Got some great news this weekend;
My script Starfall has been chosen as a runner up in the 2010 Red Planet Prize. The scheme, run by TV legend Tony Jordan and screenwriter Danny Stack aims to encourage new writers and is among the best competitions in the country.
Over 1500 people entered so I am hugely honoured to have been selected and am really looking forward to joining the winner and the other runners up at the workshop next year - where we will be mentored by executives from Red Planet and Kudos, two of the UK's top TV companies.
It means a lot to me for Starfall to have been so well received. I had the original idea back in 1999 (while I was still in high school!) and it's been ticking away at the back of my mind over the years. It's quite a complex piece and so it wasn't until 2007 that I really felt ready to develop it into a script. I've done about 15 drafts in that time so I've certainly worked hard at it! It's mad to think my classroom daydreaming 11 years ago is now opening doors for me into the professional TV world.
The Red Planet Prize is an amazing opportunity - and allows finalists to learn from and pitch to some of the best TV talent in the country. Now it's up to me to make the most of the chance I've been given and keep putting in the hard work. I've still got a way to go until I can make my living from my writing but that dream is looking just that little bit closer...
Sunday, 19 December 2010
Wednesday, 17 November 2010
Progress Report
October has flown by but my current projects are progressing well.
The first half of the month was spent doing a lot of plotting work, while the second has been given over to two essays for the Business module on my MA. A couple more days on those and then I'm free to give the rest of November and December over purely to scripting work. Can't wait!
My initial outline for my major MA project was well received. Story world, plot and characters seem in good shape, just needing defined now. Biggest suggested change by my tutor was about reshaping the structure. Instead of the pilot episode of a 6 x 60 min serial, I am now writing episode 1 of a 2 x 90 min drama. This shape fits my story better and has ironed out a few kinks in the plot. Now have to deliver a treatment by 13th of Dec - should be doable!
Also - my radio drama is proceeding. Got some very helpful feedback from the producer who is developing it with me. My initial pitch was a little too sprawling so am currently honing the story to better focus on the core relationships. I need to deliver a new synopsis but the 30th of Nov so will be cracking on with that as soon as these essays are done.
All very busy but enjoying producing new work - best get back to it!
The first half of the month was spent doing a lot of plotting work, while the second has been given over to two essays for the Business module on my MA. A couple more days on those and then I'm free to give the rest of November and December over purely to scripting work. Can't wait!
My initial outline for my major MA project was well received. Story world, plot and characters seem in good shape, just needing defined now. Biggest suggested change by my tutor was about reshaping the structure. Instead of the pilot episode of a 6 x 60 min serial, I am now writing episode 1 of a 2 x 90 min drama. This shape fits my story better and has ironed out a few kinks in the plot. Now have to deliver a treatment by 13th of Dec - should be doable!
Also - my radio drama is proceeding. Got some very helpful feedback from the producer who is developing it with me. My initial pitch was a little too sprawling so am currently honing the story to better focus on the core relationships. I need to deliver a new synopsis but the 30th of Nov so will be cracking on with that as soon as these essays are done.
All very busy but enjoying producing new work - best get back to it!
Thursday, 14 October 2010
MA Project (s)
Been a busy old month;
I've been redrafting a recent TV pilot after it attracted some interest from a producer. It's been sent off now so am waiting to hear how it is received.
I'm now quite far on with my final two scripted projects for my MA. As well as numerous essays and case studies I have to produce two TV pilots in the next year:
A 30 minute drama due in April 2011
A 60 minute TV pilot with a Series Bible due in August 2011
I have the 30 minute project reasonably well plotted but am focusing on the 60 minute one until Christmas as part of a small tutorial class. Most of my classmates are working on feature films but I'm more interested in pursuing TV openings at the moment so am working to that end. From January to April I'll switch to the 30 minute script before coming back to the 60 minute pilot over the summer.
It's going to be a full on year but one that I'm really up for. Both projects are ideas I'm passionate about so they are worth all the hard work. Best get back to scripting!
I've been redrafting a recent TV pilot after it attracted some interest from a producer. It's been sent off now so am waiting to hear how it is received.
I'm now quite far on with my final two scripted projects for my MA. As well as numerous essays and case studies I have to produce two TV pilots in the next year:
A 30 minute drama due in April 2011
A 60 minute TV pilot with a Series Bible due in August 2011
I have the 30 minute project reasonably well plotted but am focusing on the 60 minute one until Christmas as part of a small tutorial class. Most of my classmates are working on feature films but I'm more interested in pursuing TV openings at the moment so am working to that end. From January to April I'll switch to the 30 minute script before coming back to the 60 minute pilot over the summer.
It's going to be a full on year but one that I'm really up for. Both projects are ideas I'm passionate about so they are worth all the hard work. Best get back to scripting!
Thursday, 16 September 2010
Red Planet Prize - 2nd Round!
Some great news to launch this blog with:
My TV pilot script for Starfall has made it through to the 2nd round of The Red Planet Prize! The Prize is a big deal for new writers in the UK so whatever happens from this point onward I'm hugely honoured to have gotten this far.
In other news: I have submitted the first draft treatment for my current radio project to my producer and am awaiting feedback. Am currently getting my ideas together for the second year of my MA. 2010-11 is begining to look like a busy year...
My TV pilot script for Starfall has made it through to the 2nd round of The Red Planet Prize! The Prize is a big deal for new writers in the UK so whatever happens from this point onward I'm hugely honoured to have gotten this far.
In other news: I have submitted the first draft treatment for my current radio project to my producer and am awaiting feedback. Am currently getting my ideas together for the second year of my MA. 2010-11 is begining to look like a busy year...
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