
Date: 10 September 2011
Time: 7:30pm to 9:00pm
Venue: Santola Bar Cafe
Fee: RM10 per participant
Showcase Introduction – Lessons Learnt from First Forays into Film-making: Some Thoughts on Script Writing
This presentation, by Mr John Mark Storey is intended for those interested in writing scripts for films in general, and for those contemplating writing documentary film scripts in particular. Mark will talk about his first experience of writing a script for a FINAS (Malaysian Film Board) sponsored documentary on preserving the ritual knowledge of Sabah. He will discuss the criteria for writing a good script and outline the process of developing a story in order to satisfy the requirements of FINAS and the local film industry. On a practical note, he will pass on some tips – in the form of ‘dos and don’ts’ – learnt (sometimes painfully!) during his film-making adventure. Finally, Mark hopes that this short talk and the group discussion that follows will be of value to aspiring local film makers.
Biodata – Mr John Mark Storey
After working as an architect in Brunei for over 10 years, Mark decided to become a teacher. He moved to Sabah in 2004 and now works as an English language lecturer at Universiti Malaysia Sabah. Mark enjoys freelance writing in his spare time and has published numerous articles for design and tourist magazines. In 2009, his idea for a film about Sabah’s ritual culture was one of 12 from several hundred entries selected for sponsorship under the FINAS first-time film makers programme. The film was completed at the end of 2010 and is waiting to be aired on the local networks.