The prospect of public speaking and presenting to an audience is one that strikes fear into the hearts of many, and I count myself as one of them. But despite the raised blood pressure and anxiety of having our pitches filmed, presenting our ideas for the numerous strands of the Future Producers Program was an inspiring and (dare I say it) fun experience.

What I took away from it was how truly talented and creative a group of people my fellow Future Producers are, and it really humbles and excites me to be working with and alongside you all. With such a diversity in skills and experiences, it feels like I’m in a true hotpot for exciting creativity, an environment I think the Watershed strives to and succeeds in maintaining.

My existing enthusiasm for the BFI Gothic Season strand was only furthered upon hearing the ideas pitched by others interested in the season. As I sat listening to the other pitches for this ghoulish strand, I could already feel a good sense of shared ideas and interests. As I heard mention of mad-scientists, symbology and folklore, my anxiety of my own ideas potentially being laughed out of the building were abated. My fellow ‘Gothics’ stunned me with their wide range of ideas, and even more so by how, in many respects, we already seemed to be on the same wave-length. Undoubtedly, we’re going to have to reign in many of our ideas, which, coming from a person who has always tended to think big, will be a challenge, but one I relish.

All I can say is, Bristol better prepare itself, because something very wicked this way comes!