Camilla Young is a Theatre, Film and TV agent at Curtis Brown with over 10 years of experience in the industry. Her clients include Dolly Alderton, Kevin Barry, Joss Agnew and Emma Jane Unsworth.
Camilla is also one of the agents involved in the 18-week Writing an Original TV Drama Serial course from Curtis Brown Creative – the writing school run by the major literary and talent agency.
In this interview Camilla discusses how she got started working as an agent, what she looks for in a new project and her advice for aspiring screenwriters.
Sponsored by Curtis Brown Creative
How did you get started as an agent? What was your path into the industry?
I worked at the Edinburgh Fringe every year while I studied up there and knew I wanted to work in the theatre in some respect, so I applied for everything and anything that was somehow related. I started working for an agent for actors, but enjoyed reading scripts much more than talking to the actors(!), so moved to Curtis Brown, working with Nick Marston, and have loved it ever since!
What do you think screenwriters should look for in an agent?
It’s all down to whether you click. You need to get on and trust their opinion and if you’re starting out then look for an agent who is at a similar stage to you. That way you can rise through the ranks together and they will be as hungry as you are.
You receive dozens of queries each week from screenwriters looking for representation. What makes a writer or project stand out? Is there anything you’d like to see drop into your inbox?
Firstly, an indication that they’ve approached me for a particular reason and not sent a general email to every agent in London, and an understanding of the industry and where their work fits in it and why it’s original. We don’t need another show about a female psychopathic serial killer or a highly dysfunctional but very wealthy family. I want to be pitched something that I’ve never seen before.
Do you have any tips or advice for aspiring screenwriters?
Keep writing, keep reading other writers’ work, keep watching and try and meet as many people in the industry as possible because those contacts are vital for getting you in the door.
Applications are open now for Curtis Brown Creative’s Writing an Original TV Drama Serial course. This is an elite course for 15 aspiring screenwriters to work on their high-end TV drama scripts with expert tuition from top TV professionals. The course will run from 13 Apr to 3 Aug 2023 with teaching in London. There is also one scholarship place available for a writer with limited financial means. Find out more and apply by 19 Mar: https://www.curtisbrowncreative.co.uk/course/writing-an-original-tv-drama-serial-0423
Jon Creamer
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