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THE WRITERS' STUDIO PROCESS AND THE FEATURE FILM, THE BET Both Roland and Kathleen thoroughly enjoyed the sold out screening of The Bet at the Sydney Film Festival. We were very proud of the job Caroline Gerard, the first time writer and producer of the film, did in putting such a strong story together. It came third in its section featuring international films: Urban Cinefile Audience Award for Best Feature: Sidebar Program, in the competition and was extremely well received. Three hundred people saw the film at the London Australian Film Festival. Touted as one of the most popular films at the festival, the movie’s director Mark Lee said, “It was an amazing thrill to have our first real audience respond so well to the film – they laughed, they were on the edge of their seats, they were captivated!” Hopefully her efforts and achievement will inspire everyone who dreams of seeing their story either on the big screen or in print, for others to enjoy. We asked her if she’d write a few sentences on how the Writers’ Studio process may have contributed to the making of the film. This was what she said, “It is impossible to overstate the significance of the Writers' Studio in the writing of my feature film screenplay "The Bet". Whilst I didn't work on "The Bet" script in class - I was working on it simultaneously with my Writers' Studio project - all the lessons learnt in class fed into my screenplay. 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. 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. 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. Thank YOU Roland for your support and for the special structural analysis genius you have and emphasis on the spiritual side of writing - so essential - and for providing this unique and wonderful place in the world where I could learn and grow as a writer and as a human being. I'm glad you and Kathleen feel proud because you should - I feel the film is also a lovely and appropriate reflection on all the work you guys are doing. I am enormously complimented that you think I demonstrated some of the principles you're teaching." _______________________________________________ Australian Voices in Print presents the 2006 Popular Australian Readers' & Writers' Festival This is a great fun event that is now in it’s 6th year. It features only Australia writers with entertaining panel discussions - always with lots of Q & A and, as ever, absolutely free. When: This weekend: Sat and Sunday, June 1 & 2. 2006 Where: At the Australian National Maritime Museum, 2 Murray Street Darling Harbour Sydney NSW 2000 Australia Cost: Free For details go to this link, www.selwaanthony.com.au/festival/index.htm or go straight to Google and type in Australian Voices in Print. The
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