After I finished writing the TV series and sending numerous emails – I was offered a place on a pitch deck course to create a visual presentation/pitch to send to production companies and agents etc. I found the course very useful and challenging. Although I achieved something personally with the TV series and pitch deck, it is unlikely to go anywhere (I am not giving up hope though) so I moved my focus on improving my theatre script. I reached out to various people and organisations, asking for help – with nothing coming from it, I was about to give up until I stumbled across RAWD’s website.
Since contacting RAWD, they have read my theatre script and we now have a new mentor-mentee relationship with the goal of developing me as an artist. Working with them will lead to the development of my theatre script, allow me to learn, gain experience and have my voice heard. RAWD explained about Unity Theatre’s Open Call to me and suggested I should apply for the Work in Progress Fund. My application wasn’t successful, which didn’t come as a surprise – I knew I had no chance but couldn’t miss out on the opportunity!
That only made me more determined to succeed and push myself further. Over the past few months, I’ve started to analyse my theatre script and come up a new opening to it. I have also begun to outline and work on the prequel series to my TV series. I feel there’s another important story to tell – living with a disability doesn’t only affect the person, it has an impact on their entire family and friends too.
The biggest challenge was working alongside RAWD to submit another development funding application (to learn the musical theatre skills I need to develop my script and myself as an artist) in time for the December deadline. This time we needed to submit/write a detailed and in-depth application providing everything from my writing experience to what I want to achieve having learnt the skills, outlining short and long-term goals. I didn’t realise the amount of work you have to put in just to meet the criteria to be considered for the development grant. If my application is successful, the grant would enable me to learn each aspect of musical theatre.
As 2023 draws to an end, I look forward to 2024 with hope and excitement yet I’m conscious of the fact I might not succeed!
The year began with writing my prequel TV series with lots of story outlines and subplots. I focused on the protagonist’s needs and wants first, then developed the plot around them achieving their goals. Concentrating on the overall theme of highlighting disability and discriminatory issues, I created the unlikeliest underdog love story that you will ever see, which will not only open your eyes but your heart too. When a comical music video sparks a connection between a disabled women with a passion for musical theatre and a budding musical theatre actor, the journey into self-discovery and requited love begins.
In March, I received the biggest surprise of my life – I was successful in getting the grant from the Arts Council to develop my theatre project. It enables me to learn each aspect of musical theatre from writing, directing, production skills to song writing, composing and visual effects. I’m looking forward to sinking my teeth into every aspect, starting from June. I’m thrilled to be working alongside RAWD and industry professionals on this project, hopefully I will gain the skills needed to turn my dream into reality.
Don’t think I haven’t been doing nothing for months though! I’ve rewritten my theatre script to make it more condensed and sharper – with lots of Scouse phrases and humour. I literally couldn’t believe how far I’ve improved from the first script I wrote 6 years ago. The 1-2-1 sessions with James Capel must have paid off as it’s influenced my theatre script a great deal, from cutting scenes down to changing dialogue. I have found a new confidence in writing which I lacked before. I would like to thank James for giving me the motivation and the push I needed to refine my work.
