"We came up with the London Voices writers group as an opportunity to bring together ten writers whose original voices reflected the dynamic mixture of people in the city of London. These were writers whose work we had come across through readings and unsolicited scripts. They were mostly quite early in their careers and keen to work across all mediums. The course was designed to expose them to writing for as many of these mediums as possible and give some very clear tools to write for them. We hope they will all thrive with this useful information."
, Development Producer for
The group members are:
- Rena Annobil
- Sabo Kpade
- Max Katz
- Diana Atuona
- Ece Ozdemiroglu
- Stephen Hoo
- Amber Hsu
- Isaac Ssebandeke
- Theresa Ikoko
- Somalia Seaton
We spoke to two members of the London Voices scheme, Max Katz and , about how they got on the scheme, their experience and what they will take away from it.
What has been your writing journey so far?
Max: My journey so far as a writer has led me to staged and rehearsed readings including the , , and and informal attachments with and the Royal Court. These theatre connections have been strengthened through relationships with , , and .
I have been short-listed for the and and the , shortlisted and presented a staged reading of my play 鈥樷�� this year.
Stephen: I鈥檝e always been interested in the complexity of human decision making and how society defines itself and the individual. Growing up I was drawn to films about characters in isolation and that feeling of detachment from the mainstream. , , , , and the like. I loved loners. In my twenties through working as an usher I discovered the beauty of theatre and plays. I realised I had a leaning towards the dark stuff. , , , etc. I started writing for fun, then out of need to purge my ideas out. My first full length play Naked Eyes was a darkly comic look at the London gay scene and its need to racially box people into certain roles socially and sexually. It was performed at . The satisfaction of being able to present an issue I was passionate about to a room full of people was totally inspiring.
How did you get involved with the London Voices scheme run by 大象传媒 Writersroom?
Max: Abigail Gonda, Development Producer at the 大象传媒 Writersroom (and fearless new writing champion), came to the Brockley Jack staged reading of 'Box Chicken' and not too long after, invited me to be part of London Voices.
Stephen: I wrote a play called headed by at . This was developed over the space of a few months with the aim of helping to dramaturg, advance and hone a writer's skills.
We had a staged reading and a 大象传媒 reader came to see it and recommended it to Abigail Gonda, Development Producer at 大象传媒 Writersroom. I was then invited for a meeting and a chat and then asked to join London Voices. I was chuffed no end!
What was the content of the London Voices scheme?
Max: On the London Voices Scheme I have gained inside access to the workings of writing for the 大象传媒! As a scheme member I have received tuition from producers and writers within Continuing Drama (script and documentation for and ) short film, crime drama, and radio drama. I have also been able to learn what it means to write using 鈥榠ndustry structure鈥�.
Stephen:
Over the past ten weeks we have all met so many people. People who are involved in radio drama, short film, Continuing Drama Series, plays and crime shows and sitcoms. We heard the ins and outs and how the cogs turn within the 大象传媒 machine. How people got their passions off the ground. Meeting the faces behind successful shows and what their processes were. How they started out. What blocks they faced and what they did about it.
We were able to questions and probe these people. Questions that at times may have seemed impertinent - contracts, money, diverse casting (lack of), bad experiences and how they were overcome.
Which part of the scheme was most valuable for you?
Max: Despite my shortlists and theatre work, a full production of my writing has eluded me. As a new writer I often receive feedback about the strength of my voice, authenticity of dialogue, characterisation and creation of new and believable worlds. The stumbling block however appears to be structure and also 鈥榟itting the right beats鈥�. When I鈥檝e asked about structure in the past, the response has been 鈥渁ll you need is a beginning, a middle and an end鈥�. I have learnt on London Voices that structure is a whole lot more than this, and some.
Structure is the ability to captivate an audience in the first ten pages and to keep them on the edge of their seats to the last plot twist. I used to think, 鈥渇irst ten pages, surely that鈥檚 not enough to witness brilliance. Why not read the whole thing and wait for the story to grab you鈥�. The thing is, as with anything else, if you don鈥檛 grab the audience, almost immediately, you lose them altogether. This is sad but true. But there鈥檚 a technique to holding an audience, it鈥檚 like knowing the structure of the scene's DNA. London Voices has helped to teach me that structure.
Stephen: Demystifying the whole idea of the 大象传媒 as some huge conglomerate impenetrable blob.
What are some of the techniques you've learnt?
Max: These are just some of the basics, there鈥檚 so much more involved than just 鈥榖eginning, middle and end鈥�.
鈥� Having the protagonist (main character) help someone in the first scene (builds empathy).
鈥� Giving any antagonist an endearing feature, a frailty, or if not a frailty, then a pet! (Think about the 鈥榖addy鈥� in James Bond, stroking a cat).
鈥� In the opening scenes you need to make the audience ask questions (igniting audience curiosity).
鈥� You need to make all relationships clear.
鈥� You also have to make it clear what your protagonist wants.
鈥� You have to inject all scenes with obstacles (big insurmountable obstacles, which appear impossible to overcome). You need to think however that small things, can also represent big obstacle, if they have meaning for the protagonist.
鈥� You have to let your protagonist overcome each obstacle, in the most imaginative way possible (the more imaginative, the more empathy from the audience).
鈥� And, each scene should have a cliff hanger (which again ignites the audience's craving to know more).
鈥� The plot must have inciting incidents (turning points).
鈥� There must be a point in the story where the protagonist feels like giving up. All is lost, but somehow they pull through and have renewed vigour for their journey. Or adopt a new path.
What will you take away from the London Voices scheme?
Max: Membership of the scheme has proved to be a turning point in the way I view writing. Not just seeing writing as a creative art form, but as a skilled profession, with 鈥榙efined鈥� techniques, tools and modes of operation. Knowing the 鈥榥uts and bolts鈥� has helped me to focus my creativity within a professional context, rather than constraining my writing to a 鈥榩ainting by numbers exercise鈥�. I have been able to learn a skilled craft from skilled practitioners. Priceless.
Stephen: Passion seemed to be a word that came up again and again. One must have passion for their project. Remain passionate for your work. Drive it and push it and work it.
My plan for 2015 is to get my three short films off the ground. Set up my own company for film and theatre and to write a sitcom pilot.