Joe O'Byrne: Creator, Tales from Paradise Heights
I attended a screen writing seminar last night at The Octagon Theatre. It was delivered by Henry R Swindell, New Writing Manager for BBC Writersroom North (which focuses on championing writers from across the north of England) and organised by the lovely and ever industious creative Elizabeth Newman, the Octagon's associate Director and Head of New Writing. This wasn't about a creative cashing in on his success in a whole host of TV productions over the last decade or two - this was FREE to attend, and I doff my cap to Henry, well done Sir and thank you for sharing your passion.
Henry R Swindell
Henry has a very impressive background in TV production and series editing (list of some credits here http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1500629/ ) and he delivered an informative, witty and very entertaining presentation on what the BBC Writers Room are looking for in new writers. Henry started the evening by expressing the obsession, the urge, the all consuming fever that makes some of us simply have to write. I sat in a very packed Bill Naughton theatre, a room stuffed full of imaginations of all ages, a mix of writers that have had their work performed and writers waiting to have their work performed and well...it was just one of those nights where you could hear cogs clicking in creative minds, and you wonder just who you are sat in the presence of, who is going to be blowing our minds on our screens in the future...
And speaking of the URGE, the OBSESSION...as many of you will know I'm seriously infected. There are no clocks in my writing den. There is however music (a 63 hour random play list on my computer with everything from opera and film scores to David Bowie and Marilyn Manson). There is a coffee machine and there is an ash tray...and most nights it's me, the music, the smell of coffee and cigarettes and an imagination that knocks down the walls of that writers den to find out WHAT'S OUT THERE...
Most of my writing takes place in the dark witching hours between midnight and 4 am...or later if it's really flowing. I've hit the sack many a time with the sound of dawns chorus sending me into dream or nightmare land. I'm my own worst enemy, biggest critic and I fight and wrestle with every new story until I think it's right. Jim Cartwright (Road, Two, Bed, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice) described me as 'a forest writer.' (Jim is also a forest writer). That's someone that creates the whole forest first, writes and writes and then, once the forest is there they cut their way through it, find the path, the tale to tell. Many times that involves cutting passages that I think are pure gold, it hurts but they have to go. So painful - like cutting the fingers off your baby. But those fingers (and sometimes limbs - god, I'm vicious) will stay in my little butchers' freezer, a place of severed limbs or frozen characters that stare at me with accusing eyes for creating them but not using them. They are saved because sometimes they are very good places to start on your next project - or it's a limb that will fit, Frankenstein style, very nicely to the anatomy of your next creation.
Anyway enough about that, what's happening and what has been happening in Tales from Paradise Heights?
THE WATCHER: A Tale from Paradise Heights - MANCHESTER FILM FESTIVAL
We were delighted to be part of The Manchester Film Festival, organised by fellow Bolton lad Andrew Oldbury - WELL DONE Andrew. Our first festival, we will be entering many more. In a packed program of excellent Manchester shorts we managed to get a 'Special Mention' from the jury, that was for David Edward Roberston's EXCELLENT performance as homeless Danny, the burnt out ex fireman living under a railway arch.
Here's a clip from David's performance...
Well done David and indeed all involved in THE WATCHER and to the other films in the fest, special congrats to MUG the winning entry from Oli Lee's.
I'm looking for spaces at the moment to bring 5* rated STRAWBERRY JACK: A Tale from Paradise Heights back this summer, so watch this space.
And more immediately coming up next month there's this...
Yes, this promises to be a great night at The Octagon, it's fantastic to be returning there after last years successful run of THE BENCH: A Tale from Paradise Heights.
This will be a night for both existing and new fans of the series, come along and find out just what TALES FROM PARADISE HEIGHTS is about. There will be scenes from the existing plays, film clips, live original music from the series, a Q&A with my twisted self and a couple of scenes from my new plays DIANE'S DELI and TORCH, both of course are TALES FROM PARADISE HEIGHTS...
Before then I will be turning up to The Thirsty Scholar as part of this...
And what is Hotpotch? This is from their facebook page...
'HotchPotch Manchester is a unique monthly performance art and multi-media event held at the Thirsty Scholar and Attic, organised to promote some of and most diverse talent within Manchester. It is for everyone, who is interested in improving and developing knowledge about visual art, live performance, film and music. You can learn new skills, talk about own ideas or just have fun.'
And yes I know it the flyer/poster says there will be a short play from me, well instead I'll be assaulting your ears with some of my slam/slang poetry or indeed Noetry...come along, it's a great monthly night organised by Zuzanna Zukiewicz a tremendously passionate enthusiast of the Manchester Arts Scene...
Till then, see ya...
Joe x
