I’m John Morrison, a working scriptwriter developing scripts for Film, TV, Radio and Theatre.
I’m also a visiting lecturer in Radio Drama at the School of Media, Film and Journalism at the University of Ulster. As of October 2014 I’m now part-time lecturer in screenwriting in the same department at the University of Ulster.
My radio work includes plays for BBC Radio4 Afternoon Drama. Two of these Macmorris and Dan Quixote received critical acclaim. As did my short stories. (See my reviews)
For BBC Radio Ulster I’ve written more than a dozen twenty minute dramas for their education department and had a number of short stories broadcast.
My movie project, The Last Warrior, a Western, is now with a major Hollywood producer. You did hear me right I said a Western. It’s the story of the real hero of The Little Big Horn, the unknown Captain Myles Keogh from County Carlow.
My current project is a two part TV drama mini-series, Magennis VC, based on the true story of Leading Seaman James Magennis, Northern Ireland’s only winner of The Victoria Cross in World War Two.
‘ He is the country’s only winner of the Victoria Cross for valour. Yet when he comes home he is pushed to the margins by the Protestant Unionist establishment because he is Catholic and working class, and shunned by his own Catholic community because he’s a traitor, fighting for the British Empire. His medals only make him an outcast.’
The project is in development with Northern Ireland Screen
Hi John
Good luck with your blog. Your help and advice to the University of Ulster’s students in radio drama have resulted in some brilliant short radio drama productions. Your Lectures have turned on many young students to the beauty of both radio drama writing and listening!
Jim
Hi John,
I’m glad to have found this site. As a theatre/short story writer passionate about radio drama, it encourages me to make the leap and create a piece for radio.
Kerry,
Sorry I haven’t replied to your kind comment. I’ve been away and have neglected my blog a little. I’m back in action now so check out my latest blog. Hope you have made that leap and worked up a piece for radio. Take a look at the BBC writers room. They will be accepting radio scripts in September and October. Might just concentrate the mind? Thanks again for your interest and encouraging comment.
Hi
Found your blog from Writing.ie. I am a journalist turned playwright and screenwriter. Polishing now for RTE radio drama and full play for Listowel.
Any tips on who to send radio plays to at BBC4? by the way compatriot living in Dublin.
Well done.
Joan
Hi Joan,
Sorry I didn’t reply before now. Good luck with your writing. If you want to send a play to BBC, you should, as you live in Dublin, send it to Belfast. Send a one page synopsis to BBC Drama Department, Broadcasting House, Ormeau Avenue, Belfast.