Joining the Demon Crew

It doesn't feel quite right to review one's own work.

I'd originally booked to attend the Demon Crew event so that I could hear other other undergraduate students reading from their work. Then, last week, one of my tutors suggested I migth take part. 

I settled on a performance piece I've worked with before. It's based on a typical writing day and deals with my habit of procrastination. This ended up being the opening piece, and reading to an audience without looking for feedback is pretty daunting. It doesn't get any easier, regardless of audience size or whether or not I'm dressed as a cowboy (that's another story - a long one).

Other pieces included excerpts from science fiction stories, poems on numerous topics (whether abusive relationships or reading), and even a scene from a screenplay. It was great to see the variety of readings, and I commend my peers for also having the courage to share their work that way.


Andrew Roberts

Inspired by the Demon Crew

Run by undergraduate students and tutors at the heart of the Creative Writing department, the Demon Crew event felt both homemade and wholesome.

This was my first Cultural Exchanges event, so I went into it with an open mind, unsure of what to expect. The diverse group of writers sharing their work did not disappoint!

There was an eclectic mix of poetry, short fiction and script from a range of students studying different courses (creative writing, film, drama etc.), each with their own very distinct voices and charms.

Surely anyone surrounded by so many vibrant and passionate people would have to feel inspired. I left the event wanting to write my own pieces that so that I too can perform one day.

A. Culbert

"Learning to write is learning to work" - an hour with Vinay Patel

Vinay's cats

An whole entire hour with the acclaimed screenwriter and playwright Vinay Patel involves a lot of witty humour, personal anecdotes, stories about his BAFTA experience as well as advice and info on how he got to be where he is today. His was a riveting talk with DMU lecturer, Kathleen Bell followed  by questions from a keen audience who were eager for answers.

Patel gave us an insight into his work and how he got to be the successful playwright we know him as today. I have to say that I thought that Patel would be one of those unrelateable, snobby writers who seem near enough 'untouchable'. In actuality he is very down to earth. He admitted struggling with multiple deadlines, joking that "all procrastination is good procrastination" and also told us how, quite unintentionally, he came to be "running a retirement home for cats."

His humour certainly made me certainly feel happy to be at the event, which was also incredibly interesting. He told us about his up and coming ventures which include a touring production for Paines Plough as well as an epic drama, An Adventure, being produced at The Bush Theatre in Shepherds Bush, London. The adventure in question is based on the life of his grandparents who travelled over three continents (from India, to Kenya then England).

Patel also expressed his interest and passion for wanting to create pieces that highlight the talent of minority actors, as well as meaningful stories, like his critically acclaimed drama, Murdered By My Father (BBC, 2016) which tells the story of an honour killing. He also stated that he would love to write something in the sci-fi genre of which he's an immense fan.
 

Throughout his whole entire talk, Vinay Patel made me think about my own writing and the different ways in which I might write. "Pick things that are important to you," he said. I've always wanted to write a script or play and this made me even more inspired. It made me think about not writing about what I think other people may want to see, but instead starting from the issues and subjects that interest me.

Overall, this Cultural Exchanges event has a very powerful effect on me. It was a conversation not to be missed.

Tara N. Lawal

"Theatre is the purest form of expression"

Vinay Patel's appearance at the Cultural Exchanges festival yesterday seemed humble, in contrast to the festival brochure’s picture of him decked out in a polka shirt and blue suit. And that's just what he was, during the talk with Kathleen Bell (a lecturer at DMU): humble. 

Despite making a "meteoric rise" in his career through the BAFTA-nominated drama film Murdered By My Father (2016) he said, "I'm not confident enough in what I do to be more involved" when asked about the process of producing films from his scripts. 

However, he remained confident in his idea of what theatre is and what film is. 

"Writing for theatre is changing in terms of what you can do with it ... when writing for theatre, the main unit of meaning is in a line. But in film, it’s in the juxtaposition of two images." Despite his own comment that this statement was "wanky," I found it refreshingly introspective.

Coming from someone who claims that writing was "the only thing [he] could do" at school, I'd say Patel is certainly meteoric. 

“Theatre is the purest form of expression,” he said in response to one question from the audience. 

His one complaint about the theatre industry is that “it’s dominated by people with lots of money.” He suggested that if this wasn’t so, presentation of characters and topics addressed in plays would be more diverse, and in turn audiences would be more diverse. 

Interested in Vinay Patel’s next play? Coming this September is his ‘An Adventure.’

Book your tickets now for its run at London's Bush Theatre.t the Bush Theatre now!

G.E. Knight

G.E. Knight

Vinay Patel and his rise through writing

“Writing a script at home in your pants with your two cats is what success looks like!” - To all those aspiring writers out there…well you heard it here first.

 

De Montfort University was treated to a conversation by the very entertaining writer that is Vinay Patel. Vinay talked to Kathleen Bell and the audience about the ten years that led to his meteoric rise in screen and play-writing, as well as telling us briefly about his two beloved cats!

 

From a young age, Vinay wrote short stories, whilst watching Star Trek at the end of his father’s bed. This is where his love for writing began. 

 

Murdered by My Father was his big break, but if it wasn’t for his Agent seeing the potential, he would have turned it down. The television drama ended up being nominated for three BAFTAS, which was a surreal moment in his life - even if his Grandma thought he looked like a waiter!

Some advice that everyone took away with them was that the audience is an important factor when it comes to writing. Vinay stated himself with his witty humour - “If you don’t care about your audience, write a diary!”

 

Most of Vinay’s upcoming work is under wraps. However he did let us know that one of his current TV projects is in the crime and detective genre. This year’s plans also include going back into directing. 

 

If anyone is interested in seeing more of Vinay Patel’s inspiring work, then get down to London to watch his new play, An Adventure, which opens at The Bush Theatre in autumn 2018.

Lauren Irish

Writers are human too ...

Vinay Patel provided hope to any would-be writer that success is attainable with the right amount of determination and flexibility. He provided an insight into the world of the playwright, explaining the differences between the stage and the screen.

His discussion with DMU's Kathleen Bell served as a reminder that writing scripts, for either medium, is a process which extends far beyond putting words on the page, with involvement in casting and deliverance also coming into play. To hear that the writer for TV is often the most overlooked member of a production team was truly fascinating. 

Furthermore, Vinay proved to be incredibly personable, with a love of cats, proving that writers, for all their talents, are human like the rest of us - and that's a thought which makes the gulf between dreaming of a script and having it produced seem much less daunting.  

L Robertson

Vinay Patel, BAFTA-nominated playwright ... and cat-lover

Vinay Patel, BAFTA nominee, writer, and most importantly, cat lover, is attending De Montfort University in Leicester for the Cultural Exchanges Festival 2018. 

Patel has a very long list of writing credits, including theatre, television film and radio, including credits for the BBC and ITV. As an aspiring writer, I think that hearing Patel discuss his career so far and respond to questions on his writing could be extremely beneficial for not only me, but other writers who dream of seeing their work depicted on screens. 

My interest doesn't just stem from Vinay Patel's impressive portfolio of professional work but also from his blog titled 'shut up and deal', and from his use of social media. Patel is rather active on his verified Twitter page, where he posts about his work, personal life, and his beautiful cats.

The Cultural Exchanges Festival has something for everyone, and definitely has events that intend to entertain audiences in areas they may not be familiar with.

I look forward to attending some of these events, not only to benefit my writing but also to find ways to expand culturally. 

You can book for Vinay's "in conversation" session here. It's on Thursday 1st March, at 5 in DMU's Clephan Building.

Paige Nicole

Schooled in Murder

When I enrolled at De Montfort I dreamed of becoming a screenwriter. Television shows are my favourite form of creative media, specifically contemporary dramas. Award-winning shows like The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones inspire my work, so I want to learn more about what it takes to become a screenwriter. There are still a few tickets left and you can book here.

 

On Thursday 2nd March, DMU are hosting an event about writing for television dramas. Special guest speaker Lisa Holdsworth is leading this talk, and I can hardly wait.

Sourced from Twitter (@WorksWithWords)

Lisa Holdsworth is an excellent choice to lead the event as she has sixteen years' experience in the industry and has written for Emmerdale, Waterloo Road and Midsomer Murders. Her career is thriving. She even won the RTS Yorkshire Best Writer Award for her work on Emmerdale and New Tricks. She is the perfect representative for this event.

A BBC Writers Room interview gives a sense of Lisa Holdsworth's approach to writing as well as some helpful tips. I look forward to hearing more. 

 

By Callum James

Keeping an ear out at Cultural Exchanges

2017's Cultural Exchanges festival is coming up fast, and among the many events that interest me as an aspiring writer is Ears To The Ground: a talk on writing for TV and radio by the BBC's Justine Potter with a panel of current Radio 4 writers and producers.

 Those attending will be treated to a detailed insider account of how to write and submit scripts to the BBC (a must for any aspiring writer for broadcast) followed by a panel discussion led by some of those behind the scenes of several favourite radio shows.

 And if all that weren't enough to convince me to attend, the festival has one final ace to play. Among those on Tuesday's panel is Amanda Whittington, the award-winning Nottingham-based playwright and current chair of the Writers' Guild Theatre Committee.

  All in all, Ears To The Ground is looking to be a standout event and a fantastic opportunity to learn some vital tricks of the trade.
 
  Book your free ticket HERE before it's too late.


   Ben Woore

"Plase give us your imagination"

Each time Willy Russell spoke, whether to make a joke or in reference to one of his plays, the couple in front of us would nod religiously. After a while, we nodded in perfect time.

Nodding at the discovery that Blood Brothers had been toured in Japan, Australia and the UK. Nodding at the idea that “playwrights need to make mistakes” when they’re writing in order to grow.

Willy taught us that scriptwriting is a collaborative process between scriptwriter, company and audience. You need the imagination of the audience, to capture it and roll with it.

What was impressive was the different jobs that he had before he did scriptwriting, from hairdressing to teaching, showing that anything can happen if you keep going.

Throughout the question and answer session, the message from Willy was clear. Theatre and playwriting is important and that the only obligation a scriptwriter has is “not to bore”.

Willy, I agree with you.


Jack Wilkin

How to earn more than £1,500 in 45 minutes

To all those lured to into reading this opening sentence by the above title, I have two words for you - Radio Drama. And trust me, £1500 is an absolute minimum.

The BBC are always looking for new writers to produce radio drama for them. It's BBC policy to commission work on Radio 3 and 4 by at least 40 new writers a year, and this target is always exceeded.

So what you do is you write a 45 minute script to be performed on radio, send it off to The Writer's Room on the BBC website and, if you're lucky enough to get an interview (BBC are very open to new, exciting work by inexperienced writers), you could be paid for writing radio scripts before you know it.

Now you might need to agree to do the first one for free but, once your foot is in the door, paid work will come rolling in. For a beginner writer, the minimum pay for a one-performance script is £34.40 a minute and for multiple performances it is at least £57, plus extra for attending the recordings. And the more you write, the more you earn. You should have seen the way neon pound signs lit up in all the eyes in the room.

So thank you, Roger Wood, for making me aware of the writing (and financial) advantages of becoming a radio script writer.


Alex Thompson