To celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2025, Bad Wolf is launching the Blaidd Writers Programme, a new rolling six-month paid development and training initiative to find and nurture the next generation of Welsh drama writers, in association with Screen Alliance Wales.
The scheme will see three writers develop with Bad Wolf an original, contemporary Welsh set returning drama. They will be mentored by screenwriters Jack Thorne (His Dark Materials, National Treasure), Russell T Davies (Doctor Who, It’s A Sin) and Marnie Dickens (Gold Digger, Wilderness); and will take part in masterclasses with industry professionals, including the co-creators of HBO and BBC’s hit drama Industry, Mickey Down and Konrad Kay, and BAFTA award-winning screenwriter and In My Skin creator Kayleigh Llewellyn.
Writers will start their placements in January 2025 at the SAW classroom at Bad Wolf’s Cardiff HQ, Wolf Studios Wales, where they will begin work with Bad Wolf on the development of an idea from pitch to broadcast ready script. They will be allocated individual script editors and producers to help support through the development process and will also receive regular guidance and feedback from Bad Wolf CEO Jane Tranter, and Director of Content Dan McCulloch. They will have the opportunity to shadow any ongoing productions at the studios and will be able to gain insight into the wider development and production process intended to equip them with the skills and experience required to help them advance to the next stage of their career. The course will end with a networking graduation drinks reception in London in July and advice as to how to take forwards the scripts they have worked on during the scheme.
Each writer will be paid a bursary of £18,000 to develop their script and a treatment, with travel, accommodation and other expenses covered by Bad Wolf.
Jane Tranter, CEO of Bad Wolf said: “Wales has been the beating heart of Bad Wolf for the past decade. It is pivotal to our future, and the future of the Welsh TV industry, that we continue to nurture future generations of screenwriters. With the guidance of our industry mentors, as well as Bad Wolf executive producers and script editors, our Blaidd Writers will not only develop their scripts, but get a wider overview of the TV industry and production process. Together with the support of Screen Alliance Wales, as well as that of Jack, Marnie and Russell I am hugely excited about discovering the next generation of Welsh voices.”
Russell T Davies said: “I’m delighted to help mentor the next generation of writing talent in Wales, alongside Bad Wolf.”
Jack Thorne said: “I’m half Welsh and at least part writer, and I love this scheme because it involves supporting writers – with money – as they grow. The industry is in a funny place right now, but we do need to back young talent otherwise we’ll starve ourselves of the future. My interest is in developing disabled voices because that’s a sector I still think under-represented, so that’s who I’ll work with on this. As someone who’s basically lived with the producers and wonderful script editors at Bad Wolf I know they’ll get the best out of them and I’ll try to help too.”
Marnie Dickens said: “I’m chuffed to be part of such a well-thought-out and properly funded scheme to amplify the voices of Welsh writers.”
In addition to the scheme, Bad Wolf CEO Jane Tranter, Creative & Commercial Affairs Executive Emma Obank, and screenwriter Marnie Dickens will be taking part in a panel discussion and Q&A for RTS Cymru at the Atrium University of South Wales, Cardiff on Monday 9th September – where they’ll be discussing how to write and pitch a TV drama as well as advice on how to make it as a professional screenwriter.
Applications for the scheme open on Monday 16th September and close on Friday 4th October. To apply, candidates will need to submit a 10-page extract from an original pilot script, a supporting 2-page pitch document and a 500-word statement on why they would benefit from the scheme via screenalliancewales.com. If shortlisted, writers will be required to submit the full pilot script for consideration. Only writers based in Wales who have a maximum of one broadcast credit as a television writer or feature film writer may apply.
Bad Wolf is committed to diversity and actively encourages writers from underrepresented backgrounds to apply to the scheme.
Jon Creamer
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