Helen Perry is our new Cardiff-based BBC Writersroom Development Producer. Find out more about Helen as she introduces herself below, including some news about current opportunities...
For the last ten years I’ve worked in BBC Radio Drama, a medium in which the writer is king. An audio play lives or dies on the strength of the script. Unsurprisingly I have the utmost respect for writers; for their craft, imagination, downright determination to conquer a blank page and their ability to create worlds in which we want to immerse ourselves. I’m in awe of the magic they can weave.
To let you in on a little secret – I’ve had a minor crush on the BBC Writersroom for some time now because of the work it does helping writers, both emerging and established, across the UK, over varying platforms and genres, make that storytelling magic happen. If you don’t believe me spend two minutes on the Successes page of this website to see the extent to which BBC Writersroom has nurtured talent and helped generate fantastic content. I am delighted to be joining the team.
And I’m doubly delighted to be heading up BBC Writersroom Wales, based in the city that raised me, amongst the people and stories that resonate with me, surrounded by talent that’s ready to shine. I passionately believe Wales deserves to be better represented to a wider audience – and that’s number one on my to-do list.
But you’re not reading this because you want to know about me. You want to know what we’re doing and what we can do for you. Well it’s an exciting time right now, with a number of schemes up and running and more on the horizon. For those with comedic bones there’s Find Me Funny a comedy pilot initiative we’re running with BBC Cymru Wales. Following an open submission search up to three new comedy programmes will be created and broadcast in 2018/19. And the one that gets the biggest laugh may go on to be commissioned as a series. It’s a fantastic opportunity, but hurry, the deadline closes on Monday 15th January (*top tip – make your opening first ten pages unputdownably funny if you want to make it through the first sift*).
We’re in the process of developing and producing five short-form comedy dramas with a musical element (we like a challenge) with new writers that will air in summer.
We’re currently working with our invitational group - Welsh Voices – developing and supporting those that we believe are on the cusp of great things.
We will of course be feeding into all pan-UK BBC Writersroom schemes, alongside cooking up more bespoke opportunities in Wales.
Most importantly we’re on the hunt for writing talent. Myself and the wonderful BBC Writersroom Wales Development Coordinator Emily Angell are here to help identify those voice that need to be heard. I’ve got a feeling we’re going to be busy…
Find out more about some of the work of BBC Writersroom Wales
