Daniel Dercksen, the driving force behind the successful independent training initiative The Writing Studio, is a published film and theatre journalist of 30 years, and has been teaching workshops in creative writing, playwriting and screenwriting throughout South Africa since he formed the studio 19 years ago.
TIPS: Exploring the thematic purpose in your writing
Master The Art Of Visual Narrative: Twelve steps to writing a great screenplay, The Write Journey is an interactive course for writers who would like to write for feature film or television.
TIPS: How to manipulate emotions in storytelling
If you have completed the draft of a screenplay, or short film, stageplay, or manuscript for a novel, it is vital to find out whether or not it works. Read more
TIPS: A story is lifeless without a heart and soul and as its creator, the writer has to bring it to life. Find out how to breathe life into your story
FILM: Our Top 20 Films of 2016 / Our Top South African Films of 2016
NEW!!!! On the Bookshelf: Books for Storytellers and Storymakers
TIPS:Writing the perfect scene – the art of creating effective Story Events
Another proud graduate of The Writing Studio, director-writer-producer Uga Carlini, changes lives in a profound way with the poignant documentary Alison, which won the Best Documentary at the Asia Pacific International Film Festival, after selling out at the Encounters International Film Festival, and wowing crowds at its international premiere at Dances with Films Festival in Los Angeles.
TIPS: Fear fuels conflict in storytelling
Writer-director John Barker, a proud graduate of The Writing Studio, is turning politics inside out and upside down with his biting independent mockumentary Wonder Boy For President. Read an interview with John Barker
TIPS: Controlling your Story Creatively
Daniel Dercksen talks to filmmaker Gavin Hood about screenwriting and filmmaking
Daniel Dercksen shares a few thoughts with Spanish filmmaker Pablo Pinedo, who is a graduate of The Writing Studio and who showcased his sensational and stirring documentary Noma at the HotDocs 2016 in Toronto, and will screen it at the Durban International Film Festival.
TIPS: 10 Basic Steps To Owning The Writing Process
The Writing Studio’s proud graduate Sallas de Jager is winning the hearts of audiences worldwide with his sensational Free State, which he wrote-directed and produced, garnering the Best Director award and Special Jury award for scriptwriting at the Luxor African Film Festival in Egypt last month, as well as Best Cinematography at the Garden State Film Festival in New Jersey, New York.
Find your voice as a writer with our creative writing course. Read more
Modder & Bloed is a dream come true for The Writing Studio graduate Henk Pretorius! Read more
2016 was a great year for proud graduates of The Writing Studio.Read more
Screenwriter Stefan Enslin reaches for the stars with Verskietende Ster. Read more
Read more about our celebrated short courses that follow in the tradition of 19-years of workshops throughout South Africa.
Valuable tips for writers and filmmakers. Read more
Designed for absolute beginners to budding cinephiles by Daniel Dercksen, a film journalist of 30 years, The Writing Studio’s film appreciation course will give you a thorough grounding in all things film.
In a world and cyberspace where there’s a traffic jam of information that congests the creative process, it’s not easy for first-time screenwriters to find their own path. If you want to be a screenwriter, this is where you start.
Stop obsessing over writing a film, novel or play and focus your attention on writing the perfect story. Read more
If you are a storyteller who enjoys the world of live theatre and have a talent for writing dialogue and bringing character’s vividly to life, The Write Drama course for playwrights offers you an opportunity to turn words into action.
Valuable Tips For Writers From Veteran Filmmaker Jans Rautenbach. Read more
