In an era where digital connections often feel superficial, the Twisted50 horror writing project stands as a testament to the enduring power of genuine creative communities. Through an enlightening podcast conversation between Chris Jones, Leo from Norway, and Eimear from Ireland, we discover how a shared passion for storytelling can transcend geographical boundaries and transform aspiring writers into published authors.

The journey of these writers reveals a profound truth about the horror genre - it's not merely about violence or shock value, but rather a sophisticated medium for exploring deep-seated fears, societal issues, and personal transformations. As Eimear poignantly notes, "I had this idea that horror was very violent... But that's not what horror is about." This revelation challenges our preconceptions and invites us to explore the vast spectrum of horror literature with fresh eyes.

The collaborative nature of Twisted50 emerges as a powerful antidote to the isolation often experienced by writers. The project's structure, combining deadlines, peer feedback, and community support, creates an environment where creativity flourishes. Leo's observation that the community is "so important and unfortunately rare in the arts in general" underscores the unique value of this supportive ecosystem.

Perhaps most compelling is the project's role in combating imposter syndrome - that persistent doubt in one's abilities that plagues so many creative individuals. Through structured feedback and encouragement, writers find their voice and confidence. The transformation is particularly evident in Eimear's experience, as she progressed from being hesitant about horror to producing multiple short stories and discovering the genre's unexpected mental health benefits.

The success of Twisted50 demonstrates that when writers are given the right platform, support, and community, they can overcome their creative barriers and produce compelling work. Leo's experience with his first story about a sadistic job interview shows how the project encourages writers to push boundaries and explore challenging themes while maintaining a supportive environment.

For anyone considering joining a writing community or exploring the horror genre, the experiences shared in this podcast make a compelling case for taking that leap. The combination of structured support, diverse perspectives, and genuine encouragement creates an environment where writers can grow, challenge themselves, and ultimately find their unique voice in the vast landscape of horror literature.

Recorded at the first Make It Reel event.

Marcus kicked off his talk by connecting ancient Greek theater to modern democracy.

It's not just some history lesson - he's showing us how storytelling has always been at the heart of how societies figure themselves out. "You cannot have theatre without eventually leading to democracy."

But here's where it gets really interesting - Marcus drops this stat about diversity that had everyone reconsidering. Nearly 97% of us could be considered "diverse" in some way. It totally flips the script on how we usually think about diversity, right? It's not about ticking boxes or meeting quotas; it's about actually representing the real world we live in.

The challenging stories unfolded when Marcusr opens up about his role at the Film & TV Charity. The mental health stats he shared are honestly pretty scary - over a third of people in the industry having suicidal thoughts. The charity's work in supporting industry professionals through their tough times shows just how desperately needed these services are.

He talks about being an "angry Black man" in the industry, "Working twice as hard to get half as far is not just tiring. The unfairness of it creates anger." He's not just sharing his feelings; he's backing it up with hard facts about the challenges Black-led businesses face. It's the kind of truth-telling that makes people uncomfortable but needs to be said.

What really stuck with me was how Marcus emphasized the importance of community and friendship in surviving the industry. His speaks aboput how his success came from building strong networks, especially with other people of color.

The way he wrapped it all together was inspiring. Instead of just leaving us with problems, he gave us hope through action.

His message about building supportive relationships isn't just nice advice - it's a survival strategy. And it's not just about individual success; it's about changing the whole industry from the inside out. He showed us that behind every diversity statistic, there's a real person with real experiences trying to make it in this industry. That's the kind of perspective that actually changes minds and leads to real change.

The path to creating a compelling screenplay isn't just about putting words on paper - it's about falling head over heels in love with your story. That's one of the key takeaways from an enlightening masterclass with screenwriter Rowan, who compares writing to marriage: you've got to love it deeply because only that love will get you through the tough times. It's refreshing to hear a professional admit that writing isn't always sunshine and rainbows, but the passion makes it worthwhile.

Getting started with a screenplay is like preparing for a long jump - the run-up is actually more important than the jump itself. Rowan emphasizes that before diving into the actual script, writers need to spend time developing their idea, testing it with trusted listeners, and refining it until it sparkles. He suggests creating a 3-5 page document that captures your story's essence, which is way more manageable than diving straight into a full script.

One of the most fascinating aspects of Rowan's approach is his "floating" technique - a clever way to handle those darling ideas that you love but might not fit perfectly in your story. Instead of killing them off completely (as the old writing advice goes), he suggests keeping them in a sort of creative limbo. They might find their perfect place later, or they might inspire something entirely new. It's like having a safety net for your creative ideas.

The relationship between content and structure comes across as a kind of dance in Rowan's explanation. You need both partners - the what (content) and the how (structure) - to create something meaningful. He breaks down the essential elements that make a story work: a compelling hook, solid turning points, and most importantly, a character's quest that makes the audience genuinely care. His memorable quote, "If you haven't got a quest, the most important thing about your character is what do they want? And why do I give a shit whether they get it or not?" really drives this point home.

Theme emerges as another crucial element in Rowan's toolkit. He introduces the concept of a "dramatic argument" - distilling your entire story into one powerful statement. But what's really cool is his two-winged approach to theme: it needs to work both as an abstract message and as something concrete within the narrative. It's like having a philosophical idea that actually plays out in real (story) life.

Throughout the masterclass, Rowan maintains this perfect balance between practical advice and inspirational wisdom. He's not just teaching techniques; he's sharing a mindset about how to approach the craft of screenwriting. His emphasis on taking responsibility for your own creative journey while embracing the freedom that comes with it is particularly powerful. When he says, "The more responsibility you take for your own life, the more freedom you will have," it feels like he's talking about more than just writing - it's about the whole creative journey.

What makes this masterclass particularly valuable is how Rowan weaves his personal experiences throughout his teaching. He openly shares his struggles and successes with current projects (referred to as Project A and Project N), making the whole process feel more real and achievable. It's like getting a behind-the-scenes look at how a professional writer actually works, complete with all the messy, human moments that make the journey authentic.

For anyone serious about screenwriting, the key message seems to be that success lies in the preparation, the passion, and the persistence to keep refining your work. It's not about waiting for inspiration to strike or hoping for a lucky break - it's about putting in the hard work while maintaining that "insane passion" that got you started in the first place.

Ever wondered what it takes to put together a horror anthology? Well, the recent chat between Chris Jones and Kate, the masterminds behind Twisted50 Volume 3, gives us a fascinating peek behind the curtain. Kate, who edited this latest volume, brought her A-game to the table, wading through a whopping 170 horror stories to find the cream of the crop.

One of the coolest things they discussed was how they tackled the technical side of getting the book onto Amazon. Chris was pretty nervous about the whole thing, which is totally relatable if you've ever dealt with publishing platforms. It's like trying to solve a puzzle while wearing a blindfold - you know what you want to do, but the process can be super tricky.

Kate dropped some serious knowledge bombs about what makes a horror story work. She's big on keeping things tight and snappy - no meandering sentences that leave readers scratching their heads. As she put it, "Something that happens when you have a lot of really long sentences all put together is it gets jumbled and you don't really process anything." That's solid gold advice right there for any writer looking to keep readers hooked.

Here's something interesting - they're not just looking for great stories; they want engaged authors too. The Twisted50 team actually keeps tabs on how involved writers are with the community. So if you're thinking about submitting to future volumes, don't just fire off your story and ghost them. Get in there, mix it up with other writers, and show them you're serious about being part of the Twisted50 family.

When it comes to screenplays (yeah, they take those too!), Kate emphasized how different they are from regular stories. Every word has to earn its place on the page, and dialogue needs to sound natural when read aloud. It's like the difference between writing a letter and having a conversation - they might tell the same story, but they need different approaches.

The whole conversation wrapped up with some killer advice for aspiring Twisted50 contributors. My favorite bit was when they said, "Don't be afraid to get really, really weird." In a world of horror stories, being unique is your secret weapon. The Twisted50 community seems super supportive too, which is pretty rare in the publishing world.

For anyone thinking about diving into horror writing, this podcast basically laid out a roadmap. Keep it tight, stay engaged, don't be afraid to get weird, and remember - you're not just submitting a story, you're potentially joining a community of horror enthusiasts who are all about helping each other succeed. The door's open for Twisted50 Volume 4, and based on what we heard, it sounds like an awesome opportunity for writers ready to embrace their dark side.

• Podcast hosted by Chris Jones discussing Talent Campus from the London Screenwriters Festival.
• Guest Delanne shares her success stories after attending Talent Campus 7 in 2019.
• Delanne highlights her experience at Talent Campus as a whirlwind of activities and networking.
• Discusses her movie "Father Christmas is Back," which she wrote while recovering from flu, leading to her first paid writing job.
• Emphasizes the importance of being prepared for opportunities, even in unexpected situations.
• Talks about her book "The Box of Silver Stars," originally pitched at Talent Campus, which she self-published after challenges with traditional publishing.
• Plans to rally the community to support her book's launch for a potential bestseller status.
• Delanne's future projects include writing short films and features, focusing on storytelling rather than mainstream success.
• Encouraged by her daughter to attend Talent Campus, which she credits for her growth as a writer.
• ScreenSkills funded a project, which was welcomed news.
• Balancing a creative career with adult responsibilities (bills, children) is challenging.
• Persistence is key; keep pursuing creative dreams despite setbacks.
• Teaching can help focus on writing.
• Writing is essential for personal happiness and creativity.
• Ideas often come unexpectedly and need time to develop.
• It's important to finish projects to avoid psychological discomfort from open loops.
• Completing projects allows for closure and the opportunity to revisit them later.
• The conversation ended with a hopeful note about future connections and success.

In this episode, Chris Jones, founder of the London Screenwriters Festival and Talent Campus Guerrilla Filmmakers Handbook, interviews Mark Renshaw, a past Talent Campus attendee. Mark shares his experiences at Talent Campus and the incredible adventures he has had since then. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Mark has found success as a writer and filmmaker. He discusses winning the Austin screenwriting competition, being invited to work on a prestigious anthology series, and publishing his short stories in various books. Mark also talks about the importance of taking risks, staying persistent, and embracing opportunities that come your way. He credits Talent Campus for giving him the confidence and support to pursue his creative dreams. If you're looking for inspiration and practical advice on navigating the industry, this episode is a must-listen.Untitled

In this episode, host Chris Jones sits down with Vera, a filmmaker and participant in Talent Campus, to discuss her journey from the program to her success stories in the world of film and theater.

Vera shares her experiences of Talent Campus and how it opened doors for her in the industry. She talks about the importance of networking and the connections she made through the program, which led to opportunities in writing short films and co-developing a feature project.

Vera also discusses her passion for environmentalism and how it influences her storytelling. She shares her experiences directing a theater production and the sense of creative fulfillment she found in the immediacy and control of live performances.

Throughout the episode, Vera offers insights and advice for aspiring creatives, emphasizing the importance of finding your people and working with them to achieve creative fulfillment and success.

Join Chris and Vera in this inspiring conversation about talent development, creative journeys, and the power of storytelling in different mediums.

Unleashing Your Creative Potential: Lessons from the Talent Campus Experience

In the ever-evolving landscape of filmmaking and screenwriting, finding both your voice and success can be a daunting challenge. However, as we learn from the inspiring journey of James, an alumni of the Talent Campus program, there are ways to accelerate your creative growth while maintaining what makes you you.

The Talent Campus, described as a “total immersion” experience for storytellers, offers a transformative approach to honing one’s craft. At its core, the program emphasizes the importance of building a supportive creative community. James vividly recalls how the Talent Campus cohort became his “tribe,” a close-knit group that continues to provide unwavering support and honest feedback years after the program’s conclusion. This sense of belonging and shared purpose is a game-changer for anyone looking to find success in the screenwriting industry.

One of the most compelling aspects of James’ journey is his evolution from a struggling screenwriter to a confident filmmaker. He’s learned to bring his own scripts to life, oftentimes leading more than just the script. James’ success with his short films, particularly his 52-second silent comedy with international acclaim, demonstrates the influence that Talent Campus had on both him and his career.

The Talent Campus experience goes beyond mere skill-building; it facilitates a profound personal transformation. James recounts how the program helped him become more outgoing, authentic, and comfortable with expressing his emotions. This newfound authenticity has not only enhanced his creative work but has also positively impacted his personal life. By encouraging participants to embrace vulnerability, the Talent Campus fosters a more integrated and confident sense of self – an invaluable asset for any creative professional.

Perhaps one of the most crucial takeaways from James’ story is the importance of becoming the “author of your own destiny.” In a field as competitive and challenging as filmmaking, waiting for opportunities to come your way is not always an option. Instead, James advises aspiring creatives to take on a leadership role, to become the “leader of the pack” who can rally others around their vision. He states that you must be “quite unreasonable” in pursuit of your goals, as your own belief is what determines your success.

Ultimately, James’ journey through and beyond the Talent Campus serves as a powerful testament to the Talent Campus. For those looking to accelerate their creative careers, the lessons are clear: embrace vulnerability, seek out supportive environments that challenge you to grow, be willing to take charge of your projects, and never lose sight of your unique artistic voice. By following in James’ footsteps and embodying these principles, you too can unlock your creative potential and embark on a fulfilling journey in the world of filmmaking and storytelling.