Buying a ticket to the London Screenwriters Festival two years ago was one of the best decisions I ever made.
And it was a last minute decision. I very nearly didn’t go. It’s expensive. Over three hundred pounds for three days if you miss the early bird offer. So, I ummed and ahhhed and procrastinated.
I started writing five years ago. I’d been a secondary school drama teacher for over ten years – spending my entire working life teaching and directing drama that other people had written – and then, five years ago, an actor friend asked me to write a play so that he could be in it. So I did. And I loved it. LOVED it. And I wondered if I might make it a career. Cue maniacal laughter.
I did what I imagine everybody at the festival is doing – entered the extortionately priced competitions – never won but was longlisted a few times, then shortlisted a few times and it meant I had something to put on a writing cv.
Then I bought my ticket to LSF and everything changed.
It really did. That ticket has transformed my life like Charlie Bucket’s golden ticket to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. Only with fewer gobstoppers and angry squirrels.
Yes, it’s expensive, especially when you’re a struggling writer. But if you CAN beg, borrow or (no don’t steal) the money it is worth far more than the price of the ticket.
We all know how pricey a screenwriting workshop can be. It costs a small fortune to have a script editor give you notes on your script. Look at how many of these type of experiences are on offer at LSF – all included in the price of your ticket. Not to mention the experiences that money can’t buy. I watched Silence of the Lambs Jaws, and Fight Club WITH the people who wrote them! Whilst they gave LIVE commentary on how the films were made. And they give you the scripts to read beforehand! It’s insane fun! This year, it’s Robocop. Robocop! AND Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again! You cannot BUY an experience like that. Except here.
Sorry, I digress – I was explaining how LSF changed my life. I got an agent through the pitchfest. I pitched him my ideas, he asked me to send him a script. Two months later I received an email telling me that they’d enjoyed my script, could I send them another one? So I sent them another one. Another month passed. NOTHING moves quickly in this industry, I’ve learned. Then, FIVE MONTHS after the LSF, I received an email asking if I’d like to meet for a coffee and a chat. YES I would! It’s the Holy Grail for new writers. I turned up at the agency, literally shaking, and two of the agents took me for a coffee, most of which I spilled all over the table and myself. For over an hour they told me how difficult the industry was, how little experience I had but that they’d enjoyed my writing. For an hour I waited for them to tell me to approach them again when I had a little more experience. And then they didn’t. They asked if I’d like them to represent me. I possibly screamed. I may have upended the table.
Since they signed me I’ve had three drama series optioned by Hat Trick-Mercurio, Wall To Wall, and BBC Studios, been commissioned to write for Doctors and EastEnders and been PAID to come up with ideas, one pagers and treatments. I am living the dream. I really am. This is the least humble brag, bloomin’ ever – I’m so sorry – but it is just to point out that it’s all thanks to LSF.
So buy a ticket (if you can and if you haven’t already). The London Screenwriters Festival is like Disneyland for writers. Three days of not having to ‘explain’ your obsession and determination to write. It will be taken as a given. Meet your heroes. Have your scripts edited by professionals. Have your work performed by actors. Pitch to agents and producers. Apply for a script lab! Oh my goodness – the script labs! I’ve been lucky enough to do a returning drama lab with Philip Shelley and a continuing drama lab with Yvonne Grace. Six writers and an expert in the room for an intensive three hours. Not only do you learn so much more than money could ever buy but you make friends with like-minded, incredibly supportive people.
Four of us from the first script lab have since formed a writers group. We meet once a month, share scripts and a gin and tonic, laugh, sob, swear and prop each other up as we struggle on in this crazy, painful, wonderful industry.
So, if you’re umming and ahhing, like I was four years ago, just do it. Go. It could change your life!
Lisa McMullin
@lisamcmullin
Posted by a member of the London Screenwriters’ Festival team.
