Looking back, looking forward

2008 was a year of almosts for me. My thirty minute script made the second round of BBC Sharps, and drew very positive feedback from the readers, as well as encouragement to send my next script to Writer’s Room. I had an informal meeting with a film producer, who liked the premise of a feature script of mine, but didn’t take it further. I was one of twenty writers, out of a couple hundred applicants, to come along and pitch my idea at Channel 4, for Stellar Network’s Pitch Up event. One of the panel, a development executive and executive producer, liked it well enough to contact me with a view to taking it on. It came to naught in the end, but only as a result of circumstances beyond my control. One other almost worth mentioning was last summer, when I was one of five writers, out of how many hopefuls I don’t know, who were considered for a small independent film set in Bulgaria.

Those almosts are not enough, in themselves, to keep me going. Nor is the positive feedback I’ve had on my screenwriting course in Bournemouth. It’s important, lets me know I’m not purely kidding myself about my talent and abilities. However, I have to be honest about the fact that ‘almost’ can also mean ‘not good enough.’

Still, I’m not about to give up yet. I have too much to do first. First, there’s the slate of projects I want to write this year. I’m excited about the ideas and outlines I’ve done on them. They’re what really keep me going: the stories. There’s something in me that drives me to make up characters and stories. Can’t imagine not writing them, polishing them, getting them out for people to read, and hopefully, make into films. Then, there’s the Bournemouth course, which has, without question, already improved my writing. I look forward to completing the upcoming units, writing script reports and doing a study of industry practice.

I’ve always said that I wouldn’t keep going without some kind of success. However, giving up now would just be silly. So 2009 will be a year of upping my game, making contacts, and learning all I can. If I haven’t moved on in the next twelve months, I’ll reconsider. But for now, it’s full-speed ahead.

Goals for 2009:
1. Finish rewrites on one hour coming of age drama and send it to BBC.
2. Write feature, now in rough outline form, and move on to complete two other projects I’m excited about.
3. Stage my 30-minute comedy.
4. Enter any schemes or contests that seem worthwhile.
5. Develop my understanding of the industry, by completing the coursework for Bournemouth, and possibly doing a summer internship with a production company, or media outlet.
6. Move another step up the ladder. This could mean optioning a script, or getting onto a development or training scheme.
7. Study up on radio plays, and have a go writing one.