I was 12 in 1977. It made me the exact target audience for George Lucas’ STAR WARS. And it worked: I was completely blown away.

Soon after, I became obsessed with CLOSE ENCOUNTERS, which to this date is my favourite sci-fi movie.

I have a broad taste in film, but as a direct result of the impact of those two films, science fiction has always had a special place in my heart. However, other than 2001 A Space Odyssey, no sci-fi film has ever had anywhere near the same impact.

Over the past 15 years or so, I have worked extensively as a lecturer and training designer in the realm of screenwriting. The flagship was the popular STORY SERIES, which I taught privately until it finished on a high in 2015, with the biggest group ever (30).

Since then, and apart from the occasional casual workshop, I have only offered face-to-face teaching in Australia through the Canberra Screen POD, The Academy of Film, Television and Theatre (AFTT), and JMC Academy.

Privately, I have worked hard on a new venture. After studying different methods of learning and comparing their effectiveness, I settled for a deceptively simple approach, focusing on replicating the works of the masters. I called it Immersion Screenwriting.

As some of you know, this past year most of my spare time was spent on developing a specialist sci-fi training course, following the Immersion method. The demand for sci-fi is limited, I know. But those who love it will be getting a real treat.

The Immersion family now counts a bunch of siblings, and some of the courses are only offered through partnerships, or as part of the screenwriting training at private film schools. But 4 are available directly to you.

Wherever you are in the world, if you’re interested, please let me know via DM.

And if you know of a school, an organisation or a group of screenwriters that might benefit, please do get in touch. You’ll be my hero.