From pitching and world-building to writers’ rooms and agents, Emma Reeves and James Dormer unpack the craft and career of genre screenwriting.
Date: Saturday, April 11th
Time: 12:40 to 13:30
Room: Tuke Hall
Filmed: YES
Acclaimed screenwriters Emma Reeves and James Dormer to explore the realities of writing for television and film across some of the industry’s most beloved genres, including action-adventure, children’s tv and fantasy. With careers spanning hit television dramas and internationally produced series, both writers bring first-hand experience of developing stories from the earliest spark of an idea through to the complexities of production.
Pitching, ideation, character arcs, world building, levering tropes without becoming cliche, originality whilst being familiar, building on IP, working with the major broadcasters and streamers. All will be discussed.
In this session you will learn:
- How writers approach genre, from building action and adventure stories to creating convincing fantasy worlds.
- The journey from pitch to production, and what happens when your script moves from page to screen.
- How writers’ rooms really work, including the role of collaboration and contributing to someone else’s creative vision.
- How to build a sustainable writing career, from finding the right agent to navigating the ups and downs of the television industry.
- Learn how collaboration and the right creative partnerships can sustain a career in the industry. Choose the right agent – not just any agent!
If you are writing elevated reality screenplays, this session is unmissable.
Speakers In This Session
Emma Reeves // Screenwriter and Exec Producer
Emma is an award-winning writer and producer whose work spans major children’s TV, stage, and audio, with multiple BAFTA nominations and an Olivier Award–winning stage adaptation.
James Dormer // Writer/Showrunner for Television and Film
James Dormer is a prolific showrunner and writer behind high-end international TV and film, known for epic, character-driven series including Nautilus, Medici, Strikeback, and Devils.
Alex Lightman // Producer/Director at Good Gate Media
Alex Lightman, producer/director at Good Gate Media, is passionate about innovative genre stories that push storytelling boundaries.
