INT. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – DAY
ANIMATOR
What is the difference between registering my interest and applying for the program?
The window for applications to Writers in Motion is only open in late December 2026. If you are reading this before then, please register your interest in the program here; we will send you an email when the application window is open.
FOREIGN FILMMAKER
I am not a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand. Can I still apply?
No.
KIWI ABROAD
I’m a kiwi, but I live outside of NZ. Can I still apply?
A portion of the course will be held in-person in Auckland, and your attendance is required. A small travel koha is provided for attendees traveling within New Zealand, however this will not be enough to cover international travel. If you are given a spot in Writers in Motion, but are not able to attend this session, your space will be given to someone else.
CANTABRIAN
I don’t live in Auckland, do I have to attend the in-person session?
Yes, this is a fundamental part of the programme. If you cannot attend this date this year, apply again next year.
STUDENT
If I am a student or amateur with no professional animation experience, can I apply?
Writers in Motion seeks participants with a certain amount of experience already under their belts. However, we recognize that some filmmakers may be at this level, even though they may not fit the professional mold. If you’ve made a few animated short films, and you think your work is up to a professional standard, there is no harm in applying, and we encourage you to do so.
VIBECODING ENTHUSIAST
Can I use AI for my application?
No; if we find that you have used AI for your application, or during the course, you will be removed. Writers in Motion exists to improve your writing skills, not your AI prompting skills. If you plan on using generative AI for your application or assignments, please do not apply.
BUSY BEAVER
What sort of time commitment will I have to make?
Writers in Motion is a 20-week course from April to September. There will be a 2-hour long zoom-course every week (which will take place during the evening); you will have weekly homework assignments, to which you should dedicate 5-10 hours per week.
WRITER
Why is screenwriting so hard and time-consuming?
Shari’s response: Screenwriting isn’t a “natural” thing that humans just do.
Like all writing — done well — combining words to serve as visual-and-emotional, filmmaking-story-templates is a practice.
Practicing writing is an awesome investment you can make in your future. Yeah, taking on new practices can be challenging and take time, but putting in your enthusiastic effort and focus can genuinely pay off: In skills! In confidence! In getting your stuff made!
The way I teach leverages a few reliable, time-tested, screenwriting Principles, but almost no rigid Rules or easy Formulas.
That means, if you truly want to discover the best way to express your unique movie-story, you’ve gotta be ready to try out stuff that doesn’t work, figure out why, and try again. And again. And likely again.
When you have a teacher who supports your uncovering of what works on-the-page, and what doesn’t; whose approach is authentic, selfless-service — that’s me! — you might not only learn a lot about writing animation scripts, but also glean some marvelous insights about yourself.
You see, great screenwriting is a curiosity-based, exploration process. Trial and error. Which I fervently believe can be FUN.
BTW, animated-filmmaking as an art and a business is around 100 years old. Some screenwriting techniques have evolved into industry-standards, who knows why? I can probably tell you. Lastly, you can benefit from being open to learning from mistakes very talented folks have made in the past to build your fresh stories for today… and the future.
