Fictional Skies

For today is the first day of the rest of your life. The New Year not only brings a close to the old one but marks significant achievements and turning points along the way. Essentially we're still the same but hopefully wiser and more committed to the cause. No time to waste then: Let's aim even higher, wider and bolder! Inevitably the New Year also brings an excuse to talk about oneself regarding resolutions and things learnt, and to indulge a little. Instead I will offer some short words on my trajectory as I find myself thrust from one year into another. The Year Ahead  This year I will progress from writing contemporary family drama scripts for television to commercial genre scripts and high concept spec material. This is something I have always been drawn to but after University found myself compelled to write these dramas. I enjoy them and find them challenging but they are only a part of ...

I have had this sci-fi TV project since around 2007 and was quite attached to it. That was until a few months back. But what was supposed to be heartbreak turned into a kind of liberation. Origin  Inspired by TV conspiracy dramas Oktober and The Last Enemy , and novel The Bourne Identity , as well as in the spirit of doing something different. The original idea was conceived and planned as a six part mini series and had the scope for more. It was to be something unique, thrilling, relevant and with a strong emotional core. That was all well and good. However, at that point I was just going along for the story ride and hadn't really considered whether it was right or would work on screen. Back then, I could see it and feel it and that was enough. Feedback  After some time, I then pitched the TV proposal to an agent at Blake Friedmann  whilst an intern there. It was one of those life changing conversations that I wish I could have ...

For those who don't have the money to spare for a professional script reading service. Here's a way to raise the funds for one, which I'm sure for most people would be needed sometime in the near future and not today or tomorrow. If you put 50p (a dollar or euro, etc.) into a pot for every session you attend on a TV script or screenplay each week or month. By the time you complete a first draft or rewrite or two you should have saved up enough money to pay for a professional script reading service. (To use on a later, more refined and polished draft, of course.) In that respects, it's not much at all and wouldn't take much effort to raise the desired amount with at least a couple of pounds (dollars or euros, etc.) going in each week. Or it could be a continuous fund added to every time you work on a script and would result in a large amount that could see many scripts receiving the professional treatment when the time is right. If Only ... professional scr...

Major excitement at  The Untitled Pixar Movie About Dinosaurs  announcement and secret artwork from, well, the past...  [-] Great performances and script from moving real-life drama The Blind Side ... [-]   [-] Boxing goes futuristic in exciting high-concept action drama  Real Steel  from DreamWorks Studios...  [-] Many scriptwriting lessons and a compelling experience to be had in Abi Morgan's  White Girl  television script...  [-] Excitement rises as Sony announce revival of 1990s afterlife hit thriller  Flatliners , with Source Code screenwriter on board...  [-] Fresh new episode, with silly bits and new competition from UK Scriptwriters Podcast ...  [-]

In the spirit of getting into the story quick...  Upon excitement at the prospect of its learning and contact potential, I almost hit purchase by PayPal, but then it hit me.  Around a total £500 for a three-day ticket, accommodation, and food and drink for the weekend.  "Yeah, it's totally worth it."  But am I ready? As an aspiring scriptwriter, as a newbie, as a wannabe businessman? As a dude with spiky hair and glasses now all steamed upon having to make an executive decision. Have I done enough with the knowledge and projects I currently have? How many scripts, treatments and pitches do I have refined and ready to aim and fire at will? Do I fully understand my various audiences and genres? Do I have a clear scope on British television/film and its production companies and producers? Have I been writing long? Have I reached a happy medium with my writing? Do I have enough experience networking in person? Could I do ...

Not content with script analysis and feedback services, training courses, ScriptStore, offering lectures and workshops to schools and universities. Industrial Scripts have gone one step further with Talent Connector . Exclusively for unrepresented scriptwriters and filmmakers who have received an 'Honourable Mention' or above with a script or project on one of their  feedback services . The script or project will then be marketed *for free*  by Industrial Scripts to a list of industry agents, executives and producers. For those writers on the road to acquiring professional feedback and/or looking for a new way to break in, now with the added bonus of Talent Connector with Industrial Scripts, it would be in your interests not to overlook them and go elsewhere for feedback. How So?  As they only use the best script editors and development people with significant track records, their verdict on a script carries weight within the industry. In add...

Recently dug out of my old uni folder on my laptop and placed on my website to read.  My Other Half is a short dark comedy drama script filmed as a major project by a third year BA (Hons) Television Production student in 2009 at Bournemouth University . New additions to the website also include story descriptions for television dramas In My Footsteps and Angels & Ashes (formerly TV Drama Spec). For some back story on My Other Half see below or feel free to skip and head over to the script  or website for a read of the new additions. Exposition  I was approached as a potential scriptwriter for the project after the director was having trouble writing the script for a story concept he had. It sounded interesting and had a lot of potential - naturally I accepted. I had a week to turn the initial story concept into a working and entertaining short script, as well as getting on with my own third year university work. I was pumped up for the challenge and...