Emerging: How to Eventually Make it in Film & TV

Checking In: Why is it important to check in with my progress regularly?

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 23:05:00 GMT

Spring is finally here, and it's been a very busy Q1 for a bunch of different reasons; Martin's on a new scheme, Tray's spreading his networking wings, and Ben's producing(!), we're a long way from where we were a few months ago. But what does that mean for our writing resolutions?

Staying on track with your goals can be hard - we set each other some pretty hefty resolutions back at the start of 2026, so here we are checking in. What's working, what's not, what have we written / worked on, what do we WISH we'd written / worked on, what are we missing, and most of all, are we *okay*? (the answer may surprise you)

Checking in is important, so why not give it a go yourself?

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

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One Year On: What have we learned in the last year? (with our past guests)

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:05:00 GMT

The podcast is a whole year old! And even though Martin refuses to admit it, it's definitely had a big impact on the way we approach our writing and networking. So this week we're looking back - not in a clip show way, but in a reflective way - and chatting through what we've learned, how we've changed and how the show has managed to re-shape us as writers.

As a bonus, we also reached out to our previous guests and asked them the same question, so dotted throughout are voice notes from some of the industry's best and brightest, who have far more interesting and exciting things to say than we do!

With thanks to Beatty Smith, Mike Powell, Olivia Ababio, Thomas Burr, Hanna Tatschl, Max Krupski, Sophie Park, Rachel Flynn, Emma Sheldrick and Yuan Hu for their insight.

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

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If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

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Awards: How do you judge if something should win an award for writing?

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 00:05:00 GMT

As the Oscars and BAFTAs pass us all by once again, we're digging into awards season as a whole and the very concept of awards full stop. Do they matter? Is it actually the best films that win? How do you judge if something should win an award for writing? And will WE ever actually win one?

Not only are we going through the Best Screenplay nominees and winners, we're also taking a look at our favourite bits of writing from the year that didn't get anywhere near an award - we don't have to let the Academy dictate the conversation!

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

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Last Call: How do I find motivation to write? (with Yuan Hu)

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 00:05:00 GMT

One final last 20 minute dive into the mind of fantastic filmmaker Yuan Hu, as we take him through the Last Call and he takes us through his best and worst creative advice, how to find motivation as a writer with inspiration from David Lynch, and why Paul Thomas Anderson is the GOAT.

You can find Yuan on Instagram as @yuanwho, and watch his incredible work on his website yuan-hu[dot]com. Look out for the rest of our chat next week!

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

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If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

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Development: How do you develop a feature film? (with Yuan Hu)

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 00:05:00 GMT

The second part of our long, wisdom-filled chat with filmmaker Yuan Hu leaves Spike Lee behind in favour of going deep into the development process. After nailing his first short and scoring an agent, Yuan soon found himself developing a feature film with Film4, so here he is explaining how it works. From that first meeting with the Film4 execs, to how long it took to build out the film's treatment, attaching a production company, and how it feels receiving round after round of notes.

As always with Yuan, this is a super fascinating and to the point chat that covers a lot of ground - if you've ever been interested in the UK film development process, this is the episode for you. And do not miss Part 1 of this chat, which has some frankly ludicrous showbiz experiences.

You can find Yuan on Instagram as @yuanwho, and watch his incredible work on his website yuan-hu[dot]com. Look out for the rest of our chat next week!

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

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If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

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Mentors: How can the right mentor help my career? (with Yuan Hu)

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 00:05:00 GMT

I know we always say it, but this week you really are in for a treat - celebrated director and reluctant writer Yuan Hu joins us for a fun deep dive into what's quickly become a very exciting career for him. First making commercial films for huge fashion brands and musicians like Little Simz, before a swift handbrake turn into narrative with short Sticks of Fury, which was immediately swiped up by BFI's London Film Festival, nabbing Yuan an agent in the process.

But it all started when he took a chance on a trip to New York, and what soon became a blossoming mentorship from the legendary Spike Lee.

As you'll soon find, this is only Part 1 of our chat with Yuan - there was so much good stuff, cutting it back felt mad! But in this chunk we're talking more specifically about mentors and early opportunities, and how Yuan certainly made the most out of working for big names like Spike Lee and Rankin.

You can find Yuan on Instagram as @yuanwho, and watch his incredible work on his website yuan-hu[dot]com. Look out for the rest of our chat next week!

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

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If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

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Procrastination: How do I stop myself getting distracted while writing?

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:05:00 GMT

In maybe our most meta episode to date, this week we start procrastinating while talking about every writer's worst enemy - procrastination. It happens to us all, and sometimes it is unavoidable. So let's talk ways to not only understand why it's happening, but how to embrace procrastination too. Distractions are everywhere, and controversially, sometimes you need them (except when a deadline is literally staring you in the face obvs.)

And ultimately remember that often procrastination is a sign of something bigger - a really big project that you care a lot about, or the exact inverse, a sign that what you're writing isn't really where your heart is.

All of this and more in a shorter, messier, equally as fun little episode!

And as always, if you have any insight, any questions, or just want to yell at us and tell us we're wrong, get in touch!

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

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If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

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Terminology: What’s the difference between a ‘treatment’ and an ‘outline’?

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 00:05:00 GMT

There are so many screenwriting and industry terms, sometimes it feels like people are just messing with us. But why does a one pager need to be one page? And where does an outline become a treatment? And when does THAT become a bible? And does any of it really matter?

Ultimately, not really. But it's important to know what someone's asking for, and the right way to communicate. Especially if it turns out a producer might be asking you for a very very long document, without offering to pay you first. So get clued up as best you can, and never be afraid to ask about exactly what you're expected to deliver!

BBC's scriptwriting glossary is a very useful resource (though as we mention, not entirely fool-proof): https://www.bbc.co.uk/writers/resources/scriptwriting-glossary/

And as always, if you have any insight, any questions, or just want to yell at us and tell us we're wrong, get in touch!

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

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If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

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Last Call: Is it always wise to listen to writing advice? (with Sophie Park)

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:05:00 GMT

We still don't have a little bell sound effect for The Last Call, but we DO have a whole extra 25 minutes with brilliant screenwriter Sophie Park, delving into the very nature of taking advice and how Kill Bill Vol. 2 can change your life.

If you haven't caught up with our longer chat with Sophie yet, it's well worth a listen, and if you want to follow her wider journey, Sophie's @sophiejanepark on Instagram, and all of her films are available on her website sophiejanepark[dot]com

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

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If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

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Identity: Why is it so hard to call myself a writer? (with Sophie Park)

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:05:00 GMT

Look! Another guest! This week we're joined by filmmaker turned editor turned screenwriter and fellow New Writers Collective alum Sophie Park, to talk through not only her own journey into writing, but also that overhanging anxiety we all feel about identifying as a writer.

Like many of us, Sophie's had a bunch of different day jobs, from working in advertising scripting big budget social adverts, to cutting trailers and short films for MUBI, all of which have given her a pretty unique perspective on writing.

If you want to follow Sophie's journey she's @sophiejanepark on Instagram, and all of her films are available on her website sophiejanepark[dot]com. The book we talk about is Jeff Hiller's incredible autobiography Actress of a Certain Age.

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

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If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

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Audience: How do I understand who I'm writing for?

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 00:05:00 GMT

It doesn't matter how established a writer you are, at some point you'll find yourself in a meeting being asked the immortal question "Yeah, but who is it for?". Audience doesn't always mean demographics (age, gender, location), it can run so much deeper - so this week we're digging into just how we figure out who our projects are for, and how involved they need to be in the writing process.

Do you write for your audience directly? Or do you write from the heart and figure out who you're selling it to after? Which genres attract which audiences? And at what stage in the process do you need to have a really, super tight idea of exactly who's going to watch your film or TV show?

All of this and more in a slightly shorter, but even punchier episode!

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

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If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

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Last Call: Is there a smart and human-friendly way to use AI in filmmaking? (with Emma Kyung Mi Sheldrick)

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 00:05:00 GMT

If you loved our chat with fascinating producer and entrepreneur Emma Kyung Mi Sheldrick, you're in luck - here's a whole extra 30 minutes of chat, as we take Emma through our (updated) Last Call, and accidentally go quite deep on AI and it's many uses in the film industry.

As you'll soon find, Emma has a hand in a production start-up looking to use AI tools in a sensible and human-friendly way, and there's a very different and informative little section all about it buried in here. So dive in!

If you want to follow what Emma's up to, she's @emma.kyungmi on Instagram, or check out her production company PLUS EIGHT TWO at plus-82[dot]com.

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

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If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

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Producers: How do producers work with writers? (with Emma Kyung Mi Sheldrick)

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 00:05:00 GMT

We're very very lucky to be joined by another killer guest this week in producer extraordinare Emma Kyung Mi Sheldrick, whose work (including famed short Tamagoyaki) has been split across the UK, South Korea and the US. Emma's as much an entrepreneur as she is a producer, and we go deep on not just the ways producers and writers overlap creatively, but how her many different side hustles factor into her filmmaking too.

We also chat quite a bit about AI and vertical dramas too (Emerging gets topical!) so enjoy a slightly longer, but thanks to Emma - even more informed - episode than usual!

If you want to follow what Emma's up to, she's @emma.kyungmi on Instagram, or check out her production company PLUS EIGHT TWO at plus-82[dot]com.

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

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Resolutions: What goals can we set each other to improve as writers?

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 00:05:00 GMT

It's January, we're hitting the refresh button and with it, comes 2026's new year's resolutions - but with a twist. Rather than just looking at ourselves and where we think we should be, we're zooming out and asking our friends. So what're our resolutions for each other? How do we think we can help each other improve?

Cue a surprisingly emotional and heartfelt episode about not only getting the most out of our writing practise, but how we can be kinder to ourselves too. How to back ourselves, and where we think we should be pushing each other.

So why not get together with your writing community and lean on each other's insight a little more in 2026.

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

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Restarting: How do I get my head back into writing after a long break?

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 00:05:00 GMT

Xmas and the festive mess is over, so let's get writing! (if only it was that easy). This week we're back at our desks after 2 weeks of monstrous overeating, relentless childcare, and otherwise doing very little, so we're talking not only 2026 resolutions and our goals for the year ahead, but how we get back into the swing of things too.

Taking time off is important, but getting back to work can feel incredibly daunting after the fact. So let's go slow, plan big, but be realistic. Use that January energy to try new things and new routines, but not completely reinvent the wheel either.

What're your big plans for 2026?

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

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If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

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2025 Reflections: What can I learn from looking back at the last year? (NYE Special)

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:05:00 GMT

Another year's nearly in the can, so we're looking back at 2025, and our professional wins and lessons learned from 12 months of continuing to emerge as a screenwriter in film and TV. Where did we succeed? What did we wish we did more of? And why is Tray still upset with Joe Barton?

And to top things off, we're also looking back at our favourite movies and TV shows from 2025, and what we learned from them - not just about writing, but the industry too. See you in 2026!

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

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Favourites: What can I learn from my favourite movies and TV shows? (Xmas Special)

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:05:00 GMT

A very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all of us at Emerging - and to celebrate, we figured we'd open a few presents, toss a few insults and unwrap our 4 favourite films and TV shows in this extra long special festive-themed episode!

Yes, Tray breaks all of the formats, but we wouldn't have him any other way. Have a safe and relaxing festive break!

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

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If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

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Last Call: Should I always follow my gut instinct as a writer? (with Chloë Mi Lin Ewart)

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 00:05:00 GMT

Another extra 15 mins with the brilliant Chloë Mi Lin Ewart as she takes on the all-important Last Call! So what's the best and worst writing advice she's ever received? What's the TV show that most deserves to be erased from existence forever? And why is E.T. the best movie ever made?

And if you didn't catch our full episode with Chloe, all about her emerging journey, have a listen - it's a real fun time.

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

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If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

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Opportunity: How do I make the most of schemes and early opportunities? (with Chloë Mi Lin Ewart)

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 00:05:00 GMT

Ever wondered what happens on the fabled Channel 4 Screenwriting scheme? Or how one goes straight from that to signing with Mr Casarotto himself? This week's guest Chloë Mi Lin Ewart is not only full of answers, but great chat too. A veteran of SO MANY schemes, from 4Screenwriting, to The Residency and the BBC, Chloë's now a very successful writer with credits on Beyond Paradise, All Creatues Great and Small, and her own series very nearly on the horizon. So it's safe to say she's become a total expert at seizing every opportunity that's come her way!

So join us for another long and winding chat through Chloë's emerging journey, from her start as a working class, Eurasian actor on soaps like Coronation Street, to breaking through with her first few pilot spec scripts.

And if you want to follow Chloë's career, she's coincidentally found under @chloeewart on Instagram too!

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

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Last Call: What's the best and worst writing advice Joe Barton's ever received?

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 00:05:00 GMT

BAFTA-nominated screenwriter Joe Barton, creator of Black Doves, The Lazarus Project and the upcoming Amadeus (among so many others) is back with us to answer the all-important Last Call.

So what's the best and worst writing advice he's ever received? What's the first story he ever wrote? And why does he love Love Actually so much?

And if you didn't catch our even fuller chat with Joe, all about his emerging journey, from when and how he signed with his agent, to how he found success writing movies like The Ritual and shows like Giri-Haji, listen back! It's genuinely a great chat.

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

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Success: What does being a successful screenwriter look like? (with Joe Barton)

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 00:05:00 GMT

This is a fun one - we convinced BAFTA-nominated screenwriter Joe Barton, creator of Black Doves, Giri/Haji and Sky's upcoming Amadeus (among so many others) to join us for a chat about his own emerging journey!

From his first few jobs on McFly's long forgotten vampire movie and a MySpace original series (yes, MySpace once made TV), to how he signed with his agent, his experiences in LA, and how his work on films like The Ritual hit differently to writing for TV, there're A LOT of great insights from Joe's career buried in here. Join us later in the week for his answers to The Last Call too...

With thanks again to Joe for joining us the night before the Black Doves Season 2 shoot kicked off(!), if you want to follow his career and support a plucky young upstart, he's @joebarton_ on Instagram, and his new show AMADEUS lands on Sky on 21st December.

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

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If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

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BONUS: Can we make talent management more hopeful and inclusive? (with Sonia Wargacka)

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 00:05:00 GMT

A special bonus chat this week - inspiring producer, filmmaker, production co-ordinator and all-round multi-hyphenate Sonia Wargacka sits down with Ben to talk about her very new, very different talent agency Powerhouse and how she hopes to change the world of agenting for the better.

If you want to follow Sonia's progress, she's @leaveitwithsonia on Instagram, and her agency is @this.is.powerhouse!

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

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Advice: What's the best writing advice you've ever received? (The Last 10)

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 00:05:00 GMT

One of our favourite parts of every guest episode is The Last 10, (ironically) 12 quickfire questions that help us get to know other writers on a far more personal level. So it felt only fair that we take the challenge ourselves too.

As a bit of a disclaimer, this episode was recorded way back in March 2025, just as the show was starting to take shape, so we might sound a little more youthful / a little less jaded. Or the opposite, listen and find out!

And here are the fabled Last 10 questions if you want to try them at home yourself:

1. **What was the first story you ever wrote?**

2. **What film or TV show made you say, "I want to be a writer"?**

3. **What’s the best and worst piece of writing advice you’ve ever received?**

4. **What’s a common mistake you see emerging writers make?**

5. **If you could go back and give yourself one piece of advice when starting out, what would it be?**

6. **What’s the most life-changing film or TV show you’ve ever watched?**

7. **What’s the worst film or TV show you secretly love?**

8. **What’s a film or TV show that perfectly captures how you feel about life?**

9. **What film haven’t you seen that you tell everyone that you have?**

10. **If you could erase one film or TV show from existence, what would it be and why?**

11. **If your life were a film, what would it be called and who would direct it?**

12. **What does ‘making it’ as a writer mean to you?**

Why not send us your answers as a voice note!

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

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If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

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Getting Noticed: What's the best way to put myself out there as a writer? (with Rachel Flynn)

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 00:05:00 GMT

Get ready for a total masterclass in putting yourself out there and getting noticed from this week's guest - actor turned writer turned screenwriting influencer Rachel Flynn. A Bronze Page Award winner, Rachel's a credited TV writer, a celebrated playwright and part of the core creative team behind two made-for-TV features too. So naturally Martin's incredibly jealous.

As you'll know if you've seen her Instagram Reels and/or TikToks, Rachel's not only very experienced and knowledgable about the industry, but a big ol' laugh too, so this proved to be a very fun (even longer than normal) chat covering everything from social media, to organising your time, and even a bit of smutty Chicago-based fan fiction. Enjoy!

As always, if you want to follow Rachel's career (and see more of that wicked screenwriting based content), she's @rflynn7 on Instagram.

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

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Organisation: How do I keep track of all my projects and contacts?

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 00:05:00 GMT

In ironically our most dis-organised record to date (Martin had a Diet Coke with lunch and... well, don't drink caffeine kids), we're talking about the many varied spreadsheets and programs that we use to keep our heads together. Because if you don't have a system for tracking all those half-finished scripts, competition deadlines, notes from producers, and random people we met at various networking events that we swear we’ll email back, the chaos might just swallow you whole.

So here comes some exciting organisation chat - digital rolodexes, project slates, contact matrixes, not a stone unturned. How do *you* stay organised?

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Unwritten Rules: Which screenwriting rules can I break?

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 00:05:00 GMT

How many times have we been told not to direct on the page, or not write songs into our scripts? Don’t open with a dream, or someone waking up. Formatting is the be all and end all. But how many of these so called “rules” actually matter, and how many can we break without coming across as obnoxious?

It's a fine line, so this episode's all about digging into those unwritten rules of screenwriting: where they come from, why they exist, and when it’s okay (or even smart) to ignore them completely. We chat about the balance between structure and creativity, the fear of “doing it wrong,” and how trusting your voice might be the real key to great writing.

If you’ve ever second-guessed a bold choice or felt boxed in by screenwriting formulas, we're here for you!

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Image: How should I present myself in public and online? (and how do I write a good bio?)

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 00:05:00 GMT

As emerging writers, we spend so much time working on how to present our scripts, we don't always think about the other (sometimes even more important bit), how do we present ourselves?

So let's talk image - everything from our writer bios and CVs, to how we dress, and how we come across in person, in meetings and at networking events. If someone's only meeting you for 10 minutes, what image of you do you want them to come away with?

We also dig into what makes a good writer bio (and what doesn’t - get Chat GPT out of your head right now), how to talk about your work without cringing (*cries in British*), and how to balance coming across as a pro with not sounding like a robot. It's hard work, but remember the hard and fast rule - pretend you're a rich, white American and you'll immediately feel more confident.

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Burnout: How do I deal with feeling burnt out and still get stuff done?

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 23:05:00 GMT

Burnout is real, it's a sexy word right now, millenials everywhere seem to be suffering from it *constantly*. And we’ve all hit that point, when you want to write, but your brain and body just say "curl up in a ball and give up on the world". So let's talk about it, what burnout looks like, why it creeps up on us, and how we can find a way through it without completely grinding to a halt.

As emerging writers, that feeling that we have to be working all the time is all too real. Whether that's writing, networking, applying for schemes, or just staying visible. But what happens when that constant pressure starts to break us down?

We're sharing our own (very current) experiences of burnout, that guilt of slowing down, and some practical ways to reset, recharge, and still move forward (even when you’re running on empty).

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Course Correcting: How do I write with the long term in mind? (and not just chase schemes?)

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 23:05:00 GMT

With the 4Screenwriting deadline well and truly vanquished, this week we're asking ourselves not only "what's next?" but more importantly, "what are we even doing with our lives/careers?" We're zooming out and looking at the bigger picture, setting goals, both short term and long term.

It can be so easy as emerging writers to just move from scheme to scheme on autopilot, chasing the opportunities dangled right in front of us. But sometimes we need to take a step back and look at the bigger picture - where do we ultimately want to be as writers, and how do we actually get there? Schemes and competitions can be the perfect stepping stone for such goals, but we run the risk of not taking full advantage of them or wasting time and energy on the wrong ones, if we don't have a proper idea of what we're actually trying to achieve.

Feel free to join in, and let us know what you're planning between now and the end of the year, and what you want to achieve in 2026.

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Productivity: How do I stay productive when life commitments get in the way? (Just Write IV)

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 23:05:00 GMT

Staying focussed as a writer is hard, especially when you're single-parenting, or coming up against a lot of pressure from your money job. So how do we deal with these short term disruptions, and not let them totally throw us off pace? Falling off the productivity wagon can be a big loss for writers, and getting back on is easier said than done.

So here's an episode for anyone who, like Tray, has had a bit of a week of it. Especially as deadline season refuses to slow down, sometimes even making the tiniest amount of progress is worthy of celebration.

If you want to join us on this accountability journey, drop us an email or a DM and let us know how you're getting on.

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Comparison: What if my script is similar to another TV show or movie? (Just Write III)

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 23:05:00 GMT

We've all been there, you spend months and months refining the perfect idea into a (passable) screenplay, only for some hotshot Hollywood type to release a Netflix show using almost the exact same concept. So what happens next? Do we throw it all out and start again? Or do we rest assured that our voice is strong and different enough that the world can have multiple takes on the same basic plot?

Naturally these are the things bothering us most as we approach the final few weeks before the 4Screenwriting deadline, as all three of us start to question whether we're writing the right thing at the right time. Are we putting all this time and effort into the right project?

If you want to join us on this accountability journey, drop us an email or a DM and let us know how you're getting on.

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Confidence: How do we learn to enjoy our own writing? (Just Write II)

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 23:05:00 GMT

Being confident is such an important part of being a writer, but most of us will struggle to say a nice thing about a script we're currently working on. So how do we find that inner confidence and back our own work? How many times have you read or re-read one of your own scripts and in that moment, actually been your own favourite writer for a change?

All this and more, as the deadline gets closer and we crack on with our drafts, keep each other productive and accountable, and try to enjoy and embrace our own work, warts and all.

And if you want to join us on this accountability journey, drop us an email or a DM and let us know how you're getting on.

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Starting Over: When is it okay to recycle an old idea? (Just Write I)

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 23:05:00 GMT

As deadline season approaches, we're kicking off a new run of (slightly) shorter episodes focussing on productivity, accountability and the brass tacks of actually getting down to writing, as opposed to just talking about it. So what does one week into our new productivity goals look like? What excuses are we making for ourselves already?

Within this week's more relaxed chat, there's a whole bunch of helpful (and hopefully inspiring) little tidbits about burnout and writing too much too fast, as well as how to approach starting over with an old idea, repurposing it for a different time or medium.

And if you want to join us on this accountability journey, drop us an email or a DM and let us know your writing goals for this Autumn/Fall season.

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keeping Track: How do I stay on top of my writing goals?

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 23:05:00 GMT

If it's one thing a lot of writers aren't great at, it's keeping track of their progress and setting realistic writing goals. It's a fickle process - we've lost count of the amount of times we've failed to deliver on a personal target. So let's talk about it - not just how to set realistic goals, but how to hold yourself (and others) to account for the work we say we're going to do.

And with both the new school year and deadline season rapidly approaching (say hello to that annual 4Screenwriting deadline creeping up in October!), now's as good a time as any to start challenging ourselves and setting new goals. In the second half of this episode, we actually put in place some very credible writing targets too, so why not do the same?

Join us on this (hopefully) productive journey!

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

(Not) Giving Up: When should I give up? (on a script, on an agent, or writing in general?)

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 23:05:00 GMT

It's one of the hardest questions in writing - when is it time to give up? On a script, on an agent, or even on writing altogether? None of us are about to throw in the towel completely, but it's a punishing business filled with rejection; the question's bound to pop up every now and then. Or in Tray's case, weekly apparently.

When is quitting okay? When do we know it's time to walk away from a script (at least for now)? When do we know something's just not going to happen? At what point does our work ethic shift from tenacity, to just good old fashioned denial? Consider this episode both a pep talk and a bit of a reality check (for all of us!)

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

BONUS: What happened at the Edinburgh TV Festival?

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 23:05:00 GMT

A special little bonus this week - fresh from a 4 day trip to Edinburgh, Martin breaks down his main industry takeaways from the Edinburgh TV Festival. Including some sneaky little tidpits, some thoughts on diversity and a real first, a panel focussing on ESEA (East and South East Asian) lead stories.

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Festivals: How do I get the most out of going to a film or industry festival?

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 23:05:00 GMT

As festival season well and truly kicks off with the Edinburgh TV Fest, we're looking at all the many different kinds of events, both big and small, and our top tips for getting the most out of the entry fee. Whether that's how you plan your time around the festival programme, the appeal of attending an industry focussed event (like Edinburgh) and why sometimes, going to a more local short film fest might actually serve your career better.

Naturally this episode pairs really well with our chat about Networking too, so definitely give that a listen if you haven't already!

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rewriting: How do I redraft effectively? (feat. Mike Powell)

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 23:05:00 GMT

If writing is hard, rewriting can be even harder - especially if you're working on someone else's draft. But we're in luck, as this week we're joined by our first ever returning guest, fountain of industry knowledge Mr Mike Powell. A successful working screenwriter, Mike helps us understand the ins and outs of not only the most effective way to redraft your own work, but what it's like when you're brought in as a professional to redraft someone else's too.

As usual with Mike, there's *a lot* of other info here, covering everything from his approach to researching a project, to how he holds himself in meetings, as well as the inside track on working with producers, and finally - the last 10. It's such a gold mine of great advice and useful experience.

And if you want more from Mike, dig through our archive and you'll find his two parter Industry Jobs and Getting Paid, which are both full of equally vital nuggets of advice and info. If you want to follow Mike's career, he's also @mikepscreenwrites on Instagram.

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learning: What's the best way to learn how to write? (feat. Thomas Burr)

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 23:05:00 GMT

Whether it's just studying screenplays you stole off the internet, or writing your own one man show, or even being taught how to write by the pros at Harvard, there's no one right way to learn the craft - and our guest this week would know, because he's done literally all of those things.

The sensationally lovely Thomas Burr is a writer, actor, dear friend and Harvard graduate (despite being from the Welsh valleys!) with an unbelievable amount of learning experiences under his belt for someone so young (approximately 14 years old give or take a decade). From taking his play Collar to the Edinburgh Fringe to striking gold with his first ever TV script, Thomas has some incredible stories to tell that perfectly encapsulate just how windy the path to success - and how varied our way into learning the craft of screenwriting - often is.

If you want to follow Thomas's career, you can find him on Instagram as @thomasjosefburr!

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Networking: How do I work a room meaningfully? (and why is it so scary?)

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 23:05:00 GMT

Networking networking networking, all everyone ever talks about is networking. Everyone hates it, it can be pretty scary if you're not partiuclarly social, but it's very much the life blood of making it in this industry. So learning how to make it work for you is one of the most important skills you can build as a writer.

And you're in luck - in this very advice heavy episode, we're pulling together all of our (and some of our guest's) top tips on the best ways to work the room and meet people/build your network in a meaningful way. From how long to spend talking to each person, to how to approach a conversation, which faux pas to avoid and how long you should wait before following up. Plus a few bonus funny stories for good measure.

Always remember: Don't be a dick. Don't be a creep. Be chill baby.

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabredfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Community: How do we find "our people"? (and what if we're socially awkward?)

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 23:05:00 GMT

Trying to 'emerge' as a writer is tough enough, sometimes you just need a shoulder to cry on or a bit of lasting encouragement to just keep going, so having a community of supportive, likeminded people around you is fairly vital. But communities don't just *happen* - how do we find our "tribe"? And why does it always feel so awkward? Especially for those of us who aren't the most confident socially, it can be a pretty daunting prospect.

Join us for a very sincere and open chat about putting ourselves out there not just as writers, but as people too; looking for not just a network, but friendship. It's not always easy (even the American struggles!) but having a kind and honest space to share work, have a moan and seek guidance could not be more important on this journey!

And if you don't know where to start, WE HAVE A DISCORD, so come on over and share your favourite turtleheading joke - https://discord.com/invite/Sa6TNJzs

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabredfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Research: How much should we do before writing? (and when are we just procrastinating?)

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 23:05:00 GMT

Research is both the ultimate procrastination tool, and the holy grail for making your characters and your worlds feel lived in and three-dimensional. So how much is enough? And what does meaningful research even look like anyway? Are we writing endless bulletpoints, watching stacks of movies, making stupid collages, or just cramming it into our brains in the hope that it'll all just sort of work itself into the script in the end?

It's safe to say we all have our different methods, so please do let us know what works for you (you never know, it might be the missing piece of the puzzle for someone else!), and if you are finding yourself getting lost down endless research rabbitholes - we've got you covered with some top tips on how to avoid it too.

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabredfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Business: Why is so much of my writing time spent not actually writing?

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 23:05:00 GMT

One of the hardest truths about making it as a writer is that so much of your time will not actually be spent writing scripts. There's networking, building and maintaining relationships with helpful people, writing those dreaded applications and pitch documents, and obviously all the actual business stuff too - accounts, invoices, taxes...

It can be a scary leap if you've never been a freelancer before, so this episode is all about demystifying that administrative balancing act. How much time we spend writing vs. all the other essential bits of trying to find work as a writer? What's the difference between PAYE, a sole trader and being a limited company? What if I'm an introvert and *really* hate networking?

All this and more, in Tray's favourite episode to date (seriously, it's all he talks about).

(Producers Note - We do mention this in the show itself, but if you're looking for actual financial advice, please seek out a professional accountant and don't just listen to these three self-taught podcasters!)

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabredfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rejection: How do we deal with it? (and can we ever use it in a positive way?)

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 23:05:00 GMT

It doesn't matter who you are or what level you're at, the film and TV industry feels like it's built on rejection. Every single one of us will experience it many many times. And it sucks. It hurts. It can make you question your work and your talent and your place in the world. But it's part of the process.

So with that in mind, how do we deal with the constant kick-backs? Does it ever get easier, and is there a way to turn it into something positive?

Consider this episode a safe space to have a good vent about one of the worst parts of being an emerging writer; we share some personal rejection stories, plenty of tips for overcoming those dreaded writing rejection blues and as usual, try to make us all feel a little bit less alone.

If you enjoyed this episode, please do share far and wide - let's revel in how much rejection sucks together.

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabredfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Racism: When and how can we talk about racism in the industry?

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 23:05:00 GMT

After mentioning it in almost every episode to date, this week we finally talk openly about racism and diversity in the film and TV industry - from the uncomfortable truths everyone knows but rarely says out loud, to the internal battles we face as emerging writers navigating it all.

We actually sat down to talk about rejection (more on that next week) so this one's a little more free-form than normal, but we do pick at a lot of ongoing worries. Particularly that tension between knowing the system is unequal but still wondering if it's just that we're not quite up to standard as writers. We also talk about the pressure to self-censor (even on this very podcast) vs. being honest about our experiences, and of course how race and identity shape not only the stories we tell, but the way we’re allowed to tell them.

BESEA Rising Waves statement on ESEA Representation in UK television can be found here - https://www.risingwaves.org/?p=1692

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Theme: Should I know what my script is about before I start writing it?

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 23:05:00 GMT

It might sound wild, but sometimes our best and most meaningful work happens completely subconsciously. How many times have we sat down to write something profound and deeply thematically powerful, only to be crushed by the weight of what we're trying to do? So this week, we're (as Tray would say) "deeping it", to dig down into the overarching themes of our scripts, the intention behind them, and how much planning actually goes into their inclusion.

We talk about Sinners, about Star Wars and about the great Michael Arndt, discussing how we came to write about everything from loneliness, to difficult parental relationships, to our cultural identities and only realised the subtext of what we'd written long after typing 'Fade Out'. After all, writing can be the best (and cheapest) therapy around!

And if you're interested in the Michael Arndt lecture on endings, it's currently on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWHfsEJ5JJo

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Education: Should I get a degree in writing? (with Hanna Tatschl)

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 23:05:00 GMT

The age old question, I need a creative writing degree, or even a Masters to be a successful writer? Well, you're in luck because our guest this week has both and IS a successful writer, so has a thing or two to say about education...

The brilliant Hanna Tatschl, a working screenwriter and playwright from Dublin with credits across TV, theatre, and film, takes us through their unique journey into the industry - one that includes studying at Trinity College and Glasgow Caledonian University. We talk about why they chose to pursue formal education more than once, what they got out of each course, and how studying helped them build both their craft and confidence as a writer.

They also give us a glimpse into the world of continuing drama, sharing how the sausage gets made on River City, and why soaps have proven to be such a fantastic proving ground for new writers.

So if you’ve ever wondered whether you need to study writing, or why so many working screenwriters started on Casualty, Doctors and other continuing dramas, Hanna's episode is genuinely helpful, packed with insight, honesty, and encouragement. And if you want to follow Hanna's career, you can find them as @hannatatschl on Instagram!

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Taking Time Off: Do I have to write every single day?

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 23:05:00 GMT

It's a competitive industry where everyone seems to be hustling 24/7, so taking time off can often feel like a risk (or even a failure). Fear of missing out is real.

So this week, we’re talking about rest - the kind that’s actually meaningful and necessary. We dig into our own fears around taking breaks, the pressure to be constantly producing, and the myth that real writers write every single day. We also explore what proper rest really looks like, and how stepping away (or at the very least, changing your focus) can sometimes be the most productive move of all.

If you’ve ever felt guilty about not writing (or you're just totally burned out and in need of a pina colada) this one’s for you.

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Writing Teams: Is it better to write solo or with a partner? (with Max Krupski)

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 23:05:00 GMT

Writing can be a very solitary pursuit, but it doesn't have to be! Just listen to actor turned screenwriter turned friend of the podcast (and fellow New Writers Collective alum) Max Krupski, who's really found his feet (and a lot of success) working as part of a number of different writing teams and duos. Maybe it's because he's also objectively the nicest man in Britain, but Max has some great insight into creative collaboration, and how to make a writing partnership work to everyone's advantage.

There's also a lot here about Max's journey too; his boarding school background, how his formal training as an actor shaped his approach to writing, and how he’s learned to navigate the challenges of writing with dyslexia, using the way his brain works visually to his advantage.

And if you want to follow Max's career, he's famously social media phobic and doesn't exist on Instagram, but can often be found at The White Bear in Kennington having a pint of Guinness if you want to bother him in person.

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Notes: Should I listen to every note on my screenplay? (and should I ever pay to get them?)

Tue, 27 May 2025 23:05:00 GMT

Getting notes on your screenplay can be a pretty bruising experience, no matter who they're from, whether it's a friend, a loved one, another writer or a high ranking TV exec. But as you've probably heard, it's a truly vital part of the writing process, and something that everyone, no matter how emerged or successful, has to endure.

So let's talk about it - the good, the bad and the ugly of both giving and receiving notes on your work. The art of taking a note, when to action it, when to ignore it, and when to consider it politically. Who we show our work to and ask for notes from. And the art of giving notes on other people's work too; as a writer, you'll definitely be asked what you think, but how far should you go? Should you be pitching new scenes, or just giving a basic thumbs up or thumbs down? And of course the age old question (which we really go deep on), should you ever pay money for coverage notes from a service like WeScreenplay, The Black List, or Coverfly? (and what happens now a lot of them are shutting down?)

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Timing: When do I know I'm good enough? (with Olivia Ababio)

Tue, 20 May 2025 23:05:00 GMT

Knowing when to stand up and back yourself as a writer is tricky business, especially when our chances to connect with producers and agents and people who can actually move our careers are few and far between. Too early, and neither you, nor your work will be ready, but wait too long and you might miss your shot. Which is why this week we're sitting down with close friend, former development assistant and script editor, and fellow New Writers Collective alumnus Olivia Ababio, for a properly varied chat about her journey, her (incredibly successful) run of writing schemes, and when she knew it was time to start seriously mapping out her career as a writer.

If you want to follow her career, Olivia's @oliviaababio on Instagram, and yes, we totally see the irony in calling this episode 'Timing', when Olivia is famously *always* late.

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Side Quests: What else can I do to improve my writing?

Tue, 13 May 2025 23:05:00 GMT

Side quests aren't just for gamers - this week we're all in the same place for once(!), digging deep into all the other stuff we do outside of screenwriting (from stand-up and improv, to travelling and reading comic books) that feeds our creativity, keeps us sane, and ultimately, makes us better at what we do.

Writing doesn't happen in a bubble, and there's a lot to be said for getting out there and living your life beyond the page!

So if you’ve ever felt guilty for not writing 24/7, this episode is your permission to embrace those side quests... They might just be the weird little secret push your writing needs to go from good, to totally inspiring and real.

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

BONUS: How do I stand out as a writer/filmmaker? (with Louis Chan)

Sun, 11 May 2025 23:05:00 GMT

It's a competitive industry, so maybe sometimes the only way to stand out from the crowd is to actually make stuff. Martin's close friend and collaborator Louis Chan (director of Highs, writer of Sticks of Fury and A LOT of other shorts) joins him for a quick chat about maintaining that creative hustle, and how his latest film Patience came to be.

Patience will be out via Omeleto on YouTube from 15th May.

Louis will be back with us soon, but in the meantime find links to all of his films at louischanfilms.com, and of course drop him a follow on Instagram @louischanwing.

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Getting Paid: What's it like to be a working screenwriter? (with Mike Powell - Part 2)

Wed, 07 May 2025 07:08:48 GMT

So you've climbed the mountain, got an agent and started getting commissions - but what is it actually like to work as a screenwriter in the British film and TV industry? Friend of the podcast Mike Powell is back, diving even deeper into the realities of day-to-day life as a professional screenwriter; what the job actually looks like, how to navigate the ups and downs (including when and when not to fire your agent), how often you actually get paid (and when to chase it), and what he's learned about staying afloat, and sane, in a totally chaotic, ever-changing industry.

Whether you're aiming for your first paid writing gig or just curious about what life’s like on the other side of “emerging,” this episode is all about honest advice and real talk - invaluable insight from someone who's actually doing it! Don't say we never give you anything nice.

And of course, if you want to follow Mike's career, he's @mikepscreenwrites on Instagram.

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Industry Jobs: What's the best job to get while writing? (with Mike Powell - Part 1)

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 23:05:00 GMT

One of the hardest things to figure out while writing is how to support ourselves financially, whether that's getting a job in the film and TV industry, or somewhere very, very different. Thankfully, this week supremely talented working screenwriter Mike Powell joins us to give some pointers, taking us through his early days interning in post-production at Elstree Studios, his time as a freelance script reader, and how a 9-5 in acquisitions at Focus Features helped open the door for what is now a growing career as a working writer.

Mike is a total fountain of knowledge, so naturally we ended up talking for a very, *very* long time, making this just Part 1 of a truly informative chat about how to support yourself while writing, and how to build meaningful connections in the industry while doing so.

If you want to follow Mike's career, he's @mikepscreenwrites on Instagram.

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

BONUS: Did Ryan Coogler's ownership deal on Sinners just change the industry?

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 14:00:11 GMT

Have you heard about Ryan Coogler's unprecedented ownership deal with Warner Bros for his new movie Sinners? Tray takes 10 minutes to go deep on what it means for writers and creatives of colour going forward, and how the Creed and Black Panther filmmaker may have just changed the industry for the better.

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Short Films: Will it benefit my career to make a short film?

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 23:05:00 GMT

What does it really take to make a short film, and is it even worth it? As emerging writers, we're often told to just get out there and "make something", but will throwing your time (and often money) into making shorts actually benefit your career as a writer and get you noticed? From making shorts on a zero budget, to crowdfunding projects and getting the greenlight from TV studios, between the three of us, we've made more than a handful (with mixed results).

So this episode goes deep into the emotional and financial rollercoaster that is the short film world, and how our work there has impacted our careers to date. We go into detail about budgets, how we funded and crewed our films, the festivals they played and the impact they had, before finally committing to a hard answer on the debate - should I make a short film?

And if you want to see the shorts we talk about in this episode, you can below:

Highs (written and co-produced by Martin) - https://vimeo.com/710967979

The Last Jeff (written and directed by Ben) - https://filmshortage.com/dailyshortpicks/the-last-jeff/

Losing It (written and directed by Ben) - https://vimeo.com/1077530800

Dog In Translation (co-written and produced by Tray) - https://vimeo.com/603253010

Bakari (co-written and produced by Tray) - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KaDC3qs-Zg_sBnHiew2qOId1aiNIhLpX/view?usp=sharing

On the Other Side of the Moon (co-written and produced by Tray) - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lhlwjY5v4gZvo0EZzBKbXzRMqn5YWjnw/view?usp=sharing

🧰 Resources & Mentions:

FilmFreeway – Submit to festivals
Shooting People – UK network for filmmakers
Festival Formula – Festival strategy consultants
BFI Network Funding
ShortFLIX (Creative UK and Sky)
Mr. Tibbs Film Screenings

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Process: How do I find my flow when writing?

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 23:05:00 GMT

So you've finally found a few hours in your day to actually sit down at your laptop and get some writing done, but what does that writing time actually look like? If writing is a muscle, does that mean you have to write *every single day*? And how much planning is too much planning?

From writing sprints, to procrastination playlists and why starting on page one is a nightmare, in this follow-up to our scheduling chat, we're diving into the details of our writing processes. How much we outline before writing a script, what sort of mood boards and playlists we make, and what screenwriting software are the most comfortable to use - y'know, the really exciting ins and outs of this very sexy profession.

As usual, every process is different and there isn't one way of doing things, so don't forget to send us any thoughts, feelings or questions - you're not alone!

🧰 Resources & Mentions:

Scrivener
Final Draft
NaNoWriMo
The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogler
Save The Cat by Blake Snyder
Celtx

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben: @bmlrobins

Martin: @bananabreadfilm

Tray: @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who’s knee-deep in a “vomit draft” and needs a reminder they’re not alone.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scheduling: How do I find time to write around work and family commitments?

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 23:05:00 GMT

How many of us struggle to get consistent writing done because life just keeps getting in the way? Two of us are parents to young children, one has a puppy (which is definitely the same thing), not to mention that we still need to make actual money too. We're not saying we've solved it (late nights and early mornings aren't easy!), but we have all found ways to mostly make it work, alongside money jobs and having families.

So this episode is all about breaking down how we schedule in that all important writing time and how we fit the practise around everything else life throws at us. From writing at 2am, to finding flow between errands and meltdowns, this one's all about exploring the emotional and logistical hurdles of being a writer with responsibilities. It’s a vulnerable one, touching on generational expectations, unsupportive family members, and the guilt of trying to carve out creative time. But it's also a love letter to perseverance, community, and the power of chasing your dream — even if it means writing pantsless.

And of course, it's totally different for everyone, so please do reach out and let us know how you make it work for you - you're not alone!

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

🧰 Resources & Mentions:

Curtis Brown Creative
BBC Writersroom Open Call
Scrivener
Jim Carrey’s Commencement Speech (Maharishi University)
Emerging with Beatty Smith – Part 1

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Representation: What does an agent/manager actually do? (with Beatty Smith - Part 2)

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 23:05:00 GMT

Getting an agent or manager is one of the biggest milestones for an emerging screenwriter, but how do you actually make it happen? Do you need representation to break into the industry? And what’s the difference between an agent and a manager anyway? Part 2 of our chat with fantastic writer and friend of the podcast Beatty Smith once again goes deep.

Beatty's repped in the US by Circle, and breaks down every step that led to her getting management, how reps can help your career (but also the bits she did herself), and the best ways to get on their radar (as well as why she said no before saying yes). We’ll also talk about those all important differences between the UK and the US when it comes to agents and managers, the unglamorous realities of unpaid development, why restraint matters when someone shows interest, and the art of holding your nerve when everything starts to move fast.

As always with Beatty, it's a very detailed and practical chat and we couldn't be more grateful for her insight! We also end with a lightning round of questions inspired by Inside the Actors Studio — expect Buffy, Vampire Diaries, and some hilariously dark childhood writing confessions.

If you want to follow Beatty's career, she's @beattysmith on Instagram.

📬 Get In Touch

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh). You're not alone!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hollywood: Do I need to move to LA? (with Beatty Smith - Part 1)

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 06:04:00 GMT

How many times have you been told you have to move to LA to "make it" as a screenwriter? Well, brilliant writer and friend of the podcast Beatty Smith did just that, and lived to tell the tale. Join us for Part 1 of a very deep and informative chat following the ups and downs of Beatty's long and windy journey from Lancashire to Hollywood, to London (and back again).

Beatty gives us all sorts of practical insights into everything from making the decision to move, to how she paid her rent, whose couch she slept on and how her American VISA worked, as well as what good networking looks like and what point she finally started calling herself a writer. It's a vital chat for anyone even remotely considering life in LA (and it's just full of generally brilliant wisdom from a very exciting working writer too!)

💬 In This Episode:

Beatty’s chaotic and brave move from the UK to LA
Being a secret writer while climbing the assistant ladder
The difference between British and American creative cultures
How to write on nights and weekends without burning out
When to stop networking and start writing
Planning a two-month “break-in” trip to LA — with no job waiting
Getting represented in the US (and why she didn't chase it)
Notre Dame, neuroscience, and saying no to safety

🧰 Resources & Mentions:

USC Peter Stark Producing Program
A3 Artists Agency (archived)
42 Management & Production
The New Writers Collective – TV Foundation
PMA Job Board (UK production and literary assistant roles)

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who's plotting their next big leap.

Hosts: Tray Epps, Martin F Wong, Ben Robins

Editor: Ben Robins

Music by: Adrian Leung

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Social Media: Do screenwriters really need it? (and what do we even post?)

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 06:03:00 GMT

Do you have an empty Instagram you don't know how to fill? Are you still grinding away on Twitter/X pretending it can still be saved? Social media isn't exactly the easiest thing to navigate as a writer, but luckily for us, co-host Ben is a bit of an expert.

So join us for a deep dive into all things social, the platforms that are worth being on (and the ones that really aren't), what and how often it's worth posting (if at all), and when it might be time to finally call it a day. We'll also look at professional websites and whether or not they're actually helpful for emerging writers, and the best ways to make yourself open and present for networking online.

💬 In This Episode:

Do writers need to be on social media?
The myth of followers vs. actual engagement
What producers are really looking for online
Private vs. public Instagrams (and the identity crisis that comes with it)
How comparison culture and “online wins” can derail your confidence
Benedict Wong and Martin’s one-sided best friendship
Why we keep showing up — even on bad writing weeks

🧰 Resources & Mentions:

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow writer struggling with their socials (or just tired of seeing everyone’s highlight reel).

Hosts: Tray Epps, Martin F Wong, Ben Robins

Editor: Ben Robins

Music by: Adrian Leung

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Screenwriting Competitions & Schemes: Are they actually worth it?

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 06:01:00 GMT

Are you sick of staring at yet another screenwriting competition or scheme, wondering if it’s actually worth the entry fee (or the endless application questions)? Well join the club, buddy.

Do these programs really help emerging writers break into the industry, or are they just a giant lottery?

Join Tray, Martin and Ben as we share our blunt, honest thoughts on competitions, fellowships, schemes and retreats. We’ll chat about which ones actually seem to make a difference, whether they’re the best use of your time, and how to improve your chances if you do decide to apply. We'll also talk about our red flags, when to know you're looking at a scam, and whether anyone can ever *really* teach you how to write a screenplay.

If you’re unsure whether to throw your script into the ring or focus your energy elsewhere, this one’s for you.

💬 In This Episode:

Our first scripts and how we actually started writing
Why film school wasn’t an option — and why that might’ve been a good thing
The Shortflix scheme, Lincoln Center drama training, and Golden Egg Academy
Breaking down BBC Writersroom, Channel 4, BAFTA Rocliffe, and more
What a “seal of approval” really means in this industry
Are paid workshops and script gurus worth it?
Why most schemes don’t change your life — but a few just might
What we learned from rejection (and each other)
Bonus: Old man balls and the trauma of directing your first short film

🧰 Resources & Mentions:

TV Foundation / New Writers Collective
Shortflix
BBC Writersroom
Channel 4 Screenwriting Course
BAFTA Rocliffe
Save the Cat
Golden Egg Academy
Sweetpea on Sky

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

Laughed? Cried? Questioned your life choices along with us? Rate, review, and share the pod with a fellow emerging writer — we’re all in this together. Sort of.

Hosts: Tray Epps, Martin F Wong, Ben Robins

Editor: Ben Robins

Music by: Adrian Leung

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Introduction: How do I "break in" as a writer in such a competitive industry?

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 06:00:00 GMT

A big hello/what's up/how's it going from Martin F. Wong, Tray Epps and Ben Robins, three emerging writers based in the UK, unpacking the uncensored realities of "making it" as a screenwriter in film and TV.

In our first episode, we're not only exploring who we are, but what it means to be "emerging" as a writer, and that immortal question of how we break in to a very closed-door industry. The everyday hustle of reaching out to agents and TV producers, entering competitions and schemes, and when we actually find time to write around our 9-5 "money jobs".

This is very much a safe space for writers and creators of all levels, to share, listen, learn (and often just complain) about our journeys as creatives in film and TV, so please do join us and send any thoughts, feelings or questions to theemergingpodcast[at]gmail[dot]com (maybe one day we'll have a Discord or something too, when there are enough of you...)

💬 In This Episode:

Why we started Emerging
Our experience with the New Writers Collective
How we feel about agents (and getting one)
Rejections, applications, and the hard truths of being a writer
How Martin wrote a BBC Comedy Collective personal statement in 3 minutes
Our weekly goals and creative accountability
The importance of finding your community

🧰 Resources & Mentions:

📬 Get In Touch:

Email us: TheEmergingPodcast@gmail.com

Ben is @bmlrobins

Martin is @bananabreadfilm

Tray is @ByTrayepps

✨ Support the Show:

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review! And share it with a fellow emerging writer who needs a boost (or a laugh).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is Emerging?

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 11:57:17 GMT

A quick little teaser to get the feed going. 4 episode premiere coming soon.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.