How does an idea become a story, and how does a story become a series?
This one-day workshop digs into those all-important first steps that take you from the very beginnings of an idea to having a developed project you can use to attract collaborators, platforms and funders.
During this practical hands-on day, workshop participants will create new projects from scratch, interrogate successful shows & analyse why they work, bring original ideas to develop in the room, and learn about the essential materials you need to sell a project and how to create them.
The workshop is pitched at the developing writer – if you have ideas you would like to turn into a series drama, this day is for you. Bring a notebook & pen, an original idea – a few lines is fine – and your creative energy.
When & Where:
Saturday 24th September 2022
9:00am – 5:00pm – Workshop for paid participants
5:00pm – 7:00pm – Industry Mixer – Join us after the workshop in the courtyard of the Stables at the Sherwood for some drinks and nibbles provided by Film Otago Southland. The mixer is a free event open to workshop participants and any industry members who would like to join.
Cost: General Admission $23 (incl. GST) via EventBrite
What to Bring: Pen and paper. Snacks, tea and coffee will be provided. Please bring your own lunch, there is a restaurant on-site or Queenstown township is a short drive away.
Christchurch dates: This workshop will also be held in Christchurch in November 2022
About Fiona Samuel
Fiona Samuel is an award-winning writer and director for television, theatre, radio and film and an esteemed writing teacher and mentor.
In her career she has created a body of work that centres female experience, starting with her ground-breaking television drama series The Marching Girls and continuing with an acclaimed trilogy of telemovies Piece of My Heart, Bliss, and Consent – The Louise Nicholas Story.
Alongside this work, Fiona is also a teacher, mentor and script consultant, teaching the Masters in Creative Writing at the International Institute of Modern Letters at Victoria University of Wellington and working with directing students at the South Seas Film & Television School in Auckland. Fiona is an NZ Arts Foundation Laureate, a MNZM for services to television and theatre and the Co-President of the NZ Writers Guild.
Travel Grants
Film Otago Southland is generously offering travel grants to enable participants from outside Queenstown, but who reside within the Otago and Southland region, to attend.
-For those within an hour’s drive of Queenstown, $50 travel grants are available.
-For those further afield, $100 travel grants are available.
Film Otago Southland will offer up to $500 worth of grants, which will be issued, first come first served.
Please email Kahli Scott (kahli@filmotagosouthland.com) to request this support. Confirmation of your workshop registration will be required before the grant will be offered. Any person accepting the grant and failing to attend the workshop in person will be liable to return the grant.
This workshop is presented by Script to Screen and made possible thanks to generous support from Film Otago Southland, Queenstown Lakes District Council Film Office, Central Lakes Art Support Scheme, Queenstown Lakes Council Creative Communities and the New Zealand Film Commission.
