North East Screen is excited to support New Writing North to bring Screenwriting Weekender, a major TV industry event, to Newcastle. The event is aimed at writers from across the north and features a keynote speech from critically acclaimed, North East screenwriter Peter Straughan (Conclave [2024], Wolf Hall [2015], Frank [2014]).
Screenwriting Weekender takes place at the Live Theatre in Newcastle from 31 January to 2 February, 2025.
It features leading screenwriters, such as Tony Schumacher (The Responder), executives from TV production companies such as Clerkenwell (Baby Reindeer), Merman (Motherland) Warp (The Virtues) and RED (It’s a Sin) as well current opportunities from BBC Writers.
It will also showcase tips on how to break into TV scriptwriting from agents at Curtis Brown and Casarotto.
The event features a keynote speech from the critically acclaimed screenwriter, Peter Straughan.
His credits include this year’s highly anticipated film Conclave, starring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Isabella Rossellini, and the BAFTA award-winning, Academy nominated film, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (co-written by Bridget O’Connor) starring Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, and Benedict Cumberbatch. He also adapted Hilary Mantel’s the BAFTA and Golden Globe winning Wolf Hall for the BBC, and its forthcoming sequel, Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, which is currently in production.
Tony Schumacher, behind the hit Liverpool drama, The Responder, starring Martin Freeman, based on his own experiences as a Merseyside police officer, will be in conversation with the South Shields-based screenwriter, Emile Robson, exploring his inspiring story, how he navigates the industry and his approach to writing.
Lisa Laws, Development Director at North East Screen, said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring New Writing North on The Screenwriting Weekender which has an impressive line-up of world class talent.
“Stories are the lifeblood of our industry and the region has a rich history of storytelling in all its forms. However, for years we have lacked a visible local screen industry. That is starting to change with the North East seeing an 89% increase in film and TV production over the last two years, and a fourfold increase in commissions from the region. For anyone who wants to make the most of these new opportunities to get their untold stories in front of global audiences, this event is a must.”
The weekend will explore a range of topics from demystifying writers’ rooms and creating iconic characters right through to pitching.
The leading entertainment company, FilmNation TV, is supporting 10 bursary places to support northern writers who would otherwise be unable to access the event to take part.
Kirstie Macdonald, Creative Director, FilmNation TV UK, said: “I’m delighted to be involved in this exciting event amongst such wonderful local talent, and to be part of the renewed wave of enthusiasm for our fantastic region.”
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “I am determined to make the North East a powerhouse of creativity and culture, because that will open the door to opportunities that can transform people’s lives. Screenwriting Weekender shows how we can make this happen, by helping people find routes to get ahead in the film and TV industries.
“We have a proud screenwriting legacy with the likes of Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais, and Peter Flannery bringing iconic shows like Auf Wiedersehen Pet and Our Friends In The North to TV screens. As Mayor I want the North East’s diverse new voices to be heard and seen across the world by helping unearth a new generation of talent.”
Roxy McKenna, Development Producer (Screen) at New Writing North, said: “It’s a chance to hear from those working at the coal face of TV, with invaluable insights and exercises, from creating an unputdownable opening for your script, to sessions with leading agents on how to break into the industry, to learning to pitch ideas with leading development producers. There’ll also be a focus on the writing itself – how to navigate audience trends, maintain creativity and generally, be inspired. There will also be an opportunity to network with other writers, as well as producers and funders at mixers throughout the weekend.”
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