the writing studio
Celebrating the art of storytelling and the craft of writing

The Write Journey A workshop for screenwriters

Learn the fundamentals of building and telling a compelling story, and how to effectively dramatise your idea, characters and plot. 

There's only one way to make a really great Oscar-worthy South African film: write a screenplay that will inspire investors and distributors to turn words into big screen action and bring local stories to film audiences worldwide.

The Writing Studio's The Write Journey workshop for aspirant scribes explores art of storytelling and the craft of writing a universal story that reflects the uniqueness, history and culture of South Africa and Africa.

The Write Journey workshop follows The Writing Studio's reputable 16-years of workshops throughout South Africa.

During the workshop aspirant scribes will learn the fundamentals of building and telling a compelling story, and how to effectively dramatise ideas, characters and plot. 

Within two days writers will have the tools and resources to write a screenplay built on solid foundation that is ready for the development process of turning words into images.

Writers will learn how to turn ideas into marketable concepts, and concepts into profitable stories. The workshop also examines the process of writing a screenplay from inception to first draft, explores the differences between the writing process and filming process, looks at how to develop three-dimensional characters, and how to structure a story that delivers maximum dramatic or comedic impact. 

The Write Journey is a workshop for anyone who has a story to tell and ideal for novelists and short story writers who would like to transform their work into a tangible screenplay for film or television and learn the fundamentals of writing for a visual medium.

The workshop turns theory into practise and ideas inside out. It explores the full dramatic or comedic potential of stories and empowers local storytellers with the write tools to tell their stories through pictures and dialogue.

The workshop is also an introduction into the world of filmmaking and teaches writers how to read and interpret the fascinating language of film, and how to evaluate and analyse film, television constructively.

Following the workshop, the writers can sharpen their storytelling skills by signing up for The Write Voice workshop or tackle writing the first draft of their screenplay in The Write Draft advanced workshop.

With District 9, Invictus, Skin, White Lion and Jozi turning the spotlight on South African stories,  7 new South African films awaiting release this year, and several international co-productions in the pipeline;  it has never been a better time to be a screenwriter in South Africa.

Screenwriting is an art form that gives storytellers an opportunity to sharpen their storytelling skills and write compelling visual narrative. Most screenplays don't even begin as a story for a visual medium, but are born out of news headlines, comic books, graphic novels, paintings, films, stageplays, novels, feature articles, conspiracy theories, dreams and real life experiences.

This year's Oscar winning screenplays, Precious, based on the novel Push by Sapphire, received the golden statuette for Best Adapted Screenplay, and The Hurt Locker, which received acclaim for Best original screenplay  is based on first-hand observation by journalist and screenwriter Mark Boal who was stationed on assignment with a special bomb unit in Iraq.

The Write Journey an inspirational and motivational workshop that is ideal for storytellers who want to write a story for a visual medium.


TRAINER
Since he launched The Writing Studio 16 years ago Daniel Dercksen has presented over 500 workshops in scriptwriting and creative writing throughout South Africa. As a published playwright, writer and movie journalist, he is a 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 and focusing on outcomes-based education, training and development, and has been involved in movie journalism for more than 20 years.

READ MORE ABOUT DANIEL DERCKSEN



WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE WORKSHOP IS OVER?
Following the workshop, you are on your own to work at your own pace and in your own space to refine the screenplay and get it ready for the local and international marketplace and script development initiatives and competitions.

With strict adherence to the rituals of writing and learning, you will have the opportunity to develop a feature length screenplay of 90 - 120 pages. The extent to which each student takes his or her work will depend entirely on his or her own dedication and pace.

The Writing Studio affords you two opportunities:
Complete the draft of your screenplay/ script on your own. Once you have a workable draft The Writing Studio can evaluate your work constructively

Complete the draft with assistance from The Writing Studio.

You can also sign up for THE WRITE DRAFT advanced workshop for scriptwriters who want to get a first draft ready for the marketplace. For information on the ADVANCED WORKSHOP, email daniel@writingstudio.co.za


For more information, agenda and registration send your details to: info@writingstudio.co.za or SMS your details to 072 474 1079

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DATES AND VENUE
Saturday, June 5 and Sunday, June 6 from 10am until 5pm
Venue: Screen Africa, Sasani Studios, Block D02, 2 Johannesburg Road, Highlands North, Johannesburg, South Africa (Call Delight on 011 719 4380 for directions)

COST AND REGISTRATION
R950.00. If you are a registered student or scholar, a pensioner,  the cost of the workshop is R850.00.  Register now

"I attended The Write Voice and the Write Journey workshops by Daniel Dercksen. Thanks again for being the catalyst and guide in my life story. It was an amazing journey. I've emerged seeing the world differently. Full of voices, ideas, characters, and stories. From feeling uninspired and lazy, I now find that I can't turn off my brain. I have many new tools to use to explore, practice and hone my writing. From practical suggestions on how to develop and organise ideas, to structuring a story so that it reads like music,  I have come away excited, inspired and raring to write."
Ruth Tearle, strategy and change management consultant, a trainer and a motivational speaker, who is the author of "Blackboards, Bubbles & Cappuccinos, ""Ride the Wild Tiger" and "Mastering Personal Change".www.ruthtearle.com


The Write Journey
...guarantees that within 4 days storytellers will grasp the fundamentals of writing for a visual medium, what it takes to be a screenwriter in South Africa, and how to conquer the writing process

… teaches the fundamentals of building and telling a compelling story, and how to effectively dramatise ideas,  develop characters and plot the action. 


… explores the journey from the inspiration of an idea, through the writing process to the planning and start of a first draft that will become the blueprint for a film, television series or stageplay.

… looks at what it takes to be a storyteller and introduces seven easy steps to explore strengths and weaknesses

… 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 that will eventually be turned into action. 

… encourages storytellers to write universal stories that will reflect the uniqueness of their respective cultures, histories and personal experiences, and turn thoughts into action that will evolve into a feature film or stage play.


...transforms ideas into concepts that will be reworked into hardcopy, into 120 pages filled with action, description

… is ideal for novelists who would like to adapt their work into a visual medium, or writers who want to write stageplays.

… explores the exciting world of film and filmmaking

… teaches storytellers to read, interpret and analyse films and understand the language and visual dynamics of film.

… deconstructs the line of dramatic action and looks at the storyteller and structure, how to build a solid story and dramatise the plot.
… examines theme and explores the thematic purpose of story.

… looks at the importance of the story outline and defining story events (scenes and sequences)

… develops and explores primary, supporting and functional characters and finding the transformational arc.

… demystifies format and writing the first draft; understanding the re-write

.. urges storytellers to take ownership of their stories, writing a killer Top Sheet that will sell the story, selling yourself as a writer and understanding the development process.