Hythe

Emma Youell's ancestor Albert Skinner was a Driver in 1/3 Kent Field Company Royal Engineers. On 28th October 1915, men of the 1/3 were on board HMS HYTHE en route to Gallipoli. The little paddle steamer was severely overloaded. Around 8.30pm she was struck by HMS SARNIA and sank quite quickly with the loss of 154 lives. Albert Skinner was amongst the 129 men from the 1/3 who drowned. 

Emma commissioned me to write the script for a short film. She provided me with various documents, including the transcript of the enquiry into the sinking.

The Sunday Shorts Film Festival jury said of the script "[It] is very well written...and builds an emotional story where we can relate to and root for the characters as we find out about their relationships and backstories. [The] ending feels overwhelming, touching the reader emotionally. The dialogue is written well, it's a period piece but the dialogue does not feel forced or unnatural. It suits the time the script is set in but does not feel outdated." 

In The Line

I came across the story of the shooting of PC Nathanael Edgar, in 1948, quite by accident. It caused a stir across the UK and saw the police and newspapers working together in a new way. There was an interesting twist to the story which sets it apart from others in this arena.

​I'm looking for a Producer and a Director.

Jack Castle:American Ronin

A rogue CIA operative is recruited by North Korea to release a weapon of mass destruction. Only he knows the target. Can he be stopped before thousands die?

​In American Ronin, Philip Caine has written a great 'cat & mouse' of a story which plays out across Asia, Europe and America. Together we've adapted the book for the screen.

​The script is currently available to Option.

The Price of Justice

A disgraced police detective and a journalist, with a personal interest in his case, have to risk all as they fight to see his name cleared and justice done.

​Philip Caine has written a story for our time that gets to the heart of organised crime in the UK. Together we've adapted the book for the screen.

​The script is currently available to Option.

True Valour

In 2016 I answered a crew call from a project called The 13th. I offered my services as a Military Consultant but in no time at all I found myself as the Writer. It's been a challenge, both frustrating and enjoyable, but the result is a feature script which tells the story of the 13th (Lancashire) Parachute Battalion's role in the Battle for Normandy.

The title change came about after the production of a documentary called The 13th. The new title reflects the courage and commitment of the members of the 13th Battalion, whose motto was Win Or Die. 

I am extremely grateful to Alex Birch for trusting me with his Grandpa's story. 

The script is currently available to Option.