The Writing Studio’s exciting new initiative for aspiring writers is aimed at delivering fresh, new screenplays for film and television, as well as stage plays to foster the growth of the local industries in South Africa.
“It’s good for writers to attend workshops, but most writers battle to complete their first draft and need personal guidance in completing their project so that it will be ready for prospective investors and producers locally and internationally,” says Daniel Dercksen, the driving force behind The Writing Studio, one of the most active and successful independent and non-funded training initiative in Africa that has presented workshop for writers throughout South Africa the past 19 years.
The Write Journey is a personal journey into the world of story, empowering storytellers to take ownership of the creative journey, and creative expression and write the screenplay or TV series of their dreams.
In 6 personalised one-on-one sessions, writers will master the art of plotting their story, define and develop the premise, concept, theme and characters of their story, and take ownership of the writing process.
The sessions commence once writers sign up, and give them an opportunity to work at their own pace to maximise the dramatic or comedic potential of their work.
Following the sessions, the projects will be developed through The Write Agency and submitted to potential producers internationally.
The Write Journey is presented by published journalist, screenwriter and playwright Daniel Dercksen, a respected film and theatre journalist for 30 years, and qualified ETD Practitioner (Education, Training and Development) – accredited by SAQA (The South African Qualifications Authority), working in accordance with the principles of the Department of Education focusing on outcomes-based education, training and development.
Proud graduates of The Writing Studio include producer screenwriter and filmmaker Sallas de Jager (Roepman, Verraaiers, Musiek vir die agtergrond and Stuur Groete aan Mannetjies Roux), filmmakers John Barker (Bunny Chow and How To Steal a Million) and Henk Pretorius (Bakgat, Fanie Fourie Se Lobola); award-winning playwright Neil Coppen (Abnormal Loads), Jeremeo Le Cordeur (Tannie Dora Gaan Bos), and Duncan Buwalda (Hinterland), novelists Lauren Beukes (Zoo City, The Shining Girl) Gary Hirson (The Magic That is Ours and Calm in Storm), Consuelo Roland (who received acclaim for her Lady Limbo Novel, and was Shortlisted for the Sunday Times Fiction Award and received an Honorary mention for the Olive Schreiner Prize for her novel The Good Cemetery Guide), and Tenda Madima (who received the African Heritage Literature Award for A Victim of Circumstances as well as the South African Translator’s Institute Literary Award).
For more information on the unique one-on-one sessions for screenwriters, send an email to [email protected] or visit the website www.writingstudio.co.za
