Chris Townsend
@mrcltownsend.bsky.social
Screenwriter/Script Reader/Coverage Writer. @scribelounge.bsky.social host. TV Foundation Alumni. Gamer. Sketcher. Nerd. Thoughts and opinions usually, and unapologetically, my own.
Got longlisted for the Channel 4 New Writers Scheme. Top 10%. With a script an exec once claimed had a protagonist who ‘showed no realistic human behaviour.’ The same script also got the top 30% of another scheme earlier this year. Just wanted to put this here.
September 10, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Got longlisted for the Channel 4 New Writers Scheme. Top 10%. With a script an exec once claimed had a protagonist who ‘showed no realistic human behaviour.’ The same script also got the top 30% of another scheme earlier this year. Just wanted to put this here.
Just going through my spreadsheet of production companies contacted this year. 35 companies. Aside from one - guess how many responded? Even with a 'no thank you.' Zero. I can take a no, but ignoring is unprofessional and not helpful. Can we please normalise just a polite 'no' template at least?
July 14, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Just going through my spreadsheet of production companies contacted this year. 35 companies. Aside from one - guess how many responded? Even with a 'no thank you.' Zero. I can take a no, but ignoring is unprofessional and not helpful. Can we please normalise just a polite 'no' template at least?
I can’t believe I’ve not seen a single comparison online for Sinners to Dusk Til Dawn - the influence and similarity seems so obvious. In a good way, but very clearly there.
June 3, 2025 at 6:31 PM
I can’t believe I’ve not seen a single comparison online for Sinners to Dusk Til Dawn - the influence and similarity seems so obvious. In a good way, but very clearly there.
If any Who fans can legitimately look anyone in the eye and say that show is not creatively dead, that's absolute denial.
June 1, 2025 at 12:14 PM
If any Who fans can legitimately look anyone in the eye and say that show is not creatively dead, that's absolute denial.
Just had a script jump up by 10% on Coverfly in the last week without any activity whatsoever. That seems...excessive, but also, thank you?
April 12, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Just had a script jump up by 10% on Coverfly in the last week without any activity whatsoever. That seems...excessive, but also, thank you?
Doesn't Amazon hold a bunch of government server contracts? Money is literally no factor for them when pissing it up the wall. Even if a show does get made, fails spectacularly, 'Oh well, cancel and move on.' So this is unsurprising.
April 11, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Doesn't Amazon hold a bunch of government server contracts? Money is literally no factor for them when pissing it up the wall. Even if a show does get made, fails spectacularly, 'Oh well, cancel and move on.' So this is unsurprising.
If this is you, be better.
April 11, 2025 at 8:39 AM
If this is you, be better.
A real shame Coverfly have discontinued their CoverflyX service. Aa invaluable source of (sometimes) objective feedback for those aspiring writers unable to afford constantly paying out for notes and coverage. This seems to be part of another scary seismic industry shift, likely for the worse.
March 31, 2025 at 11:51 AM
A real shame Coverfly have discontinued their CoverflyX service. Aa invaluable source of (sometimes) objective feedback for those aspiring writers unable to afford constantly paying out for notes and coverage. This seems to be part of another scary seismic industry shift, likely for the worse.
Okay, # severance great finale, but I’m still left somewhat frustrated. Particularly with Irving’s story, he was massively short changed this season compared to the other MDR crew and there’s HUGE questions remaining.
March 22, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Okay, # severance great finale, but I’m still left somewhat frustrated. Particularly with Irving’s story, he was massively short changed this season compared to the other MDR crew and there’s HUGE questions remaining.
I’m not even going to be remotely polite about this - but absolutely fuck your ‘optional’ 10% service charge you automatically tack onto bills - mercenary bastards. Quicker it’s eradicated the better. Where did this come from?!
March 20, 2025 at 11:03 PM
I’m not even going to be remotely polite about this - but absolutely fuck your ‘optional’ 10% service charge you automatically tack onto bills - mercenary bastards. Quicker it’s eradicated the better. Where did this come from?!
Finally just clawed my way to the end of the WIP spec. It's rough, unfocused, and definitely the least well formed thing I've written as a vomit draft. But it's done.
March 20, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Finally just clawed my way to the end of the WIP spec. It's rough, unfocused, and definitely the least well formed thing I've written as a vomit draft. But it's done.
Just finished #goosebumps season 1. Cleverly updated, smartly structured, and well balanced tonally for maturity/family friendly. Now can someone PLEASE give Animorphs at least this level of treatment.
March 19, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Just finished #goosebumps season 1. Cleverly updated, smartly structured, and well balanced tonally for maturity/family friendly. Now can someone PLEASE give Animorphs at least this level of treatment.
Here's something unusual, in about 70% of scripts I read - writers usually spell 'breathe' as 'breath.' One of those strange things that happens way more than it should.
March 19, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Here's something unusual, in about 70% of scripts I read - writers usually spell 'breathe' as 'breath.' One of those strange things that happens way more than it should.
One of my closest friends just told me thinks Stargate is the worst thing to come out of Canada and I’m genuinely so rocked by this I’m not sure we can friends anymore. 😂
March 16, 2025 at 10:09 PM
One of my closest friends just told me thinks Stargate is the worst thing to come out of Canada and I’m genuinely so rocked by this I’m not sure we can friends anymore. 😂
Just put together the most amazing montage that runs under 'Bangarang' by Skrillex. Totally in my head. For a project I'll probably never get to write.
March 11, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Just put together the most amazing montage that runs under 'Bangarang' by Skrillex. Totally in my head. For a project I'll probably never get to write.
Had some (very) small movement & feedback on a script over the last few days. It’s an incredibly personal project I’ve really been through the emotional ringer with both internally & externally & it’s been SO incredibly affirming that total strangers have responded to it. They liked it. They GOT it.
March 10, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Had some (very) small movement & feedback on a script over the last few days. It’s an incredibly personal project I’ve really been through the emotional ringer with both internally & externally & it’s been SO incredibly affirming that total strangers have responded to it. They liked it. They GOT it.
Ooh, no. Did not like that #severance twist AT ALL. Smells of something deeply troubling story wise.
March 9, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Ooh, no. Did not like that #severance twist AT ALL. Smells of something deeply troubling story wise.
What an episode of #Invincible this week! I don't think it gets enough praise for the direction, animation and voice acting. The writing has just gone from strength to strength and there's plenty of moments it puts bigger tentpole superhero franchises to shame.
March 8, 2025 at 10:19 AM
What an episode of #Invincible this week! I don't think it gets enough praise for the direction, animation and voice acting. The writing has just gone from strength to strength and there's plenty of moments it puts bigger tentpole superhero franchises to shame.
#CaptainAmerica Brave New World is one of those movies where it's already fading from my mind. Give it a year and I'll have forgotten most of the scenes or dialogue. That's coming from someone with an incredibly good memory.
February 19, 2025 at 2:27 PM
#CaptainAmerica Brave New World is one of those movies where it's already fading from my mind. Give it a year and I'll have forgotten most of the scenes or dialogue. That's coming from someone with an incredibly good memory.
#firstpagefridayof my current WIP ‘Coastline’ - before it’s just descended into an absolute vomit draft mess between pages 30-40 😂
February 14, 2025 at 12:18 PM
#firstpagefridayof my current WIP ‘Coastline’ - before it’s just descended into an absolute vomit draft mess between pages 30-40 😂
I wish I had the words for the ending of #BigBoys, even knowing/assuming what was coming and feeling like I was prepared but would still be utterly heartbroken, Jack Rooke flipping it on it's head somehow just broke me even more. This show, and Danny in particular, hit like nothing else. Thank you.
February 11, 2025 at 5:56 PM
I wish I had the words for the ending of #BigBoys, even knowing/assuming what was coming and feeling like I was prepared but would still be utterly heartbroken, Jack Rooke flipping it on it's head somehow just broke me even more. This show, and Danny in particular, hit like nothing else. Thank you.
My creative bucket is so full today. Spent the morning writing up the first official draft of rules for a game I’m helping design, now just got off a pre-production meeting for my short film.
February 10, 2025 at 5:38 PM
My creative bucket is so full today. Spent the morning writing up the first official draft of rules for a game I’m helping design, now just got off a pre-production meeting for my short film.
‘Would you like your fortune read, Sai?’ My interpretation of Andy, from @stephenking.bsky.social
‘s #TheDarkTower. Had a lot of fun with this and super happy with the result. A mix of AI prompts, raw imagination, and texture study.
‘s #TheDarkTower. Had a lot of fun with this and super happy with the result. A mix of AI prompts, raw imagination, and texture study.
February 8, 2025 at 12:03 PM
‘Would you like your fortune read, Sai?’ My interpretation of Andy, from @stephenking.bsky.social
‘s #TheDarkTower. Had a lot of fun with this and super happy with the result. A mix of AI prompts, raw imagination, and texture study.
‘s #TheDarkTower. Had a lot of fun with this and super happy with the result. A mix of AI prompts, raw imagination, and texture study.
Me, because literally no one in my immediate life vicinity watches #severance
a man in a suit and tie stands in a room
ALT: a man in a suit and tie stands in a room
media.tenor.com
February 6, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Me, because literally no one in my immediate life vicinity watches #severance
Made it through January. Kept myself busy, and deliberately distracted. Calling it a win after the troubled end I had to last year
January 31, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Made it through January. Kept myself busy, and deliberately distracted. Calling it a win after the troubled end I had to last year