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.

What's getting commissioned right now?

Today, I did manage to sneak into a session chaired by Ben Stephenson, controller of drama commissioning for the BBC, which was even more popular than Simon Beaufoy’s (Slumdog Millionaire) slot yesterday. Ben talked about two new dramas about to go into production and scheduled to be broadcast in autumn 2010. Lip Service was the first, an upcoming lesbian drama which sounded fairly unique, but Ben glossed over it a little, eager to get to other matters…

If, like me you’re a huge Jimmy McGovern fan then prepare to get excited; his six-part drama The Accused following a different character awaiting  sentencing every week. Apparently it’s been dubbed ‘The new Street’ – McGovern’s most recent work, the BAFTA-award winning drama that ran for two series and bought the BBC massive success. The Accused will use the same format as The Street, and in trademark style Jimmy will be working collaboratively.with fresh and emerging writers 

Structurally, each episode is set to confirm whether the accused character is guilty or not, and work backwards, illustrating their actions and addressing the reasons behind them – the grey areas in life – and inviting viewers to question morality.

Advice for new writers

I was lucky enough to meet and interview McGovern at The Celtic Media Festival in Galway and afterwards he scribbled his executive producer's name on a piece of paper – Sita Williams. I was in London during the gap year between my undergraduate degree and MA, and as Sita works for Granada in Manchester the piece of paper sat in my notebook for six months. When I did move to Manchester I sent her a bit of a fan letter. Everyone responds well to flattery right? Right. She e-mailed back within the week with some kind words, basically saying the second series of The Street had just finishing shooting otherwise I could’ve done some work experience on it. Can you imagine how frustrated I was watching the second series a few weeks later on TV thinking I could have been shadowing those writers?

As an emerging writer, you’ve got to be tenacious, bite the bullet and throw yourself out there shamelessly… one day it’ll all pay off. I also thought of one of my peers Sam Willis in Ben’s session – he said they’re on the lookout for more costume dramas. Black and Gold is Sam's feature script, and though it’s been manic at the festival, I had a quick look through yesterday; it’s accomplished. She should adapt it for TV and pitch it to the BBC. My friend Holly is desperate to get a commission for her documentary about the wacky characters who run a stately home in Bridgewater. One of the volunteers today gave her a valuable piece of advice: "Go to ‘Doc/Fest’ the UK’s leading documentary festival in Sheffield to pitch. It’s imminent though (4-8 November) so we might wait until next year and volunteer – a great way in. Lots more news coming tomorrow folks!

Jessical Mayne