The extraordinary Wesens is a groundbreaking, first of its kind Afrikaans found-footage Sci-Fi film that subverts conventional rules and clichéd notions. This uniquely South African independent film from writer-director Derick Muller offers original storytelling that engages the intellect and provokes the imagination.
"Two years ago, on a weekend away in Ceres, my wife and I visited one of the local antique stores where we found an old Pentaflex 16 mm camera. Inside the camera box we also discovered a couple of old film reels. I love old cameras and ended up buying the box with everything in it. Now I had all these old film reels from the 1960s, but we do not have a film projector, so I started thinking, imagine there is something “crazy” on these reels. Something that you cannot believe. And from there the idea started gestating." Wesens is now showing in selected cinemas nationwide. Read more
During the last 22 years The Writing Studio has shaped the successful careers of many of South Africa’s leading filmmakers and storytellers, and is now honing the skills of future writers in the art and craft of storytelling. During a time of hardship, The Writing Studio encourages writers to write their stories and offers a 50% discount on The Write Journey course. Read more
Flatland - A Contemporary South African Western
Writer-director Jenna Bass’ Flatland is a journey of self-discovery for three different but equally trapped women. It paints a vivid and unique portrait of femininity against a hostile frontier land and questions what it means to be a woman today in South Africa and the world at large.
Flatland is the third feature from writer-director Jenna Bass — who also co-wrote the 2018 Kenyan Cannes headline-grabber ‘Rafiki’. “I have long wanted to make a western set in the Karoo,” says Bass. “I love the drama, action and locations of the traditional western. The unwritten rule of westerns is, however, that they are for men and by men. ‘Flatland’ is the opposite – it’s a feminist post-western. Flatland releases in cinemas locally on 30 October. Read more
Antebellum – a mind-bending mystery that unfolds as a metaphor for the current climate of racism
Antebellum is a terrifying new thriller from activist filmmakers Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz, two exciting new voices in contemporary cinema.
They trace the origins of Antebellum to a nightmare Bush had a few years ago, after he had experienced a series of personal losses. “This nightmare was about a woman named Eden,” Bush recalls. “The experience was horrific and so real that I immediately wanted to talk about it with Chris. It felt like my ancestors had visited me to tell me the story. We thought it had the makings of an exciting short story and film.” Antebellum releases in cinemas locally on 30 October. Read more
Upcoming South African Films On The Big Screen
Toorbos explores the Afrikaner feminine, through her fragility and power, in the magical realist period drama set in South Africa’s Knysna forest of the 1930’s. Toorbos releases in cinemas in South Africa on 13 November.
Next week we will include an exclusive interview with writer-director René van Rooyen who crafted masterwork that proudly showcases powerful South African stories that deserve to be told.
If you have completed the draft of a screenplay, stageplay, or manuscript for a novel, it is vital to find out whether or not your story works. It could mean the end of all your hard work and your career as a writer if you hand poorly written and undeveloped projects over to producers, directors, publishers or potential investors.
If you want your script or manuscript polished professionally, The Writing Studio will turn your copy into exciting and thrilling narrative, into words and images that jump off the page and characters that resonate.
The journey with my screenplay editor, Daniel Dercksen (The Writing Studio) has been smooth sailing. In fact – it was blissful! The organic and creative nature of the collaborative process was very rewarding and uplifting. Libé Ferreira – Former Head of Drama department at The National School of the Arts / Former Writer, Casting Director, Acting Coach at Franz Marx Films(Screenplay: What’s In Your Suitcase, 2020)
Daniel was a most valuable and expert pair of eyes recently when I had to convert a story to a short film script. I would highly recommend him to anyone looking to polish a script to be submitted with confidence. Will most certainly turn to him again with future scripts. “Many thanks. You were definitely the right person to consult. Very happy with the final outcome.”
Opera lovers can indulge on a fantastic season of free streamings from the Met Opera. Since lockdown hit South Africa, The Met Opera has streamed more than 100 operas that were filmed live, and continues to do so.
Learn how to tell stories and make films from the world’s master filmmakers and screenwriters
If you want to learn how to be screenwriter and filmmaker, why not learn from the best.
The Writing Studio’s exclusive in depth articles on filmmaking and screenwriting show how inspiration instills passion, how ideas are born, nurtured and realised, how the conventions of genre are challenged, themes explored to its fullest, and characters brought to life.
These personal notes from producers reveal to what extent filmmakers and screenwriters will go to realise their dreams and make the most of each story they tell.
Develop the Write Attitude with The Writing Studio
During the last 20 Years The Writing Studio has taken many leading filmmakers in South Africa from first idea to success on the big screen locally and internationally.
If you want to sign up for one of our courses in creative writing or screenwriting, or want to have your screenplay / manuscript evaluated or edited, send us an email.
