Meet the Delegates: FormatLab

FormatLab is a training programme that aims to create the next wave of entertainment development talent for Scotland.

Writing and producing short films led Chris to study for his Masters in
Screenwriting at Screen Academy Scotland, with a focus on television. Following this, Chris wrote,
produced and starred in musical comedy short “The Impasse” for the BBC. Chris is also an
accomplished stand-up comedian, having performed in venues across Scotland and England, placing in
numerous competitions. Chris hopes to bring his love of games and quizzes into his creative work in
television, along with his unique sense of humour.

Courtney is a Scottish/Australian creative professional who has a varied range of
experience in the film and television industries. In 2013 she completed a Foundation Diploma of Film
Studies at the prestigious Australian Film Television & Radio School, and went on to complete a
Graduate Diploma in Production Design the following year. While studying in Australia she gained
invaluable industry experience in the art/costume departments of renowned Australian films such as
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015). Courtney has since worked as a production designer, props master, set
decorator and scenic artist in countless art departments on well loved Australian television dramas
and in Scotland on HETV series such as Outlander S6. As well as TV & film, she has worked in
various roles in art departments for commercials, music videos, documentaries and fashion/styling.
Following her move to the UK in 2019, Courtney worked as an Assistant Producer at Edinburgh based
documentary production company Parcel of Rogues. Since moving to Glasgow in 2021, Courtney has
worked in art departments for commercials & TV series, as well as working in the third sector
& as a care worker.

Julia originally comes from the world of theatre and performance, with a degree in
Contemporary Performance Practice from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland she has worked as a
writer and performer in various roles from drag to poetry. She specialises in interactive
performances and live game making which has an obvious crossover with reality tv. Julia is always
interested in trying new, human-focussed ways of making things and is always willing to look a bit
stupid doing so.

Laura lives in Glasgow and has a background in books. Exit, her short non-fiction
book was published by Bloomsbury in 2020 and explores the history and hidden life of exits in art,
architecture, cities, technology and travel. She writes a column for the Scotsman newspaper,
contributes regularly to current affairs and cultural panels, and is a board member of Gutter
magazine. Formerly she was UK Director of literary indie Tramp Press, publisher of children’s
dictionaries, atlases and non-fiction for HarperCollins and National Geographic Kids and Visiting
Lecturer in Publishing Studies at City University, London. She finds reality tv fascinating.

Connecting Martha’s interests and experience is a love for stories, people, and
learning. She holds an MSc in Psychology of Mental Health, with a focus on body image and
self-esteem, and a BA(Hons) in Drama, Comparative Literature and Culture. Currently a Pub Quiz Host,
in her free time she loves to write and has previously directed and assisted on theatre productions
in Edinburgh. She spent last year learning how to film and edit and completed a three-month
apprenticeship in Berlin filming Operas and taking headshots. With her portrait photography she
discusses questions about vulnerability and how we present ourselves to the world.

Matthew studied English Literature with Film and TV at the University of Glasgow and
has spent most of his career teaching English in secondary schools. He is a writer of all sorts of
things including novels, poetry, and creative non-fiction, and has been a regular contributing
reviewer for award-winning Scottish arts magazine The Wee Review since 2017. In addition, he is a
freelance creative writing and visual arts tutor. Finally, Matthew writes, produces, and hosts The
Traidar: A Traitors Podcast, dedicated to the TV phenomenon, The Traitors.

Max came to Scotland in 2017 to study history at the University of Edinburgh. While
there he became heavily involved with the creative community: writing, directing and performing in
plays, web series and films alike. He is especially passionate about producing content with a
comedic angle: he has sold out an Edinburgh Fringe sketch show and runs his own comedy TikTok
account with

millions of likes. Max is very excited to be embarking on a career in television and to push his
creativity in fresh new directions.

Tom graduated from the University of Strathclyde with a degree in Law before working
in Data Protection and Project Management, which then led to the realization that he wanted to
change careers and channel his creativity into TV. Tom’s interest lies in comedy, storytelling and
(let’s be honest, I’m only human) Reality TV. Sources (his Dad) have described him as ‘a bit of a
silly goose’, which is the type of energy that Tom looks to bring to whatever he’s doing – whether
it’s writing comedic short stories, filming sketches, annoying his friends or developing exciting
formats for TV.