Writers’ Group: How you can be a writer and a producer with Helen Simmons

For this month’s writers’ group, host Christina Pickworth will be in conversation with writer-producer Helen Simmons.

They will be discussing Helen’s unique role as both a writer and producer, and how it’s possible to combine the skillsets and succeed at both.

There will also be time at the end of the discussion to ask questions during the Q&A.

Helen Simmons is Co-Managing Director of Erebus Pictures, the production company she runs alongside Stephanie Aspin. The company have projects in development with talent including Luna Carmoon, Misha Vertkin, Ibrahim Salawu, Josh O'Connor, Debbie Isitt, Tom Wentworth, Marissa Ogbeide and Julia Jackman, and are working alongside partners including Film4, BBC Film, the BFI, HatTrick Mercurio, Company Pictures, Endor Productions, True Vision, and Rook Films.

Her first feature as a producer Chubby Funny (2017) was nominated for a BIFA and the LOCO Discovery Award. Her second feature, Say Your Prayers was released in 2020 after being selected for Great 8 in Cannes.

As a writer, her debut short F*CK, earned her a Best Screenwriter nomination at Underwire and she was selected as one of the iFeatures writers for 2019/20. She has film and TV projects in development with Tiger Aspect, Sona Films, Good Chaos, Audible, Workshop Pictures and Ardimages and is currently co-writing and Executive Producing a TV comedy series for Kinetic/Red Arrow Studios in the US. Helen is also on 4Screenwriting's 2021 mentoring scheme.

Event Schedule:

18:25: Please join webinar

18:30-19:15: Christina Pickworth in conversation with Helen Simmons

19:15-19:30: Audience Q&A

19:30: Finish

How will the online event work?

This event will be live streamed via Zoom.us as a webinar. Viewing details will be sent via your email confirmation.

Attendees won’t be visible and will be muted throughout the session. After the talk, there will be an opportunity for audience members to ask their questions by using the Q&A feature.

This event is for existing WFTV members only.

Members please log-in to your account and sign up below this listing.

If you are not a member and would like to join, membership costs just £100 + VAT/yr , please click here or email admin@wftv.org.uk

At WFTV we’re really keen to ensure that all our events are accessible for everyone. So if you have any particular access needs, please can you let us know before an event and we will do our best to accommodate you. We would be grateful if you can give us as much notice as possible – please contact admin@wftv.org.uk