Cam Williams is an award-winning writer and broadcaster based in Melbourne, Australia.
He writes with wit and heart to bring stories to life on screen, online and through sound.
Highlights
Cam won the Australian Writers’ Guild (AWG) Emerging Writers Competition for his television series Mum Fell Off the Roof. Yes, when Cam was a kid his mum fell off the roof of the family home (don’t worry, she’s okay now). He took the experience and turned it into an award-winning script that has been compared to Malcom in the Middle.
He has a comedy in development with esteemed British film and television producer, Phin Glynn (Staged, Argentina 1985, Glenrothan, & Sons), that went out to pitch to Netflix, Peacock, Amazon, Hulu and FX.
The screenplay for his adult-animation television series The Cranks made the shortlist for the 2022 AWG John Hinde Award for Excellence in Science-Fiction Writing and it was a quarter finalist in the 2022 ScreenCraft Animation Competition.
In 2021, Cam wrote an episode of the ABC Radio National audio anthology series Untrue Romance. He wrote the episode called Slow Lane and it features performances by Jason Chong and Sheridan Harbridge; you can listen to it here.
He has been part of writers’ rooms for television series for Closer Productions (ABC’s Aftertaste) and Highview Productions (HBO/Stan’s The Tourist).
Cam is on VicScreen’s Key Talent Placements Register for writing placement opportunities for television and film productions in Victoria, Australia.
Bio
Cam has over 20 years of editorial and broadcast experience and has been published by ABC News, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Junkee, The Guardian Australia, VICE, The Big Issue and Metro Magazine.
He’s a regular contributor to ABC Radio around Australia where he discusses film and television.
In the late 2000s, he won two Australian Commerical Radio Awards (ACRA) back-to-back for his on-air work.
As a copywriter he has worked with the ABC, Disney, Amazon, Diageo (Captain Morgan), Boost Mobile, St. George and Netflix.
Australian Writers’ Guild judges’ comments
for Mum Fell Off the Roof:
“…This refreshing take on Australian suburban drama defied expectations with its clever craftsmanship, skilful storytelling, and clear perspective. The delicate balance between humour and drama never wavered, maintaining the story’s tone throughout. And the stakes? Well, they were high—for both comatose mums and everyday childhood dramas.”
Original scripts
Mum Fell Off the Roof -- Television
Half-hour, live-action family comedy/drama.
Two kids are left in the care of their useless dad after their mum has an accident. But when dad's loose parenting skills land him in trouble, the siblings' estranged grandmother arrives to take control. Based on a true story.
Winner of the AWG Emerging Writers’ Competition 2024.
Think: Malcolm in the Middle meets Uncle Buck via Mary Poppins (but with whiskey instead of whimsy).
The Cranks -- Television
Half-hour, adult animation series action/comedy/sci-fi; a producer once described it as ‘splatter’ (in a good way).
Family is forever, even when the world is over. The Cranks family try their best to live a normal(ish) life in a post-apocalyptic wasteland in Australia chock-a-block with mohawks, mutants, high-octane muscle cars and leather, leather, leather. Dust yourself off – we’ve got family memories to make.
Shortlist for the AWG John Hinde Award for Excellence in Science Fiction Writing 2022.
Think: Mad Max meets Bob’s Burgers.
Full Mendo -- Television
Half-hour, live-action comedy/drama.
A comedic dramatisation of the life of Aussie actor Ben Mendelsohn* a.k.a Mendo. Yes, Mendo will play himself as he balances his epic career with a normal yet chaotic life in Melbourne, Australia. The man, the myth, the legend, the Mendo.
Longlist for the AWG Emerging Writers’ Competition 2023.
Think: Curb Your Enthusiasm meets Barry.
*While this script is inspired by real people and events, parts have been fictionalized solely for dramatic purposes and are not intended to reflect on any actual person or entity.
Sophie Townsend, Senior Producer and Script Editor, ABC Audio Studios:
“We approached Cam to write a script for us as part of the series, because we felt his writing was so strong … it was definitely one of the most exciting pitches we received … it was sensitive, funny and very much what we were aiming for in the series. He had clearly understood our vision about creating moments…”
Editorial
ABC News: Time to rekindle our relationship with the DVD
We are at the mercy of streaming services like Netflix. It's time to rekindle our relationship with the DVD.
The Guardian: My childhood trick-or-treating had a huge ‘rack-off’ vibe. Halloween in Australia is different now
“Piss off” is my earliest memory of Halloween in Australia. An old man yelled it from his front porch on a hot afternoon in the mid-nineties when a friend and I tried to trick or treat.
VICE: Dungeons and Dragons helped me slay personal demons
As a teenager, I thought the blues were just part of growing up. In my twenties, I thought they were part of adjusting to a career and figuring everything out. In my thirties, I’ve been a wreck.
The Guardian: Little Lunch: the mockumentary series for kids – and one of Australia’s best shows
Set in a primary school playground, the cross-generational series proves how much can be done with just 15 minutes.
Junkee: Who Else Spent A Terrifying Week In 1999 Believing ‘The Blair Witch Project’ Was Real?
In 1999 the internet was still quite sparse so if you searched for ‘The Blair Witch’ using Yahoo in your Netscape browser, all you’d be pointed to is the same website and maybe a few forums where it was being discussed.
During the week I felt like the world was going to change because we had proof ghosts existed. I was also terrified that ghosts existed.
The Guardian: Holding on to a teenage email address
Ladybuggz, cooldudes and kinkygurls: our embarrassing digital footprints can come back to haunt us – but they’re also a source of nostalgia.
Personal note: I was inspired to be a screenwriter after I met Paul Feig, the creator of my all-time favourite television series, Freaks and Geeks, which is a compass for everything I create. After I spoke with Paul I thought, what are the chances? It was a nudge to write scripts and I’ve worked hard ever since to create new projects to honour the inspiration; thanks Paul.
Plus, I like this photo because I still have hair.