Professional Writing - Career Overview

Career Overview

SYNOPSIS  - Fourteen years as a writer and editor, combining my own business with in-house roles. My areas of expertise are journalism, media writing, long and short copywriting, writing for the web, speech and scriptwriting, script assessment, concept development, copyediting, research and proofreading.

PROJECTS/ROLES - 2003 - 2008

2008-current - Scriptwriting, Turnstile4; Madman Entertainment
· Researched cricketer Shane Warne's career and interviewed him. Wrote seven-minute script in Warne's cadence for him to read to-camera for a ‘Pepper's Ghost'-style installation at National Sports Museum, MCG.
· Wrote script for a nationally broadcast Madman Entertainment TVC.

2007-current - Feature film script assessment, Madman Entertainment
· Assess pre-production feature film scripts and recommend changes in narrative structure, character development, dialogue and continuity.
· Meet with the directors after the assessment and provide further recommendations.

2007-current - Interviewing/research, Madman Entertainment
· Researched, prepared questions and interviewed author Raimond Gaita for a special feature on the DVD release of the award-winning film, Romulus My Father
· Researched and prepared questions for an interview a Madman Entertainment colleague conducted with His Holiness the Dalai Lama

2003-current - Copywriting, Crumpler bag company
· Concept catalogues and produce long and short copy for catalogues, brochures, press releases, web, and swing tags.

2004-current - Copywriting, Paoli Smith
· Concept advertisements and write short copy for print and online advertisements for a range of clients: Monash University, Melbourne and Surrounds, Norfolk Island, Destination Melbourne.

2006 - Corporate journalism, Deakin University
· Researched and wrote four 1000-word feature articles for the 30th anniversary edition of Deakin magazine.

2006 - Media writing, Department of Primary Industry, Queensland
· Wrote press releases for trade shows and other events.

2005-6 - Assistant Managing Editor, Victoria University
· In-house role assisting with writing, editing, proofreading and layout of annual report, corporate communications kit and achievements brochure.
· Re-wrote and edited brochures, fliers, web copy and press releases.

2003-06 - Senior Reporter, Global Food and Wine magazine
· In-house role writing major features on international markets for Australian food and wine. Also wrote profiles of chefs and company directors, trade show reports and case studies on Australian gourmet food and wine companies.
· Copyediting, proofreading, assistance with design development, media liaison, seminar and trade show presentations, liaison with writers,
· Interstate and international reporting trips

2003-04 - Feature writing, Hamilton Spectator
· Researched and wrote weekly features on former Hamilton and district personalities, including Ricky Barham (former Collingwood footballer), Derek Guille (ABC broadcaster) and Doug Heywood (choirmaster and conductor, Carols by Candlelight).

2003-08 - Freelance and project journalism
· Features in The Age, The Big Issue, Overland, Victoria University's Connections, Breakpoint (USA) and Antipodes. Interviewees including Tim Winton, Helen Garner and Kevin Hart. Subject areas including literature, religion, pop culture, sport and politics.

2003-08 - Freelance and contract copywriting
· Clients including Victoria University, Mental Health Research Institute and World Vision. Newsletters, donor letters, print advertisements, web copy, scripts and press releases.

PRE-2003
Writer/Editor - Fish Communication Network 1997- 2000
· In house role, edited print and online magazines, wrote advertising copy.
Media Officer - The Anglican Centre 1996 - 1997
· In house role, features, news, research, press releases, media liaison.
Assistant Editor - On Being magazine (now Alive) 1994-1996
· In house role, all areas of magazine production.

OTHER ROLES/PROJECTS
· Creative writer - three books published
· Sessional tutor, Victoria University - 2005 - 2007
· Workshop and seminars - secondary and primary schools, universities, Writers Centres
· Event development management - readings and productions in Yarraville Festival and at Victoria University
· Acting - written and acted in two plays, current co-lead in a short film

QUALIFICATIONS
· MA Creative Arts (Creative Writing) (UniMelb) H1
· BA Journalism (RMIT)
· Certificate IV Professional Writing and Editing (RMIT)
· Certificate IV Workplace Training and Assessment (AIET)