James D. Hartland is a full time screenwriter currently developing several feature film and television projects on spec. Quickly establishing a track record as one of the region’s best up-and-coming talents, he was selected by international screenwriting guru and UCLA lecturer Wendall Thomas for one-to-one mentoring on the ‘LA Features’ development scheme, which Northern Film and Media called their most ambitious writing scheme to date; selected in spite of being 20 years younger than the other four writers on the scheme, whose credits included cinematically distributed films and prime time TV.
Other recent achievements include: commissioned for UK Film Council Digital Shorts; commissioned by Close Encounters for Mini Masterpieces; a finalist for the Super Shorts national writing competition; invited to submit material to Babycow Productions, interviewed by the Emmerdale script department for Script Editor, and interviewed by Coronation Street for Story Associate.
James is a professionally trained Script Reader with experience reading many types of scripts. He is also currently on-track to pass with a Distinction on the Skillset-Accredited Screenwriting MA at Bournemouth University. This acclaimed part time, distance-learning course allows writers to pursue work opportunities while they study. James has previously studied on the 18-month long, Film Council commissioned screenwriting course based on the renowned Phil Parker-devised MA at the London College of Communication. He has also attended workshops and lectures by: Stephen Cleary, John Yorke, Jimmy McGovern, Michael Chaplin, and Alan Plater, amongst many others.
Outside of Screenwriting James has worked for Working Title Films and Endemol UK, as well as directing a Film Council Digital Short. His short films have been finalists in competitions from Raindance, Talent Circle and Supershorts.
