Upon A Quest

09/01/2024

Heads-up! The Writers Guild of South Africa. A place for Writers by Writers is running a 14-hour online course in English for beginner screenwriters. Their members attend for free. Non-members will have to pay. More info to follow on Friday!

Course starts 22 January 2024.

Send an email straight to [email protected] if you're interested.

Make sure you have a backup plan for loadshedding so that you don't miss sessions!

14/02/2023

Hellooooo everyone,
I was hired to write a few episodes for an actuality program a mere few weeks ago. It was a trial by fire with lots of rewrites, personal problems, and impossible deadlines, but it was great (after I survived). It just proved to me once again that I must follow my instincts, but also that nothing is impossible with God. The experience greatly increased my confidence. Confidence has a huge impact on how you do your work.

I'd like to encourage all of you who want to go into writing for screen (regardless of whether for film or series or telenovela), to do the Writers Guild of South Africa's basic screenwriting course. Entries are open until tomorrow. The course is free for members. You have to join the guild if you want to participate. They have monthly payment plans.

The workshops are currently only in a few towns based on demand, and the guild aims to expand their reach, so if you are in a town (especially the rural guys), please send them an email to say where you're based and ask that you be notified when there's another opportunity if you're not covered in this round. Also, note that they want to present it in Indigenous languages and have trained experienced screenwriters from 9 languages already. Eventually they want to present it in all languages. So, make sure to let them know what language you would prefer to receive it in. I'm also a qualified trainer but for this round there weren't enough interest for the course in Afrikaans, and also not in Potchefstroom, Klerksdorp or Pretoria.

The bonus of joining the guild is that you become part of the Telegram community where you get to meet other screenwriters across the board. From beginners, to seasoned fossils in the industry with bottomless wisdom and experience that they gladly share. There are other perks as well, that you will find out about when you join.
The aim of the course is to give screenwriters in small, rural communities the opportunity to learn the basics of the craft and what they can expect from it as a profession, in their home languages.

The vision of the course is to help bring forth the stories from rural South Africa through training scriptwriters. The guild also has an annual screenwriting competition that offers discount for entries of scripts in indigenous languages.

So many of our people struggle with English and it can dent your confidence. Participating in the WGSA Indigenous Language Screenwriting Programme can lead you to entering the WGSA Muse Award screenwriting competition, which sends feedback on your entries, which further improves your skills and boosts confidence (if you take it as constructive criticism), and networking with other scriptwriters, which means you don't feel alone in your craft anymore, etc.

Here are the details for...
THE WGSA INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE SCREENWRITING PROGRAMME

The Writers Guild of South Africa (WGSA) is calling for screenwriters (film, television, telenovela, online, etc.) to attend the
WGSA INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE SCREENWRITING PROGRAMME

The programme is sponsored by the PESP (Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme via that National Arts Council, an agency of the Department of Sprots, Arts and Culture).

Dates: 24 TO 26 FEBRUARY 2023

Times: Classes are from 9h00 to 16h00 on all three days. You are required to attend all the sessions.

Towns/Cities: Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, Gqerberha, Johannesburg, Polokwane

THE PROGRAMME WILL COVER THE FOLLOWING:
• Screenwriting is an entrepreneurial profession
• Script writing (the outline and format)
• Story and characters
• Structure of storytelling

The programme includes:
A light lunch for the three full days and tea, coffee, and water will be provided. Participants can bring snacks, should they wish to do so.

THE PROGRAMME IS OPEN TO ALL WGSA MEMBERS AND IS FREE OF CHARGE (Note there is a 30% discount on membership fees until 15 February)

To join the guild, go to:
HTTPS://WRITERSGUILDSA.ORG/JOIN-THE-WGSA/

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 15 FEBRUARY 2023, 12H00
PLEASE FOLLOW THIS LINK AND FILL IN THE APPLICATION FORM, OR EMAIL: [email protected]
https://ngo.evlink1.net/servlet/link/250528/1210933/84233008/6358952

Access Google Forms with a personal Google account or Google Workspace account (for business use).

30/07/2021

Helllooooo Questers! Hope you're still warm and kicking! And lighting up the keyboards with your screenplays! There's been a new development at the Writers' Guild of South Africa. When you join, you can create your screenwriting profile on their website! It's a free perk that comes with membership and it's for professional screenwriters as well as aspirant screenwriters who want to get their names out there as being willing, available and adamant to become a screenwriter, or playwright, or radio drama writer, or even game narrative writer!
Check it out!

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL NON-MEMBERS!

LIMITED OFFER!

50% DISCOUNT ON MEMBERSHIP FEES!

We have a SPECIAL OFFER for you that serves to counter the economic effect that Covid-19 and the lockdowns have on performance writers.

As a member you will have an opportunity to showcase your profile on our website, enter the WGSA Muse Awards and allow free access to our upcoming WGSA Indigenous Language Screenwriters Course in September, among other great benefits.

The SPECIAL OFFER, not to be repeated, is a discount of 50% off membership fees to everyone joining between 1 August 2021 and 30 September 2021.

Full members: Regular fee R700, now only R350

Candidate members: Regular fee R500, now only R250

Student members with a valid student registration: Regular fee R220, now only R110

Corporate members: Regular fee R1200, now only R600

When you click on JOIN you will also see the other benefits of joining the guild and specials that guild members receive on products such as Final Draft screenwriting software, and IMDb Pro, etc.

If you have any questions, please send an email to [email protected]

To join go to: https://writersguildsa.org/join-the-wgsa/

21/05/2021

Hey questers, here's a very nice article about keeping the creative juices flowing!
https://www.networkisa.org/articles/view/the-ten-commandments-of-brainstorming

30/04/2021

Hey newbie Questers, the WGSA has more online courses in May for emerging screenwriters. Please, email [email protected] and cc [email protected] for all the details!

30/04/2021

Stumbled onto this beaauuutiful free screenwriting software! It beats FD and CelTx hands down for me!
https://kitscenarist.ru/en/index.html

KIT Scenarist - free screenwriting software

15/04/2021

Personality vs. Character. In all the scripts I have been reading, the the characters are "too honest". What you see of them is their character, but that's not how it is in real life. People are deceptive without even realizing it most of the time. What you see is their personalities, which they adopted or taught themselves. Character is hidden. It only comes out when the pressure is on. And only then do you really know who is the good and who is the bad character.

So, when you write, don't show the character of the character from the start. Show their personality.

For instance, someone says "what you see is what you get" but have you noticed that it's usually exactly the opposite? They are the most complicated, philosophers who don't even realize themselves how much they actually hide.

Or someone says they believe first and foremost never to do anyone or anything harm, but when you are in a conversation with them, they are aggressive in their passion to do no harm and thus creates conflict inadvertently.

I'm not making these things up. Promise! Pay attention to people. Especially the people you know because you will be able to distinguish between what they are saying to people and what you know about them.

Enjoy the quest!

15/04/2021

Hi questers. What have you all been up to? Me? I've been reading scripts for various reasons.

One is for mentoring, which I started doing recently.

And new on my own writing slate is writing scripts for puppet shows that I present at churches. The shows are for children 2 to 5. It's bible stories so you'd think it's easy to write a script but noooooo... The target audience makes it tricky 😅 So, contrary to belief I'm learning tons of tricks for story telling techniques.

But anyway. I'm writing to you because I want to share a few things that have continually pops up in the scripts.

Personality vs. Character. Most of the characters are "too honest". What you see of them is their character, but that's not how it is in real life. People are deceptive without even realizing it most of the time. What you see is their personalities, which they adopted or taught themselves. Character is hidden. It only comes out when the pressure is on. And only then do you really know who is the good and who is the bad character.

So, when you write, don't show the character of the character from the start. Show their personality.

26/02/2021

Ok, making it even easier for you for the online course, because time's running out! Remember, WGSA members can do it for free, and non-members only need to pay R100! You don't get such an opportunity on your doorstep every day! I've attached the schedules below and here's the link to book:
https://t.co/Vvb4YUW382?amp=1
You need to book no later than 48 hours before the course you'll be attending.
If you missed it in your language, you can still attend the English one.

25/02/2021

Hey questers, CORRECTION regarding the advert for the WGSA Emerging Screenwriters Courses happening right now until end of March:
To do the online course, non-members are required to pay R 100 to participate in the online course. It’s free for members (and I highly recommend that beginners join the guild).
Regarding the mentorship and Skills Lab, here's the updated info.
For the mentorship (deadline to apply extended to 5 March), you have to be a Candidate or Student WGSA members for this particular round of mentorship.
For the Skills Lab (face-to-masked-face), which is taking place in most provinces, you have to be a WGSA member.
Visit the WGSA website and click on the *JOIN THE WGSA* button.
If you don't have a google account for the application, send an email to [email protected] and say that you want to join.
When you've paid, you are issued a membership number.
Contact [email protected] for more information.
If you struggle to navigate the WGSA website on your phone, please send a message via our website *CONTACT US* page, or a private message via our Facebook, Instagram, and or Twitter page. Otherwise an email to [email protected] would suffice.

17/02/2021

Hi emerging scriptwriter questers! The WGSA has been subsidized to do an outreach programme to emerging scriptwriters in ALL official SA languages. I've been trying to share the information of the course with you but it's getting complicated so, for the times and dates, etc. of the course in your language (I'm only doing it in Afrikaans in this round), please request it from the guild at [email protected]

11/01/2021

Hello Questers! I see the flood gates have opened for ideas! Which is Awesome! But... As you all know you can't copyright an idea. There are many, too many, sad stories of people pitching their ideas, then getting shot down, just to see their idea shown on TV or cinema!!!

So, what can you do?

Well, yes, a verbal pitch of an idea cannot be copyrighted. However, once it's written down or recorded in some way (voice recorded included), you own the copyrights by default. Also, once you've written at least a synopsis / treatment and other related info like episode breakdowns, you can register it with the WGSA. They register anything that is script related even if it's not a script yet, as long as it's your own. And You Must Follow Their Instructions To The T!!!! It can all be done online. Not so easy, but convenient and quick.

Whether you want to include your WGSA registration number on your pitch or not, is up to you.

And with that little bit of ammunition I wish you well on your continued quest!

09/12/2020

Hello everyone. It's been a while, hey. I hope this post finds you all well and still soldiering on.
I would like to give you a tip about writing:
Learn as much as you can, but see each bit of information as an arrow in your quiver instead of a gospel. Lots of people and experts share their knowledge and experience, which is wonderful. Collect as many arrows as you can because when you write, and you get stuck, or you wonder what rule to use, try one of the things you learned and if that one doesn't fit, try another. Eventually you will hit the mark ☺️
Happy writing everyone!

10/06/2020

I (Yolanda) often get asked what the biggest challenge was for us. The one that caused the agency to close because we couldn't overcome it. The answer is three-fold: A Producers are very picky, which justifiable because of the years it takes to get the money to produce a film or TV show. So, a lot of pitching didn't lead to sales or optioning. [ 838 more words ]
https://uponaquest.wordpress.com/2020/06/10/the-a-b-c-of-agency-challenges/

I (Yolanda) often get asked what the biggest challenge was for us. The one that caused the agency to close because we couldn’t overcome it. The answer is three-fold: A Producers are very pick…

13/05/2020

First of all, never approach anyone with your script straight-up (like we say in SA). Remember that professionals will not take you seriously unless you come across as a professional. Here are some of the basic steps: REGISTER: Always register your script or detailed treatment of the film / series with an recognized, organized body such as a writer's guild. This is to protect the copyright (you own the copyright from the moment you put your idea on paper but you need to be able to prove sometimes that you were the creator and when you created it). [ 1,147 more word ]
https://uponaquest.wordpress.com/2020/05/13/how-to-approach-someone-with-your-script/

First of all, never approach anyone with your script straight-up (like we say in SA). Remember that professionals will not take you seriously unless you come across as a professional. Here are some…

11/03/2020

Beginning the first screenwriters' and management agency in South Africa has been a terribly wonderful experience. It was terrifying to plunge into uncharted waters but wonderful to see the hope it created for scriptwriters and the awareness among screenwriters and producers alike of the worth of screenplays. All-in-all it was definitely an educational and eye-opening experience. As you might have noticed by now, I am writing in the past tense. [ 1,319 more word ]
https://uponaquest.wordpress.com/2020/03/11/an-end-to-a-beginning/

Beginning the first screenwriters’ and management agency in South Africa has been a terribly wonderful experience. It was terrifying to plunge into uncharted waters but wonderful to see the h…

10/01/2020

Hi everyone, I hope 2020 is treating you well so far.
An update:
1. I've changed the website. It now only has our blogs on it so that you still have access to the information I shared over the years. I will add one or two more blogs sometime in the future and when I do, I'll inform you here.
2. The website address has converted to the original https://uponaquest.wordpress.com/
3. And finally, the agency's email, [email protected] will terminate on the 23rd of January.

This agency is closed but your quest MUST continue. Creatives go-getters and entrepreneurs at heart, so I know you can get that film or TV series of yours produced. If someone turns you down, move on to the next one. There are plenty of producers and in time you will find the perfect fit.

YOU CAN DO IT!

Screenwriters' Agency & Management Company

28/11/2019

Afternoon, our dear questers. It is with heavy hearts that we announce that the agency is closing. It's too much details to go into but the long and short of it is that we just do not have the human and financial resources to keep the agency going.

Since both Yolanda and Lorato will still have one toe in the film and TV industry, we will share insights or tips here from time-to-time.

The service of pitching will not be available anymore. Instead, we can teach you how to pitch your own work, and guide you through it through consultation sessions at a small fee. Script services that were part of our representation will now be available to everyone, as well. We will publish the details and rates on our website.

We sincerely thank everyone who has walked with us and shared our vision. We are confident that another agency will lift off where we left, and soar higher.

04/11/2019

(Warning! This is a long one, so better get a tall coffee and some snacks before you begin.) Born out of passion and grand plans for the screenwriters of South Africa, it’s now two years and seven months since we opened the doors of the first screenwriters’ agency and management company in South Africa. Many people wonder how we are making a living and even more hope that we are doing very well. [ 2,160 more words ]
http://uponaquestagency.com/2019/11/04/evolution-of-the-agency/

(Warning! This is a long one, so better get a tall coffee and some snacks before you begin.) Born out of passion and grand plans for the screenwriters of South Africa, it’s now two years and seven …

27/09/2019

It's been a delicate balancing act between working for the agency and working on the agency but things are starting to go smoother. We also know our limits now and what it is that producers want and don't want and who wants what, and we can focus our pitching accordingly.

The industry is also looking better and more diverse in terms of films, TV series and even short films, so we are very excited.

We're still not taking on any new submissions until January, though, for the plain reason that this is a busy time of the year for producers and it takes more time to pitch and follow-up. As you can imagine (especially those writers we already represent) we can't be reading and making decisions about new submissions at the moment and risk losing out on pitching opportunities.

Have a wonderful weekend you all!

25/09/2019

It's been a while. You might be wondering what's happening. Well, pitching is still happening and it helps that we've put the call for new scripts on hold until January. That doesn't mean the days are any less crazy ^_^ The mission to be a bridge between screenwriters and producers we valiantly continue.

03/09/2019

We have some great news! There are a lot more screenwriting courses in the industry of late. The Writers' Guild of South Africa (WGSA) has been announcing workshops like crazy lately, so go and follow their page or send them an email to [email protected] to receive updates in your Inbox.
Also google South African writing retreats and courses and you will find a lot more than ever before.

19/08/2019

Good news for Eastern Cape Questers!

Madiba Bay's Professor Adelle Gascoyne has been elected to the Council of the Writers' Guild of South Africa (WGSA) in the portfolio: Professional Development for Eastern Cape and Free State. Gascoyne kicks off her portfolio this month with a workshop titled, “Acing emotion in screenwriting,” on Saturday, 31 August, in Despatch/Uitenhage from 9.30am-4.30pm.

The workshop will cover a wide range of human emotions and how to successfully bring this to screenwriting. The workshop will benefit both existing writers and aspiring writers. Anyone with a dream to write for the screen is invited to attend.

The cost is R150 for WGSA members, R200 for non-members and R50 for students.

For inquiries please contact [email protected]

19/08/2019

Dear Questers, we have been very quiet but don't fear. It's because there is A LOT happening and we just don't always get time to send out updates.

29/07/2019

At the recent Durban FilmMart I just saw again how far behind the South African industry still is in when it comes to script writers and creators, but I must also say that there is "continental sized" shift taking place, too. Like all continental shifts it will take some time so those who persevere have a good chance at succeeding. Just keep hanging in there and working on your craft, our dear questers! Don't throw anything away and even if you have to take on another job while the continent is shifting, don't give up.