Want to write a screenplay - join the Write Journey weekend workshop

Presented by Daniel Dercksen, attendees will find out all that is needed to write a screenplay. The workshop is also presented as a correspondence course for writers who would like to write in their own space and pace. Dercksen has been a published film and theatre journalist for 30 years and has been teaching workshops in creative writing, playwriting and screenwriting throughout South Africa for the past 19 years.

Past graduates

Graduates of previous workshops include:

• filmmakers John Barker (Spud 3: Learning to Fly, Bunny Chow and How To Steal a Million) and Henk Pretorius (Leading Lady, Bakgat, Fanie Fourie Se Lobola)

• producer, screenwriter and filmmaker Sallas de Jager (Roepman, Verraaiers, Musiek vir die agtergrond and Stuur Groete aan Mannetjies Roux)
• award-winning playwrights Neil Coppen (Abnormal Loads) and Jeremeo Le Cordeur (Tannie Dora Gaan Bos)

• novelists Lauren Beukes (Zoo City, The Shining Girl), Gary Hirson (The Magic That is Ours and Calm in Storm) and 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).

The workshop looks at how to make the most of what you want to write about, how to conceptualise your ideas, and conquer the daunting writing process to take your idea from a blank page to a sellable draft, filled with captivating visual narrative that will inspire the imaginations of prospective producers and filmmakers.

From story to the big screen

The workshop explores the art of plotting your story and understanding the journey of dramatic action, bringing the people who live in your story to life, and turning dull and meaningless story events into memorable actions.

The workshop is ideal for anyone who has a story to tell and want to turn inspiration into big screen action. Following the workshop writers will receive one-on-one assistance during the process of writing their screenplays, and completed drafts will be promoted through The Write Agency to potential investors.

Although the workshop is aimed at writing visual narrative, it is ideal for novelists, playwrights or writers who would like to adapt their story into a visual medium.

The workshops take place at The Writing Studio in Green Point, Cape Town on 28 and 29 March from 10am until 6pm and in Johannesburg at Annie Malan Promotions on 18 and 19 April from 10am until 6pm. For more information, go to www.writingstudio.co.za.