I have a great script, now what? (bios below)
So you’ve done the hard work and written a masterpiece, but what do you do with it now? Your dad’s uncle’s brother’s wife’s godfather isn’t Steven Spielberg, you’re not connected up the wazoo. So how exactly do writers get their work onto the desks and into the hands of the people with the power to produce it?
Our panel of experienced industry professionals will guide you through those crucial next steps of any writers career. Learn from the experts how to forge those important relationships that can help put you and your project on the screenwriting map.

LISA HOLDSWORTH - Screenwriter
Lisa Holdsworth is originally from Leeds and has worked in television in the city since she graduated. Lisa’s first commission was an episode of FAT FRIENDS which she devised herself and was shortlisted for a Best New Writer BAFTA.

Since then, she has written an original play for Radio 4 and spent three years on the EMMERDALE writing team. She left to write for the third series of the BBC’s police drama NEW TRICKS.

She has contributed to the show ever since and is about to start work on an episode for series eight. She has also written on four series of WATERLOO ROAD including a feature length series opener.

She wrote two of the final series of ROBIN HOOD; including the much-discussed ORIGINS episode. She currently has projects in development with several production companies and the BBC.

ROSIE ALISON - Head of Development | Heyday Films
Rosie Alison is Head of Development at Heyday Films, where she is working on a wide range of scripts in development, from Warner Bros projects to Film Four and BBC Films projects.

She was also co-producer on two recent Heyday films, THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PYJAMAS and IS ANYBODY THERE? Prior to joining Heyday, Rosie worked as a television documentary maker for ten years (her director credits include THE SOUTH BANK SHOW, OMNIBUS and GRAND DESIGNS).

She has also recently published her first novel THE VERY THOUGHT OF YOU, which was shortlisted for the Orange Prize (2010).

OLLY BLACKBURN - Writer / Director
Olly Blackburn learnt his craft at NYU’s Graduate Department of Film and TV where he was a Fulbright scholar. His NYU thesis film SWALLOWED traveled to festivals around the world including TELLURIDE and KAROLY VARY (where it won best student film). His next short, WONDERFUL WORLD won best British Film at the Manchester short film festival.

His first feature film is the thriller DONKEY PUNCH (co-written with David Bloom) which the Daily Mail called “the sickest, vilest, most depraved film I have ever had the misfortune to sit through”. It premiered in Sundance in 2008 and has traveled to festivals and was sold to territories around the world. It was released in UK cinemas by Optimum Releasing and in the US by Magnolia Films.

As a screenwriter Olly co-wrote the horror-drama VINYAN which starred Emmanuel Beart and Rufus Sewell and premiered at the 2008 Venice Film Festival. He also co-wrote the comic docudrama THE LONG TOMORROW.

He has worked as writer on many projects in development including an adaption of Chris Fowler’s cult novel ROOFWORLD for New Line, and sci-fi thriller THE LAST BORN with writer-director Niels Arden Oplev (GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATOO) for Zentropa and New Line. He has also served as script consultant for Zentropa Films.

Olly has also directed music videos and commercials for many years – promos include work for Gomez, Embrace and Tin Star and commercials work includes spots for HSBC, the BBC, National Lottery, Boots and Carlsberg. For television Olly directed the FLYING BLIND episode of ITV series SURVIVORS.

His projects in development as co-writer and director include a remake of Patrice Leconte’s heist-thriller THE SPECIALISTS (Optimum), action-thriller CHILDREN OF THE REVOLUTION (Caveman Films) and motor-racing/action comedy MODIFY OR DIE (Warp films).

Olly has also worked as a journalist. He lives in South London, likes listening to loud music and discovering things that make reality so very entertaining.

ELLIN STEIN - Script Consultant
Ellin Stein operates script consultancy Solid Script Services (http://www.solidscripts.co.uk) and teaches screenwriting at Roehampton University.

Previously a story analyst for companies including Miramax, Zoetrope and New Line, she has led a double life as a journalist, contributing to publications including The Times, The Telegraph, The Independent, The Guardian, The New York Times, Variety, and salon.com. She has also written for Radio 4’s The News Quiz.

Ellin began her career writing plays with music (since moving to Britain she has realized these were actually pantos for adults) that were produced in San Francisco and New York as well as two shorts that have won prizes from several international festivals and been shown on TV in New York, Los Angeles, Japan, Holland, and Nicaragua.