GEMMA HURLEY - Advertising Producer to Screenwriter

This weeks guest is the glorious screen writer Gemma Hurley. After graduating in 2009, Gemma had big dreams of pursuing a writing career. But, like many of us, had absolutely no idea how to get there. Taking up several low paid freelance jobs in London Gemma’s early 20’s were spent trying to get a foot in the door; from taking plays up to Edinburgh Fringe, to going for meetings with producers, she never quite got the big break she was looking for.  Succumbing to the difficulties of pursuing such a difficult career path, Gemma turned to working in advertising, where she felt her writing dream slowly begin to slip away.However, three years ago, Gemma was given an opportunity that forced her to make a choice. To become a 'proper adult' and break free from the London rental trap, or quit her job and dive head first into the writing career she always wanted to pursue. I’m thrilled to tell you, she chose the latter. What Gemma describes as one of the most reckless decisions she’s ever made, turned out to be the most rewarding in every way possible. She is now an active screenwriter, had several of her projects optioned and is represented by one of the UK’s biggest agencies. Gemma and I chat all things writing, the lack of diversity in the arts world, pursuing your passion in the face of rejection, and how even though you might think you’re not getting anywhere, it’s likely that the opportunities we make for ourselves in the present will come full circle to reward us in the future, often in a way we’d never expect…  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.