Max Kinnings

Max is the author of three novels, HITMAN (2000), THE FIXER (2001), both published by Hodder & Stoughton, and the forthcoming BAPTISM, to be published by Quercus Books (2012) and in translation with publishers overseas. He was the ghost writer of actor/comedian Rik Mayall’s spoof autobiography, BIGGER THAN HITLER – BETTER THAN CHRIST (Harper Collins 2005). His screenwriting work includes the feature film, ACT OF GRACE (Embrace Productions/High Fliers 2012), and commissions from a number of film and television producers including Granada Television. In 2009, he wrote the libretto for the musical, HOOKED, which ran at the Edinburgh Fringe prior to a short London season.
 
Max is currently working on the follow up to BAPTISM which will be published by Quercus Books in 2013 and developing the feature film, ALLEYCATS, for Pulse Films. He is also the script director and co-producer of Brunel’s interactive web drama, SOAPOPOLIS.

Research Overview

Max’s research is almost entirely practice-based, writing novels for publication and screenplays for production by film, TV and web-based producers. He is particularly interested in the writing, production and distribution of work utilising digital technology. But whatever the medium, it is the creation of stories that resonate with readers and audiences that is his primary focus.

Teaching Activity

Most of Max’s current teaching is focussed on screenwriting. Whether writing a two minute short film or a two hour feature film, he likes to adhere to an industry script development model with short outlines and character biographies being workshopped and developed into longer form treatments prior to the writing of first draft scripts. He likes to employ a similar process with prose fiction with the emphasis on planning and plotting prior to the writing of a first draft. Much of his teaching also focuses on the analysis of existing screenplays, films, TV drama, comedy and prose. Modules that he teaches at present include:

EN2019 Screenwriting
EN3037 Writing Modern Drama
EN3029 Writing Comedy
EN5526 Screenwriting

For more details of Soapopolis, please go to:
www.soapopolis.com
Follow me on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/maxkinnings

Publications

Books

(2013) Kinnings, M., Sacrifice. Quercus Books

(2012) Kinnings, M., Baptism. Quercus