I write about movies and popular culture and my writing has been published since 2001. My books include Blue Eyed Cool: Paul Newman (ACC Art Books and Iconic Images), Bodies in Heroic Motion: The Cinema of James Cameron (Columbia University Press), The Virgin Film Guide: Animated Films (Virgin Books / Ebury) and The Year of the Geek (Aurum). In addition to my book-writing work, I have contributed regularly to the bestselling magazines 3D World and Imagine FX. My work for these magazines and sites focuses on writing about the animation and visual effects industry and new film releases. For the online space, I write for Little White Lies, The Fantasy/Animation Research Network and www.creativebloq.com
I contribute to the magazine Resurgence and the focus of my writing for the publication is Nature writing. My writing has also been published in Country Walking, Landscape and Country Life magazines. The Guardian newspaper and Empire film magazine have also published my writing.
In addition to my book and magazine work, I teach screenwriting. I have taught on the MA Screenwriting course at London Film School and am currently a Visiting Lecturer at Birmingham City University. I have worked as a Script Reader for the British Film Institute and as a tutor for the BFI Film Academy scheme.
My writing work extends to material for teachers of A Level Film Studies, writing for the publisher Edusites. I have also worked with the BFI Education department and the American film education non-profit, Journeys in Film.
In 2002, I was longlisted for a BAFTA nomination in the Best Short Film category. In 2010, a short film that I co-wrote, entitled Chasing Cotards, premiered at the BFI Imax cinema in London before being selected to screen at a number of North American film festivals throughout 2010/2011.
Between 2011 and 2015, I worked as a writer and producer for the British Council on a series of short film documentaries with a literary focus.
In 2013 I was commissioned by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust to produce and direct a community film with young people that adapted The Tempest into a short film format. The film was screened at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
Between 1999 and 2006, I was commissioned to write three stage plays for young people that were funded by various arts grants and performed regionally.
Amongst other venues, I have been engaged as a speaker at The British Library, The British Council, The Borderlines Film Festival, The Isle of Wight Story Festival and for the BFI’s Days of Fear and Wonder Sci Fi Season. I am always happy to be invited to speak at festivals and related programmes.
I can be reached on Instagram at: jameswriter72