Home arrow Features arrow Interviews arrow How To Win At The Rome Film Festival With Your First Feature... (Hugh Ellis Interview)

How To Win At The Rome Film Festival With Your First Feature... (Hugh Ellis Interview)

This is a strange business, no question. Hugh Ellis had a long career as a writer, first in theatre, then in British TV. He ran into regime changes on the show he was working on, as you do, then got the sack, as you do, then decided enough was enough, and he was giving up writing commercially. As you do. At which point he wrote a movie. Which won a bucket load of awards...

We interviewed Hugh some time in early October. Since then we are delighted to hear that Hugh's movie 'Summer' has won the following awards:

BAFTA Scotland

  • Best Feature Film
  • Best Director in Film or Television
  • Best Acting Performance in Film (nominated)

 

Rome Film Festival

  • Alicenella città Award

 

Edinburgh International Film Festival

  • Best Performance in a British Feature Film
  • Michael Powell Award (nominated)
  • Trailblazers Cinematographer

 

And it's his first feature! Not bad for starters, hey?  

Inthis interview Sally Brockway hears all about the journey Hugh tookfrom writing what he called 'the most depressing unfunny turgid playever performed' to his current, considerable, internationalrecognition.

Hugh talks about: 

  • His slow, gradual, coming up through the ranks
  • How he never really gave up the day job completely
  • The dangers of writing on a show that isn't right for you
  • How precarious your career always is
  • How being sacked isn't at all the end of the road and how you get past that
  • How you MUST realise that other people's failings can damage you as a writer
  • How you get through giving up the whole thing and find your own voice
  • The differences between writing on a particular TV show, and writing your own original movie

 

Just press the Play button to hear the interview in the site player:

Please feel free to download this file your computer and burn it ontoCD, or drop it onto your MP3 player so you can listen to it at yourleisure.

To do that just right-click here and save the file to your desktop.

 

And find out more about his movie Summer here: 

http://www.matadorpictures.com/completed_summer.html

 

Comments
Add New Search
Write comment
Name:
Email:
 
Website:
Title:
UBBCode:
[b] [i] [u] [url] [quote] [code] [img] 
 
 
:angry::0:confused::cheer:B):evil::silly::dry::lol::kiss::D:pinch:
:(:shock::X:side::):P:unsure::woohoo::huh::whistle:;):s
:!::?::idea::arrow:
 
Please input the anti-spam code that you can read in the image.

3.26 Copyright (C) 2008 Compojoom.com / Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."
 
[ Back ]

Easy to Follow, Step By Step, Fully Professional Screenwriting Course:

Since 1995 Phil Gladwin has written or edited screenplays for all of these people:

BBC.jpgBBC Wales.jpgITV1.jpgFremantle Media.jpgGranada Television.jpgSarah Jane Adventures.jpgThe Bill.jpgTrial and Retribution.jpgHolby City.jpgRDF Media.jpgWorld Productions.jpgCasualty.jpgRadio 4.jpg
 

Sound Bites

"Nothing I write about my journey with Phil can adequately describe his patience, diligence and the wonderful way he has coached and counselled me in all aspects of screenwriting. Phil is an amazing person to work with because if he thinks your work good he tells you so and if not, well he tells you that too, but then immediately goes about working with you to improve. I've learned so much. Thanks Phil." Bev McMullen, Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada

"As senior media executive in the states with over 20 years experience producing TV and running a major TV/Recording Studio I've recently dedicated myself to writing full time... I'm incorporating Phil's work into my original feature projects, and already can see and feel an improvement. And this is just the start for me... I'm thrilled I found Phil... You will be too! Best to all of you..." Andy Kadison, New York, NY

"Phil Gladwin shares to the point technical tips. He joins these with even more valuable insights into how to "tap into" your heart and soul writing. Proven & tested real time exercises get you jump started WHENEVER you need it. Thanks Phil" John Harrison, Castle Rock, Colorado

"The screenwriting goldmine newsletter from Phil Gladwin is the single most useful tool for a screenwriter to have for its straightforward and clear attention to the details of screenwriting that I haven't found in any other workshop or book on the subject. " Keith Tracy, Punta Gorda, FL, USA