Now in its second season, this highly acclaimed drama series doesn’t shy away from the big issues, tackling homophobia, depression, alcohol abuse, heartbreak and more. It has been particularly lauded for its powerful storytelling and tightly woven narratives. In this panel the writers of REDFERN NOW, Steven McGregor and Jon Bell, discuss how they have […]
Sydney Writers’ Festival – Three Australian Storytellers Conquer the World: Small Start, Global Finish
In a panel discussion on what makes a story universal, film producer, Ross Grayson Bell (FIGHT CLUB), talks to: award-winning author Graeme Simsion, about the success of his novel THE ROSIE PROJECT; author Hannah Kent about her sensational, debut novel, BURIAL RITES, which has just been optioned in Hollywood by Jennifer Lawrence, and film producer […]
Byron Bay International Film Festival – Masculinity in Film with Jack Thompson
Producer Ross Grayson Bell (FIGHT CLUB), director Ian W Thomson (OUT IN THE LINE UP), actor Jack Thompson (THE MAN FROM SNOWY RIVER) and feminist writer Amy Gray consider shifting popular representations of masculinity in film. Does film have an impact on social constructions of masculinity? Have politics of gender & sexuality transformed the terrain […]
Award-Winning OUT IN THE LINE UP, Opens Brisbane Queer Film Festival
I worked as a script consultant on the independent documentary, OUT IN THE LINE UP, about homophobia in surfing, which opened the Brisbane Queer Film Festival in style last night and has gone on to win; Best Action Sports Film at Newport Beach Film Festival, Best Surf Film at both the Byron Bay International Film […]
2013 National Screenwriters Conference
I once again joined the National Screenwriters’ Conference, held for a second time on Victoria’s spectacular Mornington Peninsula, as a mentor in the micro-mentorship program. Run by the Australian Writers’ Guild, the conference provides an inspiring forum for emerging and established screenwriters to meet and discuss current trends in the industry. This year’s guest speakers […]
Good Game ABC2 – Storytelling for Games (TV Interview)
I recently was interviewed for ABC2‘s, GoodGame, about the growth of storytelling in games. The piece focused on the evolution of writing for games, the increasing important role narrative plays in a player-driven experience and the challenges for writers in integrating story with game mechanics. My colleague at AFTRS, Mike Jones, also shares his wisdom […]
Screen Tasmania – Script Consultant
Returned to work with Screen Tasmania as a script consultant on Daniel Weavell’s script, A GLITCH IN THE SYSTEM. I met Daniel when I was in Hobart last year and had the opportunity to mentor him in a one-on-one session. The consultancy consisted of fortnightly Skype calls, pages of notes, numerous treatments and even more […]
2012 NSW Premier’s Literary Awards – Scriptwriting Prize Shortlist Announced
I was honoured last year when Dr. Kathryn Heyman invited me to join the Betty Roland Scriptwriting judging panel at the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards alongside fellow judges, Christine Olsen (screenwriter and producer of RABBIT PROOF FENCE) and Tom Hegarty (screenwriter BLUE HEELERS, A TOWN LIKE ALICE). Today, after hours of reading and deliberation, we […]
Queer Fruits Film Festival – Distinguished Festival Juror
Following on from a seminar I gave in Lismore in August on the power of a strong concept to drive film ideas, I returned to the Northern Rivers as a Distinguished Festival Juror for the Queer Fruits Film Festival. Now in its third year, Queer Fruits Film Festival is the only regionally produced independent queer […]
Screen Tasmania – Mentoring
Following on from last night’s seminar on High Concept films for Screen Tasmania, I had three mentoring sessions today with the next wave of talented, local filmmakers. Selected by Screen Tasmania’s Development Manager, Even Maloney I gave career advice to the filmmaking teams of: • Rebecca Thomson (writer/director) and Rogan Brown (producer) who are turning […]