This content was submitted by Mandi Riggi
I am Mandi Riggi and I’m London based. I am a writer/director and playwright. I have two produced short films, one of which will be premiering on Shorts TV this spring. I have written a number of produced play, one of which premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe, and another is to be premiering at Park Theatre in London. My first feature film starring Oscar Winner F Murray Abraham will be going into production in the fall of 2021. I am also currently in development for a TV series.
Have you benefited from any ScreenSkills support so far and what motivated you to pursue this?
I applied for bursary to attend a premiere post graduate, European Showrunning Programme called Serial Eyes and was accepted. I have been keen to focus on TV and the programme provides top notch mentorship and instruction for writer producers. Without the support from ScreenSkills I would not have been able to attend as the programme takes place in Berlin and is nine months long.
What effect has this support had on your career so far?
I am currently still in the programme, however the access it has provided me is already paying off. I have been able to pitch my ideas directly to top production companies. I will be travelling to Series Mania as part of the programme and will be pitching again to 100+ International production companies as well as some agencies this summer. The programme has enabled me to be fully engaged in the tv world, has taught me how to best approach my writing and how to sell my ideas.
What is the most remarkable moment or achievement of your career so far?
The proudest moment would be when I had a call from Sir Ben Kingsley praising my work and engaging me in a conversation in regards to a passion project of his.
If you could give advice to someone interested in pursuing your job role or a career in the screen industries more generally, what would you say?
Never give up. It’s a topsy-turvy industry, where doors open and shut at the same time. Look for the opening and rush in. Don’t look back.
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