How NIDA Grad Gretel Vella Ended Up Writing for “The Great”

Follow her journey from NIDA to screenwriter.

This post is presented in partnership with NIDA.

Did you watch The Great with Elle Fanning on Stan and become instantly hooked? So did we.

While it’s easy to focus on the excellent cast, it’s important to remember there’s a hardworking team of writers that help bring the story to life.

We caught up with ex-NIDA student Gretel Vella to find out how she went from studying at NIDA to writing for The Great, and what advice she’d give to other aspiring young writers.

As an undergraduate film student, Gretel discovered her love for screenwriting and decided to hone in on those skills with a Master of Writing for Performance at NIDA.

“I just chose [NIDA] by chance ‘cos I saw a couple of people I went to high school with posting about their experiences doing the course and it just looked incredible,” she says.

“Before I did my master’s at NIDA, I did a filmmaking degree at UTS and I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do but part of the course requirements was that I made a short film at the end of the three years.

“So, I made this film and I directed it and wrote it, and I really didn’t enjoy the directing component, but I really loved the writing of it. People said that the writing was the best part and so I decided that I would apply for NIDA.”

During her time at NIDA, Gretel had the amazing opportunity of meeting and eventually working with iconic Australian playwright Tony McNamara.

Her experience learning from Tony directly gave her the skills, expertise and contacts that led to her working on The Great.

“When I was at NIDA, I decided I wanted to write a screenplay, so I wrote a six-part television series while I was there and that was my master's work,” she says.

“And because I was involved in screenwriting, Steven—who was the head of the course—got me into a room to do note-taking and it just so happened that the room I was in, Tony McNamara was in the room… So, he asked to read some of my samples and liked them.

“[He] needed a PA at the time, so I became his PA for a year or so and then I worked on his Australian show Doctor Doctor for two seasons. Then he got greenlit for The Great and basically just called me and asked me if I wanted to come and work on that.”

Gretel describes working on The Great as an incredible experience that she just couldn’t put into words.

Working as a writer beside Tony McNamara and Vanessa Alexander, as well as learning the entire film production process with big acting names like Nicholas Holt and Elle Fanning gave Gretel a full, well-rounded experience.

“It was really a dream come true—oh wow—I really don’t know how to describe it. I think for someone my age to be working on a show of that scale, I just feel so lucky that I’ve been given that opportunity and to learn so much,” she says.

“In terms of the writing side of things, being on set and seeing your work performed, you really do learn the dos and don’ts of the craft.

“I think I’ve learned what hard work and diligence is… you really have to persevere and have thick skin and work really hard, so I think I’ve taken all those things away.”

As someone who has done the hard yards, Gretel explains that the best thing aspiring writers, actors and filmmakers can do for their career is find a mentor.

"If you’ve done a degree or you’re just interested in getting involved, I would say find a mentor; find a person who will really support you and read your work,” she says.

“Another thing is just to keep writing, even if people aren’t reading it, and have really great samples ready to go so when people call on you, you’ve got something to give.

“With NIDA, there are so many opportunities for collaboration, so you really do build your team of designers and directors and all these people you can take with you out of your master’s degree.

It teaches you collaboration and gives you this amazing book of contacts.”

Season 2 of The Great lands on Stan this Friday 19 November, so get ready to do some serious binging. You won't wanna miss this next chapter.

Dreaming of a career as a screenwriter or playwright? Studying a Master of Fine Arts (Writing for Performance) at NIDA is your best option to turn your dream into reality. 

For more information about NIDA’s Master of Fine Arts (Writing for Performance) and to register your interest in the course, head to nida.edu.au/writing. Applications for the 2023 intake of the course will open mid-2022.

Header Image: Supplied