Uk Scriptwriters

The last time we chatted to Justin it was episode 63, way back in July 2017. What the heck has he been up to? Let's find out. When last we spoke he was working on a second feature film and a new series. Spoiler alert: one happened and one collapsed. Which one? And why? Plus, why are all writers like Robinson Crusoe?

This episode we speak to Hayley McKenzie from Script Angel about everything to do with development. What is the role of a script editor? How can they help? Can they help you? What mistakes does Hayley see from new writers? Find out more about Hayley at https://scriptangel.com/about-us/

We've know Debs for years, starting our careers at around the same time - but with different paths and a different journey. She was a Screen International "Star of Tomorrow" and has won numerous awards for her shorts and features. She shares the story of how she even managed to discover the world of scriptwriting and what her greatest lesson is. IMDB = https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3061605 Her feature; Pincushion on Amazon Prime = https://amzn.to/3ed4XRW

Andrew Walsh is one of the UK's busiest games writers having been involved since the early days of narrative design. A great speaker, who is a champion for games writers, especially via the WGGB. We ask him about the changes he has seen in the industry as well practical tips for people interested in this field. Some links: Andrew's site: http://www.andrewwalsh.com/videogames IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0909539 Twitter: https://twitter.com/englishscribe Andrew Talked About: Last Of Us Part 2 - https://amzn.to/2Ee8rpp Heaven's Vault from Inkle - https://www.inklestudios.com/heavensvault/ Before I Forget - https://www.3foldgames.uk Red Dead Redemption 2 - https://amzn.to/3aEFq25 Spiderman - https://amzn.to/318CSpO

In this episode we have a 'zoom' chat (it's all the rage) with Paul Pimenta. Paul didn't even start out wanting to be a scriptwriter! Now he is in LA, writing many episodes of TV, and has an agent. How did that happen? And is it a good move to make?

Where the heck have we been - again? We've been playing with dogs, that's what! In this 'old school' style episode we talk about how we got our children's TV series off the ground, called DOG YEARS. And we discuss how we ran our writers room. * Youtube clips of BTS - https://youtu.be/o4h6QV8ugTU

This episode is a bit different in that it was recorded live at Writeidea Festival in Whitechapel, London in 2019. It's a fantastic FREE festival about all facets of writing. And we flew the flag for scriptwriting. Very much a Q&A session it covers a wide range of topics including, starting out as a writer, will someone steal your idea, how to get noticed, what can you do to move your idea forward?

In this bonus podcast Jan Caston grabs a chat with BBC light entertainment radio and TV legend Martin Fisher. In an overview of his career he talks about the early writing rooms, how radio can be a big break and also about changes to the biz.

Where the hell have we been? Why dear listener, we've been making our second feature, called Future TX. A sci fi adventure movie for all the family. How did we make it? When did it get off the ground? Who's in it? And why did we do it? All are answered for those that seek to hear our words! See more about the movie at www.futuretx.co.uk

In this extra special edition, Jan Caston interviews TV comedy legend John Lloyd, best known for his work on programmes the Nine O'Clock News, Spitting Image, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Blackadder and QI.

Something a little different in this episode of the podcast. A conversation with David Hendon. He has found a way to get his scripts made, by having them produced as plays. He talks about the proactive nature of being a playwright and how it has helped him move forward with his career. Vist - https://www.davidhendon.info - for more

In this episode, Danny talks to filmmaker Nev Pierce about his transition from film journalist (Empire, Total Film etc, interviewing top directors around the world) to an emerging writer/director in his own right. Nev has made 4 short films to-date, and has a few feature films in development. Watch & Find out more at Nev's site http://nevpierce.com Twitter: twitter.com/nevpierce Facebook: http://facebook.com/Nevillepiercefilm Support the podcast and buy our ESSENTIAL UK Scriptwriter's Survival Handbook - http://amzn.to/2umyLGJ

Danny talks to writer / director Justin Trefgarne who gives the most amazingly candid and detailed story of his debut feature. How it almost never happened, but was saved by a chance meeting. How it ran out of money. How his lead actor had to leave due to having a baby! If you are thinking of writing, directing and producing your first feature then this is a MUST listen for sure. Some links: Justin's website - http://justintrefgarne.com/ His twitter - https://twitter.com/handheldcamera Our book (buy it!) - http://amzn.to/2umyLGJ

In this episode we talk about some nuts and bolts issues. How to gain more work as a writer and how to get your finances in order, so you keep your working life on the straight and narrow. NETWORKING: Some writers dread the idea of talking to new people. But of course new people can mean new business. What tips are there to make networking less stressful and to ensure these kind of events work in your favour? BUSINESS: What do you actually need to do when you start earning money from writing. Do you need to set up a company? How? BONUS: We also give a shout out to a new festival near us - http://shortsounds.co.uk - a festival dedicated to the hidden art of sound in film. INFO: Photo is of a group of us from our own local networking event who met up in Cannes to celebrate the release of local short film Faithless - https://www.facebook.com/faithlessmovie/ LINKS: Find us on iTunes - tinyurl.com/ukscriptpodcast And on twitter - https://twitter.com/UKscriptwriters And on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/u

Is there a career ladder that writers can move up on anymore? It used to be that you would start on regular 'soaps' and then move into ongoing drama and then onto your own shows. Is that even possible anymore? Experienced TV writer and WGGB rep for the South West, Martin Day, talks about his own career. It's had ups and downs of course, but most interestingly, what has changed most has been the business of TV writing. See more about Martin at www.martinday.co.uk and find him on twitter - @sirdigbychicken

This episode we talk to Joe Martin about something a bit different - documentaries. Although Joe's latest film (Us and Them) is fiction he has previously created many documentaries, including the doc feature "Keep Quiet" about far right politician Csanád Szegedi. So he is ideally placed to talk about drama-docs and the increase use of story consultants within the doc world. His IMBD = http://www.imdb.com/name/nm5630563/

This episode we interview Peter Stanley-Ward and Natalie Conway from Treehouse Digital. A couple of writers who are also an actual couple! They made their way via a low budget horror feature into launching a production company and making fantastic shorts. How did they do it? Who helped? What lessons have they learned? Is it better to make a feature and learn that way, rather than go to Uni? And we compare our self / crowd funded movie with their one funded via Creative England - which way is better? LINKS FEATURED: Treehouse Digital: http://www.treehousedigital.com Litterbugs (their short): http://www.litterbugsthemovie.com

This episode is in two halves. In the first half we talk about how we are extending our network, who we are meeting and what preparation we do. A nuts and bolts, down to earth summary of how we are making progress as writers. In the second half we talk about keeping strong mentally. How do you take knock backs? How can you find support? What happens when you doubt yourself? As mentioned: Our book - tinyurl.com/UKscripthandbook AND ALSO tinyurl.com/ukscriptsmash Now on iBooks too - tinyurl.com/ukscriptibook Our movie - www.nelsonnutmeg.com Our production company - www.nelsonnutmegpictures.com

Do you need an agent? What do they do anyway? What are YOU supposed to do anyway? There are a lot of rumours and pieces of 'good advice' around this topic. So here we bypass all that and talk direct to Danny's agent, Jean Kitson from kitsonpress.co.uk. What she is looking for from a writer who approaches her? Catch Jean at the LSWF too!

A lot of scriptwriters move into being a writer-director. This has it's own challenges when it comes to developing a script. Here we talk to two old friends of ours, Dan Pringle and Suki Singh about the journey with there respective movies. Dan's is an elevated horror / gory drama called K-Shop - out now on DVD http://amzn.to/2aSpAov and also via Amazon Prime http://amzn.to/2b5h2b1 Suki's is a psychological noir called Emulsion. He has a special edition available direct. http://www.emulsion.tv