Friday 9 October 2026 – The Australian Writers’ Guild (AWG) invites emerging writers to apply to take part in the forthcoming two-day in-person masterclass entitled In the Writers’ Room facilitated by Terence McCarthy on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December 2026 in Perth.
Supported by Screenwest and the Western Australian Government the masterclass will give 20 participants a thorough understanding of how a professional writers’ room operates. From the basics of what a writers’ room is and does through to the less obvious topic of etiquette in a room, it will give talented, aspiring screenwriters the opportunity to gain in-demand and practical skills, develop their understanding of the industry, and build industry connections.
At the conclusion of the masterclass, writers will have:
- The skills and confidence to take part effectively and successfully in a writers’ room.
- The understanding of how a room works, who does and says what and when.
- A personal connection to Terence and their fellow participants with the view to forming long lasting creative connections in Western Australia.
The workshops will see the sessions broken into theory and practical training including simulated writers’ rooms where each participant will have the chance to serve in all roles – showrunner, notetaker, story consultant and story editor.
IMPORTANT DATES
- Thursday 8 October 2026: applications open
- Thursday 22 October 2026 at 4pm: applications close
- Thursday 5 November 2026: successful applicants advised
- Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December 2026: Workshops take place between 10am and 4pm each day
Click below or visit the AWG website for more information, including eligibility criteria and application requirements.
ABOUT THE FACILITATOR
Terence McCarthy is a writer, development executive, script editor and script department training leader with 18 years’ experience in the Australian and US film and television industry spanning feature film, drama, comedy, serial and children’s television.
He recently served as the Script Department Manager for NCIS: Sydney (Seasons 1-3) for CBS/Paramount+/EndemolShine Australia, where he also managed the Screen Australia Early Career Writers Programme. Terence has also worked in script departments for Academy Award winning director Ron Howard and screenwriter Bill Nicholson (13 Lives), Golden Globe nominated writers Harry & Jack Williams (The Tourist) and the International Emmy nominated Bevan Lee (A Place to Call Home, Back To The Rafters).
In 2022, Terence worked for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation as a Drama and Comedy Executive on In Our Blood and Total Control Series 3 and managed the submissions programme.
Terence has trained many emerging writers via the AWG, Screen Australia, ACE Parramatta, Screenworks and Screenwest that have gone on to rise through the Australian television drama ranks as writers, script editors, script coordinators and notetakers.
