Workshop for aspirant screenwriters

The aim of the workshop, on Saturday, 2 August 2008 and Sunday 3 August from 10am - 5pm, is to unearth new writing talent in South Africa, to foster the growth of the local film and television industries, and to provide potential producers with screenplays from local writing talent.

The inspirational and motivational workshop intends to turn theory into practice, ideas inside out, explore the full dramatic or comedic potential of stories and transform fanciful ideas into fascinating narrative. Within one weekend the writers should understand the principles of writing for a visual medium and what it takes to be a screenwriter in South Africa.

Outcomes-based

It will look at how to explore ideas, develop characters and examines the relationship between the writer and structure. This outcome-based workshop explores the writing process and examines the world of contemporary filmmaking and films

During the past eight years the Cape Town-based The Writing Studio, an independent training initiative, has done more than 250 writing workshops throughout South Africa, including a Masterclass for Screenwriters for 40 writers from Africa at the Sithengi Film and TV Market's Talent Campus.

The trainer is local writer, playwright, movie journalist and education, training and development practitioner Daniel Dercksen, who has been teaching workshops in scriptwriting and creative writing throughout South Africa the past eight years.

The weekend workshop will empower aspirant writers to write the screenplay of their dreams, as well as write for television or the stage. It offers writers the opportunity to find out who they are as writers, and is also ideal for novelists and short story writers who would like to adapt their work into a visual medium.

Find their voice

One of the most important aspects of the workshops is to encourage local writers to find their voice as a writer and to write fresh, original stories that will reflect the uniqueness of their history, culture and experience.

The cost of the Weekend Workshop is R800, with a discounted rate of R600 for students, scholars and pensioners.

The agenda and registration form are available on www.writingstudio.co.za. For more information contact cell +27 (0)72 474 1079, or email .