Adrian Mead's next seminar... and a matter of geography

I got a great deal out of Adrian's most recent class, about breaking into TV writing. In fact, it rather influenced me to start this blog. So I have no hesitation in plugging his next seminar, which concerns being a screenwriter living outside TV's London nerve centre. First, though, allow me a few paragraphs of babbling like a brook.

I'm lucky enough to live in London, which is part of the reason my thoughts and ambitions have really switched to UK TV-writing, this year. In 2006, I made a pretty concerted effort to get a screenplay produced in Hollywood, and came out with an option. That's great stuff and hopefully it will come to something.

This February, though, my flat lease expired. I had to think about where I wanted to move to. After considering putting all my stuff in storage and living in LA for a couple of months, I eventually hit upon a realisation: I don't want to live in Hollywood, as much as I love visiting the place and have a real ambition to write a produced American horror movie. I do want to live in London, however. So why not make the most of the wealth of industry folk who thrive here? Not to mention the fact that there are so many shows I'd love to write for: Doctor Who, Waking The Dead, Torchwood, Rebus, Murphy's Law... plus various ideas of my own which I'd like to see made.

So right now, and with help from Adrian's last seminar, I'm feeling very focused. Which is quite an achievement for my annoyingly Gemini-esque brain (I'm not into astrology at all, but I am so a Gemini). London beware. All I have to do is get this flat-move out of the way and the capital will cower. Yes. Anyway, enough of my yakkin'... here's the info about Adrian's next lecture...

The Long Distance Screen Writer

You will meet a panel of four Scottish-based writers with credits on EastEnders, Waking The Dead, River City, The Street, Holby City, Where The Heart Is, Taggart, The Bill, Monarch Of The Glen and numerous other film, TV and radio projects. They will discuss how they got started and how you too can build a career as a screenwriter outside London.

You will also hear how they deal with script editors, tight deadlines and the challenges and joys of working as a freelancer. This is also a unique opportunity for you to learn how professional writers manage the baalnce between family and career, whilst working in such a highly competitive industry.

For more details contact us or visit our web site http://www.meadkerr.com

The Long Distance Screen Writer
Sat 9th June St Columba's By The Castle, Johnston Terrace, Edinburgh
10.00 am - 4.30pm
COST £55 (inc VAT and light
lunch) CONTACT: info@meadkerr.com or 0131 554 4539

4 comments:

potdoll said...

Please tell us how you got an option in Hollywood! Was it before you moved over there, or while you were there?

What was it like living over there?

ta!

Lucy V said...

Are you going to the seminar in Edinburgh? I am. Gotta get on a plane to do it, so telling as many people as poss b4 I chicken out! Argh...

Jason Arnopp said...

Hello potdoll! Sorry, perhaps my babblings weren't clear enough - I've never lived in Hollywood. Only visited for a couple of weeks at a time. I got the option through entering a screenplay into the PAGE International Screenwriting Awards, which is run by the people at the indie production company Polaris. It placed in the final, and they then told me they'd like to option it. After me hiring a Hollywood lawyer (expensive, but tax deductible, I kept telling myself... like some kind of mantra) and a bit of negotiation, the option deal got signed. So we'll see if anything comes of it...

Lucy! Not sure about actually going to the Edinburgh seminar, as the focus seems to be more on living outside London. Even though I do live in London, though, I guess the screenwriters would still be pouring out insight aplenty... hmmmmm...

Thing is, though, Adrian's last class has made me realise that my priority should probably be applying my nose to the grindstone and creating those calling-card scripts. Once I'm armed with those, perhaps I should attend another 'how to break in'-type class...

potdoll said...

oop I must have read it wrong - thought you said you'd lived there for a short time.

Hope something does come of your option. Keep us posted!