Professional Writing - Career Overview

Career Overview

SYNOPSIS Fifteen 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 - 2009

2003 - current: Copywriter, Crumpler bag company Concept catalogues and produce long and short copy for catalogues, brochures, press releases, web, and swing tags for this Melbourne-based global company.

2003 - current: Freelance and commissioned journalism Features in The Age, The Big Issue, Meanjin, Overland, Eureka Street, 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.

2004 - current: Copywriter, Paoli Smith Advertising Concept advertisements and write short copy for print and online advertisements for a range of clients: Monash University, Melbourne and Surrounds, Arts Victoria, Red Claw Wines, Norfolk Island, Destination Melbourne and Melbourne Recital Centre.

2007- current: Feature Film Script Assessor, Madman Entertainment Assess pre-production feature film scripts (including Balibo) and recommend changes in narrative structure, character development, dialogue and continuity.§ Meet with the directors after the assessment and provide further recommendations.

2008 - current: Corporate Journalist, Design Victoria Design Victoria is a government organisation that aims to promote Victoria as the design capital of Australia. I research and write short and long business immersion profiles and case studies for the organisation.

2008 - current: Editor, The Knowledge Tree (online journal) The Knowledge Tree is a refereed e-journal that covers e-learning and other teaching advances in the VET sector. I edit articles, co-ordinate authors and develop other items such as pod- and vod-casts.

2008 - current: Writer, ITPR Researched and wrote a major brochure for ITPR's client, John Holland. The brochure conveyed John Holland's bridge building capacity and was used as part of the company's successful tender for the West Gate Bridge upgrade works. Researched and wrote CVs for John Holland's tender for the Wonthaggi desalination tender.

2009 - current: Script Writer, Rockmans Creative Media Research and write promotional DVD scripts for a range of clients, including Catholic Homes (Victoria).

2009 - current: Ghost Writer, Black Belt in Excellence Research and write a monthly email-distributed newsletter for this motivational speaking company.

2009: Writer, Certificate III, Write Simple Documents (TAFE Unit) Developed the instructional design, wrote and edited the above unit for my client, Hascom. The company rolled out the unit nationally in 2009.

2008: Scriptwriter, Turnstile4; Madman Entertainment Researched the careers of cricketer Shane Warne and footballer James Hird and interviewed them. Wrote seven-minute script in their cadences for them to perform to-camera for a ‘Pepper's Ghost'-style installation at National Sports Museum, MCG. § TVCs for Madman Entertainment.

2008: Web writing, AMC Mining; AusReo Fix Developed web copy for two companies with no previous web presence: AMC, a WA-based international mining company, and AusReo Fix, a Victorian steel fixing company with a national reach.

2008: Writer/Project Manager, VCAT Annual Report Managed the editorial process for the production of VCAT's 2007-8 Annual Report, which included managing in-house staff and external writers and designers.§ Within a tight timeline, redeveloped the content for style, sense and accuracy. Wrote (User Service Charter), ghost wrote (CEO's report), researched, edited and proofread content for the report.

2008: Copywriter, Furphy Media Group Print advertisements, catalogues, TVC and DVD scripts for Honda (marine and motorcycles) and Piaggio (Scooters). Web copy for Furphy Media Group's site.

2008: Tender Writer/Researcher, Prow Elan Researched and edited demographic profiles for business development projects.

2007: Interviewer/Researcher, 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.

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

2005: 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.

2003-5; 2006: 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 Writer, 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).

Other freelance copywriting clients: My clients have included Victoria University, Queensland Department of Primary Industry, Mental Health Research Institute, World Vision, Salvation Army, Sydney Swans, Prahran Mission and Burke and Wills Clothing. This work has included newsletters, donor letters, print advertisements, web copy, scripts and press releases.

PRE-2003

1997- 2000: Writer/Editor, Fish Communication Network  In house role, edited print and online magazines, wrote advertising copy.

1996 - 1997: Media Officer, The Anglican Centre In house role, features, news, research, press releases, media liaison.

1994 - 1996: Assistant Editor - On Being magazine In house role, all areas of magazine production.

Freelance Journalism, Editing, Copywriting§ Articles in The Age, AQ, Sunday-Herald Sun; journal development for Urban Seed, Zadok Perspectives, long and short copy for Rivers clothing.

OTHER ROLES/PROJECTS

Creative Writer - three books published
Sessional Tutor - Victoria University - 2005 - 2007; University of Melbourne 2009
Workshop and Seminar Presenter - secondary (Star of the Sea) and primary schools (Wembley PS), universities (University of Melbourne), Writers Centres (Victorian Writers Centre, South Coast Writers Centre)
Event Manager - readings and productions in Yarraville Festival, Victoria University, Gasworks Theatre and La Mama Theatre
Actor - acted in three plays, co-lead in a short film, WarGame

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)