1 day RomCom Workshop
Film Victoria and ACMI present a one-day romantic comedy writing masterclass with Stephen Cleary, head of the UK-based script development consultancy Arista Development.
When: Wednesday 7th November 9:15am (for 9:30am start) to 5:30pm (tea and coffee provided).
Where: ACMI Cinemas, Australian Centre for the Moving Image. Federation Square, Flinders Street, Melbourne. Tickets (03) 8663 2583; in person at the ACMI box office (10am to 6pm daily) or online at http://www.acmi.net.au/events.htm (after 18/10/07)
What: $95 General. $75 Students and AWG members.
Why: The commercial success of Romantic Comedies (RomComs), and their ability to translate internationally, makes the genre a compelling one for writers, directors and producers looking to make writing for the screen a viable as well as creative pursuit.
But viability can’t precede craft. Understanding the RomCom genre in all its complexity is the invaluable leverage writers need to bend the genre toward their own unique interpretations. Through this one day event you will learn to identify, examine, and deploy the basic story principles, comic conflicts and structures underlying RomComs, as well as consider what writers, directors, producers and developers need to be thinking about as they work on any RomCom.
In addition, the workshop will examine the Buddy Movie, which shares many of the underlying features of the RomCom. You’ll see how getting under the skin of romance and relationship comedy will help you write and develop any story with a loving (sexual or non-sexual) relationship at its centre.
Who: Stephen Cleary created Arista Development in 1996 and it has grown to become Europe’s largest story development agency. To date Arista graduates have written, directed and produced over 250 feature films and much award-winning TV drama. The Arista alumni includes 2 Academy Award winners, 2 Academy Award nominees, as well as BAFTA, Palme d’Or and Golden Lion winners for films such as The Last King of Scotland, Hush, and Red Road.
Stephen Cleary lectures on screenwriting craft throughout the world as well as being a sometime feature producer and, when time permits, screenwriter. He has provided consultation to a variety of private clients including BBC interactive, Fremantle Media, NOP TV Holland, Thin Man Films and the Danish Film Fund. Right now Stephen is working on formulating an approach to cross-media and multi-platform story development.