A few weeks
later I received my manuscript back in the mail with a card from the financial
advisor’s colleague’s brother, which read, - this is great, send it to the head
of the BBC and mention my name if you think it would help: signed Tony Jordan.
" If you think it will help." Tony Jordan was and is one of the
most prominent and respected screen writers in the UK. (At the time he
was known for Eastenders, Minder and many more iconic British TV
programs. Since then, he has written for Hustle, Life on Mars and The
Nativity - to name just a fraction of his work!)
My luck
continued when the Head of the BBC actually replied and suggested that I send
it to BBC 2’s 10 x 10 series; and serendipity stepped in when the producer knew
of a young director who was looking for a script to submit. The director
was Sarah Gavron , who went on to direct This Little Life and Brick
Lane, Suffragette and Rocks to name a few. This highly talented director saw the raw potential and took a chance.
After many changes and re-writes the resulting 10 minute short, The
Girl in the Lay-by received widespread critical acclaim, was presented in
the Kodak BAFTA Short Film Showcase, and won the 2001 Las Palmas Film Festival.
Luck alone won’t do it though:
- I’d put myself in the right place by having a finished, proof-read and edited product.
- I’d learned how to correctly format a screenplay, which meant it wasn’t turned down at first sight.
- I’d studied the basics of screenwriting.
- I had a unique story, well told.
- I was willing to rewrite and make positive changes.
And, most importantly, I submitted my work. I sent it out into the world – even if it was via Steve, Financial Advisor and one-time-only Literary Agent!
Keep on writing, hone your skills and send out your work, and luck and serendipity are much more likely to drop by for a visit!
Keep on writing, hone your skills and send out your work, and luck and serendipity are much more likely to drop by for a visit!
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