European Writers Club: Masterclass with Kurt McClung and Marie-Sophie Gandy 

On May 7th in Dublin City Centre, The European Writers Club, National Talent Academy for Film & TV, and Screen Ireland are excited to present the masterclass:  ‘In The Sum of All Media’ with Kurt McClung and Marie-Sophie Gandy 

About the Masterclass:

Kurt McClung and Marie-Sophie Gandy will explore the synergies between various formats of your story to expand the universe around your characters and plotline, ensuring that you are creating much more than just a TV series, a feature film, or a story for a game, while simultaneously preserving the unique signature voice of your original narrative. This approach is designed to empower creatives with alignment tools to effectively communicate their vision to both small and large teams. 

Following the masterclass, eight projects will be selected for an exclusive, two-day 360° Narrative Design and Transmedia Strategy Workshop. This immersive experience is designed for creatives eager to elevate their series, films, documentaries, or multi-format works. Participants will learn how to amplify their narratives across multiple platforms—unlocking fresh creative dimensions and enhancing audience engagement. 

Applications are now open for the 360° Narrative Design and Transmedia Strategy Workshop. Apply  HERE. 

Kurt McClung (Writer, Narrative Designer, World Designer, Transmedia Consultant)

Kurt has worked on the writing and development of 100+ IPs for 50+ studios including Ubisoft, Microsoft, Focus Entertainment, Hachette, Humanoids, Bandai Namco and Nacon on properties such as Might & Magic, Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon, Skull & Bones, Greedfall, Ravenswatch, Tiger Blade, and Curse of the Dead Gods, and the upcoming game, Cthulhu with Big Bad Wolf. He has penned his own world creations in mainstream media from video games, VR, table-top games, comics, press and cinema. 

A precursor in transmedia storytelling and strategy, Kurt developed 360° Narrative Design and Creative Alignment methodology for creatives in all major media. His courses have been taught in Singapore, the United States and universities in France: Georges Méliès; ISART and Pixel Academia. In 2001, Kurt launched and sold Yeti Entertainment, a children's IP design studio, to Humanoids Group. He also co-founded the studios Taliespin, Goldilocks and Hawkswell, where he works as creative content director and writer. 

Marie-Sophie Gandy (Writer, World Designer and Creative Producer)

With 10 years of experience in the film and transmedia industries, Marie-Sophie has worked as a writer and creative producer across both traditional and interactive media.  She spent five years in Documentary TV and Cinema fiction, contributing to critically acclaimed projects for French screens such as Culbute (Arte.tv), Belmondo L'Incorrigible (France TV), and Conversation avec Romy (Arte). Over the past three years, she has been producing interactive and transmedia experiences, working on video games such as Tiger Blade, Mira’s Azay-Le-Rideau, Life Beyond, Legends of Awen, Cthulhu, and Ravenswatch. 

  As a writer, she has worked on TV series, a documentary - À l’École du Créole (France TV) - and a short film - The Final Border. She is also a Narrative Designer and World Designer, contributing to both AA and indie game productions. 

She led the worldbuilding team for Legends of Awen, an RPG, focusing on developing the game's lore, cultures, factions, and environmental storytelling, ensuring that narrative and gameplay work in tandem to create a rich, interconnected world. 

In addition to her work in production and writing, she collaborates with Kurt McClung on workshops on 360° Narrative Design Methodology with Goldilocks and Taliespin, helping creators shape interactive and transmedia storytelling strategies (Cinevilla Films, Epictellers, Ikimasho...)  

Dates/Duration:   

Wed May 7th in Dublin City Centre. 

Public Masterclass from 15.30 – 17.00 followed by a networking drinks reception from 17.00 -18.00 

Who Can Apply:  

All creatives engaged in the screen sector are welcome to register but this is recommend for Writers, World Designers, Directors, Showrunners, Creative Content Producers, Community Developers, Marketing Leads and anyone who creates original content or adaptations and is curious about methods that allow them to join other creative talent along the road to transmedia success.    

How to Apply:  

A limited number of tickets are available - please register for HERE. This event is now at capacity. If you wish to join the waitlist, please email filmandtv@nationaltalentacademies.ie

Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Once registered, your attendance is confirmed. Full event details and location will be sent by May 2nd.

Further Information:    

About The European Writers Club 

EWC aims to spark and facilitate collaboration among creators, writers, broadcasters, and producers of European TV series to enhance creativity and originality in telling important, impactful stories that reach a broader European audience across borders. The organisation supports the European Union’s overarching vision of uniting European countries and fostering a shared sense of connectedness. Its goal is to elevate, expand, and refine stories that resonate with Europeans from all walks of life. At a time when Europe faces fragmentation on multiple geopolitical levels, EWC contributes by developing stories that hold relevance on a supranational scale - stories that bring together European talents and audiences while also generating profit.  

EWC fosters a trusted space for industry creatives, with writers at the centre, where ideas are welcomed, tested, and developed through iterative processes. By bringing together industry professionals—including writers, producers, broadcasters, and institutes—within a unique European network, the organisation facilitates inspiration, exchange, and collaboration. Through a toolbox of innovative methods and initiatives, EWC accelerates ideas to audiences. By championing stories that unite Europe, transcend borders, and engage with emerging paradigms, EWC upholds the belief that borderless collaboration provides fertile ground for the most compelling narratives.  

 The EWC is co-funded by The European Union. Find out more on www.europeanwriters.club  

Please direct all general placement enquiries to: filmandtv@nationaltalentacademies.ie     

The NTA Film & TV Drama reserves the right to make amendments to this initiative subject to funding, production landscape and health and safety requirements at the time of delivery.    

The NTA Film & TV is an initiative of Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, managed by Ardán.