Class of 2019
Creative Writing
IF YOU STUDIED YOUR UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMME AT YORK ST JOHN UNIVERSITY OR FOUNDER COLLEGES, DID YOU GO ON TO POSTGRADUATE STUDY?
No
JOB:
Script Reader / Scripted Development Assistant / Writer. Previously worked at BBC, Moonage Pictures and Channel 4.
WHY HAVE YOU CHOSEN THIS PHOTO AS YOUR YSJ SNAPSHOT?
The festive pic was taken when I was in the YSJ Snowsports Society and it was a Christmas quiz event I ran – a load of fun and for a great cause (feels so long ago now!). The other moments are when I visited BBC Roath Lock to help out with set tours and training schemes for Casualty and Pobol Y Cwm whilst I worked as the Team Assistant for BBC Studios Drama. The group picture was when I ran a table read for a radio play I’d written and developed from about 10 years ago when I studied Creative Writing at A-Level. I had to organise / direct actors last October 2024 whilst also arranging the venue etc. Quite a special moment for me as I’d never had my writing performed.
WHAT ARE YOUR FONDEST MEMORIES OF YORK ST JOHN UNIVERSITY?
Oooo that’s a hard one! I loved my course and working with my tutors and gaining feedback to help develop my writing. It was such an innovative degree. Dr Rob Edgar in particular was always a great inspiration and supporter of my work and gave me the confidence to go into script writing and working in TV and film! I also loved my sports clubs and the camaraderie of being YSJ as it was such a fantastic community. The city of York will forever hold a special place in my heart.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YORK ST JOHN UNIVERSITY OR FOUNDER COLLEGES?
It had a good balance of everything really – course, student living and the city. I come from the Isle of Man and York was such a wonderful stepping stone when you’re finding your feet as a student. York is so safe and not overwhelming. I fell in love with the atmosphere and close knit and inclusive nature when I came for my visit. It felt so community based and supportive – a really lovely trait to have, when compared to the larger universities.
WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING SINCE COMPLETING YOUR STUDIES?
Life has flown by so much since YSJ! I’ve worked in a load of different industries such as radio, finance, hospitality, unscripted TV, HR, PR, news and copywriting. However, the main goal I’ve been working towards is to become a script writer / show runner. I have been working in scripted TV for the last 2 years, firstly at Moonage Pictures (The Gentleman / Good Girl’s Guide to Murder / Famous Five / Bodies) and then for BBC Studios Drama (EastEnders / Casualty / Pobol Y Cwm / River City / Silent Witness). My current aim is to carve out a career in scripted development / as a script editor before moving into writing full time. I run a script club with my script editor friend called First Ten which is aimed towards nurturing blossoming writers and junior script editors. I think my course widened my knowledge of IP / literature and genre and the writers in the world as well as the art of story structure etc. Yet it’s also sharpened my all parts of my writing in every form (not just script) which has helped so much when it comes to writing reports / treatments and pitches. As a script writer you have to be able to write prose / copywriter as well as write script so it’s wonderful to be able to have the confidence to do this and show off this quality.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR SPECIFIC COURSE?
It was so different to the other courses I had seen before and also being single honours Creative Writing, it was wonderful to have that pure focus on the subject. There was such a wide variety of modules to choose from that not only broadened your editorial skills, but the production and employable side too which is so important when you enter the world of full time work! Since working in TV I have a strong foundation of story structure and adapting IP / working in specific genres as I have studied these.
WHAT WERE THE BEST FEATURES OF YOUR COURSE?
I loved the Writing Genres module. There was such wide scope to experiment with your writing and be as creative as possible and the freedom for form/medium was also really flexible. Saying that I also loved the Writing Fiction / Screenwriting modules as I loved the assignments and the ability to what you could do. (I just love writing haha). One of the key highlights was writing my dissertation. Ironically I did fiction (not screenwriting) and wrote an opening to a Gothic novel set in Venice but the process was so authentic and reflective to that of a full-time writer. It was very fulfilling and certainly gave me the drive to manage my own work load and work with an editor. I think other modules such as the Publishing, Production and Performance gave you the entrepreneurial and collaborative skills you need when working in creative industries like TV / film or radio.
WHAT ONE PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A CURRENT STUDENT, OR ONE ABOUT TO GRADUATE?
Say yes to everything and anything. There are so many beautiful opportunities out there, you have to be brave enough to try them as you never know where they might lead. Also, all types of experience is invaluable, so please do remember that when going for interviews as you will always have something new to bring to the table.