During May - What would Aristotle do?

Stephen Cleary Lecture Series at the VCA

WHAT WOULD ARISTOTLE DO? ANCIENT WISDOM FOR MODERN SCREENWRITERS.

Internationally celebrated film development consultant, Stephen Cleary, discusses Aristotelian principles such as Catharsis, Ethos and Mythos and their use (and abuse) in contemporary screenwriting.

The greatest and most influential thinker on screenwriting never read a screenplay, never gave a screenwriting seminar and never saw a film. But his ideas have lasted nearly 5,000 times longer than any modern guru.

Why? Maybe it's because they are 5,000 times more powerful. But Aristotle isn't out there selling his ideas in bookshops, online and in tightly scripted seminar form. And he's not an easy read, even if you are fluent in ancient Greek.

In this lecture series Mr Cleary will take three basic concepts first described by Aristotle and look to show how his thinking about each contains vital and fresh ideas for any screenwriter working today.

Lecture 1: CATHARSIS
Tuesday 1 May, 6pm

Lecture 2: ETHOS, or character
Tuesday 8 May, 6pm

Lecture 3: MYTHOS, or plot
Tuesday 15 May, 6pm

Venue: Federation Hall, Victorian College of the Arts, Grant Street, Southbank (map)
Admission: Free
Enquiries: Annabelle Murphy at almurphy@unimelb.edu.au

Supported by the Grace Marion Wilson Trust.