Screenwriting often begins as a solitary pursuit, but taking the next step in your creative development goes beyond just practising your craft. It takes an understanding of how stories are developed, positioned and pitched within the industry to turn a strong idea into a viable screen project.
That was the motivation for Anna Lyon, a playwright from regional Victoria who enrolled in AFTRS’ Creating a TV Series Bootcamp to gain a deeper understanding of how television is developed and produced in Australia. Despite her busy schedule, as a doctor and mother of young children, Anna chose to invest in her creative development while working on her play Gravida Five, which went on to win her the 2026 Australian Writers’ Guild’s Emerging Writers’ Award.
We spoke with Anna about the insights she gained from the course, learning from industry professionals and the reward of investing in yourself.
Congratulations on winning the AWG Emerging Writers’ Award for Long Form! Can you tell us a little about your winning play Gravida Five?
“Thank you so much! Gravida Five is a tragicomedy, following an Australian doctor navigating her own infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss. The title of the play references the medical phrase ‘Gravida Five, Para Zero’ which refers to a woman who has been pregnant five times but has had no live birth. It is based heavily on my own lived experiences.”
You recently completed the Creating a TV Series Bootcamp short course. What drew you to this course?
“I had been developing my screenwriting skills in private, trying to translate my couch potato tendencies into a usable skillset. I wanted to understand more about the process of how television is made in Australia, from people who are genuinely connected to it. AFTRS is so highly regarded in the industry, I was naturally drawn to this course.”
What were some of your key takeaways from the course and how did you implement these into your writing as you were developing Gravida Five?
“My biggest takeaways were better understanding how a TV series is structured and, just as importantly, how to position a show within the existing Australian television landscape. The course taught me to think beyond ‘is this a good story?’ and consider what the series is, who it’s for, what its point of difference is, and where it might sit in the market. I’ve found that really useful in thinking about my own TV ideas and how to pitch them.”
What did you enjoy most about the course experience?
“I enjoyed all of the content, but I especially enjoyed the guilt-free feeling of letting someone else look after my small children for a few hours each week to focus on something that was just for my own creative development. It was an absolute privilege to learn from Susan Bower and soak up her decades of industry wisdom. I also really enjoyed the relationships I made with other emerging television screenwriters and producers. I learned from everyone in the group.”
What’s next for you and your writing?
“I have a development workshop for Gravida Five upcoming soon, and I am working on my next play and a television pilot spec. I’m seeking out opportunities and experiences in Australian television and recently completed the First Break program via Australian Writers’ Guild and VicScreen. I am attempting to hustle with vigour!”
What advice would you have for people considering the Creating a TV Series Bootcamp?
“Jump at the chance! Like most things in life, you get out what you put in, so approach this course ready to learn from very experienced teachers who want to help you.”
Ready to invest in your creative development? AFTRS Short Courses can help you build industry-relevant skills and knowledge to take your career to the next stage. Explore our range of short courses, available in person or online, and discover how you can move your creative ambitions forward.
