A UCLan student has landed his first professional screenwriting contract, after beating competition to write a short film.

Martin Stocks, a third year undergraduate studying Film and Television screenwriting, won the Andrassi Designs competition.

His winning film, which highlights gas safety, has been given a £100,000 budget, funded by the Guinness Trust and will be delivered to homes in Lancashire.

Martin’s networking meant he had a head start in the competition. He pitched his idea to Mr. Andrassi and drafted a script, receiving the job before potential candidates got the chance.

Martin, 22, said: “I felt ecstatic to be chosen out of everyone. I felt very privileged to be chosen ahead of the pack and to be the screenwriter for such an innovative company and project.”

Andrassi Designs make films and projects for the non profit sector. The company wanted a short film created with a funny, fresh style highlighting the serious safety issue. Martin came up with the idea of using a Yorkshire gas man and his sidekick, who liked to crack jokes whilst working.

Martin said when he graduates he would like to work on future collaborations with Andrassi Designs, continuing to build up his professional portfolio.

“I’m looking to develop more film and TV contacts when my short film ‘Mark King’ gets released in the Curzon Renoir Cinema, London, later this year. I’d love to become a regular TV and Radio writer for the BBC in and around Manchester when I get my degree,” he said.

UCLan Screenwriters were rewarded the opportunity after carrying out extensive networking. The students have recently attended the Bafta/Rocliffe Writing Forum in London. They used the trip to receive advice from the well know Bafta Chairman and Shakespeare in Love Producer, David Parfitt.

They also met with the Environment Agency and sent scripts for their Tomorrow’s World Competition. The short films highlighted the serious issue of flooding and water efficiency.

Martin said: “The Tomorrow’s World competition gave me the experience of writing public information videos in an innovative, funny style. My degree has given me the opportunity to broaden my portfolio and meet and pitch ideas to top level industry professionals.”