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Prestigious panellists discuss writing female characters

Friday 15 April 2016

TV veterans Nicola Shindler and Kay Mellor OBE will be among the panellists discussing the art of writing female characters at an event hosted by the School of Arts and Media at The University of Salford.

The Women in Film and Television event, held at the University’s MediaCityUK campus on April 19, will feature a discussion panel debating the levels of influence female writers have  in the production process, whether attitudes are changing in relation to the portrayal of women on screen, as well as what ‘female friendly’ outlets currently exist for TV content.

The panel will feature Nicola Shindler, the founder of Red Production Company – responsible for programmes such as Queer As Folk, Last Tango in Halifax, Happy Valley and last year’s multi format trilogy Cucumber, Banana and Tofu.

Before setting up the company, Shindler had produced critically acclaimed dramas such as Cracker, Our Friends in the North and Hillsborough.

Schindler will sit alongside the Leeds born actor, scriptwriter and director Kay Mellor, who wrote the award winning Band of Gold as well as In The Club.

Also appearing on the panel will be Helen Walsh, director of last year’s film The Violators, and Susan Nickson, creator of the BBC sitcoms Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet of Crisps and Grownups.

During the event, hosted by the University and arranged by Women in Film and Television UK, they will be discussing a wide range of issues and debating the subject of creating realistic, compelling characters and storylines for females.

Kay Mellor OBE said: “Drama is my absolute passion and I feel hugely privileged to be able to hone my skills here in my home in the north of England.”

Dr Kirsty Fairclough-Isaacs, Senior Lecturer in Media and Performance at the University of Salford, said: “Members of this panel, particularly Nicola Shindler and Kay Mellor, have been creating award winning television for years and it’s difficult to think of anyone more qualified to talk about the issues involved in creating female characters.

“We are thrilled to welcome such a prestigious group of panellists from the television and film industries to the University. Events such as this further demonstrate the close links we have with the creative industries.”

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Conrad Astley

0161 295 6363