Finding stories at every turn...
I became a script editor, then a producer. Suddenly, I was working with real writers - and I learned from them. I started writing too. I wrote TV dramas first. Most of them didn’t get made – that’s par for the course. But when kids came along, I started writing for children’s television and animation. And then games.
I quickly realised I loved collaboration – working with other writers, directors, actors. So I started mentoring on workshops: and it was on a workshop that I met my long-time writing partner Matt Costello when we were both hired as writers-in-residence. We started writing TV and games together and then in 2013 we created Cherringham.
Looking back on my writing journey, there’s so much chance and luck involved. No straight line, no planned career path. So is there a secret? I only know what worked for me. Take chances when they come. Be flexible. Keep learning. Embrace new ideas, new forms. When media changes, change with it.
And let these words from my favourite movie be your guide…
About Neil
My own story...
I was born in Ireland. Growing up, we were always on the move. Every couple of years a new house, different school, another set of friends to make. It wasn’t easy. But books, comics, TV, films were my escape. Stories…
I always knew that working with stories was what I wanted to do. But back then, unless you knew the right people, that wasn’t easy. And I certainly didn’t know the right people.
So it took ten years of doing all the wrong jobs in my 20s before by chance I fell into the right job – working as a script-reader for the Oscar-winning producer David Puttnam. And that changed everything…