If you fancy yourself as the next Baz Luhrmann then and you’re a published author in Canberra, consider applying for a free screen-writing course at University of Canberra (worth more than $3,000), courtesy of Screen Canberra.
There are only two sponsored placements in the Graduate Certificate in Screen Development up for grabs.
Bestselling and award-winning novelist, Fleur Ferris, is a great success story of the Graduate Certificate. She had hoped to expand her skills in screenwriting and since graduating, has received offers of option on two of her manuscripts. Fleur is in ongoing conversations with producers.
“I hoped to gain knowledge and skills that would help me write saleable material and to gain ongoing employment in the screen industry,” Fleur said. “The assessments are practical and prepare you for employment in the industry. The more you put in, the more you get out of it.”
“Part of my assessment was pitching to real-world producers. Students prepared pitch material and screenplays for this assessment and then we received feedback from these industry professionals about our work and pitching.
“I edited my work accordingly and then used the same material at Screen Canberra’s PitchFest, where I pitched to producers from Australia, the UK and USA. Out of this came great opportunities for future collaboration, offers of option on two of my manuscripts, and ongoing conversations with producers.”
Screen Canberra CEO, Holly Trueman, said the new sponsored initiative was designed for authors who had envisaged their written work on the screen and wanted to learn the craft of screenplay writing. The sponsored placement provides a gateway to adapting published books into screenplays under the guidance of industry professionals.
‘We are thrilled to offer this sponsorship to Canberra authors,” she said. “This initiative not only supports our local talent but will also bring fresh and diverse narratives to our screen industry.
‘Participants will receive guidance from some of the industry’s most seasoned screenwriters and professionals, learning what makes a story resonate on screen and transforming their narrative into a screenplay.
‘This program is not just about learning; it’s also about connecting, and participants will gain invaluable contacts within the film industry who can help navigate the complexities of the screen production landscape. They will also earn credits towards a Graduate Certificate or Masters program at the University of Canberra.”
Applications close Friday 14 July 2024. Visit screencanberra.com.au/initiatives/cbr-from-print-to-screen
