BCG Pro Talent Awards Writing 2022 winners
- Keir MacKenzie has won the BCG Pro Talent Awards for Writing 2022
- Runners-up: Rachel E Thorn, Mikey Jackson, Katy Swainston, Trevor Rudge & Simon Paul Miller
- Dan Payne is the winner in the Starter category
Winners of the 2022 BCG Pro Talent Awards for Writing have been revealed.
The contest aims to identify up-and-coming comedy writing talent, with 2022's challenge seeing entrants tasked to write two audio sketches: one themed on "a brush with authority" and the other on the topic of "old age".
Judges picked Keir MacKenzie as the overall winner. Keir, 48, lives in Tunbridge Wells in Kent with his wife, two children and his dog. His biography explains: "Keir makes television, but his dream is to write comedy for a living. You can find him on Instagram as MountainMidLife."
Rachel E Thorn, Mikey Jackson, Katy Swainston, and writing partnership Trevor Rudge & Simon Paul Miller were named runners-up.
Meanwhile in the Starter category, Dan Payne was selected as the winner.
Keir MacKenzie (pictured) says: "Like I've always said to my children, never give up. And it's not all about you. This moment kind of proves both! I am so grateful to all those telling me to keep going. My two sitcom pilot scripts will be delighted their time to shine might yet come. Thank you so much - it's a wonderful moment. "
Starter winner Dan Payne comments: "I'm delighted to have been chosen as the winner of this award! I enjoyed writing the sketches and it's great to find out the judges enjoyed reading them too. As a new writer it's difficult to know if your material is actually funny, so to get this nod of approval from comedy experts is really encouraging and has given me a big confidence boost in my comedy writing ability."
Rachel E Thorn notes: "I'm thrilled to be a runner-up in this fab competition! I love creating audio comedy because it's the theatre of the mind. Massive thank you to BCG for doing so much to support British comedy."
Mikey Jackson says: "Yay, I made the top five! It's great to know my funnies tickled the ribs of the judges. Can't wait to hear my sketch come to life."
Katy Swainston says: "I thought my big achievement this festive season would be beating my chocolate button eating personal best. Instead, I'm delighted to have found out that my sketches have made it into the top five of BCG Pro's Talent Awards for Writing. Creating them was such a fun challenge to take on and I'm really grateful to BCG Pro and the judges for setting up the opportunity to do so."
Trevor Rudge & Simon Paul Miller, who also placed in last year's contest, conclude: "We're both thrilled and flattered to make the final five of the Pro competition for the second year running. To have our work be recognised and amongst some great writing talent is very humbling. We're so pleased we made the judging panel laugh. Many congratulations to the winner and the other runners-up."
One sketch from each of the shortlisted writers will now be produced in professional audio format with a team of actors. The winners will also receive mentoring opportunities.
The BCG Pro Talent Awards comprise of three different skills-based competitions: Writing, Performance and Production. All will return in 2023. Find out more
This article is provided for free as part of BCG Pro.
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