• Duration

    12 months

  • LIVE CLASS COMMItMENT

    4 hours/month

  • EDITORIAL COMMITMENT

    1 hour/month

  • READING

    1 book bi-monthly

    WRITE YOUR FEATURE FILM

    This year-long, hands-on course guides you step-by-step through writing your feature film screenplay. With live bi-monthly classes and monthly editorial meetings, you’ll master research, structure, drafting, and rewriting—led by an experienced TV and film screenwriter and Film Commission Story Editor.

    Bring your story to life in 12 committed months!

    Or sign up for our Special PAYMENT PLAN of €120/ month for 15 months.

    COURSE STARTS THURSDAY 13 FEBRUARY 11-1 PM UK time.

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    WRITE YOUR FEATURE FILM

    COURSE DESCRIPTION

    Whether you are a novice screenwriter or an experienced professional, this transformative, year-long course takes you on a journey to craft your feature film screenplay. It is a hands-on, practical screenwriting programme. Designed for writers ready to turn their cinematic vision into reality: Whether you want to learn the craft or enter a structured programme that helps you interrogate your process and work to deadlines: This course combines structured learning, personal guidance, and achievable monthly goals to ensure steady progress from concept to polished script.

    Over 12 months, participants will master the essentials of feature film writing. The process includes doing research, developing the premise, turning it into major turning points, creating a beat breakdown, and taking it to scene outline and then script drafting and rewriting.

    With live, interactive two-hour classes twice per month, you’ll explore the art and craft of screenwriting in a supportive and dynamic environment. We will also cover six essential texts unpacking the art of screenwriting, story and feature film.

    Additionally, each participant will receive personalized guidance in a monthly one-hour editorial meeting with a veteran TV writer and experienced Film Commission story editor, providing invaluable feedback and mentorship to keep you on track and motivated.

    This programme is designed to demystify the writing process, help you achieve your creative goals, and guide you step-by-step toward completing your feature film screenplay IN ONE YEAR.

    Whether you’re starting from scratch or refining an existing idea, this is your opportunity to study the craft and bring your story to life with expert support.

    Join us and make this the year you write your feature film.

    COURSE COMPONENTS

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    LIVE LESSONS

    Students will attend a live class bi-monthly (every fortnight or twice per month). The class is RECORDED and the REPLAYS are available for the duration of the course in the class portal. 

    Class will cover theoretical aspects of screenwriting and include practical screenwriting exercises or reviews of homework. The curriculum will cover six fundamental screenwriting texts.

    1:1 EDITORIAL SESSION

    The course is structured over 12 months with monthly writing objectives and a monthly 1:1 editorial consultation on the work with a veteran screenwriter and Film Commission Script Editor. So you have consistent feedback and support.

    PRINTABLE COURSE MATERIAL

    The course includes worksheets to help you structure your thoughts and take on difficult parts of the process with easy to follow instructions.

    JOURNALING STARTER PROGRAMME 

    Screenwriters start the development process with daily guided journaling to lead them through their thought process around STORY - from character development to theme, from genre to story components.

    COURSE STUDY MATERIAL

    the art of dramatic writing -
    Lajos egri
    save the cat! - blake snyder
    the writer's journey: mythic structure for writers -
    christopher vogler
    the anatomy of story -
    john truby
    screenplay: writing the picture - 
    robin u. russin & william missouri downs
    making a good script great -
    linda seger

    COURSE CURRICULUM

    Write your awesome label here.

    Course created and facilitated by

    Natasje van Niekerk

    screenwriter - story editor - development writer
    Natasje van Niekerk started her career in the entertainment industry as an actress. After landing a job on a children's show in South Africa similar to Sesame Street, acting soon became writing.

    Kids turned into adults and not long after, she joined the writing team on acclaimed South African Soap, Generations, and continued the soap track with Muvhango and Binnelanders. This was followed by a selection of sitcoms, magazine programmes and drama series.

    Then Magic Cellar happened - The first multi-award winning African animated series that swept her off her feet and opened up the wonderful world of animated series. It also provided an opportunity to be mentored by Clive Endersby, acclaimed Canadian story editor.

    20 years in television later and Natasje has a list of children’s TV shows, international animated series and many nominations and awards on her belt.

    The  most natural progression of her career was to join the ranks of the NFVF (The National Film Commission) as script editor and mentor for creatives developing films and TV series.

    In 2015 she started The Storyteller Pod alongside her writing career, and developed courses to bridge the gaps screenwriters experience in their skillsets.

    And this course is a result of working with screenwriters for years - seeing where they struggle and devising a way to help.
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