Joanna Grimmer

Greetings from Down Under.
I am currently a spec screenwriter focused , up till now, with the domestic film and TV market. But I know there is a wide world out there looking for new material, so I’m taking that ride, too.
I prefer reality dramas, speculative fiction and biographical material, mostly set on the east coast of Australia because I like to base my work on what I know, at least to start with.

As a life-long student of writing, learning the craft for 40 years, I continue to enrich my knowledge and, because I write visually, screenwriting is a better medium than novels or poetry – in fact, it was a revelation the first time I tried it.

With an eclectic work history, from the medical field to advertising, graphic design, advertising, sales, landscaping, operating processing plants, employment consultancy, conservation and land management, and administrative work – all in numerous locations along the east coast of Australia, I continue to add to my experience. My focus , at the moment, is helping care for two kids after their bone marrow transplants.

But there’s some formal education in the mix: I have a BA in Mediterranean Language and Culture. Why? Because that region of the world still fascinates me.

While trying not to preach, my work carries a signature subliminal message about making the world a better place. But I love to entertain, too, so the drama I write is very realistic and well researched. I am not a fan of the usual script structures that work in Hollywood, preferring a more novel, imaginative and creative style, but I work with most genres and techniques – that’s what writing is about – learning and being flexible. There are many books, videos and webinars offering further tuition and I’m hooked into some of those.

My favourite authors are Tim Winton, an Aussie genius, the one and only Tolkien and some of his ‘students’, J K Rowling and George R R Martin; but I love many English language and translated classics, together with contemporary fiction writers like Patrick Suskind and Sena Jeter Naslund.

Along with biographical works, I read scripts, both local and those from the usual overseas sources, as screenwriting in Australia requires knowledge of many formatting styles and marketing techniques if I am to see my work produced in other countries. And, like everywhere, streaming services multiply each year, so I keep that market in mind for my work.

In my spare time I watch series that keep me guessing: loved Breaking Bad. Such titles are a huge resource for techniques, so that makes homework a pleasure. As for actors, I’m a big fan of local talent like Sam Neill, Geoffrey Rush, Russell Crowe and Bryan Brown – some of these have done some directorial work as well. Internationally, guys like Jack Nicholson, Harvey Keitel, Donald Sutherland, Harrison Ford, and Chow Yun Fat. For the ladies: Nicole Kidman, Jodie Foster, Viola Davis, Susan Sarandon and Sigourney Weaver. On TV there are way too many favourites to mention.

I love the directorial work of Ridley Scott, and also Werner Herzog, Luc Besson, Ang Lee, Peter Weir, Phillip Noyce , Jane Champion and Barbara Streisand – I’ve left lots of favourites out of these lists. I won’t even start on Screenwriters and favourite films as this bio is too long as it is.

My current project is called Upheaval, a speculative drama. It is in the re-write phase as a mini-series, in order to not lose fascinating elements of its narrative - I didn’t want to edit it down to 90-120 pages, although I do have a pared-down version at work, on the side – such work is essential. Upheaval would work either as a movie or a pilot: the latter would need another rewrite for sponsorship breaks.

And I have a novel I’m about to adapt, called The Archer’s Game (written well before the latest spate of archers!). This one is for a younger audience.
So, if you got this far, I thank you. It’s nice to meet you, though it’s been a bit one-sided.
I will update my details and activities when I’m ready to pitch.