Postcode

It was with interest that I tuned in last night to an episode of Postcode, the new Tony Marchant (The Mark of Cain, Garrow's Law, Holding On and The Knight's Tale for the BBC Canterbury Tales revisit in 2003) drama for children and teenagers. After hearing of its existence I watched with some trepidation - Marchant is without doubt one of the best, however it is notoriously difficult to create an authentic voice for youth programmes. They often end up too square or, more common in recent years, trying too hard to be hip. Shows like Skins have avoided this by appealing to the things kids like the most: sex, drugs, swearing and imagining their lives are so much cooler than they actually are.

I am currently training in a school in Croydon, with excactly the sort of kids represented by one group on the show. As I teach English we often talk about slang and I ask the kids questions about how they say things and why. And I'm pleased to say from my experience I think Marchant's Postcode has it pretty bang on. The main actors are also excellent and support the accurate language choices with understanded acting, and not just Sylvia Young graduates attempting to cover their RP accents.

Marchant said he chose to write Postcode after spotting a gap in the market where teens are forced to watch babyish television or unsuitable adult shows. As I am teaching I should probably take advantage of this immersion in a sociolect in my writing, however I just can't seem to keep up!

The Grinch who needs Christmas

I am so tired. I always thought teachers had it sweet with their six week summers, but they are fucking heroes. I get up at 5am and go to bed around midnight. Although that's only if I plan my lessons properly, which at this stage in the term I invariably don't. I have a 3 hour round trip of a commute, including a few miles of walking. I'm rocking every girls' worst fashion faux pas: the office skirt and trainers. Accessorised with a rucksack full of books and files and marking.

The kids at this school are loose cannons - I had an observation so bad yesterday that my mentor aborted it halfway through. I called security twice, but if I'm honest that was more for their safety than my own. Countdown to Christmas holidays: 5. Thank God (and Jesus, for being born and all).

My brain is empty of words. I have used up all the good ones I know and they have been replaced by phrases like:

This is a corridor, not a zoo.

I say when you pack up, not the bell.

If you threaten me one more time I'll punch you in the face, you evil little monster.

Obviously I'm kidding about the last one, but it's hard to be in a job where people swear at you all day, make rude personal comments, denigrate all your hard work and scream and kick and yet you have to remain calm and po-faced. This is why teachers need long holidays - to repair their frayed patience.

I wish I was a script editor at the BBC instead. But at least it will give me plenty of material if I ever get a job on Waterloo Road!

Tweet that

*Cue big fanfare* I have finally joined the modern computer age. Though I am still to use the internet at any length on my phone, I do have a swanky (read: at least two years old) ipod touch and I'm prepared to use it. That's right - I have finally joined the Twitter revolution.

Follow me (please! I only have one follower so far) @penenvy.

It is proving to be very useful as I'm following some big TV production companies, some writers and some literary agents. It's great to be uptodate on any news, job info or things I should know about in the world of words.

Watch this space, I think this Twitter thing could catch on...

Black Mirror

When I first saw the channel four ads for the first episode of Black Mirror it looked like some slightly rubbish drama for the 'safe viewing' brigade, complete with kidnapped royalty and race against time to get her back. Like a soft-focus low-budget 24. But then I read a review in the Saturday paper and two little words changed everything for me: Charlie Brooker. Man, Brooker is just great. Really great. I can't get enough of his lovely angry ways and despite his rant-ridden writing what he is communicating is still full of logical points and balanced opinions. It was definitely appointment to watch stuff.

As the show started I began to realise why one major point was left out of the trailers - you can't refer to the PM having sex with a pig before the watershed. I mean, I haven't read the rule specifically worded like that by Ofcom but I think it's safe to assume. The premise of the show was a mixture of dark, funny, clever and awe-inspiringly dumb. So dumb it came back round to clever again. I would love to have sat in on the pitch meeting for that show. It was like a game of political 'Would You Rather?' (perhaps a late night drinking game over at the Brooker-Huq household inspired the theme. You never know.) The script was pitch-perfect in being dramatic and witty, whilst not falling into slap-stick territory. Which could so easily happen in a show that refers to an hour long sex scene with an enormous grunting sow (no unfeminist jokes at the expense of any actresses please. Unless it's Miss Piggy, who I think has had that accusation levelled at her before...)

After feeling like the Will He/ Won't He question would dominate the episode Brooker hits us with not one but three twists. And I loved the final scene, demonstrating public versus private images. I will definitely be tuning in to next week's episode.

Little pieces of love

Another interesting play writing opportunity, 15 minute pieces on the theme of love for a showcase as the Southwark Playhouse. Deadline is 20th December.

The link to their website is here