David Proud was part of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Writersroom's First Writers' Access Group for disabled writers. David explains how the opportunity to write his first episode of Doctors arose from being part of the group and what the process involved.
It was the mid-nineties and I sat in a bright yellow wheelchair on stage at my secondary school in front of my entire year during assembly. For some reason I can’t explain, I would routinely write school plays about issues: drugs, bullying, disability etc, and with a group of friends perform them in front of assembly. My dear friends Joe Ferridge and Jason Health would be corralled by me to join in. I was obsessed with Bon Jovi at the time and as John belted out his lyrics we would head to the stage to act out our little pieces, hoping to positively influence our school mates with the power of drama.
Cut to January 2020 and I was working at ITV on Coronation Street, having been selected for ITV Original Voices. I was one of four people offered the chance to work with the story team and then write a sample script on a show that was turning 60 years old.
Just before I started my time at Coronation Street I had handed in draft one of a script of Doctors for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One. I had been commissioned on my broadcast debut script after taking part in the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Writersroom's Writers' Access Group. As I sat in the canteen on lunch, overlooking Weatherfield, I took script notes from the wonderful Emma Keaveney on my Doctors script. It hit me how far I had come from that boy who wrote stage plays at school, now working on two iconic TV shows. No Bon Jovi this time, but the same boy who had so much he wanted to say, and so much ambition to change the world by creating entertaining, engaging drama.
Having worked on Doctors twice as an actor I was pleased that my Writers' Access Group journey led me to a continuing drama that has a special place in my heart. I’ve been lucky to work with many departments of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ and without a shadow of a doubt the most welcoming, supportive and enjoyable for me has been Doctors. It is a wonderful show, and the perfect environment to grow talent. From the pitch concept, to the scene by scene, and all the subsequent drafts the team are an absolute joy to work with. It is also one of the most rewarding shows to write for, as fifty percent of the episode is completely generated by the writer, while fifty percent is the serial. It is challenging too, as the speed of production and budgets mean that you have to really engage your brain to overcome problems and work within the limits of the show. There is a reason that Doctors is a gateway into writing for the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ, it sharpens all your tools, and many writers enjoy coming back to the show time and time again.
My first episode was delayed due to Covid-19, and now with some slight Covid tweaks it is hitting TV screens this week. Suddenly all the years of rejections that all writers experience begin to fade, all that is left is my deep gratitude to the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Writersroom team for amplifying my voice.
My advice to anyone still waiting for that email saying they made it to the next round is to never ever give up, keep applying. For those who do make it onto a Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Writersroom development scheme it might feel like you are finally arriving at a destination, but it is only the beginning of a brilliant journey. The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Writersroom team dedicate their entire time to taking your whisper of a voice and turning it into a roar. The masterclasses, meeting commissioners, having access to mentors, all of this gives you the skills and confidence to pitch for the next project on your journey as a writer. The hard part is deciding what you want to write, and what you are trying to say.
For me, having been born with a disability, that kid on stage knew exactly what he was trying to say even back then, he just didn’t know that someday he would get the chance to say it on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One!