Industry veterans reveal the real pathways from aspiring writer to paid professional
Date: Friday, 25 April
Time: 15:30
Room: TBC
Filmed: TBC
Want to transform your spec scripts into a thriving writing career? Join Netflix hit-maker Henry Fitzherbert (“Wyatt Earp And The Cowboy War”) and award-winning TV writer Lisa McMullin (“Death in Paradise,” “Casualty”) for an essential masterclass in launching and sustaining a career as a professional screenwriter.
This dynamic session brings together two distinctly different success stories – Fitzherbert’s journey from film journalist to international feature writer, and McMullin’s path through theatre and audio to becoming one of the most versatile voices in television and film. Together, they’ll dissect the strategies that took them from writing on spec to commanding professional fees across multiple formats.
You’ll learn how to leverage your spec work to open industry doors, navigate the transition from unpaid to paid assignments, and position yourself for sustained success in an increasingly competitive marketplace. From securing your first paid gig to building a reputation that keeps the work flowing, this session offers concrete guidance on making writing your profession, not just your passion.
Both speakers bring current industry insights – Fitzherbert fresh from Netflix success and his $21M historical drama “Born A King,” McMullin from her BAFTA-winning work on “Casualty” and upcoming feature “Hear Me Roar,” starring Emma Thompson, Anna Friel, and Christopher Eccleston. Their combined experience spans streaming, broadcast television, film, audio drama, and theatre, offering a comprehensive view of where opportunities exist and how to seize them.
Speakers In This Session
Henry Fitzherbert // Screenwriter and Journalist
Henry Fitzherbert co-wrote Netflix’s Wyatt Earp And The Cowboy War, a global hit, and penned record-breaking films like Born A King.
Lisa McMullin // Television and Film Screenwriter
Lisa McMullin, award-winning writer of Death in Paradise and Hear Me Roar, crafts impactful stories for film, TV, and audio.
