The Talent Campus Podcast

Chris Jones
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Weekly success stories and insight into getting your scripts produced, from past Talent Campers.

  1. Jan 22

    Ep 016 Meet Screenwriter Christof Valerian

    From Jakarta to London: Courage, Community & Taking the First Step In this episode of the Talent Campus Podcast, host Chris Jones speaks with Christof Valerian, a writer who travelled from Jakarta, Indonesia, to take part in Talent Campus 9 in London. Christof shares a candid and often funny account of what it’s like to step far outside your comfort zone, geographically, emotionally, and creatively. From joining Zoom calls at 3am to walking on fire, pitching under pressure, and discovering the power of creative community, this conversation explores what happens when you stop waiting and start believing in yourself. This is an episode about courage, connection, and why the journey matters just as much as the destination.

    Ep 016 Meet Screenwriter Christof Valerian

  2. Jan 2

    Ep 015 Meet Screenwriter, Director and Composer Simon Elvin

    In this episode of the Talent Campus Podcast, host Chris Jones sits down with Simon Elvin, a writer, filmmaker, composer, and leadership trainer who recently completed Talent Campus 9.0 Simon shares a deeply honest reflection on what happens when you stop waiting for permission, confront self-limiting beliefs, and reconnect emotionally with your storytelling. From moving out of a “safe” professional identity to embracing creative risk, this conversation explores what it really means to take ownership of your creative destiny. This is an episode about courage, emotional truth, collaboration, and redefining success on your own terms.

    Ep 015 Meet Screenwriter, Director and Composer Simon Elvin

  3. 12/23/2025

    Ep 014 Meet Screenwriter, Ellie Wallace

    Stepping Through Fire: A Journey of Trust and Transformation This fascinating conversation between Chris Jones and Ellie Wallace dives deep into the transformative power of firewalking during Talent Campus 9.0. Ellie, initially a complete skeptic who described herself as highly controlled and logical, shares her incredible journey from resistance to rebirth. Chris and Ellie explore the vulnerability that comes after such an intense experience, with Ellie noting that "when we come off the firewalk, it's when we're most vulnerable, but we're also at our strongest." Her biggest takeaway? Learning to trust her instincts and finding the courage to trust good people when she encounters them. It's an inspiring look at how stepping way outside your comfort zone can lead to profound personal growth.

    Ep 014 Meet Screenwriter, Ellie Wallace

  4. 12/20/2025

    Ep 013 Meet Screenwriter Belona Greenwood

    In this episode, Chris Jones speaks with playwright and writer Belona Greenwood about her experience at Talent Campus 9, her journey into writing later in life, and the transformational power of storytelling, community, and creative courage. Belona reflects on theatre as a tool for empathy, personal rewiring, and social change, and explains why Talent Campus was genuinely life-changing for her. 00:00 – Talent Campus Changed My Life 01:51 – Starting Late, Imposter Syndrome & Finding Your Voice 04:29 – Writing With Communities, Not Over Them 06:39 – The Power of Moving an Audience 09:47 – Walking Into Talent Campus: Fear to Belonging 12:23 – Creativity, Courage & Why This Space Works 16:06 – “Don’t Ask Permission — Just Do It” 18:30 – Mentorship, Honest Feedback & Creative Tribe 23:28 – Why Generosity Between Writers Is Rare (And Powerful) 26:55 – Surrender, Challenges & Facing Fear 31:37 – Opening Doors Through Storytelling 40:47 – Believe in Yourself (Advice to My Younger Self)

    Ep 013 Meet Screenwriter Belona Greenwood

  5. 12/16/2025

    Ep 012 Meet Screenwriter and Actor Alex Gaumond from TC9.0

    Alex's Talent Campus Journey After 25 years as an actor, Alex Gaumond took a leap of faith and joined Talent Campus 9, transforming from someone who felt unprepared to write to a confident screenwriter ready to create his own opportunities. What started as hesitation about applying turned into an eight-day intensive experience that was equal parts craft development and personal breakthrough. With industry heavyweights like Charlie Brooker and Eleanor Greene sharing current insights, plus some unconventional activities like firewalking, Alex discovered that "it's not about the craft—it's about conquering fears and diving deep into your emotional core." The program didn't just teach him screenwriting; it gave him the confidence to stop waiting for the perfect moment and start creating his own projects, proving that sometimes the best opportunities come when we're willing to take that scary first step.

    Ep 012 Meet Screenwriter and Actor Alex Gaumond from TC9.0

  6. 12/12/2025

    Ep 011 Meet Screenwriter Tisha Brown from TC9.0

    Tisha Brown's Transformative Journey at Talent Campus 9.0Tisha Brown's experience at Talent Campus 9 is honestly one of those stories that makes you believe in the power of taking a leap of faith. She almost didn't even apply – classic case of imposter syndrome kicking in when she saw that email about the program. "I don't think I'm ready. I'll just do it next year," she thought. But sometimes the universe has other plans, and an extended deadline gave her that extra push she needed to hit submit on her application. The first day was rough – we're talking full-on panic attacks and serious anxiety about whether she belonged there. But her therapist basically told her to get her butt there anyway, reminding her how miserable she was in her current job. And thank god she listened, because what she found was this unconventional, interactive environment that felt familiar thanks to her activist background. It wasn't your typical stuffy industry event, and that made all the difference. The real game-changer? The firewalk experience. Now, I know that sounds intense, but for Tisha, it was about reclaiming a part of herself she'd buried since becoming a mom. "I reclaimed that part of myself, and that just felt so, like, powerful for me," she shared. It's wild how we can lose pieces of our identity along the way, especially as parents, and how powerful it can be to find them again. What really stands out is how the program didn't just teach her about screenwriting – it gave her permission to be a multifaceted person. She's a lawyer, an activist, a mother, AND a screenwriter, and she doesn't have to choose just one. The mentorship with Lucy Hayes and insights from speakers like Charlie Brooker gave her the industry knowledge she needed, but more importantly, Talent Campus gave her the confidence to own her voice. Now she's "not holding back as much" in her writing, and honestly, that's when the magic happens.

    Ep 011 Meet Screenwriter Tisha Brown from TC9.0

  7. 12/05/2025

    Ep 010 Meet Screenwriter Angela Bhardwaj from TC9.0

    In this episode, Chris Jones interviews Angela Bhardwaj , a recent graduate of Talent Campus 9.0, about her transformative experience in the screenwriting program. Angela discusses overcoming personal grief, the supportive and emotionally open environment, and highlights inspiring moments with guests like Charlie Brooker and Anthony Horowitz. The conversation explores unique activities such as fire walking, mentorship, and the importance of community. Angela emphasizes how Talent Campus empowered her as a writer, encouraging others to embrace vulnerability and growth. The episode captures the program’s blend of professional development, emotional exploration, and lasting creative connections. Introduction and Angela’s First Impressions (00:00:06) Chris welcomes Angela, who describes Talent Campus as “rocket fuel” and “Disneyland for screenwriters.”Angela’s Writing Background (00:01:34) Angela discusses her experience writing thrillers and her first foray into horror.How Angela Discovered Talent Campus (00:02:46) Angela explains how she found out about Talent Campus through LSF events and an email.Personal Challenges Before Talent Campus (00:04:14) Angela shares the recent loss of her father and her initial doubts about attending.Support and Encouragement to Attend (00:05:45) Chris’s supportive email and a conversation with a previous participant help Angela decide to attend.First Day Nerves and Sharing Her Story (00:07:30) Angela describes her anxiety on the first day and being asked to share her personal story.Emotional Openness and Group Connection (00:10:20) Angela reflects on how sharing her story fostered emotional openness and connection among participants.The Power of Vulnerability in Storytelling (00:11:31) Chris discusses how Angela’s honesty set the tone for a deeper, more authentic experience.Standout Moments: Group Sharing and Writing (00:14:26) Angela notes how participants connected personal experiences to their writing and opened up about their work.Surprise Guest: Charlie Brooker (00:15:55) Angela recounts the shock and excitement of Charlie Brooker’s surprise appearance and his candidness.Guest Speaker: Anthony Horowitz (00:17:58) Angela describes being inspired by Anthony Horowitz’s honesty and unconventional career advice.Fire Walk Experience (00:20:23) Angela and Chris discuss the fire walk on day four as a metaphor for bravery and personal growth.Overcoming Fear and Taking Action (00:25:09) Angela and Chris reflect on how the fire walk and Talent Campus encourage participants to face fears and take bold steps.Screenwriting Masterclasses and Mentorship (00:28:26) Angela highlights the value of John York’s masterclass and working with mentor Emma Millions in small groups.Ongoing Support and Community (00:31:10) Angela describes the lasting support, active WhatsApp groups, and increased self-belief gained from Talent Campus.Transformation and Letting Go of Cynicism (00:33:22) Angela shares how even skeptical participants became fully engaged and transformed by the end.Advice for Prospective Talent Campus Participants (00:35:31) Angela encourages writers on the fence to “jump in” and assures them of the program’s value.The Importance of Process and Holistic Growth (00:38:50) Angela advises writers to trust the process, embrace the holistic approach, and write with heart and truth.Closing Remarks and Aspirations (00:40:28) Chris and Angela wrap up, expressing gratitude and aspirations for future success.

    Ep 010 Meet Screenwriter Angela Bhardwaj from TC9.0

  8. 11/25/2025

    EP 009 Meet Anthony Horowitz

    Anthony Horowitz: From Desperate Beginnings to Master Storyteller Anthony Horowitz's journey into screenwriting began with what he calls pure desperation - not his own, but that of the producers of Robin of Sherwood who needed someone to write for their show. With no television writing experience whatsoever, Horowitz literally bought a "How to Write Television" book and taught himself the craft. His background in myths and legends made him a natural fit for the show, and before he knew it, he was writing for 13 million viewers. It's a classic example of how sometimes the best opportunities come when you're least prepared for them. What makes Horowitz particularly fascinating is his chameleon-like ability to adapt his writing voice to different universes. Whether he's channeling Arthur Conan Doyle for his Sherlock Holmes novels or stepping into Ian Fleming's shoes for James Bond, he's mastered the art of hiding his own voice while maintaining the essence of these iconic characters. As he puts it, this skill of writing "in the style of somebody else" became incredibly useful throughout his career, allowing him to work across multiple genres and intellectual properties. When it comes to his creative process, Horowitz describes himself as a "radio receiver" for ideas, believing that good concepts will persist and demand to be explored. He's particularly passionate about murder mysteries, though not for the reasons you might expect. For him, "Murder mystery is not about murder. Murder mystery is about people. It's about emotion and it's about situations." He's critical of the "cosy murder" trend, preferring stories that dig deep into genuine human emotions and community dynamics. Looking at the current entertainment landscape, Horowitz isn't entirely optimistic. He observes that studios are increasingly focused on reproducing past hits rather than creating original content, making it harder for writers to break through with fresh ideas. Despite these industry challenges, his advice to aspiring writers remains refreshingly simple: believe in your work, enjoy the process, and remember that "if you can't surprise yourself, how can you surprise your reader?" His philosophy is all about maintaining that sense of excitement and originality that has driven his remarkable four-decade career.

    EP 009 Meet Anthony Horowitz
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About

Weekly success stories and insight into getting your scripts produced, from past Talent Campers.

Information

  • Creator
    Chris Jones
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 Chris Jones
  • Show Website
    The Talent Campus Podcast