a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess and a criminal

Things have been busy here, and are going to get busier - is this a good thing? Quite probably.

The script was locked for Short 1 last week (except for some minor tweaks which may come out during rehearsals) - one of the happiest and proudest days for me - finally real - job done! Went into Edinburgh to my first crew meeting yesterday - great to see REAL people who are going to bring everything to life. Rehearsals today in Peebles, and then the shoot starts properly tomorrow. Everything seems to be in place, the Director and Producer are happy, and people seem genuinely pleased about the script, so that's a joy and a relief. More than a couple grown men on the crew have confessed to a few tears when reading it - so it looks like the tone is working as intended - touching but not depressing!

Cast are all in place, and will give details next blog once have checked it's ok to be blabbing about such stuff - I'm a newbie when it comes to 'live' projects so don't want to bugger anything up. Am particularly excited about our lead actor - his first film role was in 'Get Carter' with Michael Caine - and he's exactly as I pictured the main character.

I'm going to be an observer on set, and am oddly nervous but excited - don't want to get under anyone's feet. We've been told to bring waterproofs and sturdy footwear as there's a bit of filming out in the wilds, up a hill with some outdoor sports-type people - should be fun. Fellow writers who've already had this experience have also suggested I take a good book as there is 'an awful lot of waiting about'. Bring it on!

Short 2 is shooting middle of September, so am currently tweaking a draft for that. Have learnt a lot during the process of Short 1, so that should help this project. Again chuffed to have lots of good people involved - one thing I learned during Short 1, is that I LOVE the collaborative process, and I'm much less precious about my work than I expected - which is a good thing.

In between finishing Short 1 and getting Short 2 ready, have just heard I got 1 of the 10 places on the BBC Scotland Radio Lab. Getting a radio drama broadcast is an ambition of mine, so was delighted when I heard. A few days in Edinburgh, then 2 days in Glasgow at BBC Scotland in September and October - can't wait - and I now know the book I shall be perusing in between the quiet moments on the set of Short 1 - 'Writing for Radio' - always good to be prepared. It's going to be a busy few months!

(BTW many other blogs and articles have done a beautiful job of this already, but RIP John Hughes, a man who helped form my love of films when I was growing up - I used to be able to quote most of The Breakfast Club, and Ferris Bueller (geek). RIP too to Blake Snyder, a man who created the concise and straightforward Beat Sheet I still often refer to when I write).

Whether you're a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess or a criminal, I hope your August is busy and productive.