As some of you may know Turner Broadcasting is going through a huge restructure in Europe, up to 30% of the staff will be made redundant. I was working there as a production coordinator for the Cartoon Network Nordic feed and unfortunately my job moved to Stockholm. I didn't really fancy the move as I don't speak Swedish and I wilt in very cold weather, so I opted for redundancy. My last day in the office was 12th April.
In a way I feel super lucky, as the extra money has meant I am now able to give the writing a punt full-time, rather than the old way of squeezing it in on weekends, evenings and even my commute on the tube! I'm in the very fortunate position where the redundancy can plug the gap while I'm not working for a little while at least. Then perhaps I might have to go back to office life, but we'll see what happens!
I have been asked by a friend from my screenwriting masters course to write a couple of episodes for a preschool series that he has had commissioned. All very exciting! I have signed an NDA (Non-disclosure agreement) so I have to keep stum I'm afraid.
I am also still waiting to write my second Wanda and the Alien episode. Things have gone a little quiet on that front, but I have got paid for my first episode - my first proper writer's paycheck. I am all grown-up! I also feel like I am learning a lot about the industry and the stop/start nature of it all! Which I am going to have to get used to if this is to be my life and not sit refreshing my emails all day - not healthy and I might even get repetitive strain injury.
Recently an extract from my radio play, Seventeen, was chosen to be read out at the Genesis New Writing Night at the Genesis Cinema. The actors were superb and the director was fantastic. I was really happy with it! I was terrified I was going to cringe, but I thought 'oh my gosh, this is actually quite good!' Not to blow my own trumpet of course! Interestingly it was directed as a stage play, which made total sense for the setting and also worked really well for the piece too. So my next task, as I wait for the commissions to roll in (hahaha!) is to rewrite it as a stage play. I'm thinking it may work in a similar vein to Dancing at Lughnasa, which I love! The stage play text arrived iin the post this morning, so I plan to devour it this afternoon. I'm going to see The Match Box at the Tricycle on Friday as well to get my theatre fix. I always felt hesitant about writing for theatre as I've been so screen-focused, but I'll give it my best shot! Always fun to try something new!
As usual I am sending out my CV to production companies in the hope of some more work. There's so many fabulous preschool shows out there I want to work on! I was lucky enough to work at Turner when Michael Carrington was still there, he was once the controller of CBeebies. I managed to get some top tips out of him in a meeting he kindly set up. It looks like the best way to get work is to get an agent, so I'm having a go at that too!
In other news I went for a swim today at lunch for the first time in years (I didn't sink - yay!), which I'd never have time to do during a normal working lunch hour with all the changing faff. The freelance life is for me... so far!
Wednesday, 8 May 2013
Thursday, 20 December 2012
Launch parties and Aliens and podcasts
Last night was the launch party for series two of Cartoonito Tales! We watched five episodes, including A Christmas Carol, to get us in the festive spirit. Then there was wine, nibbles and chatting. Amazing to see the episodes all completed and looking absolutely fabulous! The Christmas episode is airing at the moment and the new episodes will air in the new year. And there is rumblings that they may be some merchandise in the pipeline too!
One of the contacts I got from a colleague at Turner, where I work as a production coordinator, came good! I was put in touch with Nick Wilson and he asked me to write a synopsis and couple of pages of script on spec (so no pay and no commitment) so they could see what I was capable of. I dutifully went off and watched ten episodes of the series, Toby’s Travelling Circus, and sent off two synopsis and pages of script, as I had a couple of ideas. Luckily he liked my work and my timing as good, and I was asked to come along to the script meeting for a new animated preschool series, Wanda and the Alien. Take a look at the video up on Komixx’s website. I cannot tell you how excited and, admittedly a little nervous, I was to go along. It was so much fun to sit around a table with the producers and other writers and talk about the show. At this point none of the writers were commissioned. We would only get a commission once we had written synopsis that the producers were happy with. As I’m a newbie I was asked to send in just two synopsis and amazingly I was then commissioned to write the scripts for both! At the moment I am at the ‘point-by-point’ stage. This means I am writing a simplified scene by scene breakdown. All very exciting! It is really fun to be writing for animation for the first time!
So it goes to show that persistence does pay off (I have sent my CV out to a LOT of people) and also timing is important and a little bit of luck, but then of course you also have to deliver!
And last but not least this brilliant Bafta podcast with Children’s TV Writers is well worth a listen.
Merry Christmas to you all and Happy New Year!
One of the contacts I got from a colleague at Turner, where I work as a production coordinator, came good! I was put in touch with Nick Wilson and he asked me to write a synopsis and couple of pages of script on spec (so no pay and no commitment) so they could see what I was capable of. I dutifully went off and watched ten episodes of the series, Toby’s Travelling Circus, and sent off two synopsis and pages of script, as I had a couple of ideas. Luckily he liked my work and my timing as good, and I was asked to come along to the script meeting for a new animated preschool series, Wanda and the Alien. Take a look at the video up on Komixx’s website. I cannot tell you how excited and, admittedly a little nervous, I was to go along. It was so much fun to sit around a table with the producers and other writers and talk about the show. At this point none of the writers were commissioned. We would only get a commission once we had written synopsis that the producers were happy with. As I’m a newbie I was asked to send in just two synopsis and amazingly I was then commissioned to write the scripts for both! At the moment I am at the ‘point-by-point’ stage. This means I am writing a simplified scene by scene breakdown. All very exciting! It is really fun to be writing for animation for the first time!
So it goes to show that persistence does pay off (I have sent my CV out to a LOT of people) and also timing is important and a little bit of luck, but then of course you also have to deliver!
And last but not least this brilliant Bafta podcast with Children’s TV Writers is well worth a listen.
Merry Christmas to you all and Happy New Year!
Sunday, 11 November 2012
Pearls of Wisdom
If you grit your teeth and show real determination you always have a chance. - Charlie Brown
Never a truer word spoken!
I have some news I want to post, but just waiting til things get finalised before I spill the beans!
Never a truer word spoken!
I have some news I want to post, but just waiting til things get finalised before I spill the beans!
Wednesday, 19 September 2012
Contacts part 2
I've been busy firing out emails to various carefully researched production companies. Some have been ones where I've been lucky enough to get an email from a colleague at work, others I've approached myself. You'd be amazed at how easy it is to find someone's email online. And if you have half of it (ie @prodco.com) and the name of who you want to contact, you can have a bash at working out their email address. Turns out I am a particularly good sleuth.
So far I haven't been offered anything, but I've been amazed that most of the people I have contacted have responded positively. Mostly offering to keep my CV on file and occasionally asking to see a scripts or two, and even more amazingly offering to pass my CV on their colleagues. Especially excited that Daniel Bays, the creator of the brilliant Tree Fu Tom, has passed on my CV to the development teams at CBeebies, CBBC and Drama.
A friend of mine who is a freelance producer buoyed me up when I was feeling a bit down about the fact that my phone hadn't rung non-stop and no one was beating down my door. She said that when you least expect it someone will pull out your CV and offer you something. So I'm waiting and hoping. Plus I will also be occasionally checking in with my lovely new contacts, just so they don't forget me.
I'm on the look out for some networking events. Even though the thought of them makes me shudder a bit, it's something I've realised I'll have to do. I've got 300 business cards and they need to be given out to people. That's what they're for after all! I'm contemplating the London Screenwriter's Festival, bit pricey though...
In other news, the radio play is FINISHED! Just a little bit chuffed about that. Really proud of it actually. Even if I say so myself. Next step is to enter the BBC Writer's Room Prize when it opens at the end of the week. Then I'm researching some radio producers to fire it off to. There's also the Wireless Theatre Company, who accept unsolicited material, so they can have a copy too. I'm sharing the love. And hopefully making some more contacts too - score!
So far I haven't been offered anything, but I've been amazed that most of the people I have contacted have responded positively. Mostly offering to keep my CV on file and occasionally asking to see a scripts or two, and even more amazingly offering to pass my CV on their colleagues. Especially excited that Daniel Bays, the creator of the brilliant Tree Fu Tom, has passed on my CV to the development teams at CBeebies, CBBC and Drama.
A friend of mine who is a freelance producer buoyed me up when I was feeling a bit down about the fact that my phone hadn't rung non-stop and no one was beating down my door. She said that when you least expect it someone will pull out your CV and offer you something. So I'm waiting and hoping. Plus I will also be occasionally checking in with my lovely new contacts, just so they don't forget me.
I'm on the look out for some networking events. Even though the thought of them makes me shudder a bit, it's something I've realised I'll have to do. I've got 300 business cards and they need to be given out to people. That's what they're for after all! I'm contemplating the London Screenwriter's Festival, bit pricey though...
In other news, the radio play is FINISHED! Just a little bit chuffed about that. Really proud of it actually. Even if I say so myself. Next step is to enter the BBC Writer's Room Prize when it opens at the end of the week. Then I'm researching some radio producers to fire it off to. There's also the Wireless Theatre Company, who accept unsolicited material, so they can have a copy too. I'm sharing the love. And hopefully making some more contacts too - score!
Thursday, 12 July 2012
Contacts
There seem to be two very different schools of thought on approaching producers and production companies. One is that you should only do this through an introduction and the other is ‘you don’t ask you don’t get.’
So at the moment I’m trying the introduction route. I’m lucky that although my day job is pretty far removed from scriptwriting, I still work in TV. So I decided to speak to one of my colleagues to see if he’d mind sharing some of his contacts with me. So I managed to get contacts details for six different production companies, all of whom have shows I’d like to work on. Which comes to another golden rule, don’t fire off emails willy nilly, make sure you know who your targeting and why, and let them know that too when you email them. I also mentioned the name of the person who’d given me the contacts. So far I’ve had one response, which was a ‘we’ll keep your details on file.’ So we’ll see how things go with that!
One of my friends off my MA course went done the ‘you don’t ask you don’t get’ and he has done amazingly. He’s currently putting together finance for his feature film. Take a look at his blog - London 1666 blog - his current posting is about being ‘fearless’ about who he approaches and it’s paid off amazingly well! Although I have to say Phil’s really done his homework and research, so he’s not only bold, but also clever!
So I think if the introduction route doesn’t get me anywhere, then I’m not to despair as Phil has shown you can do amazing things working up your contacts list on your own. That’s not to say it’s not hard work, but it can be done!
In terms of my slightly over-ambitious list, I’ve been contacting companies that produce pre-school content and I’ve entered the two competitions, not Kaos though… Next up is the radio play, which I plan to re-read this weekend and get some re-writing done on it. It’s had a nice little rest, so hopefully I’ll go back to it with fresh eyes. Although I’m a bit scared it’s not going to be as good as I remember! There’s a fantastic bit in Miranda July’s book, ‘It Chooses You’, about when she re-reads her scripts, she pretends she’s a visitor snooping around someone’s house. She leaves the script out, then she ‘finds’ it. She looks over her shoulder sneakily before starting to read it. I think I might have to try this technique. It’s nice to know that screenwriters I really admire also feel the same about their scripts. I can really recommend her book, especially if you’re stuck with a script!
I’ll sign off with a link to a whole host of Screenwriting competitions, which will save you some trawling - Screenwriting competitions list
So at the moment I’m trying the introduction route. I’m lucky that although my day job is pretty far removed from scriptwriting, I still work in TV. So I decided to speak to one of my colleagues to see if he’d mind sharing some of his contacts with me. So I managed to get contacts details for six different production companies, all of whom have shows I’d like to work on. Which comes to another golden rule, don’t fire off emails willy nilly, make sure you know who your targeting and why, and let them know that too when you email them. I also mentioned the name of the person who’d given me the contacts. So far I’ve had one response, which was a ‘we’ll keep your details on file.’ So we’ll see how things go with that!
One of my friends off my MA course went done the ‘you don’t ask you don’t get’ and he has done amazingly. He’s currently putting together finance for his feature film. Take a look at his blog - London 1666 blog - his current posting is about being ‘fearless’ about who he approaches and it’s paid off amazingly well! Although I have to say Phil’s really done his homework and research, so he’s not only bold, but also clever!
So I think if the introduction route doesn’t get me anywhere, then I’m not to despair as Phil has shown you can do amazing things working up your contacts list on your own. That’s not to say it’s not hard work, but it can be done!
In terms of my slightly over-ambitious list, I’ve been contacting companies that produce pre-school content and I’ve entered the two competitions, not Kaos though… Next up is the radio play, which I plan to re-read this weekend and get some re-writing done on it. It’s had a nice little rest, so hopefully I’ll go back to it with fresh eyes. Although I’m a bit scared it’s not going to be as good as I remember! There’s a fantastic bit in Miranda July’s book, ‘It Chooses You’, about when she re-reads her scripts, she pretends she’s a visitor snooping around someone’s house. She leaves the script out, then she ‘finds’ it. She looks over her shoulder sneakily before starting to read it. I think I might have to try this technique. It’s nice to know that screenwriters I really admire also feel the same about their scripts. I can really recommend her book, especially if you’re stuck with a script!
I’ll sign off with a link to a whole host of Screenwriting competitions, which will save you some trawling - Screenwriting competitions list
Sunday, 17 June 2012
What Emma Did Next....
With the scripts for Cartoonito Tales series 2 done and dusted and the series rolling straight into pre-production and shooting in August, I need something new to work on! As usual I have written myself a list of what I need to do next. It may be a little over-ambitious, but you've got to aim high right?
1 - Contact production companies that produce pre-school content.
So far I've got in touch with Emily at Chapman Entertainment. She has emailed me back to keep my CV on file when something comes up, but it's nice just to get a response at all! Will trawl the internet to find some more contact emails so I can send my CV to a few others. Ain't the internet just wonderful?
2 - Enter last ever Kaos Short Script Competition.
Got to have another go, as it's the last ever one! I'm going to polish up 'Popular Boy' and send it off.
3 - Apply for representation at Linda Seifert
Still trying for an agent! And these guys are accepting submissions, not everyone seems to...
4 - Finish radio play - 'Seventeen'
It's nearly there, but has spent some time on the back burner. Will be good to go back to it with a fresh pair of eyes. Then I'll send it off to some well-researched radio producers. I've been listening to lots of radio plays, and jotting down a few names, who I think might be interested in my radio play. And then when the BBC Writer's Room submissions opens back up in September I'll send it into them as well.
5 - 50 Kisses Competition
There's a 2 page scripts competition, with the only rule being it must contain at least one kiss. The deadline is 27th June, so I need to get cracking. But as it's only two pages, I'm hoping it won't take too long! They also make 50 winning entries and it will be screened on Channel 4! Amazing!
6 - Trawl BBC Writer's Room, Idea's Tap, Linked In groups, EVERYWHERE for competitions
As usual....
7 - Check out the Chanel 4 Coming Up Short Film Competition
I need to look into this a little more so I can work out if I have something I could enter. The deadline is 2nd July, so I don't think I'll have time to write something...
http://4talent.channel4.com/extra/coming-2013-scheme
8 - Request an extra hour in the day
It would make all the difference!
1 - Contact production companies that produce pre-school content.
So far I've got in touch with Emily at Chapman Entertainment. She has emailed me back to keep my CV on file when something comes up, but it's nice just to get a response at all! Will trawl the internet to find some more contact emails so I can send my CV to a few others. Ain't the internet just wonderful?
2 - Enter last ever Kaos Short Script Competition.
Got to have another go, as it's the last ever one! I'm going to polish up 'Popular Boy' and send it off.
3 - Apply for representation at Linda Seifert
Still trying for an agent! And these guys are accepting submissions, not everyone seems to...
4 - Finish radio play - 'Seventeen'
It's nearly there, but has spent some time on the back burner. Will be good to go back to it with a fresh pair of eyes. Then I'll send it off to some well-researched radio producers. I've been listening to lots of radio plays, and jotting down a few names, who I think might be interested in my radio play. And then when the BBC Writer's Room submissions opens back up in September I'll send it into them as well.
5 - 50 Kisses Competition
There's a 2 page scripts competition, with the only rule being it must contain at least one kiss. The deadline is 27th June, so I need to get cracking. But as it's only two pages, I'm hoping it won't take too long! They also make 50 winning entries and it will be screened on Channel 4! Amazing!
6 - Trawl BBC Writer's Room, Idea's Tap, Linked In groups, EVERYWHERE for competitions
As usual....
7 - Check out the Chanel 4 Coming Up Short Film Competition
I need to look into this a little more so I can work out if I have something I could enter. The deadline is 2nd July, so I don't think I'll have time to write something...
http://4talent.channel4.com/extra/coming-2013-scheme
8 - Request an extra hour in the day
It would make all the difference!
Saturday, 12 May 2012
Dylan Thomas and the Joy of Listening to One's Own Voice
While I'm at it listing off writers who are worth a read to help screenwriters, Dylan Thomas definitely has to join the list! His poetry is fantastic, but his short stories are even better. I was sat on the tube reading them recently and almost missed my stop. He draws the scene so perfectly you can see it completely in your head. There it is. And you are there. Amazing. Nice bit of commuter escapism. My favourite so far has to be 'A Visit to Grandpa's' from 'Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog'. Oh and I'm not biased or anything, he just happens to be a fellow Swansea-ite.
On a separate note we had a script read through for Cartoonito Tales last week, with the series creator, director of programming for UK and series director. It's soooo good to hear other people read my scripts aloud. I was busy scribbling away and making notes on what didn't sound quite as good as it could.
When I don't have the luxury of being able to hear other people read my scripts I read them aloud myself. (My neighbours must think I've lost it...) I got myself a dictaphone end of last year. Best £20 I ever spent. This week I've been rewriting my scripts for Cartoonito Tales. I go back through what I've written scene by scene, rewrite it, then I record it on my little dictaphone and listen to it back. Reading it aloud helps a lot, not just with typos, but also just seeing how easy it to read. If you stumble over it, other people are even more likely too. And hearing it back is even better! It somehow distances you from it, and gives you a bit of perspective. If you don't have the luxury of having script read-throughs then it's a good cheat! I got quite into it and started to do some accents too. Captain Hook is a cockney, didn't you know? And the Cowardly Lion, well he just has to be camp doesn't he?
So do something very un-writerly and learn to love the sound of your own voice!
On a separate note we had a script read through for Cartoonito Tales last week, with the series creator, director of programming for UK and series director. It's soooo good to hear other people read my scripts aloud. I was busy scribbling away and making notes on what didn't sound quite as good as it could.
When I don't have the luxury of being able to hear other people read my scripts I read them aloud myself. (My neighbours must think I've lost it...) I got myself a dictaphone end of last year. Best £20 I ever spent. This week I've been rewriting my scripts for Cartoonito Tales. I go back through what I've written scene by scene, rewrite it, then I record it on my little dictaphone and listen to it back. Reading it aloud helps a lot, not just with typos, but also just seeing how easy it to read. If you stumble over it, other people are even more likely too. And hearing it back is even better! It somehow distances you from it, and gives you a bit of perspective. If you don't have the luxury of having script read-throughs then it's a good cheat! I got quite into it and started to do some accents too. Captain Hook is a cockney, didn't you know? And the Cowardly Lion, well he just has to be camp doesn't he?
So do something very un-writerly and learn to love the sound of your own voice!
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