Cannons Creek Independent School was fortunate to be visited on 12 August by screenwriter, author, and Newspaper columnist, Darrel Bristow-Bovey. Bristow-Bovey addressed some of the Grade 11 and Grade 12 pupils, painting a realistic view of a writer’s life, using comedy and satire as his base. Although describing being a writer as a life filled with “disappointment, sorrow, insecurity, and despair”, he pointed out that it has several transferable skills to other jobs and to being a human being.

Bristow-Bovey explained the process of screenwriting as both “liberating and terrifying” since writers are often too focused on the end ‘perfect’ outcome, forgetting they can change their minds in the creative process (and in life). Bristow-Bovey encouraged the pupils to “lean into constraints, rather than seeing them as constraints”, and encouraged them to follow their own curiosity. After fielding some questions, he ended the session with a book-signing of ‘Finding Endurance’, for pupils to treasure in years to come.

Some of the feature films he has been involved with include: A Sunday Affair (Netflix, 2023), Inside Story (2010) for Discovery Channel, Nothing for Mahala (2013) and Score (2005) . Television credits include The Lab series 1 and 2, Hard Copy series 2 and 3, iNumberNumber, Hopeville, Rhythm City and Scandal, and the forthcoming The Secrets of Baba Segi’s Wives for Netflix. The recently broadcast “White Lies” on MNet comes from his pen.

“His ‘Finding Endurance’ is a truly fascinating read and we recommend this as essential reading for all our parents and pupils. It will not disappoint.” – Mrs Jeanne Rankin, Head of English.