Writing a screenplay that works

This inspirational and motivational life-affirming workshop is ideal for anyone with an idea for a story. If there is something or someone you want to write about this is your opportunity to turn thoughts into words.

This unique workshop explores the fine art of writing visual narrative, mastering the skill of plotting and structure, and developing and exploring ideas and characters.

The outcome-based The Write Journey workshop looks at how to conceptualise and explore ideas, amplifying thematic purpose, defining and developing characters, and plotting and structuring the story to make the most of its comedic of dramatic potential.

At the end of the four-Saturday workshop the writers will write the first 10 pages, and then work individually with trainer Dercksen on on-on-one sessions to develop and complete a draft that will be evaluated by The Write Agency, and then forwarded to potential producers locally and internationally.

The workshop is presented by Daniel Dercksen, a published playwright and screenwriter, who has been teaching workshops throughout South Africa the past 15 years, with filmmakers like Henk Pretorius (Leading Lady, Fanie Fourie se Labola) John Barker (Spud 3: Learning to Fly, How to Steal a Million) and Sallas de Jager (Roepman, Verraaiers, Stuur Groete aan Mannetjies Roux) as proud graduates of previous workshops.

The Writing Studio is an independent training initiative that celebrates the art of storytelling and the craft of writing, fostering the talent of proudly South African storytellers and storymakers.

Daniel Dercksen, the driving force behind the successful independent training initiative 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 the past 19 years.

During this time, Dercksen presented a Master Class for Screenwriters at the Talent Campus at the Sithengi Film and TV Market in Cape Town, facilitated a 'Directing Actors' workshop with acclaimed actor Eriq Ebouaney, launched an evening course in scriptwriting at the City Varsity Film TV and Multimedia School in Cape Town, presented annual community workshops the Ekhaya Multi Arts Centre in Kwa Mashu as part of the Kwa Mashu Film Festival, a course for the Cape Film Commission at the Ikapa Youth Film Festival, a Masterclass at the 2012 Kunjanimation Animation Festival, served as guest speaker and Judge at the 2013 48 Hours Film Project and presented a workshop for animators at Blackginger TV (2013).

As a qualified ETD practitioner (education, training and development) - accredited by SAQA (The South African Qualifications Authority) and working in accordance with the principles of the Department of Education - Dercksen's workshops focus on outcomes-based education, training and development.

The Write Journey is also presented as a correspondence course for writers who cannot commit to the dates or want to take the journey in their own space and at their own pace.

For registration or more information send an email to az.oc.oidutsgnitirw@leinad or visit the website www.writingstudio.co.za for more information.

Date: 28 March 2015 to 09 May 2015
Time: 10:00 - 13:00
Venue: The Writing Studio, Somerset Road, Green Point, Cape Town
Cost: R950 for all four Saturday afternoons