Directing for Screen with Brendon McDonall

Brendon McDonall is a BAFTA-nominated filmmaker based in Gadigal Country/Sydney.

His short films include The Law (special Jury Prize, Flickerfest), The Dam (MIFF Accelerator, Best Film Woods Hole), Kansas and All God’s Creatures (Dendy Awards) which won the prestigious international Iris Prize. His UK-shot film Spoilers premiered at Frameline and Outfest, and won both Best Film and the Audience Award at Queer Screen Mardi Gras Film Fest, and the Emerging Filmmaker Award at MQFF. It was nominated for a BAFTA Award and premiered on BBC2. Brendon has won Australia’s premier queer film award My Queer Career twice (2013 and 2017).
An AFTRS Masters and Graduate Diploma graduate in both directing and screenwriting, he won the AFTRS/Foxtel Award for Exceptional Talent and was Associate Director of Janet King (ABC/Screentime) with mentor Ian Watson.

Brendon started his career as an actor and theatre director. He appeared in over 20 productions for Bell Shakespeare, STC Ed, Belvoir B Sharp, Monkey Baa, Q Theatre, RTC, Theatre South and Darlinghurst Theatre.

He has directed over 30 productions with credits including the world premiere of hit verse comedy Love’s Triumph (original and return season), The Mystery of Irma Vep (Darlinghurst Theatre Company), Falling Petals, the Sydney revival of Falsettos, Search & Destroy (new theatre), Henry V, Red Noses and The Visit (Theatre Nepean), Boy’s Life, The Lights, A Vampire Story (NIDA), The Nimbs & The Tuesday Clan (Shopfront). He directed the world premiere of the musical Somewhere… (Q Theatre), which he created with Kate Mulvany and Tim Minchin.

Brendon is currently writing and will direct a chapter of Tony Ayres Productions' anthology feature film Ten Moments. He wrote the family film Woof for Wildheart Films (in development) and is attached to direct Unbending by Allen Palmer and Mat Govoni, produced by Future Pictures (Late Night With The Devil), and starring Kate Mulvany (Amazon’s Hunters, Elvis) and Levi Miller (Jasper Jones, Streamline).

He recently returned to the stage to direct the sell-out premiere of Sarah Walker’s Who’s Afraid? for Belvoir, a queer reimagining of Virginia Woolf. Brendon’s pre-professional vocation started at his beloved Roo Theatre. His 1997 production of Whistle Down The Wind was a touchstone experience he holds deep in his heart.

Course overview

This Directing for Screen Workshop with Brendon McDonall will include:

Shot construction
Creative coverage and visual storytelling
Collaborating with key creatives including Cinematographer, Production Designer, Sound and Editor
Tools for eliciting compelling and spontaneous performances
Each section of the Masterclass will allow for questions from participants.

Catering will not be provided for this workshop, however you'll be spoilt for choice with a vast array of delicious cafe's and restaurants within walking distance of The Roo Theatre!

Reminder: This is a free workshop for Screen Illawarra members. If you’re unsure of the status of your membership, please reach out to confirm you’re a current member.

Non-members please join Screen Illawarra/renew your membership to attend.

This is for early and mid career Screen Directors