大象传媒

We received so many great submissions to our latest callout for our Writers' Access Group (for deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent writers) that we decided to run a series of online workshops for those writers who reached the final stages, but didn't quite make it into the group.

Around 120 writers were invited to join the Script Essentials programme, which offered six workshops over six months. The aim was to develop the writers' craft and industry skills, with topics including developing characters, writing a good spec' script and being a working writer. Speakers included John Yorke and Alexis Hood.

Jo Lambert reports back on her experience being part of this Script Essentials programme.

Before I tried scriptwriting, I had written a few scripts for children's plays - re-workings of fairy-tales - for a children's drama group and I absolutely loved doing that. When I went to university as a (very) mature student, I tried a couple of screenwriting modules and developed the idea of the screenplay that I submitted to the 大象传媒 Writers' Access Group callout. It was set in a big country house where my grandparents worked and the owners always seemed to be away so it was very surreal - my grandparents in a small house and this huge empty massive house and grounds. I wasn't expecting any success but having the 大象传媒 opportunity as a deadline meant I actually finished editing.

I had to read the 大象传媒 email three times over two days before I understood that I was being invited to join the digital workshops - I am so glad that I kept picking at that scab of rejection or I would have missed out.

Every time I sat in on a talk, I came away absolutely bouncing with joy. Overall the sessions felt inclusive - the first week featured a queer disabled writer - - and it was just fantastic to hear them share their journey and feel like there was maybe space for my writing.

All the writers (and other industry professionals) were so generous with their knowledge, which made screenwriting suddenly feel like something that was possible for me, even if this was the first very small step on a long ladder.

I also really appreciated the 大象传媒 responding so promptly and kindly and helpfully to my problems - it can be hard for me to process information, especially if it's important and I'm excited, so I am incredibly grateful that they allowed me to miss deadlines and re-sent important information when I had missed it/over excitedly deleted it and lost it. It was so validating to feel that they were interested in supporting me in the ways that I actually needed - often the support I'm offered is based more around someone's perception what I should need and feels undermining as well as unhelpful.

The most useful thing I probably learnt is so obvious that I'm embarrassed to have needed to hear it, but it was basically 'Just write'. It was the answer to several of my questions and made me realise that it's okay to allow myself space and time to learn. It was also helpful to be told to watch at least the first episode of everything possible, particularly UK-made dramas. I always feel guilty to be sitting watching television/reading scripts, so to understand that this was an important investment in learning (again, probably obvious to other people, not to me!) was very useful. Also, various people shared their techniques around tricking their brain into getting on with writing, and though none of those have worked perfectly for me, some of them have - I can't remember who it was that said to keep moving locations, but they're a miracle.

Being part of the Script Essentials workshops gave me more confidence that I could develop the skills I need to write screenplays and in trusting my judgement about which ideas I care about. It also helped me recognise how damaging some other creative spaces can be for me, even if they're wonderful for other people, and how much I value being around other neurodivergent people and people who are getting on with telling their stories despite our culture of marginalising disabled people. It was an incredible experience and I am so grateful.