William Nicholson Screenwriters' Lecture

Tuesday 13 September

William Nicholson is one of today's most successful scriptwriters yet it was almost by accident that he moved into writing for screen. Early in his career, Shadowlands earned the writer both a BAFTA award and an Oscar nomination, thrusting him on to the world stage. Subsequent work included the screenplay for Nell (with Mark Handley), directed by Michael Apted, and the Ridley Scott directed Gladiator for which he shared an Oscar nomination with John Logan and David Franzoni.

Nicholson currently has several projects in development, including a script for Working Title’s adaptation of Les Miserables to be directed by Tom Hooper. Of his writing, he says, "I am not writing to reveal my own mysteriously-fascinating self to others but to explore the world we all share."

Nicholson was introduced by lecture series founder and fellow screenwriter Jeremy Brock (Mrs. Brown, The Last King of Scotland).

Screenwriters' Lecture Series - William Nicholson

"Being a successful writer is all about finding the right balance between self-criticism & self-confidence." (Picture: BAFTA / J. Birch)
Screenwriters' Lecture Series - William Nicholson

"If you get block, tell yourself you're only writing notes. Within five minutes you'll be writing again." (Picture: BAFTA / J. Birch)
Screenwriters' Lecture Series - William Nicholson

"We are in the game of generating emotion. Emotion makes great scriptwriting." (Picture: BAFTA / J. Birch)
Screenwriters' Lecture Series - William Nicholson

Film producer Tanya Seghatchian hosted a Q&A session with Nicholson after the lecture. (Picture: BAFTA / J. Birch)
Screenwriters' Lecture Series - William Nicholson

Nicholson warns, "Everything you write will be ripped to shreds by smart people. You need an armoured ego." (Picture: BAFTA / J. Birch)
Screenwriters' Lecture Series - William Nicholson

"Don't be blinded by money. Write the best you have in you. It's what you leave behind you and you owe it to the craft." (Picture: BAFTA / J. Birch)
Screenwriters' Lecture Series - William Nicholson

Jeremy greets some of the guests after the lecture. (Picture: BAFTA / J. Birch)
Screenwriters' Lecture Series - William Nicholson

William talks with guests following the Q and A. (Picture: BAFTA / J. Birch)
Screenwriters' Lecture Series - William Nicholson

Fellow screenwriters Nicholson and Brock. (Picture: BAFTA / J. Birch)
Screenwriters' Lecture Series - William Nicholson

"Stories matter like Hell. They form our culture." (Picture: BAFTA / J. Birch)