In Conversation with Emma Dennis-Edwards, Writer and Actor

Drink of choice? 

Emma: Elderflower Cordial, lots of ice and lemon

Where are you at the moment? 

Emma: Currently, I'm in my living room in South London. Real Housewives of Beverly Hills is playing in the background...LOL

What are you up to at the moment? 

Emma: I'm working on a BBC3 show called Boarders which will be out next year! So I'm in a writers room for that which is really exciting. 

Your top tips for getting started with an idea for a TV script or screenplay 

Emma: Write it. Stop procrastinating, quit researching and write.  

How do you find inspiration for your writing?

Emma: I find London really inspiring, the energy of the city, the vibe. 

Can you briefly talk through your process for writing for Film and TV? Where do you start? 

Emma: I start with the outline, the story is so important on screen so I really try to break down the story (without dialogue) and make sure I've got all my story turns, midpoints etc. 

Can you give us a writing exercise that you find useful?  

Emma: I don't really do a lot of writing exercises, but I think it's really useful to do the character questions - this website is quite a good resource. 

Best piece of advice for writers who are just starting out in the industry 

Emma: Watch and read as much as you can. That's really the best training ground. 

Your play Funeral Flowers won the Scotsman’s Fringe First Award and went on to tour venues across London and most recently in York, Oxford, Liverpool, Exeter and Nottingham. Have you got any advice for writers who have just had a play on at the Edinburgh Fringe? 

Emma: There's no rush! There's often a rush to transfer your play of success after the fringe, when your money and resources are probably pretty low post fringe. Take your time and find the right home for your play. Funeral Flowers went on to the Bunker 6 months after it's Edinburgh run. 

Finally, how can your Writing for Screen course help writers? 

Emma: I've always found it easier to write in a group setting, writing can be lonely so the opportunity to work in a group setting with your peers is invaluable. 
 

Emma is a writer and actor of Jamaican and Trinidadian heritage, whose TV work includes writing an episode of Champion (Candice Carty-Williams' new show for BBC) and Story Consultant for six-part thriller Ragdoll (UKTV/AMC). She has been a member of the BBC Writers Academy and the Royal Court, Soho Theatre, Lyric Hammersmith and Oval House writers’ programmes. Her play Funeral Flowers won the Scotsman’s Fringe First Award in 2018 and after touring venues across London, including Roundhouse and Hackney Empire Studio, went onto tour venues across the UK earlier this year. 

Emma will lead new eight-week evening course Writing for Screen from 28 September–16 November.