Hello, I’m Venetia Hawkes, the author of We Have Some Notes… The Insider’s Guide to Notes, Script Editing and Development which is being published by Bloomsbury in partnership with the BFI on 22nd August 2024. The book examines the art of giving and receiving notes in film and television drama through interviews with award-winning filmmakers. Writers and directors including Lynne Ramsay, Russell T Davies, Sally Wainwright, Edgar Wright and Simon Beaufoy share insights and advice on how to make it a succesful and rewarding process.
I work as the Executive Producer for Masterclasses & Bridge to Industry projects at the UK’s National Film & Television School (NFTS) and was formerly a member of Right Angle, the script and series editing company behind animated adaptations of classic stories for BBC, Channel 4 and HBO, which won BAFTAs, Emmys and an Academy Award nomination. Independently I provide script and story development advice for a small number of writers and directors, and write select non-fiction articles, specialising in filmmaking, heritage and the countryside.
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We Have Some Notes… The Insider’s Guide to Notes, Script Editing and Development
We Have Some Notes… provides detailed insight and practical advice on working with ‘notes’ – the analysis, feedback and discussion that happen throughout the filmmaking process, from the early stages of script writing to the final cut. It examines how notes, script editing and development can most effectively contribute to the creation of succesful films and television dramas.
It explores how to achieve a fruitful and harmonious writer, director and note-giver relationship through interviews with award-winning writers and directors: Lynne Ramsay, Russell T Davies, Sally Wainwright, Edgar Wright, Lone Scherfig, Ben Wheatley, Amma Asante, Simon Beaufoy, Michael Pearce, Corin Hardy, Tomm Moore, Alice Lowe and Krysty Wilson-Cairns and advice from respected note-givers, including Tessa Ross, Eva Yates, Nicola Shindler, David Sproxton and Pippa Harris.
Inter-chapter sections pose key questions, such as “What’s one thing never to do if you’re giving notes?” and “How do you deal with rejection or critical notes?” Providing illuminating, practical guidance on ways of working successfully with notes, for both writers and directors and anyone who gives notes.
More info about We Have Some Notes… The Insider’s Guide to Notes, Script Editing and Development
Book Reviews
“Not only is Hawkes’ book eminently sensible in the practical advice it offers, it also provides something of a manual on creative resilience – touching on the nature of ideas, how to cultivate confidence, and how cruical it is to understand film-making as a collaborative process.”
David Puttnam, Oscar winning producer, Chariots of Fire, The Mission, The Killing Fields
“Such an incredible resource and insight into the process of script development from the industry’s leading figures in both film and TV. Not only invaluable but also an inspirational read, Venetia has created a book that is a must read, for anyone with an interest in storytelling for screen.”
Lewis Arnold, BAFTA winning director, Time, Des, The Long Shadow
“A must-read for anyone interested in the development of film and television, We Have Some Notes… demystifies what some of the UK’s biggest screenwriters really think about receiving story notes and how they embrace this collaborative process to better their scripts”
Matthew Evans, University of Georgia, USA
“We Have Some Notes… is an invaluable insight into the process of screenwriting as a collaborative art. Getting notes is often painful, sometimes confusing, always invaluable. Hearing how those at the top of their game handle notes helps all of us swallow the angst and make our writing much better.”
Philippa Burne, University of Melbourne, Australia
“At last, a book that uncovers the true workings of the story development process from the perspective of successful writers, script editors and directors, illuminating the creative collaborations and forensic analysis that occurs in the shared pursuit of delivering the best story possible. Jam packed with nuggets for anyone interested in the development process, this book is a celebration of the importance and impact of collaboration withing the film and TV industries”
Philip Matthews, Bournemouth University
Script Editing & Story Development Testimonials
“Venetia is a wonder – her notes got right to the heart of the script and its issues. They were detailled, honest, but always positive and solution focussed. She got to the heart of the characters and their motivation, clearly pointing out where that motivation can be made clearer and more direct. The same with story – she had a great focus on plot and how events came to their conclusion, and how it worked. Her notes on where to take things next, and what needed focussing on were extremely useful, and very focussed without telling me how to write, or what ‘should’ be happening. Very much recommended!”
Richard Higson, writer & director
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Venetia previously as a script editor and more recently as development editor on my novel. Working with Venetia was a fantastic and rewarding experience. Her understanding of story, characters and audiences is second to none. Working closely with her on my script was incredibly valuable and she really helped elevate the story and my writing to a much greater place. Venetia’s approach is unique and detailed. She has the ability to give me perspective on my stories as well as getting right into the details of structure, character intricacies, as well as the emotion of the piece – she has the unique ability to expose what the audience and the characters are feeling, moment to moment throughout your story. My own work has vastly improved because of Venetia and I cannot recommend her enough for TV, Film, and prose (fiction and non-fiction).”
James Sharpe, writer & director
“Being script edited by Venetia was a dream. Her notes are insightful, meticulous and always seeking to push you and your writing to be the best it can possibly be. Throughout the process of working with Venetia, I knew my film was in safe hands and that her development notes were always tailored to helping me achieve my goals as a filmmaker. I look forward to working with her again in the future!”
Laura Jayne Tunbridge, writer & director
“It was fantastic working with Venetia through multiple scripts. She’s got a very keen and detailed eye, as well a strong ability to understand the intention of the writer – hence finding the best and most succinct way of expressing that intention. I consulted with Venetia on short form and commercial content, and both works are much stronger because of it. I highly recommend her, and look forward to working together again.”
Nick Cinelli, animation writer & director
“Venetia script edited a screenplay that I was commissioned to write called Sakerama. She has a natural ability to get to the heart of a story and the characters and ask questions that take the script to the next level. From the notes that she provided and the discussions that we had it was obvious that she had been around writers and filmmakers for a long time. In short, she speaks the language of writers, that we understand and can respond to. It was a pleasure to work with her and look forward to working with her again.”
Maurice Caldera, screenwriter
“Venetia provided us with incredibly constructive feedback that allowed us to push the story in the right direction. Her attention to detail and outside the box thinking really influenced our later drafts. The script is now where it needs to be and we can’t thank Venetia enough for all her help getting it there!”
Liam Harris , writer, illustrator & animation director
Further information about script editing and story development advice
Venetia Hawkes 