Tell us a bit about your play
Four O’clock is a sci-fi story where the sci-fi elements operate in the background. The focus is on the characters and the universally relatable, coming of age issues at its core. I’m primarily a film writer and this play started life as a short film script before being completely overhauled for the stage. The two different mediums offered two very different tellings of the same story and I’m incredibly excited about the intimacy and immediate reaction that live performance offers… and not another ten month wait on post production!
What is your day job?
I’m the assistant to two agents at a small agency representing writers and directors in the UK. The focus on script reading and development is a real highlight and being the first
point of call for the business puts me at the heart of the industry. The hardest part is finding time to keep writing myself.
What you do love about writing?
I love getting the spark of an idea and running with it, finding all the possible directions it can grow and the feeling of elation of nailing down the best one. I used to be overly precious with what I put to paper, which was a habit which only resulted in nothing getting done but these days, I thrive on the rewrite –in tearing through the vomit draft and
working it back around.
And for balance...what you hate about writing?
The incessant voice that tells you you’re no good. But then without living with that 24/7, the moments where your hard work pays off – audience reaction, a public screening, great word of mouth – wouldn’t be nearly as sweet.
What are you working on now?
I had a short horror film called Goblin? premiere at Frightfest this year, which was probably the culmination of my hopes and dreams for short film writing thus far. Following that, I really want to work on another horror short. And depending on how Four O'clock performs, maybe another stab at theatre too. Provided, of course, I’m not laughed out of the building… for the wrong reasons!
How do you relax?
I never relax. Haha. Not really. I don’t think it’s in my blood. But I am occasionally the laziest person on Earth so that sort of counts too. With most of the traditional forms of relaxation, I find the opposite to be true - I used to play golf quite a bit which is great
fun but stressful, I like to bake (mango sponge or white loaf, take your pick) and nothing gets me quite so worked up when things go wrong. I guess depending on the film, going to the cinema on your own is my form of escape – it’s certainly underrated.
And the questions all writers get asked… where do you get your ideas?
Long answer: My ideas are usually extensions of feelings or ‘moments’ that suddenly hit me. A ‘what if’ scenario that looks to reveal some truth about ourselves. I try to mix these themes or ideas with high concept pitches. Genre blending is easy to do but to make it
truly relevant and not simply a mashup for mashup’s sake is a real skill. I endeavour to play with expectations and genre clichés and hopefully create something new. That’s what it’s about – learning from your inspirations without making a poor man’s version. Short answer: Brain.
What music are you listening to right now?
This summer I have been obsessed with dream/surf pop – Best Coast, Alvvays, Vivian Girls, Alpine, Beach House… along with (the admittedly, more folky/harmony led) Slow Club. A lot of sun bleached, female led indie bands. But on the flipside my other, more long standing obsession with 70s rock expanded recently with the consumption of Thin Lizzy’s Live and Dangerous album. So it’s an interesting mix.
What are you reading?
Love my Stephen King, has to be said. Recently finished his behemoth epic, IT which was fantastic. I’m also a fan of Bryan Lee O Malley’s Scott Pilgrim graphic novel series so I completed my collection by snatching up his debut book Lost at Sea and his brand new one Seconds, which are brilliant slice of life, coming of age tales told within a hyper reality… so kind of like some of my stuff… (I wish).
Sum up your feelings towards the Bookends showcase in three words
Ambitious. Varied. Boombastic!
Four O’clock is a sci-fi story where the sci-fi elements operate in the background. The focus is on the characters and the universally relatable, coming of age issues at its core. I’m primarily a film writer and this play started life as a short film script before being completely overhauled for the stage. The two different mediums offered two very different tellings of the same story and I’m incredibly excited about the intimacy and immediate reaction that live performance offers… and not another ten month wait on post production!
What is your day job?
I’m the assistant to two agents at a small agency representing writers and directors in the UK. The focus on script reading and development is a real highlight and being the first
point of call for the business puts me at the heart of the industry. The hardest part is finding time to keep writing myself.
What you do love about writing?
I love getting the spark of an idea and running with it, finding all the possible directions it can grow and the feeling of elation of nailing down the best one. I used to be overly precious with what I put to paper, which was a habit which only resulted in nothing getting done but these days, I thrive on the rewrite –in tearing through the vomit draft and
working it back around.
And for balance...what you hate about writing?
The incessant voice that tells you you’re no good. But then without living with that 24/7, the moments where your hard work pays off – audience reaction, a public screening, great word of mouth – wouldn’t be nearly as sweet.
What are you working on now?
I had a short horror film called Goblin? premiere at Frightfest this year, which was probably the culmination of my hopes and dreams for short film writing thus far. Following that, I really want to work on another horror short. And depending on how Four O'clock performs, maybe another stab at theatre too. Provided, of course, I’m not laughed out of the building… for the wrong reasons!
How do you relax?
I never relax. Haha. Not really. I don’t think it’s in my blood. But I am occasionally the laziest person on Earth so that sort of counts too. With most of the traditional forms of relaxation, I find the opposite to be true - I used to play golf quite a bit which is great
fun but stressful, I like to bake (mango sponge or white loaf, take your pick) and nothing gets me quite so worked up when things go wrong. I guess depending on the film, going to the cinema on your own is my form of escape – it’s certainly underrated.
And the questions all writers get asked… where do you get your ideas?
Long answer: My ideas are usually extensions of feelings or ‘moments’ that suddenly hit me. A ‘what if’ scenario that looks to reveal some truth about ourselves. I try to mix these themes or ideas with high concept pitches. Genre blending is easy to do but to make it
truly relevant and not simply a mashup for mashup’s sake is a real skill. I endeavour to play with expectations and genre clichés and hopefully create something new. That’s what it’s about – learning from your inspirations without making a poor man’s version. Short answer: Brain.
What music are you listening to right now?
This summer I have been obsessed with dream/surf pop – Best Coast, Alvvays, Vivian Girls, Alpine, Beach House… along with (the admittedly, more folky/harmony led) Slow Club. A lot of sun bleached, female led indie bands. But on the flipside my other, more long standing obsession with 70s rock expanded recently with the consumption of Thin Lizzy’s Live and Dangerous album. So it’s an interesting mix.
What are you reading?
Love my Stephen King, has to be said. Recently finished his behemoth epic, IT which was fantastic. I’m also a fan of Bryan Lee O Malley’s Scott Pilgrim graphic novel series so I completed my collection by snatching up his debut book Lost at Sea and his brand new one Seconds, which are brilliant slice of life, coming of age tales told within a hyper reality… so kind of like some of my stuff… (I wish).
Sum up your feelings towards the Bookends showcase in three words
Ambitious. Varied. Boombastic!