Writing with Russell T Davies
The Doctor Who and It’s a Sin writer leads New Writing North’s screenwriting celebration in Newcastle next year
Screenwriter Russell T Davies, whose credits include Doctor Who and Queer as Folk, is to headline the second Screenwriting Weekender produced by New Writing North (NWN).
Aimed at the region’s aspiring screenwriters, it’s to take place at Live Theatre, Newcastle, over the weekend of February 6 to 8.
The event, sponsored by North East Screen (NES), was a sell-out success earlier this year.
Next year’s follow-up will include sessions on creating characters, selling an idea, writing a crime thriller, comedy writing and the commissioning process.
Russell T. Davies, who revived Doctor Who in 2004 and the created Torchwood, will be in conversation with journalist Terri White on the Friday afternoon.
Fellow screenwriter Jeremy Dyson, one of the team behind The League of Gentlemen, will lead a session called ‘How to Write Characters We Care About’ and Lisa Holdsworth, screenwriter and northern rep of the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain, will chair a panel looking at how to earn a living as a screenwriter.
These are among 20 industry professionals due to share tips and expertise.
Roxy McKenna, development producer (screen) at NWN, said: “The North is rich with talent and stories and the Weekender’s aim is to ensure writers are in the best possible position to exploit that.”
Lisa Laws, NES development director, welcomed “another exceptional line-up” and added: “Events like this are vital for us to continue growing a sustainable screen industry here in the North East.”
Tickets (£100 plus booking fee) grant access to all sessions, lunch on the Saturday and refreshments. FilmNation TV is supporting 10 bursary places.
Book and find further details on the New Writing North website.