PAC Screen Workshops were founded in 1992 by director Ross Hutchens and then actor / now casting director Annie Murtagh-Monks. Unique in the world when initially started in 1992, these bring together professional actors, directors and screenwriters into the one workshop where they are given a practical understanding of Stanislavski's system and how it is particularly applicable to screen performance, direction and writing.
Participants strive to create memorable screen drama together. These workshops have grown in popularity to where they run thoughout the year two evenings per week and are constantly full often with waiting lists for entry almost entirely through word-of-mouth. Simultaneous series of SWS 1 and SWS2 run from February to December.
In the 16 years since the first workshop was held they have made a significant contribution to the emerging film making community in WA as evidenced by the large number of 'graduates' of the workshops who win awards each year at the WA Screen Awards and elsewhere.
Workshop generated short films have been chosen for screening at the New York Film Festival, Aspen Film Festival, won best actor awards at Sydney Film and Video Awards. The workshops have been proudly supported by the Film and Television Institute, Perth; WA Actors' Centre, Australian Writers Guild (WA Branch) & ScreenWest.
They provide a vital opportunity for young members of the film industry to come together and increase collaboration on film and TV projects. In addition to lecturing herself and co-ordinating the workshops, Annie Murtagh-Monks employs professional directors, writers and actors as guest tutors for these workshops.