Calling all scriptwriters who want to write the next great South African film and who have a great story to tell. A story that will reflect the uniqueness of your culture, history and experience and will make an exciting film, television series or stage play.

Aspirant scriptwriters who would like to develop their craft and write for a visual medium are invited to develop the write attitude with The Writing Studio's workshops for scriptwriters in Cape Town and Johannesburg.

A six-week Evening Workshop for Scriptwriters takes place at the CFC Film Resource Centre at the Waterfront Studios on Tuesday evenings from 10 June, and a Weekend Workshop for Scriptwriters will take place at Screen Africa, Sasani Studios, Highlands North from 27 - 29 June.

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 Master Class 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, as well as evening courses at City Varsity Film, TV and Multimedia School in Cape Town.

The inspirational and motivational 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. The workshop examines the principles of writing for a visual medium and what it takes to be screenwriter. Your idea (or novel) will be transformed into a concept that will be reworked into hardcopy, into 120 pages filled with action, description

This outcome-based workshop explores the writing process and examines the world of contemporary filmmaking and films.

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, what medium their talent is suitable for, and what it takes to be a writer. The workshop focuses on writing an original screenplay, tools of the trade, knowing who to write for, writing effectively, exploring ideas, dramatising the idea, writing high concept and pitching ideas, how to adapt from one medium to another, and basic copyright. It looks at how to bring characters to life, writing character biographies, elements and visual dynamics of character, writing dialogue, the relationship between structure and character, how to structure the screenplay, designing scenes and sequences, formatting the script, and how to sell yourself as a writer.

It is also ideal for novelists and short story writers who would like to adapt their work into a visual medium.

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 agenda and registration form are available on the website:
www.writingstudio.co.za. For more information contact 072 474 1079, or email info@writingstudio.co.za