Sorry guys for the lack of posts the past week but I was a tad busy! Let me tell you a bit about what was probably the best week of my life.
So I was up in Newcastle on a BFI Screenwriting programme where we basically spent the whole week developing a script for a short film. But before I delve into all that let me just tell you that Newcastle is one of the best cities I have been to. Forget how it is depicted on Geordie Shore and although I did see a few Geordies which fitted this mould the city is amazingly historical from a an architectural perspective anyway. The buildings are beautiful and once you get past the accent the people are great! Even though I didn’t get a chance to “hit the town” I am still pretty satisfied that Newcastle has a lively night-life. We also got a chance to visit the Gateshead Millennium Bridge which is beautiful.
But more about the week itself let me just say that I have never met a nicer bunch of people. Even though I was verbally and physically abused by a couple of people (who secretly love me) we had an outrageous number of “jokes”. Being among people who share the same passion and ambition as you is amazing and I hope to keep in contact with these people in the distant future.
Throughout the week we worked with professional script editors and had a number of talks from people within the Industry, including Tony Grisoni, writer of highly rated 4 part drama Southcliffe. I felt as if I learnt more the past week than I have in my past year and a half at University.
Even though it was a Screenwriting programme we had the privilege of learning ballroom dancing which was an experience I probably never want to have again. However the programme leaders made up for this by taking us bowling the next day which was a load of fun. I hadn’t been bowling in like a good few years so this was like a new experience for me. I came second.
We also ate out every night which was just… well yeah! Chinese, Italian, Italian, Thai (I think), Spanish. So it was a nice variety and also all expenses paid shall I add.
But back to the writing on the last day our scripts were read out by professional actors which was a terrifying but rewarding experience and something I had never experienced before. The praise I got not only from my parents but my fellow writers was also overwhelming and only enhanced the overall experience.
If you’re interested in film I urge you to apply for one of the BFI Academies as it will really improve your film making skills and the connections and friends you make will be invaluable.
I would just like to add if you’re a budding film maker and are interested in producing or directing a short I now have a script which you may be interested in. I’m feeling a collaboration and really want to get this ish produced.
Thanks to those 23 people who gave me one of the best experiences of my life!