Northern Ireland Writers Get Big Break
Three Ulster-based scriptwriters are to have their work made into dramas for television in a new initiative from BBC Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen. The scheme, which is called Primetime, launched last year. It offered Northern Ireland-based writers the chance to have an original one-hour drama produced for TV. The scripts now selected are At Water's Edge by Dean Hagan and Glynis Hagan and The Year Of Greater Love by Patrick FitzSymons.
Andrew Reid, Head of Production at Northern Ireland Screen, said the two projects will be overseen by indie producer Mammoth Screen – which has a Northern Ireland base. “We are delighted to have the delivery of the projects in the capable hands of Mammoth Screen. Their involvement adds considerable value to an already strong opportunity for the Northern Ireland creative community. The selected projects show that new writing talent is alive and flourishing in Northern Ireland. We know both Mammoth Screen and the creative teams will deliver projects that will be a testimony to our belief in the talent within Northern Ireland.”
With Mammoth Screen in charge, both projects are set to go into production towards the end of this summer. The company’s Joint MD, Michele Buck, said: "Mammoth was totally thrilled to win the tender to develop and produce these films for Northern Ireland. There are so few avenues for new writing talent to have their work produced that this is a unique opportunity for the writers." Note: The Primetime project received around 140 submissions. Primetime will broadcast on BBC One Northern Ireland early next year.
