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NOVEL AND SCRIPT FIRST DRAFT TESTIMONIALS
"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 - Journalist and Columnist for
the Sunday Telegraph,
Script Editor - White Collar Blue, Water Rats.
"This
course has changed the way I think about writing. I have always known
I wanted to write, and thought that my raw ideas were enough. Through
this course I have learnt a lot about structure, something that I have
never really been exposed to before. I can see now how key this is to
a successful, gripping story. It has made me more aware of the ingredients
that have always existed in all the stories and movies I love without
ever really stopping to think about it. I now feel I have the tools to
drive my story forward, to make it a story worth reading. It has been
great getting other people's perspectives and ideas."
Britt Howes
"I
have found this a most liberating, insightful and informative experience.
From the beginning, Roland has masterfully guide me through the first
draft course with very useful and thorough course notes and suggestions
to keep me on track. I have gained enormously from the class exercises
in particular, the brain-storming and input from my fellow writers. I
would not hesitate to recommend this course to anyone who has always had
the dream to write a novel, film script or play, but been too afraid to
begin."
Helena Rudnik
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
"I
have discovered that writing isn't all about this fantastic creative talent
hidden or otherwise. There is a process to it and I like the fact that
there is actually a simple step-by-step guide and procedure to it. Of
course there are days when I just don't think I have enough discipline
but when I do, it is pure pleasure."
Lillian Lim
Fiona
Seres,
studied scriptwriting at The Australian Film and Television School and
at New York University. She worked on a treatment in the Novel and Script
Course at the Writers' Studio and on the strength of that treatment, had
her next script optioned by Working Title film who made Notting Hill and
Billy Elliot, which she was working on in class with us. She is also working
on a project with Columbia Tristar.
"I
have been amazed at how the story evolved. I started with a basic notion
that I wanted to write a 'who done it' story', and I had no idea as to
who, what, or what it could look like it has in the first draft revealed
itself to me scene by scene as the main character went through a journey
the writing changed my ideas changed, I never knew it was possible to
write a first draft now I know how funny, interesting and exciting it
has been. I also learnt that structure can be the bones of a story and
seeing and hearing stories from that perspective is part of an exciting
journey."
Dalia Maron
"Writing
the first draft has been a fantastic lesson in process, both the value
of it and trusting in it. Art does indeed reflect life or perhaps now
it is the other way around."
Andy Polaine
"I've
just finished the First Draft Course at The Writers' Studio. I've learned
a lot through the experience of building a structure for my story. Most
importantly not to try to control the structure from day one. It changes.
There have been times when I thought my story was crap, and felt like
giving up, but I always would feel refreshed with renewed hope after the
Saturday class. I learned that everyone is going through a similar experience,
and there is bravery with company."
Amy Fuqua
"What
a miracle,If someone had told me two years ago that I would finish the
first draft of a novel, I would have laughed hysterically.This course
has been amazingly positive. The structure of it is such that I couldn't
help but be supported to continue writing. Amazing feeling to get there.
It is an achievement and something I would recommend to anyone. It feels
like I have done something, something meaningful. After so many years
talking, but mostly thinking about how I wanted to be a writer, I have
done it. The course has made sure I have done something about my dreams."
Mandy Galbraith
"Well,
here I am at the last session to the first draft of my novel. I can't
believe I set this goal and achieved it! I feel great, inspired and on
top of the world. Thank you for your kind words, friendships, ideas and
for allowing me to be a part of all your fabulous stories. I am so excited
for us all. The steps to writing this first draft are so important and
give the guidance to ensure that we haven't wasted the last year of our
lives churning out words on lines, words on lines without structure. They
gel, entwined and make it all real and happening and provide the skeleton
for all the muscles, bones tendons, sinew, veins and skin to hang on but
created in the correct steps to finish as a work of art, just like the
human body."
Judy Senn
"Well
this course has certainly been one of the best things I have ever done.
It has met and exceeded every expectation. I am now fulfilling a lifetime
dream of writing a novel. The steps give me a process to follow that is
not daunting but fun and makes sense. I now read books in a different
way and question the author, feel more, and understand why and why not
far better than before. I can't wait to go forward and finish the first
draft and recommend that everyone commence and finish their dreams. It
is a self-inspiring and invigorating task and you will never be the same
again."
Beth Smith
"I
have learnt so much, where do I start? This is so much like a mini version
of my life. I start to learn something new, I love it, I feel open and
inspired, then it gets hard and I give it up saying "that's not for
me"… But this time I haven't. I've kept doing it anyway. I am
realising more and more that life is about participating, joining in,
having a go, trying things. Not the outcome, how I look, getting things
perfect or always enjoying every moment. I can really see that writing
a novel is within reach. A reachable tangible process done by writing
word by word, one scene then another, how amazing."
Marilyn Davis
"I
have realised the importance of structure to make any story work. What
I learnt about morals, values and personal conflict was brilliant. Now
I can finally see HOW I can make it work. Yah!“
Wendy
Rodio
The
course was an invaluable tool towards writing my first draft. I always
wanted to write but never got around to it. For me when I started the
course it served two purposes.
One, a way of forcing myself to write which I probably didn’t have
the discipline to start by myself.
Two, not having to reinvent the wheel and learn everything the hard way
by myself, taking twice or maybe three times as long.
In fact the course did fulfil those two purposes, but it became much more
than that. I went on a journey with the other students, each of us helping
the other through the sticky parts, motivating ourselves to keep writing.
I just can’t seem to express everything I got out of it.”
Curtis
L
“I’ve
found the course really valuable and empowering. It’s only now when
I look at my pile of five full, handwritten notebooks, that it actually
sinks in, I’ve completed my first draft. The insights and thoughtful
comments of my classmates have been priceless.”
Caroline C
“Probably the most rewarding aspect of the
first draft is my final revelation. I now believe in my story and I believe
in myself. At the beginning of the course, I, like many in our class,
was full of self-doubt and uncertainty and anxiety. What a difference
ten months makes. As things clicked into place along the way, so did the
confidence and the enjoyment in the writing. I feel excited.”
Stephen S
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