In this course professional writers and educators Joel McKerrow (author and one of Australia’s leading performance poets) and Dan Nixon (writer, producer, educator, and director of Melbourne Young Writers’ Studio) will help navigate a journey into the depths of storytelling and character, and aid in untangling and discovering stories already dwelling within as you learn to mine yourself and the world for inspiration. This course is applicable to all forms of creative writing and will be equally beneficial to those new to creative writing and looking for somewhere to start or those in need of a refocus and fresh inspiration. We suggest everyone do this course first because it not only creates a great introduction or reminder on the tenets of storytelling, covering the fundamentals of character, worldbuilding and story structure but also goes much further to helping writers build a philosophy and framework around their storytelling and writing practice.

Hosted by screenwriting teacher, writer, and producer, Dan Nixon, this course will deliver an introduction to the craft and world of screenwriting for beginners as well as provide foundational skills in writing character, understanding structure, and the technical craft of writing screenplays. In addition to this, participants will also gain an insight into the workings of the local and global screen industry. Dan Nixon is a screenwriting lecturer and mentor at the Victorian College of the Arts and RMIT. He is also an owner and director of the children’s and family production company, Pirate Size Productions, and Melbourne Young Writers’ Studio.