Profwriting at Cheltenham

We're spending the week at the Cheltenham Screenwriters' Festival. Watch this space for a blog and interviews with producers. script coaches, writers and directors.

Day 1: First day frenzies and confused faces Jessica Mayne

Well it’s Day 1 and a bit of a manic morning! This is my first year as a volunteer but I've been paired with Holly Wicks (Professional Writing MA alumnus) which works for us as we’re both representing the course at UCF and have similar aspirations. Holly can talk about what she’s done since completing the masters and leaving Falmouth and I can talk about the present and how I’m developing as a writer.

We asked to be placed on the information desk – the hub of the festival – and most of the delegates have passed by with questions, so we’ve managed to grab them to record some sound bites, advice and top tips for potential screenwriters. We'll be adding these to the site as the week progresses. My confidence usually grows as festivals progress. Day one tends to be a ‘finding my feet’ day – this goes for all the organisers, delegates and volunteers from my observations. I usually scope out the delegates I want to speak to early on; but I’ve learnt to wait until the best opportunity arises to approach them rather than be impulsive and unprepared.

Two of the delegates I’m keen to corner are Simon Van De Borgh – one of the UK’s leading teachers of screenwriting – and Kate Leys who teaches script development to postgraduates at the National Film School. So watch this blog over the next few days...

Day 2: Jess answers some strange questions Slumdog Millionaire writer Simon Beaufoy opened Day 2 of the Cheltenham Screenwriters’ Festival, and unsurprisingly, the venue was packed. Definitely the most eloquent and down-to-earth guest speaker so far, Simon talked for over an hour on the script-development process, and how important it is for the screenwriter to nail the art of diplomacy.

Day 3: We love Jimmy McGovern The information desk was super busy today with a new influx of people who have passes for days three and four. Most delegates either come for the first part of the festival or the second; the pricey four-day passes are for those who get paid to attend – by the UK film council or the BBC for example. The Screenwriters' Festival is seen as a valuable learning experience which nurtures new talent, so organisations send their emerging writers Cheltenham’s way.

Day 4: A sticky situation I got an insight into commissioned screenplays at Cheltenham Screenwriters’ Festival last night, as professional actors delivered segments of three first-time writers material on stage. Q and A sessions then followed, and the event invited us to envisage what the final production might one day resemble. The performance element drew day three to a nice close, and gave the festival a bit more texture, after an intense schedule of seminars and panel discussions.