Long time no see, my loyal followers! Have you noticed I haven’t been around for a bit? I started this newsletter when I began the MA in Screenwriting at Falmouth University and now, after a lot of silent soul-searching — I spared you the agony of reading my thought processes — I have withdrawn from the program.
After two years of being alone during the pandemic I really crave human company so I found it quite isolating that all our classes were online. I found a great group of people to work with and we set up a WhatsApp group and I hope I can continue to be part of that community, just in a slightly more informal way.
I am back to work at my day job next week — I teach Film Studies part-time at the University of the Arts in London. I love my work and get a lot out of it but I need to also be doing other creative things so I won’t be giving up on the scriptwriting.
I have a few projects in process, and I will be continuing with these and hoping you will all be able to join me in the journey of becoming a better screenwriter and getting my stuff produced. At Falmouth I wrote a short script which I am very pleased with — it’s called Ranjit and Rita and it’s about a mashup between Indian Classical music and big band music — seriously, it’s a riot with a lot of schmaltz thrown in for good measure. I will be working that into a feature length script….watch this space.
I am also inviting all my readers to join a new in person reading group — if you are also a screenwriter or playwright who would like to join us please get in touch however you usually do or drop me a line below. Everyone is welcome to join us at the wonderful Theatre Royal, Stratford East here in London if you would like to read my new script, Stone Cold Sober.
Tagline: In Essex no-one is interested even if you do scream.
It’s all about a family of villains who move from Bethnal Green in East London to suburban Chigwell, Essex in 1964. Stone Cold Sober is a coming-of-age story about social aspiration, villainy and the law with a smattering of violence and abuse thrown in. What could be more charming?
We will be reading a few pages from this film and some other great works in progress by members of our group. There is a limit of 15 people to keep it friendly and focussed. We will endeavour to read extracts from everyone’s work who wants to but if you just want to come along and listen and join the group that’s great, too! Please spread the word:
First meeting of Jane’s Scriptwriting Group:
Stratford East Theatre Royal Friday October 28th 3-6 pm
The group will be friendly and supportive and if you are free and can get to Stratford it would be great to meet you and to find out about your script projects.
Thank you for supporting me on my journey to becoming a screenwriter. We are starting phase two now. I have learned a lot from my time on the MA about technical things around screenwriting and how to structure a story but also about the importance of community and support. I appreciate you all for following me and I hope you will continue and please, spread the word.