Josh Merritt #autistic #dyspraxic #ADHD #disabled
@Josh_Merritt1
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Neurodivergent Screenwriter. TV: Hollyoaks, BBC Heralded by Jack Thorne as "a tremendous talent". Published Playwright. Ambassador @DANC_UK Agent @AndrewRTLM
West Sussex, UK / Montreal, QC
Joined June 2009
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Oh my George, I am SOOOO EXCITED to at last be able to talk about 'Waffle's After School Club' and my work writing an episode for the
@BAFTA
-winning
@darrallmacqueen
!!!! 💖🐶
(1/2)
6
3
40
I am now a writer for
@Hollyoaks
, one of the longest-running UK television drama series!!!
So many wonderful people to thank: Gary Sewell,
@naz_ahmed2022
, Nettie Riley,
@Josewa
,
@LimePictures
,
@Channel4
.
And, of course, my fantastic agent:
@AndrewRTLM
.
More info incoming!
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40
705
I've just signed my first option agreement with a major
#TV
production company - to develop an original scripted series all of my own creation!!!
News soon....
#Screenwriter
#Screenwriting
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14
553
VERY important TV Screenwriting meeting tomorrow. Please wish me luck!
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Though not allowed to publicly confirm which show just yet, I'm excited to announce that this week I'm starting my first paid writing job on a scripted TV series!!!
Thank you so, so, so much to all the wonderful people who have helped me reach this point!! You know who you are!!
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16
368
@inaribriana
Worked for big film org. Scored 2 tix to sold-out screening. Friend ironically scored a "hot date" at the last minute & pulled out. Couldn't find anyone else at short notice. Returned spare to box office. By the time I reached seat, my now-partner of 6 years was sat next to me.
3
2
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VERY excited to announce I've been commissioned to write my new play!!
Can't announce who publicly yet, but they're regional with a great track record and work ethic...plus 400 seats! 😨
I'm so superficial.
#playwright
#playwriting
#theatre
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I have just been asked to head up a VERY exciting TV writing project with a really wonderful and cool production company, so keep your fingers crossed for me... X
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1/2: I am sooo excited to announce that I have an original comedy-drama
#TV
series optioned and in development with the wonderful Steve November (former head of
@ITV
Drama) and his fantastic company, Further South Productions!!!
#Television
#Screenwriting
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3
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I need to learn to celebrate my wins, and this one is a MAJOR turning point in my career...
Today I signed my first TV writing contract!!!!!!!! Most of you know about my
@Hollyoaks
gig by now, but this morning it became official-official!!!! 🤯
#Hollyoaks
#Screenwriting
#Script
Massive love and congrats to
@Josh_Merritt1
- that feeling signing off a contract never gets old
@UKRevolutionLM
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I attended my first
@Hollyoaks
story conference as a writer last week!
Everyone
@LimePictures
is so warm, welcoming and fun. It is such a lovely, relaxed place to work; there's a real air of camaraderie.
As one of my colleagues told me, "Welcome to the village!" 💗❤️🔥💕
#TV
8
5
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I don't think I've been shouting about this enough.....
I'VE CREATED MY OWN TV SERIES!!!
With a
#Neurodivergent
/
#Disabled
lead character!!!
In optioned development with fabulous Mr. Steve November (former head of
@ITV
Drama
@itvdrama1
)!! 🤯🎉💘🥳💕
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You are MINE, Television Land!!! 😁
Thank you so much to
@kahn_ellie
@Broadcastnow
for the article!! 🥰
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1/2: I feel very, very lucky and blessed at the moment. After a few months of complete silence, I have been asked to write a TV series for a major international production company and a trial script for one of the big four UK soaps, finished my first background actor job for a...
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On this
#NeurodiversityCelebrationWeek
, I am THRILLED to announce that I have been COMMISSIONED to write an episode of something new for
#TV
, starting very soon!!!!!!!
#NeurodiversityWeek
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VERY excited to have been offered representation by an agent today!!
More news next week...
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@matronboy
And if not for SKINS, I most likely would not have gotten to witness Freya Mavor's in-cred-ible performance in GOOD CANARY at the Rose Theatre.
Oh, and of course Sir Jack Thorne literally changing the industry for disabled people. X
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Just submitted my first-ever self tape for a TV role. I'm so new to acting but am chancing my arm. I have zero confidence, but the character description felt so eerily similar to my experience that I had to apply!
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Female Director or Actress/Director needed for a bittersweet comedy-drama short film written by Josh Merritt. BBC Films / BFI-backed Producer attached. Please send showreels and CV's with the subject header 'Hand-Me-Down' to: publicdisplayfilms
@gmail
.com
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Now the
#Creator
of my own
#TV
show and writing for
@Hollyoaks
at the same time - such a lucky, lucky boy!!!! 💘
#Television
#Screenwriter
#Screenwriting
#Hollyoaks
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Writing up a new storyline pitch today for
@Hollyoaks
. So exciting! I am LOVING working on the show!!
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Coming soon to
@BBCFOUR
&
@BBCiPlayer
.
Written & directed by Josh Merritt. Starring
@TiggerBlaize
.
Produced by Simon Moorhead /
@Zigcam
. Commissioned by
@bbcarts
. Facilitated by
@ScreenSouth
. Part of
#NewCreatives
.
Don't forget to
#BREATHE
....
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Pleased to announce I have been shortlisted for
@ITV
Original Voices! Currently in the final round.
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Had a lovely surprise email this morning. A brilliant, wonderful theatre company I've been chatting with the past few months have offered me a private commission on an exciting collaborative project! 😊
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Is it self-indulgent to announce that I'm 32 years old today? I wouldn't normally announce my birthday, but I fancied a bit of love (or hate) coming my way!
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Great day today. Been asked to meet with a BAFTA-nominated TV producer after he enjoyed one of my scripts, and an Oscar-winning film producer! Plus I had a fun Zoom with a cool Stateside genre movie producer. 💕💗
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VERY excited to have been accepted onto
@Media_Trust
/
@UKScreenSkills
/
@BBC
50:50's REFRAMING DISABILITY mentoring programme!
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Blues Brothers screening
@BFI
was glorious; like an actual concert at times! John Landis got a standing ovation. 😎😎
Thanks,
@edgarwright
!
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SO EXCITED to have been asked by the brilliant head of development at a fantastic international production company if I would like to discuss potential financing schemes and institutional funding on at least two of my
#Film
projects!
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I feel very trapped, sad, without hope today. It is very selfish of me to post this when everyone else is feeling the same, but I just didn't know how else to get it out. I will regret this in morning and be rightfully ashamed. It's embarrassing, but I just wanted to feel love.
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I've just learned that 'Breathe' - my
@BBC
-commissioned film I wrote & directed - is screening as part of London Short Film Festival
@LSFF
!!
All thanks to the brilliant, astounding Oska Bright!!! Must be their 8th or 10th showing of 'Breathe' now! 💝❤️🔥
@concretism_mus
💓💕
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Just completed day 1 of my latest TV writers' room!!! Fantastic company, superb colleagues!
It continues to be hard for us all. This is my first script commission in almost a year, and my second writers' room ever. Please don't give up (I nearly did); the world needs you! 💝❤️🔥
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I am SO happy and excited to be starting this week as a Commissioned Screenwriter for one of the world's biggest broadcasters!
#Screenwriting
#Telly
#TV
#Television
On this
#NeurodiversityCelebrationWeek
, I am THRILLED to announce that I have been COMMISSIONED to write an episode of something new for
#TV
, starting very soon!!!!!!!
#NeurodiversityWeek
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I've just been offered a one-line speaking role in a big TV drama - so excited and grateful! 🤯
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One TV series I've created being considered by broadcasters soon. Another in the process of optioning by a
@BAFTA
-winning production company, plus we are attaching a co-writer. Big UK / US production company seems keen to make my original audio-drama series. Fingers crossed!!! 🤞
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I'm very grateful to announce that I've been awarded an
@ace_national
(
@ace_southeast
) emergency grant, thanks to public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
This will help facilitate my online project:
#CoronaCollabs
. Thank you! Xxxx
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I have also been asked to write a trial script for one of the soaps / continuing dramas, so it feels like things are heating up in the TV stakes!
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Off to pitch a wonderful TV producer today who has been involved in some of my favourite shows and was head of drama for one of the Big Four networks!
Really love with the idea I'm going with. Plus fast, direct train all way to London.
Feels like a good day. Wish me luck. 😊
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Please would people send hugs and reassure me? I'm sorry to be needy, but I had my first therapy session in 3 months today and feeling so emotionally raw. It has re-opened the hole - of abandonment, abuse - that's been growing inside of me for most of my life. It hurts so much.
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Just received final sign-off on my episode, and grateful to my wonderful producers:
"[Producer] had the chance to read this morning and is extremely happy with it. No further draft needed – excellent news! So we thank you, for writing such a brilliant and FUNNY story."
🙏
Just completed day 1 of my latest TV writers' room!!! Fantastic company, superb colleagues!
It continues to be hard for us all. This is my first script commission in almost a year, and my second writers' room ever. Please don't give up (I nearly did); the world needs you! 💝❤️🔥
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Just submitted what might be my final draft of script commission for big international TV broadcaster! Next step: pre-production of our episodes, it seems!! 🤯
Just completed day 1 of my latest TV writers' room!!! Fantastic company, superb colleagues!
It continues to be hard for us all. This is my first script commission in almost a year, and my second writers' room ever. Please don't give up (I nearly did); the world needs you! 💝❤️🔥
9
5
80
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I called
@samaritans
this evening, and a young lady was kind enough to talk with me. Explaining my life to someone with complete objectivity, overwhelmed me and allowed me to be vulnerable for a moment. As the young lady pointed out, I had been through a lot by a young age.
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1/2: I am DESPERATE to create a Hauntological TV show, with Public Information Films, Ambient music... !
I've had ideas over the years, but I want to find Producers, Development Execs, Commissioners, et al who share this passion and want to make it concrete.
#Television
#Drama
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Heading home from my first paid TV writers' room - buzzing!!
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Had a meeting today with a wonderful BAFTA-winning comedy producer who told me she would love us to find a project to develop together.
An amazing TV production company wants to develop one of my original drama scripts.
AND, I've started prepping a horror-comedy feature script.
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I feel like Steve & I are going to ALTER the landscape of television with this series!!! I cannot even begin to explain how excited I am. ❤️🔥
#AutismAcceptanceMonth
#AutismAcceptanceWeek
#Dyspraxia
I don't think I've been shouting about this enough.....
I'VE CREATED MY OWN TV SERIES!!!
With a
#Neurodivergent
/
#Disabled
lead character!!!
In optioned development with fabulous Mr. Steve November (former head of
@ITV
Drama
@itvdrama1
)!! 🤯🎉💘🥳💕
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8
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I just want to share a couple of my
#Screenwriting
wins going into next year...
- Original comedy-drama series optioned by major
#Television
Production Company
-
#Writing
on big continuing drama series
#Scriptwriting
#TV
#Telly
#Comedy
#Drama
11
1
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Well, this was quite the way to end last week - as the Creator &
#Screenwriter
of my own
#TV
show!
#DisabilityPride
#DisabilityPrideMonth
#NeurodiversityPrideMonth
#NeurodiversityPride
#AutismPride
#DyspraxiaPride
#Screenwriting
#Scriptwriting
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Submitted the 1st draft of my trial script for one of the big soaps this week. Keep your fingers crossed for me!!
#TV
#Television
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Lovely agent has sent my script off to a fantastic MAJOR production company who kindly requested, and had an email from the CEO / founder of an awesome American podcast network to say she's really enjoyed my proposals over the weekend and wants to Zoom.
Good start to the day. 🙂
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1
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Ummm... so I've just had the honour of being mentioned alongside AWESOME fellow
#Disabled
#Writers
from the one, the only Mr.
@jackthorne
. Jack is the real deal; apart from being the nicest person ever, he is making LITERAL change in our world. I love that man. Crying here. Xxxxx
The winner of the Outstanding Achievement Award 2022 goes to....
@jackthorne
Soooooo well deserved!
Well. I'm flabbergasted at the representation this evening.
All superstar deserved awards.
Great job
#RTSawards
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Today has been hard, like life in general. I'm overwhelmed with anxiety and self-loathing, so much I am struggling to go outside. Any faith in people I had left was squashed today, I can't stop crying all the time, and all I want to do is hide away.
Hope it's okay to share this?
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So excited to announce that our
@BBC
-commissioned short film, BREATHE, will be screening at the
@BIFA_film
-qualifying
@BarnesFilmFest
this month (courtesy of our friends
@OskaBright
)!!
If you are unable to make it down, you can still watch BREATHE here:
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Do you ever have such a bad day that you ask yourself, "Am I even cut out for life?" (Neurodivergent people especially)
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I'm filming a small role on a MASSIVE feature film tomorrow!!
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I really don't know what's wrong with me. I am anxious and depressed ALL the time - this is lifelong, but it has worsened recently. It is a constant fight to not just hide in a dark room and feel safe. Sending warm love, hugs and smiles to all the other fighters out there. Xxxxxx
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Not been feeling well this week at all. Struggling a lot. Please could you send love and positive, healing vibes? All warmth welcomed and of course will be returned. ☺️
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VERY, very excited and happy to now be represented by wonderful Andrew Mills at fantastic Revolution Talent
@UKRevolution
!
(I've picked a photo of Andrew with coffee because we shared a lovely coffee this morning)
#Agent
#Representation
#Writer
#Director
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1
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VERY cool and surreal for our
@BBC
short film, 'Breathe', to feature in this month's
@forteantimes
!
So grateful to amazing
@Bob_Fischer
for giving me time and space. I am such a huge fan of his column!!
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2/2: ...BBC / Netflix drama, been invited to meet with a casting agency with a view to signing me, AND I have a meeting with a writing agent who really enjoyed my scripts!
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Meeting today with the producer & production company behind some of my favourite TV shows, including a series that is considered one of the greatest ever.
I'm definitely excited...and nervous!!
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Also a few exciting writing projects I can't announce just yet!
However, I can tell you that one is an original comedy-drama series optioned with a major TV production company; the other is a big continuing drama series.
(Alt. text in comments below)
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Ruby, our most gorgeous & wonderful doggy passed away last night. She chased things in the garden until just a short time before, is loved and adored by SO MANY people. She would talk and sing to us; we always understood one another. So grateful we were able to be her family. 💔
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Just found out that my BBC film 'Breathe' will be receiving a 3rd screening with Oska Bright next Tuesday at the place where my film career first started!
Enjoy a selection of bold, new films from
@OskaBright
Film Festival, the world’s leading platform for learning-disability films and filmmakers, at
#BFISouthbank
#OBFF22
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VERY excited to announce my new playwriting commission with the AMAZING
@NewWolsey
, in my mum's hometown of all places!
And thank you so much also to
@RampsOTM
!
Looking forward to shaking the foundations with the first in my trilogy of plays about cults and coercive control! Xx
📣 Announcing our Testing Ground 4 Commissions! 📣
With the help of
@RampsOTM
, we have been able to offer more commissions than usual and we are THRILLED!
Find out which artists have been commissioned here >>
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THAT'S ME!
Josh Merritt returns to Arcola next week with his new show
#Maddie
. A commissioned playwright with
@NewWolsey
and
@boundlessabound
, he is also a commissioned filmmaker with BBC Four/iPlayer.
#TodayImWiser
@SoldiersArtsA
Book now →
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I am SOOO excited to announce my involvement as Script / Story Consultant on 'Kerry's Brother Ben'!
Written by ace Molly Kitson. Directed by awesome Mitch Jenkins, Produced by the fantastic Plan Nine Pictures (their latest, 'A Million Days', is stellar).
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Such an honour to co-feature on the cover of The Guardian
@guardian
, representing THEN BARBARA MET ALAN (BBC Two, Monday 21st March, 9pm) and of course the entire Disabled Family! Xxxxx
#WeShallNotBeRemoved
#UHCTV
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1/2: Shared a fantastic phone call today with a lovely film producer whose work I have grown up watching. To give you an idea, one of their films is in the top 5 of the BBC's 100 Greatest Films of the 21st Century.
We have both expressed a desire to work with one another! ❤️🔥
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Just submitted my 1st script draft - excited!!
On this
#NeurodiversityCelebrationWeek
, I am THRILLED to announce that I have been COMMISSIONED to write an episode of something new for
#TV
, starting very soon!!!!!!!
#NeurodiversityWeek
25
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Found out today I am going to be an extra in a BBC Two drama - my first TV role!!
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So excited my
@BBC
-commissioned film BREATHE has been selected for the BAFTA- and BIFA-qualifying
@oskabright
Film Festival, 16th-22nd March.
Tickets and programme live now
#oskbright
#obff
#filmfestival
#disabilityfilm
11
3
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I have created two TV shows in development with fantastic production companies: Further South (exec produced the recent
@CandiceC_W
QUEENIE adaptation
@Channel4
) and a
@BAFTA
-winning company (TBA) who I've wanted to work with for years!
(1/2)
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3
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SO EXCITED to be writing a new short film, directed by Tyler Macintyre
@tmacfilm
(TRAGEDY GIRLS, V/H/S/99, the upcoming IT'S A WONDERFUL KNIFE - see below link).
Tyler and I met
@FrightFest
some years back, so it's amazing to be doing this together!!!
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BBC-commissioned, Arts Council-funded, autistic / dyspraxic writer here. Commissioned playwright with New Wolsey Theatre, Boundless Theatre, plus upcoming shows at Arcola Theatre. Always looking to meet producers, companies - anyone who needs a writer!
#OVConnect
@oldvictheatre
1
10
40
SUCH an amazing weekend
@arcolatheatre
with
@MaddieOutside
! We sold out all three shows and already received our first 4-star review!!
Hopefully this isn't the end for Maddie...
THANK YOU SO MUCH to everyone who attended, helped spread the word, and supported in any way! Xxx
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I am working as a supporting artist on a BBC / Netflix drama right now and having LOADS of fun. Lovely, amazing bunch of people.
Just putting it out there that I would love to do more of this work if anyone has any use for me!
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SO MANY exciting work developments right now!!! It's one of those moments where it's feeling like all the hard work is paying off. Please keep your appendages crossed for me!! 💗
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1/2: I am so, so incredibly sad to learn the news about Julian Sands. My wholehearted condolences to his family, friends & colleagues.
A consummate actor who seemed like such a nice, relaxed man when we met him in my hometown last summer (one year ago this month, actually).
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3
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1st show TONIGHT! Tickets selling out FAST!
@MaddieOutside
(November 12-14th
@arcolatheatre
), a play about
#displacement
,
#autism
&
#masking
.
By an
#autistic
/
#dyspraxic
creative team. X
All performances
#captioned
.
#TodayImWiser
#OVConnect
20
15
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If you will allow me to be self-indulgent for a minute...
Some screenshots of me in
#ThenBarbaraMetAlan
on
@BBCTwo
/
@BBCiPlayer
/
@netflix
(rest of the world).
Such an honour to be involved with all my fellow delicious crips!
#NothingAboutUsWithoutUs
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1
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To have SO MUCH FUN and make so many AMAZING new friends whilst simultaneously creating a project that asserts and re-affirms your equal rights to life, resources and joy...
I am so proud and grateful to have been a part of
#ThenBarbaraMetAlan
@BBCTwo
. Well done, everyone!!!
1
2
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The
#Film
&
#TV
industry has shown that funds can be quickly re-directed into managing Covid-safe sets and keeping productions moving all throughout a pandemic, so going forward why can the same not be done to improve
#disability
#accessibility
and shortening working hours?????
2
6
34
Role call for
#neurodivergent
#actress
to develop & perform 1-woman play at leading London theatre.
@smallpressnix
directing from my script that tackles homelessness, autism, trauma in fun, poignant, bold way. Hoping to cast this month for September. DM us for info.
#OVConnect
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PLEASE support one of my favourite theatres, as they are seriously struggling to survive and are not eligible to receive emergency funding from the government.
‘Yes it’s not the perfect circumstances, but let’s go into this with open arms’
Claire Foy and Matt Smith will perform a socially distanced version of Lungs live from our stage for a limited number of live streamed performances in June
#OVInCamera
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Despite not making it through, I was very honoured to be longlisted for the
@royalcourt
's writers' group (top 20%, in a year when they had more applications than ever). X
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Absolutely sick with anxiety right now; it's making it impossible for me to focus on anything else. If anyone else is in the same boat, sending love. X
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I have had both my Covid jabs and will continue to wear my mask after July 19th to protect others. I am autistic and asthmatic, so I am actually exempt from wearing a mask but have always done so for the same reasons: to protect others, and of course myself. X
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*RECOMMENDATIONS OF AUTISTIC AND/OR ADHD ACTRESSES?*
Ideally 40+, well-known or emerging.
Please and thank you! 🙏💝
@TripleC_UK
@DANC_UK
@DisabledInTV
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Tomorrow night is the theatrical premiere of my BBC film 'Breathe'. Part of the
@BAFTA
- &
@BIFA_film
-qualifying
@OskaBright
Festival!
Main screening takes place
@KomediaBrighton
, 8pm. We're also showing as part of a film trail, 7-8pm (link in comments).
6
6
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As a child, I've been told I would have these sudden attacks of sadness and lock myself away. When asked why I am sad, I would reply: "I don't know."
Today is the same. I am scared, I am sad, and...I just don't know.
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#Neurodivergent
#Screenwriter
. One of Jack Thorne's 'top 20'
#Disabled
#Writers
.
@BBC
-commissioned. Ambassador to
@BAFTA
-winning
@DANC_UK
.
So keen to write for
#Television
. It's a hustle, and you never know who might see this post!
Represented by
@AndrewRTLM
/
@UKRevolutionLM
2
9
32
I'm having a hard time and I'm not okay. I just want to put that out into the ether, as I sense I'll implode if I don't. With all the terrible things happening to people, I worry that I'm selfish to need help. I feel this great weight in my core pulling me down, dragging me back.
24
1
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Not sure I'm okay at the moment. A lot of it buried beneath the surface, I feel. Creeps up on me sometimes, triggered by "insignificant" yet hurtful stimuli. Career-wise, things seem to be getting better all the time.
Self-care is important. Make time for it every day. Xxxxxxxxx
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