SECRETS, LIES & FILMMAKING
with writer/producer, Billy Marshall Stoneking
An intensive one-day seminar introducing filmmakers and actors to a radical approach to
dramatic screen storytelling. Discover the secrets that come from working inside your characters.
Uncover the lies that frustrate your interactions with the characters. Journey into the hinterland
of those story-worlds that are unique to your “tribal” circumstances.
Every film script and film that works is built upon the quality of the relationships that cast
and crew build with the characters – all of the characters, including those that live outside
the script. This workshop provides a new vision to illuminate the practical strategies for
successful, character-driven dramatic storytelling.
Click here for more details
Billy Marshall Stoneking – screenwriter, producer and mentor.
Credits include the soon-to-be-released feature, Seeing the Elephant (writer/producer) and the
feature documentary, Waking the Martyrs (co-producer), shot entirely in Iran. During his seven
years at AFTRS he devised and taught the legendary Drama of Screenwriting workshop, which
is the precursor of The Drama of Filmmaking. Visit Stoneking’s website, Where’s the Drama?
THE DRAMA OF FILMMAKING
with writer/producer, Billy Marshall Stoneking
Over 3 days, a select group of participants will initiate one another into the living, emotional
energy of character-based storytelling. Working within a safe, supportive and constructive
environment, participants will discover and explore the dramatic potentials embodied in their
own characters. Moving from dramatic monologues to dramatic dialogues, participants will
develop their confidence, openness and insights concerning the creation of dramatic characters.
REQUIREMENTS
On the first day, participants to bring an original, dramatic monologue addressed to a character
that is present but doesn’t speak, no more than half a page (single spaced) or full-page
(double spaced). Phone conversations, please! See examples of dramatic monologues here
SOME TESTIMONIALS
“Billy is a benevolent anarchist, prodding for the drama in every scene, knowing full well if
we can’t write scenes, how can we expect audiences to get hooked on the whole film. Highly
recommended for all industry practitioners.” – Kathy Mueller film director/writer, teacher
“Life transforming!” – Simon Burke actor, writer, television presenter
Saló Discussion Panel – Censor Sensibility
Film Screening × Dog’s Bar × Thursday 25 August × 7pm
Censorship Forum × Dog’s Bar × Thursday 25 August × 9pm
“a profound influence on my mental health and stability.” – Michael Haneke
“it is a vile movie and the act of releasing it is a vile act” – Senator Julian McGauran
Banned, unbanned, re-banned and now available to the Australian public once again, Pier Paolo
Pasolini’s Saló: 120 Days of Sodom is undoubtedly one of the most divisive films in cinematic
history that has provoked disgust and garnered praise in equal measure. You have heard the
stories, read the propaganda but MUFF 12 will be giving you the opportunity to cut through the
bullshit and make up our own mind about the poster boy of Australian censorship.
The film will be screened in its entirety and will be followed by a debate on its merits (or lack
thereof) featuring industry commentators, critics and film professors. The speakers will include
Dr. Glenn D’Cruz, film lecturer and tutor of subjects including “Art and the Politics of Censorship,”
Boris Trbic, writer for Senses of Cinema and critic on 3RRR’s Film Buff’s Forecast, Richard
Wolstencroft, director of MUFF 12, Jimmy Jack, writer of The Black Balloon, and Paul Elliot from
Polyester Books. This is an event that cannot be missed if you are in any way interested in issues
of free speech, public decency or the history of cinema. Be quick and book early, before the
Australian government bans it… again.