P D Clifton
I'm a screenwriter – working mostly in family film and TV – and producer.
In 2017, I completed my first major screenwriting commission – an animated movie script for Max Howard (producer of Igor and Executive Producer of Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron). Since then, I’ve written a second screenplay for Max Howard (in 2018), a treatment for the feature length comedy adventure Ruslan & Ludmila for Wizart Animation (in 2019) and have worked as a script and treatment writer for Blue Zoo Animation (2018-19) – working in development on Big Tree City.
From 2019-20, I worked for Tiny Island Productions – co-writing the new animated movie Dream Defenders: Origins (based on the TV series and currently in production).
I’ve also worked as Additional Writer on the animated films A Wizard’s Tale (2018) and LEGO Friends Girlz 4 Life (2016).
I was a Creative Producer at Prime Focus World Animation for four years (2012-17) – and was Animation Producer on LEGO Legends of Chima and LEGO Nexo Knights. I still work as an animation or visual effects producer, on occasion, most recently on Stephen Frears’ film The Lost King (2022).
Before moving into animation, I worked in TV Comedy and Entertainment (producing shows like The British Comedy Awards: 16 Dangerous Years). I also have a background in TV/film development at companies like Princess Productions, Unique Television and Wall to Wall.
I’m an Oxford University English graduate. In 2020, I branched out into university lecturing – teaching a course on TV development at Ravensbourne University London, as well as lecturing on games and animation. I’m a screenwriting tutor for Professional Writing Academy/John Yorke Story: https://www.johnyorkestory.com/experts/
In 2014, I wrote the children’s novel: Lawrence and the Movie-making Mutt.
My blog Stop Telling Me I’m Brave: How My Partner Coped with Cancer… and Me was launched at the end of 2022 and has been acclaimed for its darkly humorous approach to a difficult subject: https://pdclifton.com/
Education
University of Oxford. MA (Oxon). English Language and Literature (2:1).
Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Directors’ Attachment – included attending lessons in theatre, TV and film with actors and technicians.
In 2017, I completed my first major screenwriting commission – an animated movie script for Max Howard (producer of Igor and Executive Producer of Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron). Since then, I’ve written a second screenplay for Max Howard (in 2018), a treatment for the feature length comedy adventure Ruslan & Ludmila for Wizart Animation (in 2019) and have worked as a script and treatment writer for Blue Zoo Animation (2018-19) – working in development on Big Tree City.
From 2019-20, I worked for Tiny Island Productions – co-writing the new animated movie Dream Defenders: Origins (based on the TV series and currently in production).
I’ve also worked as Additional Writer on the animated films A Wizard’s Tale (2018) and LEGO Friends Girlz 4 Life (2016).
I was a Creative Producer at Prime Focus World Animation for four years (2012-17) – and was Animation Producer on LEGO Legends of Chima and LEGO Nexo Knights. I still work as an animation or visual effects producer, on occasion, most recently on Stephen Frears’ film The Lost King (2022).
Before moving into animation, I worked in TV Comedy and Entertainment (producing shows like The British Comedy Awards: 16 Dangerous Years). I also have a background in TV/film development at companies like Princess Productions, Unique Television and Wall to Wall.
I’m an Oxford University English graduate. In 2020, I branched out into university lecturing – teaching a course on TV development at Ravensbourne University London, as well as lecturing on games and animation. I’m a screenwriting tutor for Professional Writing Academy/John Yorke Story: https://www.johnyorkestory.com/experts/
In 2014, I wrote the children’s novel: Lawrence and the Movie-making Mutt.
My blog Stop Telling Me I’m Brave: How My Partner Coped with Cancer… and Me was launched at the end of 2022 and has been acclaimed for its darkly humorous approach to a difficult subject: https://pdclifton.com/
Education
University of Oxford. MA (Oxon). English Language and Literature (2:1).
Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Directors’ Attachment – included attending lessons in theatre, TV and film with actors and technicians.
West Midlands
Animated Movies
2019-2020 Dream Defenders: Origins (CG animated movie produced by Tiny Island Productions, based on the TV series. Currently in production) – Co-Writer (screenplay).
2019 Ruslan & Ludmila (CG animated movie, Wizart Animation) – Writer (treatment).
2018 Foxy (CG animated movie, Max Howard Consulting Group) – Writer (screenplay).
2017 Jade Girl (CG animated movie, Max Howard Consulting Group/Dragon Tower Entertainment) – Co-Writer (screenplay).
2016 A Wizard’s Tale (Ánima Estudios/Prime Focus) – Additional Writer (screenplay) on CG animated movie, released theatrically in the UK and US in 2018.
2015 LEGO Friends Girlz 4 Life (M2 Entertainment) – Additional Writer (screenplay) on CG animated movie, released 2016.
Children's Television (Animated and Live Action)
2021 BBC Bitesize (Common Story) – Writer (script polish).
2020 2 Oaks Productions – Consultant on the adaptation of a children's book series for this new, France-based animation company.
2018-19 Big Tree City (Blue Zoo Animation) – Script and treatment writer, working in development on this new series for Blue Zoo.
Books
2014 Lawrence and the Movie-Making Mutt (Mouse That Roared Ltd) – Author.
Blog (https://pdclifton.com/)
2022 (ongoing) Stop Telling Me I’m Brave: How My Partner Coped with Cancer… and Me
University Lecturing & Tutoring (Screenwriting & Story Development)
2021-2022 John Yorke Story/Professional Writing Academy. Screenwriting Tutor on the John Yorke Story: Story for Screenwriting course.
2020-2021 Ravensbourne University London. Sessional Lecturer in the Digital TV Production department – tutoring second year students in TV show development and production. Also, Sessional Lecturer on the Animation and Games & Animation courses at Ravensbourne, teaching concept and story development.
Development Producer and Writer – Film and TV
Throughout my career, I've worked extensively in TV and film development – writing pitches, treatments, formats and scripts for a number of companies.
2018 Prime Focus World Animation – Consultant and writer on a major new animated project.
2012-2017 Prime Focus World Animation – Creative Producer (development and production). Worked at Prime Focus in film and TV development – plus screenwriting on various projects. Production credits include: Producer (Animation) on LEGO Legends of Chima (Seasons 2-3. Line Producer Season 1); Producer (Animation) on LEGO Legends of Chima ‘4D’ movie at LEGOLAND; Producer (Animation) on LEGO Friends Girlz 4 Life (feature); Creative Producer (Animation) on LEGO Nexo Knights (Seasons 1-2); Producer (Animation) on LEGO Friends web series.
2008 Princess Productions – Development Producer.
2006-2007 Wall To Wall – Development Producer.
2005 Flame Television – Head of Development.
2004 RDF Media – Development Associate Producer.
2003 Zenith Entertainment – Development Associate Producer.
2003 Red Wall (Wall To Wall/Red) – Development Producer on proposed Johnny Vegas show for Channel 4.
2001-2003 Unique/Michael Hurll TV – Development Associate Producer. Commissions included Lights! Camera! Magic! for Disney/Channel 5, which Piers co-devised.
1999 BBC/Unique/Michael Hurll TV – Development Assistant Producer.
Producer – TV Comedy and Entertainment
Previously to working in Animation and Film, I was a producer of TV comedy and entertainment – during which time I also wrote scripts and script edited.
2008 ITV3 Crime Thriller Awards (ITV3/Cactus TV) – Producer. Role included script editing.
2008 Top Fifty Celebrity Meltdowns (Sky One/Mentorn) – Producer. Role included writing links script.
2006 The British Comedy Awards: 16 Dangerous Years (ITV1/Michael Hurll TV) – Producer. Incl. script editing.
2006 The British Comedy Awards: The Show Goes On Live (ITV2/Michael Hurll TV) – Producer. Incl. script editing.
2005 The British Comedy Awards at 15 (ITV2/Michael Hurll TV) – Producer. Incl. script editing.
2004 The British Comedy Awards (ITV1/Michael Hurll TV) – Co-Producer.
2004 Jack Dee Live At The Apollo (BBC1/Open Mike) – Associate Producer.
2003 Testing Friends (ITV1 pilot/Random Eye) – Writer/Producer. Testing Friends was a commission (by ITV1) for my own company – set up with two other producers – Random Eye.
2003 Dame Edna Live At The Palace (BBC1/Tiger Aspect) – Associate Producer.
2003 The Emma Awards (BBC2/BBC Television) – Associate Producer.
2002 Entertaining Elvis (ITV1/Michael Hurll TV) – Produced and devised this comedy music show.
2002 The British Comedy Awards (ITV1/Michael Hurll TV) – Associate Producer.
2002 The All Star Animal Awards (ITV1/Michael Hurll TV) – Associate Producer.
Selected Researcher credits:
2000 Banzai (Channel 4/Radar) – Researcher. Devised/filmed items for this comedy show.
2000 Ex-Rated (LWT/Channel 5) – Researcher. Incl. scriptwriting for this game show.
2000 Dicing with Debt (Channel 4/Hat Trick) – Researcher. Incl. developing format.
1999 The Spy Who Loved Me DVD Director's Commentary (MGM/United Artists) – Researcher.
Other Credits
2022 The Lost King – VFX Producer on Stephen Frears' and Steve Coogan's movie.
2012 The Smuggler’s Story (Sarner International Ltd) – Producer/Writer of interactive visitors' attraction.
2010-2011 Captain America: The First Avenger (Marvel Studios) and Dark Shadows (Warner Bros.). Worked in the Art Department of these two movies, managing all of the online concept drawings. Role involved writing text for on-camera props and set decoration.
2000 Off Season (Shooting Pictures) – Piers was approached to write an original screenplay, as a result of his running-up entry in a short screenplay competition in The Sunday Times.
2019-2020 Dream Defenders: Origins (CG animated movie produced by Tiny Island Productions, based on the TV series. Currently in production) – Co-Writer (screenplay).
2019 Ruslan & Ludmila (CG animated movie, Wizart Animation) – Writer (treatment).
2018 Foxy (CG animated movie, Max Howard Consulting Group) – Writer (screenplay).
2017 Jade Girl (CG animated movie, Max Howard Consulting Group/Dragon Tower Entertainment) – Co-Writer (screenplay).
2016 A Wizard’s Tale (Ánima Estudios/Prime Focus) – Additional Writer (screenplay) on CG animated movie, released theatrically in the UK and US in 2018.
2015 LEGO Friends Girlz 4 Life (M2 Entertainment) – Additional Writer (screenplay) on CG animated movie, released 2016.
Children's Television (Animated and Live Action)
2021 BBC Bitesize (Common Story) – Writer (script polish).
2020 2 Oaks Productions – Consultant on the adaptation of a children's book series for this new, France-based animation company.
2018-19 Big Tree City (Blue Zoo Animation) – Script and treatment writer, working in development on this new series for Blue Zoo.
Books
2014 Lawrence and the Movie-Making Mutt (Mouse That Roared Ltd) – Author.
Blog (https://pdclifton.com/)
2022 (ongoing) Stop Telling Me I’m Brave: How My Partner Coped with Cancer… and Me
University Lecturing & Tutoring (Screenwriting & Story Development)
2021-2022 John Yorke Story/Professional Writing Academy. Screenwriting Tutor on the John Yorke Story: Story for Screenwriting course.
2020-2021 Ravensbourne University London. Sessional Lecturer in the Digital TV Production department – tutoring second year students in TV show development and production. Also, Sessional Lecturer on the Animation and Games & Animation courses at Ravensbourne, teaching concept and story development.
Development Producer and Writer – Film and TV
Throughout my career, I've worked extensively in TV and film development – writing pitches, treatments, formats and scripts for a number of companies.
2018 Prime Focus World Animation – Consultant and writer on a major new animated project.
2012-2017 Prime Focus World Animation – Creative Producer (development and production). Worked at Prime Focus in film and TV development – plus screenwriting on various projects. Production credits include: Producer (Animation) on LEGO Legends of Chima (Seasons 2-3. Line Producer Season 1); Producer (Animation) on LEGO Legends of Chima ‘4D’ movie at LEGOLAND; Producer (Animation) on LEGO Friends Girlz 4 Life (feature); Creative Producer (Animation) on LEGO Nexo Knights (Seasons 1-2); Producer (Animation) on LEGO Friends web series.
2008 Princess Productions – Development Producer.
2006-2007 Wall To Wall – Development Producer.
2005 Flame Television – Head of Development.
2004 RDF Media – Development Associate Producer.
2003 Zenith Entertainment – Development Associate Producer.
2003 Red Wall (Wall To Wall/Red) – Development Producer on proposed Johnny Vegas show for Channel 4.
2001-2003 Unique/Michael Hurll TV – Development Associate Producer. Commissions included Lights! Camera! Magic! for Disney/Channel 5, which Piers co-devised.
1999 BBC/Unique/Michael Hurll TV – Development Assistant Producer.
Producer – TV Comedy and Entertainment
Previously to working in Animation and Film, I was a producer of TV comedy and entertainment – during which time I also wrote scripts and script edited.
2008 ITV3 Crime Thriller Awards (ITV3/Cactus TV) – Producer. Role included script editing.
2008 Top Fifty Celebrity Meltdowns (Sky One/Mentorn) – Producer. Role included writing links script.
2006 The British Comedy Awards: 16 Dangerous Years (ITV1/Michael Hurll TV) – Producer. Incl. script editing.
2006 The British Comedy Awards: The Show Goes On Live (ITV2/Michael Hurll TV) – Producer. Incl. script editing.
2005 The British Comedy Awards at 15 (ITV2/Michael Hurll TV) – Producer. Incl. script editing.
2004 The British Comedy Awards (ITV1/Michael Hurll TV) – Co-Producer.
2004 Jack Dee Live At The Apollo (BBC1/Open Mike) – Associate Producer.
2003 Testing Friends (ITV1 pilot/Random Eye) – Writer/Producer. Testing Friends was a commission (by ITV1) for my own company – set up with two other producers – Random Eye.
2003 Dame Edna Live At The Palace (BBC1/Tiger Aspect) – Associate Producer.
2003 The Emma Awards (BBC2/BBC Television) – Associate Producer.
2002 Entertaining Elvis (ITV1/Michael Hurll TV) – Produced and devised this comedy music show.
2002 The British Comedy Awards (ITV1/Michael Hurll TV) – Associate Producer.
2002 The All Star Animal Awards (ITV1/Michael Hurll TV) – Associate Producer.
Selected Researcher credits:
2000 Banzai (Channel 4/Radar) – Researcher. Devised/filmed items for this comedy show.
2000 Ex-Rated (LWT/Channel 5) – Researcher. Incl. scriptwriting for this game show.
2000 Dicing with Debt (Channel 4/Hat Trick) – Researcher. Incl. developing format.
1999 The Spy Who Loved Me DVD Director's Commentary (MGM/United Artists) – Researcher.
Other Credits
2022 The Lost King – VFX Producer on Stephen Frears' and Steve Coogan's movie.
2012 The Smuggler’s Story (Sarner International Ltd) – Producer/Writer of interactive visitors' attraction.
2010-2011 Captain America: The First Avenger (Marvel Studios) and Dark Shadows (Warner Bros.). Worked in the Art Department of these two movies, managing all of the online concept drawings. Role involved writing text for on-camera props and set decoration.
2000 Off Season (Shooting Pictures) – Piers was approached to write an original screenplay, as a result of his running-up entry in a short screenplay competition in The Sunday Times.
Animation, Books, Childrens writing, Comedy, Film, Radio, Television, Theatre