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TEN
MONTH NOVEL & SCRIPT: FIRST DRAFT - LIVE COURSE
Pre-requisite
- Unlocking Creativity Course Unlocking
Creativity provides students with the essential tools and techniques
for learning to access their imagination and write in such a way that
readers will feel connected to their characters and story. It
will dramatically improve the student’s writing and his or her
ability to work creatively with story structure in the longer course.
The
course fee for Unlocking Creativity is included in the price of the Novel
and Script Course if you choose to book straight in.
See Course
dates, fees and earlybird specials
The 10 Month Novel and Script First Draft Course is a
totally practical hands on course will take you on a journey where
you find the story you want to write and complete the first draft of
your novel or screenplay within ten months.
You will learn about story structure in detail. You will follow
a step by step process to apply structural tools and techniques
to your particular story so that you come up with the best possible
first draft you are capable of writing. Ninety per cent of novels
and screenplays are rejected because of poor structure.
You do not have to come to class with a clear idea for a story. In
fact, 90% of writers who do this course have no idea what they
want to write about. But they embark on the course as they feel deep
down they have something to say. They are just not sure how to get
it out.
The
Writers' Studio will take you through a process which will enable you
to explore, clarify and focus your story. The one you want to write.
One that will motivate, inspire and excite you during the writing process
and give you the best chance of professional success.
Writing your novel or screenplay is an adventure, a guided dance between
your imagination and story structure. This is the art and craft of
storytelling.
The course has been specifically designed so that you may combine your
full-time work with your writing. You will be coached and guided every
step of the way until you have completed the first draft of your novel
or screenplay within the ten months.We recommend you spend between
30 to 60 min a day, 4-5 days a week planning and writing scenes at
home.
The
goal is to write a story that has your reader wanting to know what happens
next, while taking your main character on an emotional and spiritual journey
of change.
Class size is limited to 12 students.
"Sometimes
it feels "The Bet" was miraculous - where did it
come from? But then I remember everything that went into it
- not talent (there were far more talented writers in my class),
rather faith and persistence, using all the tools provided
by the Writers' Studio. The
dance between structure and imagination, the understanding
of the character and writer's journey, the constant re-writing
and keeping the faith - these were the fundamental building
blocks of my script and my experience of writing it.I
hope I can do even better next time, but I'm proud that the
story of "The Bet" works. How
do I know? Because of the spontaneous expressions of complete
strangers about the film - their enjoyment of it, their empathy
with the hero and his journey and the lingering emotional impact
of the story on them.Ultimately,
that's the power of classic story telling which is at the heart
of what the Writers' Studio is all about." more
Caroline Gerard, writer/producer, "The
Bet". (her first feature film)
2nd place: London/Australian Film Festival, 2006.
3rd place: Urban Cinefile Audience Award for Best Feature: Sidebar Program,
Sydney Film Festival, 2006
"This
is without a doubt the best writing course in Sydney. I strongly
recommend it to anyone with a story to tell and more to the
point - to people unsure of what the story they want to write
is."
Sam
de Brito - author, journalist, script
editor, TV: White
Collar Blue, Water Rats, Books: No Tattoos Before You're
Thirty… What I'll Tell My Children?
“This course has been truly amazing.
Although I hold two degrees in English Literature, she says modestly,
the knowledge I gained here about the process of writing far
outweighed anything I learnt at University and has created a
wealth of valuable skills that I am able to use. The collective
consciousness of the group and each and every person’s
contribution was touching, moving and above else truly helpful.
Roland’s insights and ability to crystallize what I was
struggling to pinpoint is an incredible skill and really kept
the novel moving along.”
Marie Sullivan
“After years of writing half-assed stories that lacked no
structure and were muddled with boring characters, I finally found
this course. Thank you so much for saving me from myself. What
I’ve learnt cannot be encapsulated on this small space. Suffice
to say, when I look at my stack of black notebooks, there’s
a grin on the inside. What I did feels like a piece of work that
belongs to everyone in this room. I couldn’t have done this
on my own, nor would I have wanted too. I would grumble about the
early flights up but wouldn’t have missed the classes, the
jokes, the fun and the great morning teas for the world.”
Kylie Nealon
“This course has taught me an enormous amount, both about
the process of writing and about myself as well. It was something
I was so thoroughly convinced I did not have in me that I’d
never even bothered to wonder if I did. I had not harboured a long-standing
yearning to write, In fact, I had found the few diary entries I
had even bothered with to be constipatory and tedious. But during
Unlocking Creativity something happened to me. A profound unshackling
from my ego occurred and I was, for the first time ever, suddenly
free to create. And some startling things happened. Inspired by
those few Wednesday nights, my newfound “why not?” attitude
propelled me into the First Draft Course, where I have done something
big. It is the largest sustained and interested effort I have ever
expended on anything, and I have a story to show for it. I am so
grateful to The Writers’ Studio for the practical and spiritual
support they have given me to achieve this. I feel very proud.”
Jane Wallace
"I
have now written the first draft of my first novel. A quarter
of a century dream has come true."
Shari Hooper
More
Testimonials |
During
the course you will,
•
Find
the story you want to write and come up with a ten step outline before
you start writing the first draft of your novel or screenplay. This
way you know that you are writing a story that you want to write and
that your story is structurally sound and will go the distance.
•
Follow
a step by step process to ensure you complete your story in ten months.
If you want to write a novel or screenplay successfully you need a process
to ensure you work efficiently, effectively and methodically. This allows
you to realise your full creative potential.
•
Use
our unique interactive story telling technology so you can be guided
and coached every step of the way. This will keep you and your story
on track.
•
Use
scene templates to build internal and external conflict into every scene.
This way every scene works dramatically and is integrated into the overall
story structure.
•
Learn
how to draw readers into your fictional world and keep them there. You
need to build the world of your story so that you create a fictional
dream in the mind of your readers.
•
Create
compelling characters who go on a dramatic journey of change. Character
and structure are the opposite side of the same coin. One exists to
reveal the other. When you learn how to detail the structure of your
story, your characters will come to life.
•
Learn
the underlying dynamics of story telling. Including, ghost, prison,
stakes, inciting incident, desire, four point opposition, obsessive
drive, progressive complications, moral dilemma, mid-point, wasteland
and surrender.
•
Apply
the eight turning points to your story to make sure your story works
on an archetypal level. This will make your story resonate at a deep
psychic level with the reader.
•
Work
through the 29 story steps to ensure you take your character on a profound
and dramatic journey of change. This detailed structure systematically
links the action of your story with the character journey so that it
builds in a dramatic and compelling way.
•
Use
scene sequencing techniques to build dramatic tension and character
growth organically. This makes sure the pacing is dramatic and appropriate
to where you are in your story and the character development is believable.
•
Learn
how to harness the power of your imagination, while grounding your story
in a structure that works. This allows you to harness your creativity
while keeping the story alive for writer and reader.
The
Course consists of a combination of nine full Saturdays and a weekend
intensive at The Writers' Studio.
The founder of The Writers' Studio, Roland Fishman, runs all classes.
In addition, the course includes a unique interactive online component
and weekly feedback from Roland in between sessions so he can guide students
and expand the possibilities of their story as it unfolds one step at
a time.You will also be invited to join in to regular teleconference calls
with Roland.
Important Note 1: You will write the majority of your first draft
behind closed doors. You will not need to post scenes for feedback. This
saves a lot of time and your writing becomes your own special treasure.
Roland will be giving feedback on the dynamics and evolving spine of the
story, not on your writing. A First Draft is all about finding your story,
not writing the perfect story.
Important Note 2: Writing your first draft is an act of discovery.
Creating stories is never a neat or predictable process. It is a creative
adventure. You will not write a perfect first draft. When you have finished
you will still have work to do. Excellence is a commitment to completion.
| But
as Robert McKee, who travels the world teaching story structure, says,
"For
writers who can tell a quality story, it is a sellers' market, always
has been, always will be." |
COURSE
STRUCTURE
Part One - Finding the Spine of your Story
Before you start your first draft, you'll follow a guided process that
will enable you to find and clarify the story you want to write into a
ten-step outline. We'll provide easy to follow templates, tools, techniques
and exercises for each step.
Following this process, means that before you start writing your first
draft, you will:
•
Be
confident that you have found the story you want to write.
•
Know
that your story design and structure is sound and that if you commit
the time into writing your First Draft it will have solid foundations
as a story.
About
the Weekend Intensive, "I
found the weekend to be of great value. I came with a ragtag
army of characters and within a few hours one of them emerged
as “the character” around whom all the action will
revolve. The structuring process has been a revelation for
me. By setting this out using the mind mapping and other processes
and writing exercises, it’s as if the story takes off
with a will of its own and the words flow out. I am surprised
at all the additional detail and insight which has resulted.
Watching TV and films will never be the same again now that
I know what to watch for. In summary I now have a much clearer
idea of the story I want to write, and a methodology to learn
and master. I’m feeling very confident and determined."
Karl Bourke |
Part
Two & Three - Writing your First Draft
Once you have completed your ten-step outline, you go back to the beginning
of your story. You'll be guided and coached through an 8-turning points
and 29-story-step process where story structure is used to take you, your
main character and your readers/audience on a profound and enjoyable journey.
We provide easy-to-follow structural templates, exploration exercises
and storytelling tools and techniques for every step.
You will be required to write scenes at home in between workshops and
complete templates provided by The Writers' Studio. These templates will
be submitted to Roland every week for feedback.
Fiction is an art and a craft and The Writers' Studio recognises that
an important part of the process is to maintain your focus, passion, inspiration
and enthusiasm for your work.
Many people dream of writing their novel or screenplay. This course will
actually get you doing it.
With expert tuition and a group of like-minded individuals sharing your
passion, the bonus is that you'll also have a great time in the process.
Completion
of the Unlocking Creativity Course at The Writers' Studio is a prerequisite
to this course. But if you enrol in the Novel and Script Course before
the start of Unlocking Creativity, you will receive Unlocking Creativity
for free.
Many people often have questions about this course and we welcome any
calls or emails we receive. For more information please contact our administrator
and office manager, Kathleen Allen. She will be very happy to arrange
an appointment with Roland Fishman.
10
Month Novel and Script First Draft Testimonials
To see
a slideshow overview of the course click First
Draft Novel and Script Course Slideshow. You
can adjust how you view the sideshow with the buttons at the bottom
of the screen.
Please read Terms and Conditions carefully for refund and deferment policies.
Click
here to ENROL
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