WFTV KAY MELLOR SCREENWRITERS’ LAB
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About the Lab
To spotlight and support emerging female writing talent in film and TV, Women in Film & TV UK hosts an annual WFTV Kay Mellor Screenwriters’ Lab sponsored by Miss Scarlet Ltd.
The programme consists of craft writing masterclasses and workshops led by two course tutors from the film and TV industry, independent writing time to focus and hone your script and a 1-2-1 session with a tutor to offer project guidance.
The WFTV Kay Mellor Screenwriters’ Lab is an opportunity for you to build confidence in your craft and develop your writing voice by participating in workshops led by course tutors from the industry, create a network of peers, and have independent writing time to work intensely on one script at final draft stage and develop it over the course of the lab to be pitch ready, in a supportive and distraction free environment.
2024 Cohort
Hosted at the renowned Arvon’s centre The Hurst in Shropshire. 2024’s programme brought together 13 emerging writers for a week of intensive workshops, mentorship, and industry insight. The lab was led by an outstanding team of tutors: celebrated screenwriter Lisa Holdsworth (Fat Friends, Call the Midwife, Waterloo Road) and seasoned producer Carol Harding (Black Ops, The Confessions of Frannie Langton, My Name is Leon).
With their combined expertise in writing and production, Holdsworth and Harding guided participants through a series of hands-on workshops and one-on-one tutorials, helping bring scripts closer to reality. Additionally, the lab featured a special guest speaker, BAFTA nominated writer-director Sally El Hosaini (The Swimmers, My Brother the Devil) who will share her journey and expertise with the writers.
2023 Cohort
In October 2023 WFTV UK launched its inaugural WFTV Kay Mellor Screenwriters’ Lab 2023, sponsored by Miss Scarlet Limited, to spotlight and support emerging female writing talent in the film and TV industry.
Hosted at the Arvon Foundation’s Lumb Bank house located in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, the 5-day writers’ lab programme consisted of craft writing masterclasses and workshops was led by course tutors Lisa Holdsworth (Ackley Bridge, Call the Midwife, Waterloo Road) and Olivia Hetreed (Girl with a Pearl Earring, Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris, Wuthering Heights).
In addition, evening sessions included a conversation with Happy Valley creator and writer Sally Wainwright OBE, and Life in Pictures – a retrospective look at Kay Mellor’s work with Yvonne Francas-Mellor and Gaynor Mellor, Managing Director and Creative Director at Rollem Productions.
About Kay Mellor
Born and bred in Leeds, Kay Mellor was a unique talent in the industry, creating some of the most talked about TV and stage shows in the country. A director, actress and executive producer as well as a writer, Kay was perhaps best known for creating ground-breaking drama series such as Band of Gold and Girlfriends.
Kay was always passionate about mentoring emerging talent – she worked closely with new writers to develop their ideas for television and stage through schemes with the BBC and Leeds Playhouse. Rollem came from her desire to tell real stories, to work with local people and to shine a spotlight on creativity. Rollem continues along the trail she blazed to honour her incredible legacy and ensure the next generation of writing talent get their voices heard.
Kay was awarded the BAFTA Dennis Potter Award in 1997 for Outstanding Writing for Television. She was appointed an OBE in the 2009 Birthday Honours, and in 2014 she was awarded the Writers Guild Award for Outstanding Contribution to Writing. She also received a Fellowship for significant contribution to television from the Royal Television Society in November 2016.
THE WFTV KAY MELLOR'S SCREENWRITERS' LAB IS SPONSORED BY MISS SCARLET LTD.
Miss Scarlet Limited has produced five series of Miss Scarlet and the Duke / Miss Scarlet (Alibi/MasterpiecePBS).
Miss Scarlet is the story of the fictional Eliza Scarlet who through her persistence and determination becomes London’s first female private detective. The Miss Scarlet team is composed of Patty Lenahan Ishimoto, Patrick Irwin, Jin Ishimoto and Harvey Myman together with creator/showrunner Rachael New and her writing partner Ben Edwards.
In addition to Miss Scarlet and the Duke their span of credits includes The Fall, Clean Sweep and Trollied. The driving force for the team is to produce compelling, story-driven content with an authentic voice to meet the demands of a discriminating global television audience.