Introducing the six local writers who will create the scripts for our upcoming digital TV series
Following an open call earlier this summer, we’re delighted to introduce the six Midlands-based writers who will form the writers’ room for our upcoming digital TV series, SeaView.
Selected from a pool of 106 hopeful applicants, the six successful writers are Daniel Anderson, Annabel Brightling, Sophia Griffin, Sam Kurd, Dave Payne, and Rory Rawson.
Over the next 15 weeks, these up-and-coming local creatives will work with script editor Sophie Ellerby and series creator Corey Campbell to develop stories for a six-part series, set to premiere in 2021. Find out more about the team below.
“Opportunities like this don't come around every day and to be selected to join the writer’s room for SeaView excites me, because it positions me within a safe environment to explore, play, create, have fun, learn, be challenged and connect with like-minded creatives. What creative artist doesn't want and need an opportunity like this? Bring it on. Let's do this!”
“I look forward to writing sci-fi, as this will be a new experience for me. The writer’s room environment will allow us to build on different ideas to do this story justice. The main protagonist Steven has a conflict with his purpose, which I connect with on different levels. I’m looking forward to working on his journey. I’m rooting for him.”
“I have known/know my own version of the main character ‘Steven’ and think it is an important story to tell; adding a science fiction element to SeaView will be an intriguing dynamic to play with. I am particularly excited that this is a West Midlands project and believe it will support and train the writing community in the region and open up more doors creatively.”
“I'm excited to join a team of writers and collaborate on telling a story set in the heart of the Midlands. This promises to be a fascinating project and together I'm sure we'll create a compelling and important story. There's nothing better than collaborating and playing with ideas, working with fellow creatives to build a story together.”
“In a time when it is more important than ever that diverse characters and voices are brought to the screen, I'm looking forward to contributing to this through a story that both highlights and subverts stereotypes. I repeatedly bang the drum of just how fantastic the Midlands creative scene is, so it's a huge pleasure to be involved in the SeaView project - a genre I really enjoy.”
“SeaView is a story we have never seen before. The Belgrade Theatre will be the centre of the UK’s City of Culture in 2021. I am excited to join such a ground-breaking and culturally significant series, and to learn from Sophie, Corey, and other great writers within the West Midlands.”
Based on an original idea by Corey Campbell – the Belgrade Theatre’s Co-Artistic Director for 2021 and Artistic Director of Strictly Arts Theatre Company – SeaView is an urban science-fiction drama, drawing on the experiences of working class communities in the West Midlands. Inspired by a true story, it follows the journey of Steven, a young man destined for great things who finds himself trapped by the destiny of others.
Tormented by his gift for prophecy and haunted by his dreams, Steven tries to break the cycle of lies, crime and violence that has ensnared his family, but finds himself in an impossible position. The way seems unchangeable, the decisions they make irreversible.
Corey Campbell said: “We were overwhelmed by the response to our open call-out, and have been hugely impressed by the quality of the applications we received. It’s been a difficult decision choosing just six writers to join our team, and we’d like to thank everyone who took the time to apply. We’re very excited to get started as we meet our new writers’ room for the first time this week.”
The series will make its debut with an exclusive screening at the Belgrade Theatre in 2021, followed by an online release. The project is the product of a collaboration between the Belgrade Theatre Coventry, Strictly Arts Theatre Company, Fix 8 Films, Run Home Productions and Audio Bassment that will see theatre and film production companies work together in groundbreaking new ways.
For updates, please follow @SeaViewSeries on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.