Graduate - Michael Cumes - MA Screenwriting 2009-10
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Prize winning script developed at the Screen Academy
During my first term at Screen Academy Scotland, I wrote the script The Romance Class. Basically, we had one term to write a short film script for one of our assessments. The script is based on my own experience on a Creative Writing class I attended when I was 18 with a group of middle aged women, all housewives. I would sit in a room with these women and someone would read their poem about a flower, or something, but actually it was about the breakdown of their marriage. Initially I wrote a rough draft of the script and then had a tutorial with Nigel Smith, one of the tutors, who loved it. Lots of ideas came out of that conversation – he was fantastic. I ran home, wrote up the notes and did another draft and showed it to a few other people, including the Programme Leader, James Mavor. I developed it again based on James’ notes. This was the script I submitted to Page International Screenwriting Awards and won the Gold Award in the Short Film category. Part of the prize is that the organisers send a synopsis of the script to agents and producers. I’ve just been emailed by one who wants to read the script.
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Before Screen Academy Scotland
I did a Politics and Literature degree at University of East Anglia (UEA). On the course, you could do other units and I did a Screenwriting unit and loved it. Once I graduated, I knew I wanted to do screenwriting but wasn’t sure how to go about it. So I did a short Screenwriting course at the London College of Communications whilst working full time, which was pretty tough. I started looking at the postgraduate Screenwriting courses which were accredited by Skillset and chose Edinburgh. From the Screen Academy Scotland website it seemed that people were successful and there were good links with industry. I didn’t want to go back to UEA as the course seemed more focused on playwriting and I didn’t want to be in London or Bournemouth.
Prize winning script developed at the Screen Academy
During my first term at Screen Academy Scotland, I wrote the script The Romance Class. Basically, we had one term to write a short film script for one of our assessments. The script is based on my own experience on a Creative Writing class I attended when I was 18 with a group of middle aged women, all housewives. I would sit in a room with these women and someone would read their poem about a flower, or something, but actually it was about the breakdown of their marriage. Initially I wrote a rough draft of the script and then had a tutorial with Nigel Smith, one of the tutors, who loved it. Lots of ideas came out of that conversation – he was fantastic. I ran home, wrote up the notes and did another draft and showed it to a few other people, including the Programme Leader, James Mavor. I developed it again based on James’ notes. This was the script I submitted to Page International Screenwriting Awards and won the Gold Award in the Short Film category. Part of the prize is that the organisers send a synopsis of the script to agents and producers. I’ve just been emailed by one who wants to read the script.
Professional Practice at the Screen Academy
In September, during my first week at the Screen Academy, I spoke to the Professional Practice tutor about wanting to get a work placement with a script editor or storyliner. I didn’t know how you did a 9 – 5 job in the screenwriting industry and needed to find out how the industry worked. I applied in the autumn to be an intern in the Hollyoaks story office and in May, I got a phone call asking if I was available to start a two week placement the following week. The story office is a small office with six people, but it’s great as you see how the series is made - the set is where the offices are. I saw how writers work – they have the best jobs on earth. It was great to be part of the team, even though it was only for two weeks. I got to plot out two episodes. Since then, I have been in contact with the Head of the Story Office.
I also had a fantastic industry mentor through the Screen Academy – Scottish screenwriter, Colin MacDonald. We had three meetings through the mentoring scheme but are still in contact. He introduced me to an agent and has given me other contacts and support.
In September, during my first week at the Screen Academy, I spoke to the Professional Practice tutor about wanting to get a work placement with a script editor or storyliner. I didn’t know how you did a 9 – 5 job in the screenwriting industry and needed to find out how the industry worked. I applied in the autumn to be an intern in the Hollyoaks story office and in May, I got a phone call asking if I was available to start a two week placement the following week. The story office is a small office with six people, but it’s great as you see how the series is made - the set is where the offices are. I saw how writers work – they have the best jobs on earth. It was great to be part of the team, even though it was only for two weeks. I got to plot out two episodes. Since then, I have been in contact with the Head of the Story Office.
I also had a fantastic industry mentor through the Screen Academy – Scottish screenwriter, Colin MacDonald. We had three meetings through the mentoring scheme but are still in contact. He introduced me to an agent and has given me other contacts and support.
From being at the Screen Academy, I feel I can now talk with confidence about the film industry. One of the most useful things was the student pass to the Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF). I saw how the film industry works and also its ‘harsher’ side. You have to learn to sell yourself and network. There is an element in the industry that networking is not about trying to make friends, it’s about trying to make money. However, at the Academy and at the festival I could have conversations with students about ideas and about films. We also had a group identity so you could walk into the room of a networking event and know someone.
Future plans
My short-term plans are to work part-time, whilst writing and building my portfolio of short dramas. Longer term, I want to earn my living as a Screenwriter, probably writing for TV – it seems to me more collaborative than film. A lot of people on my course wanted to be a writer and director. I was one of the few people who just wanted to write. For me, it’s about telling stories.
My short-term plans are to work part-time, whilst writing and building my portfolio of short dramas. Longer term, I want to earn my living as a Screenwriter, probably writing for TV – it seems to me more collaborative than film. A lot of people on my course wanted to be a writer and director. I was one of the few people who just wanted to write. For me, it’s about telling stories.
