Adapting a Novel for the Screen Adapting a Novel for the Screen

online

Adapting a Novel for the Screen

w/ Anthony Mullins + special guests Shaun Grant + John Collee

Adapting a Novel for the Screen is an eight-week, online course led by Anthony Mullins (Beyond the Hero’s Journey) for novelists who are ready to learn the foundations of screen adaptation.

Wednesdays, 6.30pm – 8.30pm (AEDT)

29 July – 16 September 2026

Online

All abilities

$820 or $102.50 per week for 8 weeks

$697 or $87.12 per week (alumni) for 8 weeks

See below for special Early Bird discount and save $100

Book Now

Adapting a Novel for the Screen with Anthony Mullins and special guests Shaun Grant and John Collee is an online writing course presented by Faber Writing Academy.

Designed for novelists with a rich story already committed to the page, as well as screenwriters looking to adapt their favourite novels, Adapting a Novel for the Screen will set you on the road towards bringing prose to visual life. No matter if you are an emerging novelist yet to be published, a multi-published author, or a passionate screenwriter, course director Anthony Mullins, alongside special guest screenwriters Shaun Grant (The Narrow Road to the Deep North; The True History of the Kelly Gang) and John Collee (Master and Commander; Boy Swallows Universe) will guide you through the process of translating literary narratives for the screen without compromising the nuance and integrity of the story at its heart.

Upon its 2021 release, Anthony Mullins’ book Beyond the Hero’s Journey fast became a roadmap for filmmakers and novelists in the thick of problem-solving their narrative structures. In an intimate class of twelve writers, you will deconstruct the mechanics of successful adaptations, isolating the specific structural shifts required to move a story from the page to a competitive film or TV market. Rather than just reviewing theory, you’ll refine your project for the screen—including its character arcs and structure—and leave with a honed scene and pitch document ready for industry circulation.

Your course includes:

8 weeks of 2-hour evening tutorials;
Whole-class workshopping of your project and pitch document, including personalised feedback from your course director;
Whole-class workshopping on a scene from your screenplay (if available), including personalised feedback from your course director;
The ability to connect with industry guests and practising screenwriters;
A complimentary copy of Beyond the Hero’s Journey, by Anthony Mullins;
On completion of the course, alumni discount of 15% on future Faber Writing Academy courses and books from the Allen & Unwin Website.

Writers you'll be working with:

Anthony Mullins

Anthony is a BAFTA and AWGIE award winning screenwriter, director and script producer. The projects Anthony has written and directed have won numerous international awards including a Primetime Emmy, an International Digital Emmy, two BAFTAs and five Australian Writers’ Guild awards. One of Anthony’s first short films, STOP (2000), was nominated for the Palmes d’Or for short…

Course outline

The course consists of eight evening online sessions held on Wednesdays, 6.30 – 8.30pm (AEST).

Session 1: Wednesday, 29 July
Thinking Cinematically
Meet your cohort, clarify course goals, and explore how novels, TV and films differ in storytelling strengths and limits. You’ll begin translating your book’s core idea into a sharp, compelling elevator pitch.

Session 2: Wednesday, 5 August
The Importance of Character Arcs
We unpack different types of character arcs and identify which best suits your story. You’ll examine how to stay true to your chosen novel’s world while shaping satisfying, screen-ready emotional journeys.

Session 3: Wednesday, 12 August
Introduction to Pitching
Discover why pitching matters in film and television and what makes a pitch memorable. You’ll start building a treatment or “bible” for your story and draft a concise, persuasive pitch.

Session 4: Wednesday, 19 August
Shaun Grant and Screenplay Formatting
Guest screenwriter Shaun Grant shares practical insights on translating from page to screen. You’ll learn the fundamentals of screenplay formatting, why these conventions exist, and how they support pacing, clarity and collaboration in production.

Session 5: Wednesday, 26 August
Special Guest and Class Workshopping
Guest screenwriter John Collee discusses adapting novels and crafting cinematic stories. IN the second hour, you’ll participate in the first round of student workshopping, offering and receiving targeted feedback on how your project might translate onscreen.

Session 6: Wednesday, 2 September
Class Workshopping
We continue in-depth workshopping, focusing on student projects.

Session 7: Wednesday, 9 September
Class Workshopping
We continue in-depth workshopping, focusing on student projects.

Session 8: Wednesday, 16 September
Class Workshopping and Conclusion
In our final session, we conclude our workshopping of student material, then reflect on how to keep thinking cinematically in your writing practice. You’ll consolidate key lessons and plan clear next steps.

The details of the course are at the discretion of the Course Director and Faber Writing Academy at Allen & Unwin.

Praise for this course

“Anthony’s experience and unique perspective on screenwriting were invaluable, and my course expectations were exceeded. I now have a better understanding of how screenwriters go about adapting a book for the screen.”

– 2025 course participant

“Anthony put everyone at ease and was generous with the knowledge he imparted. He created a great atmosphere for the students to learn and workshop. His ability to see the gaps in our work and offer constructive feedback was amazing. He has a wonderful eye and ear for storytelling, and is able to find the true essence and meaning in others’ work.”

– 2025 course participant

How to Book

To secure your place in Adapting a Novel for the Screen with Anthony Mullins at the Early Bird rate of $720/$612 alumni, you will need to pay the full course fee by 31 May, 2026. Payment by instalment will be available after the close of the early bird promotion period.