Online Masterclass – Join Dr Temara Prem

Join us online via Zoom on Wednesday, 29 April at 17:30 and discover how the most personal stories can become the most powerful.

AFDA proudly invites current students, alumni, and aspiring creatives to an exclusive, once-off online masterclass that explores one of the most powerful tools in storytelling: cultural specificity.

Led by Dr Temara Prem, Dean of AFDA Durban, filmmaker, and research-led story consultant, this masterclass offers a rare opportunity to engage with a leading voice in contemporary storytelling practice. With a background rooted in film theory and identity representation, Temara brings both academic depth and industry insight to the conversation.

At its core, this session asks a compelling question: How do we make familiar stories feel new again?

Stories of love, family, conflict, and transformation resonate across cultures, but what truly moves audiences is authenticity.

This masterclass explores how elements such as language, humour, place, ritual, and everyday detail can transform well-known narrative structures into rich, emotionally resonant experiences.

Participants will gain practical insights into how to draw from their own contexts responsibly and creatively, crafting stories that are both deeply local and universally engaging.

In this masterclass, you will explore:

• Why “write what you know” goes beyond autobiography, and how specific worlds deepen universal themes
• The difference between stereotype and nuanced representation—and how to avoid flattening culture for relatability
• Practical tools for embedding diversity (class, gender, age, belief, language) into character, dialogue, and mise-en-scène
• Simple frameworks to evaluate whether cultural detail strengthens or distracts from your story
  

Who should attend?

This masterclass is designed for:

• Writers and directors developing character-driven work across film, television, or stage.
• Performance students seeking to embody culturally grounded characters
• Producers, editors, and development professionals working with diverse narratives
• AFDA students and alumni committed to storytelling that is both rooted and resonant