Writing for the screen - Julia Kalytis (full day)

A screenplay is a reading experience, words on a page, but different to any other written product. Writing for the screen is a specific skill, requiring adaptation of our writing techniques in order to successfully transfer from page to screen. It is a different language, based on different disciplines and concepts and new logistics.

It is helpful for any writer in any genre to develop the ability to visualise, and to describe briefly, specifically and clearly that vision, so that we as an audience can share it. To create a successful screenplay we may need to learn new ways of writing; we may need to unlearn old ways of writing. We need to ‘see’ our work, then share that vision by describing in vivid visual language, accurately and specifically what is happening as our narrative unfolds. 

Whether the work is original, or an adaptation, with a screenplay the material has to be communicated with all those who come after us in the production process, e.g. director, casting, wardrobe, design, hair, make-up, props, sets, special effects, lighting, camera, sound, location scouts, scheduling, and all the scores of others who work to create that vision once it is given to them. 

This workshop considers some fundamental aspects of writing with the screen in mind. Participants will examine narrative structure, plot and pace, compression of action and the time line, development of character, motivation, language and dialogue, and script formatting to required industry standards. They will complete practical exercises relevant to their own work and analyse existing material for exposition and over-writing. 

Julia Kalytis has written and directed hundreds of hours of screen material across diverse styles and formats, including drama, documentary, comedy, investigative current affairs and children’s television. As staff director for ABC Television in Sydney, over  fifteen years she wrote, produced and directed flagship programmes such as The Investigators, Quantum and Compass, as well as various drama, health, education and children’s series. She directed Conduct Unbecoming, a ground-breaking feature documentary about sexual abuse by clergy in Australia, as well as a three-part series on the human rights implications of the High Court’s landmark Mabo decision.

For the training department of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Julia developed Research Brief to Broadcast, a course tutoring new directors and production trainees in writing techniques for the screen, working with actors, and all aspects of screen production. Her special interest was in mentoring emerging professionals through the entire creative process, from original idea, to proposal, synopsis, treatment, script or screenplay, performance, camera coverage and the editing process. 

After leaving ABC TV she worked as an adjunct lecturer in Media and Communication subjects at UNSW, UTS and Sydney universities, creating undergraduate and post-graduate courses in narrative techniques, screen language, and production processes. Relocating to the Northern Rivers area of NSW, she joined Screenworks as one of its earliest professional members, conducting freelance workshops in camera coverage, interview techniques, proposal development, screenwriting and working with performers.

Originally Tasmanian, Julia now lives near the Huon Valley in Southern Tasmania. 

Registration Information

In case of emergency, phone number is a required field if you are booking tickets for anyone under 18 years old. A mobile phone number is preferable.

TASWRITERS STUDENT MEMBER TICKETS:

Only 1 ticket per student member.

A maximum of 5 Student Member tickets per workshop.

CANCELLATION POLICY:

Cancelling your registration four days or more before the workshop: you can request a 50% refund of the fee.

Cancelling your registration within four days of the workshop: there is no refund of the fee. However, instead of forfeiting the fee, you can do another workshop for half price.