_th.jpg) **Commemorative plaque unveiled at site of Redland High School | Redmaids' High School** Date Posted: 28 June, 2021 READ MORE ![Inaugural World Schools' Conference | Redmaids' High School](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/IMG_8038_retouched%202-450_th.jpg?width=770&name=IMG_8038_retouched%202-450_th.jpg) **Inaugural World Schools' Conference | Redmaids' High School** Date Posted: 4 November, 2019 READ MORE ![Creative writing in the Senior School](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/thumbnail_original-d6ec6695-b9ab-4dd8-b95b-c0992a23f347-jpg.jpeg?width=770&name=thumbnail_original-d6ec6695-b9ab-4dd8-b95b-c0992a23f347-jpg.jpeg) **Creative writing in the Senior School** Date Posted: 19 August, 2021 DaisyChain is Redmaids' High School's termly magazine, edited by Mrs Rodliffe, Head of English, with content... READ MORE ![The Bristol Schools 48-Hour Film Challenge is back!](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/48%20Hour%20FC/Bristol%2048%20film%20challenge.jpg?width=770&name=Bristol%2048%20film%20challenge.jpg) **The Bristol Schools 48-Hour Film Challenge is back!** Date Posted: 22 March, 2023 Could you make an original 4-minute film in just 48 hours?  READ MORE ![Junior girls sing out | Redmaids' High School](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/DSCN9904%20edited%20singing%20-450_th.jpg?width=770&name=DSCN9904%20edited%20singing%20-450_th.jpg) **Junior girls sing out | Redmaids' High School** Date Posted: 27 January, 2020 READ MORE ![Redmaids' High represent South West at Junior Inter-Regional Orienteering Championships](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/DSC_3795.jpg?width=770&name=DSC_3795.jpg) **Redmaids' High represent South West at Junior Inter-Regional Orienteering Championships** Date Posted: 29 September, 2022 Orienteering at Redmaids’ High continues to go from strength to strength. As well as introducing students to this... READ MORE ![City Waits Award for Hannah](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Hannah%20featured%20image.png?width=770&name=Hannah%20featured%20image.png) **City Waits Award for Hannah** Date Posted: 15 May, 2024 Last week, Hannah, in Year 13, was awarded the prestigious "City Waits" Award by the Mayor of Bristol at a ceremony... READ MORE ![Junior School students take to the stage | Redmaids' High School](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/DSCN0495-450_th.jpg?width=770&name=DSCN0495-450_th.jpg) **Junior School students take to the stage | Redmaids' High School** Date Posted: 16 March, 2020 READ MORE ![Year 13 students win National title at the British Physics Olympiad Awards](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/1-3.png?width=770&name=1-3.png) **Year 13 students win National title at the British Physics Olympiad Awards** Date Posted: 26 April, 2024 Yesterday, Catherine, Daisy and Sarah, in Year 13, won a National Award at the British Physics Olympiad Awards. READ MORE ![Darren Jones MP pays a visit | Redmaids' High School](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/IMG_2065-450_th.jpg?width=770&name=IMG_2065-450_th.jpg) **Darren Jones MP pays a visit | Redmaids' High School** Date Posted: 11 October, 2019 READ MORE [Click here to view all news articles](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk) - [MAKE AN ENQUIRY](https://www.redmaidshigh.co.uk/contact-us) - [NEWS](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/) - [MY REDMAIDS' HIGH](https://www.redmaidshigh.co.uk/my-redmaids/) [![Black centered RHS GDST logo](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/logos/Black%20centered%20RHS%20GDST%20logo.png?width=179&height=200&name=Black%20centered%20RHS%20GDST%20logo.png "Black centered RHS GDST logo")](http://redmaidshigh.co.uk) #### Registered Office The Asticus Building, 21 Palmer Street, London, England, SW1H 0AD Company number: 6400 Registered charity number: 306983    #### Junior School Grange Court Road Westbury-on-Trym Bristol BS9 4DP [0117 962 9451](tel:0117%20962%209451) [juniors@redmaidshigh.gdst.net](mailto:juniors@redmaidshigh.gdst.net) #### Senior School AND SIXTH FORM Westbury Road Westbury-on-Trym Bristol BS9 3AW [0117 962 2641](tel:0117%20962%202641) [seniors@redmaidshigh.gdst.net](mailto:seniors@redmaidshigh.gdst.net) - © 2025 Redmaids' High School, GDST - All rights reserved - [School Policies](https://www.redmaidshigh.co.uk/about-the-school/school-policies/) - [Cookie & Privacy Policies](https://www.redmaidshigh.co.uk/about-the-school/school-policies/data-protection-and-privacy-policies/) - [Contact Us](https://www.redmaidshigh.co.uk/contact-us/) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Redmaids' High School", "url" : "https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/author/redmaids-high-school" }, "dateModified" : "2023-02-27T15:07:49.127Z", "datePublished" : "2022-06-14T14:09:32.000Z", "headline" : "Award-winning Play & Screenplay writer of the ‘Mamma Mia!’ films joins our writing workshop", "image" : [ "https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hubfs/cathjohnworkshop-1.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/award-winning-play-screenplay-writer-of-the-mamma-mia-films-catherine-johnson-joins-our-writing-workshop", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hubfs/RHS_logo_left%20aligned_black_RGB.png" }, "name" : "Redmaids' High School" } } ```