Discover how to infuse your scripts with that elusive quality that makes readers love your work
Date: Saturday, 26 April
Time: 11:20
Room: TBC
Filmed: TBC
Every year, thousands of well-crafted scripts with solid structure and compelling characters fail to break through. Why? Because they’re missing that indefinable something that makes a reader sit up and take notice – voice. Drawing from her three decades of experience spanning Working Title Films to the National Film and Television School, Tammy Riley-Smith demystifies this crucial yet elusive element of screenwriting.
Voice isn’t just style or tone – it’s the unique fingerprint that makes your writing distinctly yours. It’s why two writers can tackle the same premise and produce radically different scripts. Through practical examples from her work on films like “Delicious” and “You Me Cyprus,” Tammy illuminates why voice matters more than ever in today’s saturated marketplace, where being good isn’t good enough – you need to be memorable.
But here’s the paradox: most writers struggle with voice precisely because they’re trying too hard to find it. Using insights gained from leading NFTS’s “Finding Your Voice” course, Tammy reveals how voice emerges not from imitation or forced originality, but from embracing your authentic perspective and creative instincts. You’ll learn why many writers unconsciously suppress their voice in an attempt to sound “professional,” and how to break free from these self-imposed constraints.
Whether you’re still searching for your voice or looking to strengthen it, this session offers concrete techniques for letting your authentic creative identity shine through every page you write. Come ready to discover how your unique perspective can become your greatest asset in standing out from the crowd.
Speakers In This Session
Catherine Williams // Children’s TV Series Creator and Screenwriter
Catherine Williams, BAFTA-winning screenwriter, has crafted iconic kids’ TV shows like Pocoyo and Shaun the Sheep, with Piggy Builders premiering in 2025.
