NEWS:BBC commissions a script from 17 year old member of Poole Lighthouse's Young Writers' Group.

BBC commissions Lighthouse Young Writer Evie’s script  

Evie Wright, who has been a regular at Lighthouse Young Writers groups since their launch in 2018, has won a BBC commission for her audio piece Anchor. 

The 17-year-old students will now work with producers in development and mentoring and hopes to have a working script ready within the next six weeks.  

“It combines spoken word and monologue to capture the protagonist, Lyn, coming to terms with her demons on a cliff edge,” explains Evie. “It highlights what can drive someone to breaking point, and how we all have an anchor to keep us from sinking, even in our darkest hours.” 

Evie was one of five Lighthouse Young Writers who were shortlisted for BBC New Creatives and enjoyed two training days in BBC Bristol where they learned about audio production and how to market themselves as creatives. 

This was followed by script development training with Calling the Shots, the company that runs New Creatives for the South West region, and writer development agency Artfulscribe, before the pieces were resubmitted to the BBC. 

“This is such an amazing achievement and we are all delighted for Evie,” says Tabby Hayward, co-leader Young Writers course. “She has been a regular attender of the Young Writers groups from the beginning and it's been wonderful to see her writing and her confidence develop – and I'm sure this is just the beginning! I can't wait to hear her brilliant writing on the BBC soon. It’s so exciting!” 

Jointly funded by BBC Arts Introducing… and Arts Council England, BBC New Creatives offers an exciting opportunity for emerging talent aged 16-30 to get work made for broadcast. Shortly before Christmas the Young Writers met with Jeremy Routledge, Executive Producer New Creatives for Calling the Shots, the company that runs New Creatives for the South West region. 

“We were so delighted with the quality of applications from the group and delighted to commission Evie’s modern gothic tale of the trials and tribulations of a young woman living in coastal town,” he says. “We can't wait to see how it all turns out!” 

Production of Anchor is likely to be delayed until the Autumn, with broadcast probably later still, perhaps in Spring 2021. 

Greatly encouraged by the experience Evie says she plans to write a novel. 

She adds: “I have an unfinished deal with my year 11 English teacher that I would write and publish a novel to make up for the fact that I’m studying Science instead of English. Publishing some poetry wouldn’t be bad, either. On the rare chance that teacher reads this— I promise I’m working on my talent.”