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Industry Insider – Writing an award-winning audio drama
18 September @ 14:00 - 15:00 BST
Meet recent Imison and Tinniswood Award winners Connor Allen and Anita Sullivan and 2022 Imison winner, Fraser Ayres at this #SoAatHome Industry insider chaired by Scriptwriters committee member Rhiannon Tise. Find out how each writer got their award-winning play commissioned, how their writing styles and processes differ, whether they work with independent producers or in-house BBC producers, and what they’ve been up to since winning their awards. We will also ask the winners to share a top tip when writing for audio drama, and how this medium differs from other forms of scripted drama.
This event is in conjunction with the Scriptwriters Group.
Submissions for the 2024 Audio Drama Awards close on 1 October 2023. Find out more, or enter here.
Programme
- Welcome, introductions and housekeeping from Rhiannon Tise (3 mins)
- Panel Discussion chaired by Rhiannon Tise with Anita Sullivan, Connor Allen and Fraser Ayers (30 mins)
- Q&A with audience (20 mins)
- Summary and closing comments (2 mins)
- This event will be moderated by Sophia A Jackson – Head of Events, SoA and co-ordinator of the Scriptwriters Group.
What will this session cover?
- Different writing styles and process
- Adapting auto-biographical moments into scripts
- Finding a producer
- Top tips for writing audio drama.
Who is this session for?
This industry insider is for anyone who is interested in writing for audio drama.
Send us your questions in advance
If you would like to send questions in advance, email Sophia A Jackson [email protected] with ‘Writing an award-winning audio drama’ in the subject header. We will prioritise questions sent in advance and answer as many as we can from the audience on the day.
SoA @ Home fundraising bookshop
Browse our virtual Bookshop.org store featuring books by authors and speakers taking part in the SoA @ Home Festival. When you make a purchase using our affiliate links, a percentage will go to the Authors’ Contingency Fund, providing hardship grants to authors in financial difficulty.
About the Scriptwriters Group (SWG)
The Scriptwriters Group (SWG) is a community of scriptwriters and broadcasters. It represents writers and makers across digital, broadcast, AV and theatre.
We support members and associates by providing professional, individual advice, negotiating collective minimum terms agreements with organisations such the BBC, and lobby on policy and legislation to promote the interests and protect the rights of scriptwriters.
The Group is made up of an elected committee and the Group Chair is Barney Norris. Whilst the committee directs the work of the group, the day-to-day administration is handled by Co-Administrators Sophia A Jackson and Theo Jones. Contact either Sophia or Theo with any scriptwriting-related topics, concerns or suggestions that you might wish to raise with the committee.
The Line-up
Connor Allen
Connor Allen is an award-winning multidisciplinary artist and the Children’s Laureate Wales (2021-2023). He’s written for BBC Wales, BBC Radio 4, Wales Millennium Centre, and others. He wrote and performed in his acclaimed show The Making of a Monster and was the 2023 winner of the Imison Award for his debut audio drama of the same title. His work is inspired by elements of his own life including grief, love, masculinity, identity.
Website connorallen.co.uk | Twitter @connor_allen92
Anita Sullivan
Anita Sullivan is an award-winning writer of radio and theatre plays. All 60+ scripts have been staged or broadcast. She is also a digital storyteller, creating video and VR interactive narratives. She is currently writing a Radio 4 serial called Silos, and Model Village is touring from October with New Perspectives theatre.
Website: www.anitasullivan.co.uk | Instagram: @anitasullivan_plots | Twitter: @Anita_Plots
Rhiannon Tise
Rhiannon Tise is a writer for theatre, television and audio drama. She has written many originals and adaptations for BBC Radio 3 and 4 and her plays have been performed at theatres including the Royal National Theatre, the Royal Court, Soho Theatre, the Finborough, the Arcola Theatre and The Lyric Hammersmith. Her ten-part adaptation of George Eliot’s The Mill on The Floss won Best Radio Drama at the 2020 VLV Awards for Excellence in Broadcasting and is available to download via BBC Sounds app. Rhiannon is currently developing an original audio drama and is working on a number of projects with the Royal Literary Fund.
Website: https://rhiannontise.com | Twitter: @RhiannonTise | Instagram: @rhiannon_tisewriter
Fraser Ayres
Fraser Ayres is an award-winning actor/writer/director and creator of comedy panel show Sorry, I Didn’t Know. He is also CEO and founder of The TriForce Creative Network, TriForce Productions and Dandi.org.uk with a focus on inclusion across the board. He is currently working on several projects for Netflix, ITV and Sky.
Website: www.thetcn.com | Twitter: @fraserayres | Instagram: @realfraserayres
You can catch up with the recording of our last Scriptwriters Group event via our Vimeo Channel.
Need to know
Accessibility
- Attendees will have the option to turn on the live transcript to watch with live subtitles
- If you require BSL interpretation for this event, please email [email protected]
Before the event
- Once registered, you will be sent a confirmation email with the Zoom link
- If the confirmation email doesn’t arrive in your inbox, please check your junk /spam email folder.
- Please add [email protected] to your Safe Senders list so you receive our confirmation, and reminder emails
During the event
- This online event will take place on Zoom Webinar; you will not be visible on screen but will be able ask questions via the Q&A function or interact via the chat box
- This event will be recorded but you won’t be on screen
- This event is 60 minutes.
After the event
- Hashtag for this event: #SoAatHome
- You’ll be able to catch the recording on our Vimeo channel
Booking
Book your place using the registration form below.
All #SoAatHome events are free but if you can afford to, please consider donating to our Authors’ Contingency Fund and we suggest a minimum donation of £5. The fund is to help professional authors experiencing financial hardship. DONATE HERE
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