Storytelling is all about the art of connection for UWA alumnus Jesse Laurie (BA CommSt '13), one that draws on human experience to shape screenplays that inspire and move audiences.

While Jesse initially thought he was destined to play Australian rules football at the highest level (AFL), it was a serendipitous exchange experience that unlocked something within, and coupled with drive and determination, paved his way to become an award-winning screenwriter with global success.

“It was my third year of my undergraduate degree at UWA that planted the screenwriting seed,” Jesse said. “Undertaking the concentrated program with Temasek Polytechnic in Singapore, followed by creating a short film, made me realise that this was something I love.

From there, Jesse’s path has been defined by curiosity, persistence and connection. After completing his master’s degree, Jesse moved to Melbourne, determined to jump in the deep end. He spent three years hunting for any role he could find to gain experience working on films or television series. This sustained effort resulted in valuable networking opportunities to connect with mentors.

When Jesse returned to Perth, seven years of learning and building upon his Communications and English foundation converged in Raising Thunder, his short screenplay that received production funding from Western Australia’s non-profit screen funding organisation Screenwest in 2020, and has since gone on to win multiple awards.

That achievement boosted his local profile and opened new doors to Jesse’s debut feature screenplay, Deep Down, which ranked in the top 20 screenplays in 2023 on the now-defunct Coverfly platform. This recognition attracted the attention of a Los Angeles production company, resulting in his first international collaboration.

His next screenplay was his first produced feature film, which went on to win the Australian Writers’ Guild’s John Hinde Award for excellence in science-fiction writing. The film, Zero, is due to be released in 2026.

More good news followed at the beginning of 2025, when Jesse was awarded Screenwest’s prestigious Bill Warnock Talent Accelerator, a significant $100,000 year-long professional-development grant.

With this funding, Jesse secured a script coordination role on the BBC Australia/Paramount+ adaptation of Ghosts Australia, as well as a development intern placement with Tony Ayres Productions/NBCUniversal, and a writing residency at Charlie’s in Los Angeles. It also allowed him to attend the Austin Film Festival’s writers conference.

For Jesse, undertaking the Bill Warnock Talent Accelerator has been the most profound experience of his career to date. The opportunity to develop a 12-month proposal, then successfulyy implement it, has proven his capability within the industry.

Balancing an expanding career with parenthood, Jesse says the experience has reshaped his life and his writing.

“My wife and I co-write together, and our greatest collaboration so far is our little boy,” Jesse said. “Becoming a parent has deepened how I understand stories about family and belonging.

Looking ahead, Jesse is developing nearly a dozen projects across feature films, TV and web series. Among them is Deer Santa, a children’s chapter-book he and his wife co-created – with the corresponding screenplay currently receiving strong industry attention.

“I want to create stories that entertain and are lasting,” he said. “The kind that people want to revisit every year because they’re fun and meaningful.