AN OSCAR winner who created the award-winning ITV series Downton Abbey gave an inspirational talk to pupils at a Weymouth school on how to become a screenplay writer in Hollywood.

Dorset resident Julian Fellowes, who won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for 2002's Gosford Park, spoke to pupils at Wey Valley Academy.

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Lord Fellowes of West Stafford, who is also the president of the Thomas Hardy Society, gave pointers to pupils on how to write novels as well as the path to follow in order to make it as a screenplay writer, which could be made into award-winning films.

He said: "Young people of today will be the next generation of screenwriters for films and TV shows.

"They will be the ones to reinvent what stories translate to our future society.

"In order to write a novel or screenplay, you have to be able to research all elements.

"Another key is to have a shape ready before starting the story."

Lord Fellowes also has an acting career spanning back to the early 1980s.

"I found being an actor useful as it's a training exercise in dialogue," he said.

"It helped with my screenplay writing as I got to grips with how to structure an onscreen dialogue.

"The biggest challenge is dialogue for a story. It's a gift and either you have it, or you have to work hard at it. My advice to improve on dialogue writing is to listen to how people interact, and make every character different. People react and speak differently - we're not all the same.

"To create a career from screenwriting, you have to be able to take a story and turn it into another one suitable for the silver screen, or small screen.

"That demands being able to cut certain parts of a story. When adapting a story into a film or show, take note of the narrative's iconic moments."

Lord Fellowes also gave advice to aspiring writings advice on getting into the film and television industry.

He added: "Nowadays, it's common for people to change careers. Writing books or stories for example can fertilise the way into the film industry through screenplay writing.

"My advice for any budding writer is self-discipline even when you're not in the mood. You need to force yourself. A writer also needs to be sure of the framework and narrative.

"The best advice I would give to someone who wants to be a writer is further your curiosity into the profession. Create a need to make it a career, not just a hobby.

"We'll always need writers so it's important to find a career that answers that need."

The school's Performing Arts and English teacher, Mark Chutter said: "We're extremely grateful to both Lord Fellowes and to the Thomas Hardy Society for this opportunity.

"Julian was absolutely inspirational and his audience were captivated by the belief that anything is possible."