Writer-director René van Rooyen talks about her magical South African film Toorbos
After a 6-year’s journey from page to screen, René van Rooyen’s insightful adaptation of Dalene Matthee’s novel Toorbos as a screenwriter, and her astute visual sensibility as a director, delivers an inspirational journey of the heart that showcases the best of South African filmmaking.
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
Freaky – A pitch-black horror-comedy that turns body-swap movies inside-out
Audiences have seen an array of body-swap films, but most of those films have been straight comedies. Freaky takes the body-swap movie format and turns it on its head with a teenage girl switching bodies with a relentless serial killer. It’s a dark thriller, and it’s as scary as it is funny, creating an outrageous and entertaining blend of horror and humor.
From producer Jason Blum (Halloween, The Invisible Man) and the deliciously debased mind of writer-director Christopher Landon (Happy Death Day, the Paranormal Activity franchise) and a screenplay by Landon and Michael Kennedy (Fox’s Bordertown), comes a pitch-black horror-comedy about a slasher, a senior and the brutal truth about high school. Read more
Kaalgat Karel tells the story of Karel Venter (Francois Jacobs), a guy who loves the thrill of streaking during sports matches – and the accompanying social media stardom!
This Is Not A Burial, It’s A Resurrection is a haunting tribute to land, community and ancestry. The first film from Lesotho, made by a Mosotho filmmaker, is directed by Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese.
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.
