I am a diligent, enthusiastic professional seeking further experience in script development. My time on BBC’s EastEnders and Holby City over the past 8 years has provided me with invaluable knowledge and experience of almost every department of 2 flagship TV shows. In particular, my role as Researcher has allowed me to work closely with writers in shaping drafts of the scripts, walking the tightrope between ensuring factual accuracy and maintaining the editorial vision of the show.
I am also an experienced screenwriter; my last film Retribution was sold to multiple territories worldwide and to Amazon Prime in the UK.
In both my current and previous roles within BBC Drama, I have extensive experience as a researcher and have built relationships with an exhaustive list of expert advisors and charity organisations.
My time as EastEnders senior researcher allowed me the opportunity to guide the research on an extraordinary flagship show, rebuilding the dept, interviewing, hiring and managing staff, and implementing systems and failsafes to ensure vital information is communicated successfully.
I would often arrange speakers to come to conferences and/or meet with the story team, producers and cast to tell of their experiences or expertise in order to give deeper understanding of an issue or generate new story ideas.
The day to day running of story research required me to source experts, give out NDA’s and send out encrypted documents, usually scripts and storylines, for evaluation. Often having to liaise with senior producers and storyliners when the reality of the research contradicted the way a story had been written, I would always present ways to resolve the issue, or at least give alternatives that will serve the editorial intention of the story. Sometimes having to go so far as to tell senior producers that a story, or story element has to change in order to avoid public misinformation, offence to a community or real world harm.
Due to the size and scale of the show, problems always present themselves. I have experience in dealing with problems across a spectrum from props being unable to source a cochlear implant to a global pandemic halting production entirely. The key to both issues was to have clear lines of communication and transparency of action with all departments of the production.
On Holby City I was one of 5 researchers and being the most experienced, was given the remit to manage the team and the responsibility to control the budget. Detailed research documents were always delivered on or before deadline and under budget. Due to the heavy technical medical nature of this research, I would often have to communicate directly with the writer, script editor and producer to ensure the accurate incorporation of the material. Always aiming to be as factual as possible while still serving the priority of the editorial vision.
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