As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience in the industry, I can’t help but feel an immense surge of excitement upon hearing about Bad Wolf’s Blaidd Writers Program. Having grown up in Wales and witnessed the rise of this powerhouse production firm, I am thrilled to see them giving back to the community that has nurtured their success.
To commemorate its 10-year milestone in 2025, the creative studio Bad Wolf (known for producing shows like Doctor Who and His Dark Materials) is unveiling the Blaidd Writers Program. This ongoing six-month paid opportunity aims to discover and cultivate emerging Welsh drama writers. The program is jointly organized with Screen Alliance Wales. Participants will receive guidance from esteemed screenwriters such as Jack Thorne (His Dark Materials, National Treasure), Russell T Davies (Doctor Who, It’s A Sin), and Marnie Dickens (Gold Digger, Wilderness).
On Tuesday, a new plan was announced involving three writers collaborating with Bad Wolf to create an up-to-date Welsh-based drama series of their own design. In addition, they will attend workshops led by industry experts such as Mickey Down and Konrad Kay, the co-creators of the successful HBO and BBC show “Industry,” and Kayleigh Llewellyn, the screenwriter behind “In My Skin.”
New writers are set to begin their positions at Bad Wolf’s Cardiff headquarters, Wolf Studios Wales, in January. Each writer will be assigned an individual script editor and producer for assistance during the development phase. Additionally, they will receive frequent advice and feedback from Tranter and Dan McCulloch, the director of content at Bad Wolf.
Each writer will receive a grant of £18,000 (approximately $23,410 USD) to work on their script and its treatment. Additionally, all related expenses such as travel, accommodation, and others will be taken care of by Bad Wolf Productions.
Over the past ten years, Wales has served as the pulsating core for Bad Wolf. For us to thrive into the future and propel the Welsh television industry, it’s crucial that we foster upcoming screenwriters. As they journey with our industry mentors, not only will our Blaidd Writers refine their scripts, but they’ll also gain a comprehensive understanding of the TV industry and production process. (I, as a fan, am excited about this opportunity for emerging talent in Wales!)
Davies expressed his excitement about mentoring the emerging writing talents in Wales together with Bad Wolf. Thorne also voiced her approval, stating that she is both half Welsh and a writer herself, making her passionate about this program due to its focus on financially supporting writers as they progress. She emphasized that the current industry situation is peculiar, but it’s crucial to invest in young talent to prevent starving ourselves of future possibilities. Her specific interest lies in nurturing disabled voices, as she believes this sector remains underrepresented, so that will be her focus during this collaboration.
Dickens expressed his delight as follows: “It’s a pleasure to be included in this meticulously planned and financially sound project that aims to boost the visibility of Welsh authors.”
The application period for the program starts on Monday, September 16th and ends on Friday, October 4th. To apply, you must submit a ten-page excerpt from an original pilot script, a two-page summary, and a 500-word essay explaining why you would benefit from the program through screenalliancewales.com. If selected, you will need to submit a complete pilot script for review. Only writers living in Wales who have no more than one television or feature film writing credit can apply.
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2024-08-20 12:54