I am proud to say that I was one of the ten writers representing London for BBC Writers Room Voices this year.
It was a great experience, shared with these beautiful human beings!
www.bbc.co.uk/writers/blog...
Onwards and upwards!
F1 (Movie) is exactly what it needs to be.
Brad Pitt does what Brad Pitt does - and he does it perfectly.
Damson Idris is magnetic but I would have preferred more of him.
Action is plentiful (and pretty faithful to F1 the sport). Script is fine.
4 FUN Stephens out of 5 Stephens.
The most glowing review for certain cinema folk.
Ooh no... Added to 'the list' - thank you!
Also should get bonus points for actually sticking a decent landing - no small feat these days!
We're addicted to it in this house... I loved it so much!
Genius Game (ITV) and Devil's Plan (Netflix) - that was inspired by/developed from the original Korean Genius Game - dropping on the same Wednesday?
The puzzle gameshow Gods are spoiling us!
High & Low - John Galliano (Netflix) is an astonishingly well-crafted documentary on an incredibly fascinating man.
www.netflix.com/gb/title/817...
Sinners (Ryan Coogler, WarnerBros) is fantastic, great fun, and brave in places. It does get extremely busy but is clearly made with fun and purpose.
4 Stephens out of 5 Stephens.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jou....
Nope.
Yeah, but THE WHOLE DAY?! And if you're waiting around, you'd just... Stand in the field?! No chat. Not 'fuck this, I'll be back in a few hours'?. No, 'I need a nap' etc?
We left them. The light faded. They just stood in stasis.
It felt weird.
So, Severance thoughts anyone?
Mine...?
- Still don't understand why Devon called Cobel?
- Why did they stand in a field ALL DAY?
- And not ask about Cold Harbor, or Gemma or JUST ANYTHING?!
Also, the pacing for this season is frustrating. Episodes 1-4 were frantic and BRISK, and now...
Niche, but am here for it!
I did not know this...
That's quite a ploy - I like it!
Looks LUSH Lisa... Excited to see it!
👊🏼💯❤️
I read an early draft of the Severance pilot today and it's utterly fascinating. Most of the tone and characters are there, but there's been some interesting shifts in structure and plot.
Definitely worth a read to see how things have shifted.
Getting a little annoyed with the polarised Severance commentary... Mr Sepinwall - in my view the most consistent and fair TV reviewer around today - hits the nail on the head here with regards to the latest episode.
*Paywall (but also, Google ways around it if you're so inclined)
"Unfortunately, on this occasion your entry has not been longlisted."
Standard Friday email. Such Joy.
I won a free copy of Final Draft a couple of years ago for winning a screenwriting competition and have felt obliged to use it ever since, but... I'm thinking of moving to Fade In.
Anyone have any thoughts either way?
#screenwriting
Okay, writer folks...
What new TV shows are we looking forward to this year?
What should I be keeping an eye out for?
👀
The Paradise finale (Disney+) couldn't live up to the series opener or that tense episode 7. The opening 5 minutes were problematic and the dialogue clumsy.
And that's before we discuss the anticlimactic reveal of the 'mystery'.
Is 2 great episodes from 8 enough?
2 1/2 Stephens out of 5.
Current status...
I spent an incredible evening in the company of Angie Stone, Guru (Gangstarr) and Bilal back in the early 00's.
She was just like her voice - arresting, smooth, gentle and magnificent.
This is heartbreaking 💔
(Hard to believe that 2 of those 3 are now no longer with us).
Ramadan Mubarak my friends ❤️
Sent my latest spec (of which I'm really proud) to a prospective agent today and I'm ABSOLUTELY, DEFINITELY NOT FEELING LIKE IT'S AWFUL, I'M A TERRIBLE WRITER AND OH MY GOD WHAT DID I DO?!?
💀🫠
For this episode and for how it deals with its subject, sure. But I am still on the fence.
So... The latest episode of Paradise is very good.
It's NOT 'the greatest episode of television ever' - chill out internet - but it is tight, controlled, tense drama with the highest of stakes.
I was starting to drop off, but it's bought itself back some grace. For now.
I remember diving back from my father's funeral, there was the brightest, most clear double rainbow across my road for almost the entire 200 mile journey.
Everything just felt easier in that moment.
