We asked alumnus Ruddy-Williams Kabuiku, winner of last year’s apprenticeship at Big Light Productions, to tell us about his experience working with Frank Spotnitz and his team.
SE: What did you do at Big Light Productions?
R: I had a great time at Big Light. Frank, Luke, Rhona and the rest of the staff made sure I felt at home. And it worked! During my time in London, I visited the writers’ room of season three of Medici: Masters of Florence. I worked on an undisclosed project as script editor for another writer. And finally, I had a background role in Ransom season two. I read story areas, outlines and offered feedbacks. In those different set-ups, I got to witness the importance of the script editor, who was there to challenge the writer on the story side and to reassure the producers or the network.
SE: What did you take away from that experience?
R: I realized that Serial Eyes was an awesome training. I never felt uneasy during the apprenticeship because I was ready. I also learned that network calls are priceless: that’s where the viewer’s expectations and the writer’s vision are being discussed.
SE: Why should writers do this apprenticeship?
R: I think writers should do this to see how it works from the inside, to know how producers and commissioners think. The key to be(coming) an established writer is to know from which angle a project should be approached in order to create interest.