I'm Charles Strider. I'm originally from the Midlands, but I've spent the last few years living in Wales and I’ve loved every second of it.
I was essentially homeless at 18 and I’m severely dyslexic, but I've always had an innate drive to tell stories. I remember being five years old and watching John Hurt's The Storyteller; I didn't know what he was doing, but I wanted that as a job. I see myself as a storyteller. I feel that film is a unique medium in which it's a collaborative art, but it's like no other.
When I found myself between homes, I just started writing. Then when I turned 20, it was like a switch went off in my head. Suddenly something that I've always struggled with, which was creative writing, just came naturally to me. Since then, I haven't been able to stop.
Everyone was constantly telling me I should direct, saying it’s just innately within you. But people from my background struggle to get those opportunities. I lived my whole life below the poverty line, and that's just not been an option for me.
The NFTS offers an opportunity for people to not only practice a craft – which is something that I've not had the liberty of doing – but with industry professionals in an incredible environment. This course [Scriptwriting: Finding your Voice] is a life-changing opportunity and something that I'm immensely grateful for because it's taught me that I am going down the right path.
The course is quite mixed. We have set homework that we complete to a schedule, and then sessions in which we analyse the choices that we made. It's been useful being able to do the course online, but the in-person dates at BBC Wales in Cardiff have also been special because they allow us to experiment and grow a little bit each time.
Famously, this is an industry that is ruled by connections and who you know. It can be very difficult for people coming from non-traditional routes to engage in such a fast-paced industry where you already need that connection – especially for people like me that are not coming from a necessarily financially-stable background. This NFTS bursary and course could be the difference between not being allowed entry into the industry, to being able to create a lifelong career and giving back to local communities.
The (Creative Wales) bursary I received was not just helpful, it was life changing. It was the difference from simply being unable to attend the course, to not only taking part, but giving me my first steps towards building a lifelong career. But it meant more than just financial assistance; it also ignited a sense of gratitude, motivation, and determination within me. Without a doubt, the bursary was an invaluable gift that has transformed my educational and artistic journey and set me on a path towards success.
Before I came to Wales, I couldn't break into the industry. The country welcomed me with open arms, and it's just been such an incredible experience. It can be stressful working on set, but Wales has the most calming and beautiful scenery in the world, and I think that translates to the mindset of the people working here. That's my experience of working on multiple productions here; the crew are the best in the world.
It's through things like this NFTS course that I've taught myself that not only am I capable of achieving, but I'm someone who deserves to achieve as well, just as anyone is. Screenwriters: Finding your Voice is an amazing step up for me to show my continued interest in the industry. I'm continuing to rise, to develop my ideas into shorts, and to direct whenever I'm given the opportunity.
So, if you're thinking of applying for the NFTS screenwriting course and bursary scheme, please do. It’s everything that you would hope it would be.
Do you want to break into the screen sector in Wales? Find out more about the NFTS Cymru-Wales courses. If you need financial support, bursary funding could be available to you. Visit the funding page for more information.
