James’ award-winning writing spans everything from live-action, animation and audio scripts to copy for TV commercials, billboard ads and social content. With a decade of experience in TV Creative and Advertising, he is now venturing into long-form projects.
Flexible tonally (though sadly not physically), his scripts range from the wildly goofy to the deeply serious, and often strike a balance between the two. Coming from a working-class background, James’ films frequently satirise social hierarchies with sharp wit. His work combines meticulous visual precision with a passion for character-driven storytelling, blending the abstract with the realistic, and comedy with drama.
SHORTFORM / ENTERTAINMENT / TV:
During his time at MTV, he wrote for countless projects; from witty copy for over 150 on-air idents, to scripts for TVCs and audio ads, to punchy copy and taglines for hit TV shows and flagship events such as the EMAs.
His words have been voiced by talent including Lee Ingleby, Steve Furst, Danny Dyer, and Becky G, as well as TV personalities such as Maya Jama, Rylan Clark, Iain Stirling, Charlotte Crosby, Rita Ora, Blake Webber and Oobah Butler, among others.
Every project on this site (and HERE , and HERE) began life at his frantic keyboard, so take a look around to see more.
A FEW examples include…
A Lovie Awards winning sketch for E.L.F
A musical parody for Comedy Central’s ‘Walk Hard’
A ‘Spring Break’ TVC ft Blake Webber
A Promax winning musical sketch for the MTV EMAs
A launch TVC for MTV’s ‘The Charlotte Show’
Or this reality TV parody for an MTV Horror season
NARRATIVE / FILM:
His recent comedy drama short film ‘Victory To The Mimers’ playfully explored the dire state of Arts funding in the UK. It stars Steve Furst (‘The Serpent Queen’, ‘In The Long Run’), Toto Bruin (‘It’s A Sin’, ‘The Great’) and Lee Ingleby (‘The Long Shadow’, ‘The Hunt For Raoul Moat’).
It enjoyed an award-winning festival run, and is now live on Directors Notes. You can stream the film on Youtube here.
It’s gained a shortlist at the Young Director Awards during Cannes Lions, 4 x Award Longlists at The British Short Film Awards (including “Best British Short Film”), and selections at BAFTA and BIFA qualifying festivals such as Aesthetica, ShortCom and Norwich Film Festival (where it was also nominated for “Best British Film”).
His debut feature length screenplay 'TERRORCOTTA' is currently in rewrites, but an earlier draft has already reached Semi Finalist at this years Flickers' Rhode Island International Film Festival.
The Black List stated that James “thrives in blending comedy with dark, mysterious elements”. It was also praised as “both hilarious and ridiculous,” with “refreshing” lead roles, dialogue that is “catchy” and “smart,” and “a satisfying way” of bringing together humour and social relevance in the finale.
He’s currently preparing to enter pre production on a new comedy short ‘Backfired’, a tale of envy, revenge, and unintended consequences. The project recently landed a ‘Shortlist’ nomination for the Slick Films Fund.
His development slate also includes a Christmas comedy feature, a sitcom pilot, a live sketch show and a rom com. Oh yes, a busy bee is he.
UPCOMING SLATE
The following slate contains writing projects which are in various stages of development.
To discuss any titles in particular, please don’t hesitate to email, and loglines, treatments and script samples can be shared privately.
TERRORCOTTA
Format: Feature Film
Genre: Comedy Thriller
Length: 95 Pages
Status: In Development (Entering Second Draft)
SACKED
Format: Feature Film
Genre: Christmas Comedy Adventure
Length: 90 Pages
Status: In Development
STAR LAND UK: WORMHOLE’S CREST
Format: TV Sitcom (Pilot)
Genre: Comedy / Mockumentary
Length: 30 / 40 Pages
Status: In Early Development
JUST US
Format: Feature Film
Genre: Rom Com
Length: 100 Pages
Status: In Early Development
James’ Joke Journal
“I first went viral when I slipped on spilt butter during a live stream. I guess it spread fast.”
“I once bumped into my therapist in a dressing room. I came out a changed man.”
“During a 100m sprint I nearly broke my neck checking on the other runners. Looking back, it wasn’t a great idea.”
“I knew I needed to get in shape when two large men walked past carrying a heavy mirror. A real moment of reflection.”
“I once helped a baker free their trapped delivery van from a side street. Talk about the rolls being reversed.”
“Some say I’m a Jack of all trades. I say they’re wrong, I’m James.”