I applied for the Raising Films Creative Residency aiming to complete the first draft of a new film script. As a self-employed single parent, it can be hard to carve out dedicated ‘time to write’ from a busy schedule. I have various caring responsibilities from grandchildren through teens to elderly parents and take on different work as well. Often my own writing comes last, in the gaps. The residency gave it chance to come first for a whole week. This has never happened before, so I was both really excited and daunted.
There were three of us -Kellie, Michelle and Julie – who went to stay in a beautiful old cottage in an isolated Dales village. Dent was cobbled and quiet until the rain came and kept coming and the water roared down the beck at the side of the house, which had been empty when we arrived. The damp weather did us a favour as we weren’t tempted to go for long walks, only short ones, so we got more work done. Michelle and I had an intriguing visit to the Heritage Centre which had a mass of artefacts gathered over decades – plus really great coffee!
It’s interesting how you notice more solutions to your scripts’ issues when you have chance to do so. The work definitely needed this time away to get the structure right and produce the whole skeleton, some muscles and the teeniest bit of skin. Concentrated planning needed total brain immersion, so it was so satisfying to be able to have the space, the silence and the time to devote to writing. We gained more time by taking it in turn to cook for each other on an evening. It was good to eat together, listen to music and talk about a range of topics. Afterwards we watched either a film or documentary and discussed it.
I learned during this week that the way I am usually required to work on ‘big’ projects – piecemeal between caring responsibilities and other, smaller projects – is fine until you need to mould a huge idea such as a script or novel. Deep, intense, mentally-draining writing really does need a room – and time- of its own.
I also learned that being in the same space as other writers in the same stage, can give a more confident and creative atmosphere to all. If you are working at the same pace, in your own ways, in your own separate places yet all together, it becomes much more productive for everyone.It was a brilliant bonus to have people to talk with who get what you are trying to achieve, and how hard writing can be, especially when you have other pressures. Discussing other films and media that were relevant to each other gave us themes and different approaches that we might not have known about otherwise.
Thank you so much for this chance to attend and for helping all the various caring creatives to develop their craft! Being on the residency has made me really believe this project will come to fruition. I am so grateful to the organisers at Raising Film and the kind souls who made this Residency into reality. You are all wonderful!
