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Bureaucrats should also come to my writing seminar: Robert McKee

Renowned screenwriting lecturer Robert McKee has told Encore that writers should not be the only ones attending his seminars in Sydney and Melbourne next June; the screen agency bureaucrats in charge of funding decisions should also attend.

“They’ sincere people who are trying to do their very best, but often their understanding of story is under-educated,” McKee told Encore.

“[The assessors] have their personal taste; they know what they like personally, but their judgement can be skewed, and they recognise that often. So yes, bureaucrats should and they do in fact come to my seminar, all around Europe and Canada,” added McKee.

McKee’s Story Seminar emphasises the creative aspect of writing, instead of theoretical teaching formulas. The intensive course explains how the essence of a good story is universal and timeless. His Australian tour will be presented by Screen Australia and Epiphany.

“I know they’re unhappy they haven’t had the kind of success that Australia has had in the past,” said McKee of his understanding of Screen Australia’s concerns. “In the past, the impression the world had was that every year, Australia was making films of excellence, and Australian directors were known to be auteurs. That has slowly faded, and they want to revive their film culture.”

According to McKee, the last Australian film he saw was 2009’s Samson & Delilah, but the lecturer already has a list of titles (including Animal Kingdom) that he will watch before his Australian visit.

McKee’s Seminars will be held in Sydney and Melbourne:

STORY SEMINAR – SYDNEY ONLY

The Atrium Theatre, Australian Technology Park, Bay 4, Level 4 Locomotive Workshop, Henderson Rd, Eveleigh

  • Story –  17 to 20 June

GENRE SEMINARS – MELBOURNE ONLY

Palace Cinema Como, Toorak Rd & Chapel St, Toorak

  • Thriller – 24 June
  • Comedy – 25 June
  • Love Story – 26 June

To book, please go to www.epiphany.com.au

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