Screenwriters' Festival 2008

Photos Day 1.

Tuesday 1st July

The first day of the Festival is done and dusted and the word on the street (and the croquet lawn... and in the bar) is that this year's Festival is delivering everything it promised - and in spades!

Barbara Machin (writer and creator of Waking the Dead) got the Festival underway with an engaging opening address about the importance of innovative and original thinking in contemporary screenwriting.

Producer Stephen Woolley (The Company of Wolves, The Crying Game, Interview with the Vampire) offered delegates his perspective on the profession and the factors writers would do well to bear in mind.

Acclaimed writer, director and playwright Mike Leigh, in an on-stage interview with producer Simon Relph, described his work and career and his own very particular approach to films, screenwriting and script development.

Photos Day 2.

Wednesday 2nd July

Highlights from Main Theatre Marquee on the second day of the Screenwriters' Festival included:

Writer-Producer Tony Jordan (EastEnders, Hustle, Life on Mars) in a session announcing the second year of Red Planet's screenwriting competition, in the light of a very successful first year.  This very special competition, intended to nurture new talent, rewards the winner with a cash prize and a commission to write for one of Tony's shows.  

The irrepressible (why does 'irrespressible' always feel like the right word to describe him?) Julian Fellowes delivered a juicy session dealing with the always tricky subject issue of Producer's Notes - the scourge of many a screenwriting career.

In the afternoon delegates were treated to a fascinating on-stage interview with screenwriter Christopher Hampton, currently best known for his recent adaptation of Atonement.  Interviewed by producer Simon Relph (Greenpoint Films).