Welcome to my site, Centrefolds & Empty Screens.

I’m Jamie Neish, a 23-year-old student and film writer living in Scotland. After years of admiring film works purely from an entertainment standpoint, I decided to take the plunge and create my own website in the summer of 2010. Designed as a place where I could post reviews, articles and news pieces on the films that have a noteworthy effect on me, good or bad, Centrefolds & Empty Screens has allowed me to develop my skills and connect with other film writers and enthusiasts of the same mindset in such a way that has made me realise exactly what I want to do in life: Write about film.

Aside from building, sharpening and updating my own website with as much varied content as is physically possible, I’ve also been presented with a number of others opportunities since I decided to take this writing malarky seriously. I’ve been lucky enough to contribute to three established websites: HeyUGuys (July 2010 – present); GordonandtheWhale (February 2011 – September 2011; CineVue (January 2012 – present). With the editors of each of these websites taking a chance on me, I’ve been able to widen my audience, adapt my writing technique to fit with pre-ordained styles and layouts and achieve dream-like achievements, such as:

•  Poster, trailer and DVD art quotes for Submarine, The Imposter, Berberian Sound Studio, The Raid, Albatross, Arrietty;
• Press accreditation for the 65th Edinburgh International Film Festival, the 9th Inverness Film Festival, the 8th Glasgow Film Festival and the 66th Edinburgh International Film Festival;
• Press screening access and comp tickets to a number of cinemas;
• Inclusion on worldwide film websites IMDb.com and RottenTomatoes.com.

Using these opportunities as foundations, I’ve been able to expand my writing beyond film critiques and articles. I regularly contribute copy to my local independent cinema’s monthly cinema guides, took part in a discussion on blogging and social networking for the 2011 Discovery Film Festival in Dundee, helped organise a mini Pedro Almodóvar film season to mark the release of his latest film The Skin I Live In and have managed to build up respectable relationships with a number of film PR companies for inclusion on their mailing lists for advanced screenings, press releases and DVD and Blu-ray review opportunities.

It’s clear from the above that writing about the world of film is very much where my heart lies, and the achievements I’ve had over the past two years have helped me to realise that I do have the capabilities, knowledge and needed skillset – awareness of blogging platforms, Microsoft and Mac software and networking deftness, included – to build on my aptitude, reach and accomplishments. I realise I still have a long way to go to achieve my goals, but I’m an enthusiastic, easy-going, approachable, tuned-in and proactive person who is able to use a mix of common-sense and skill to overcome the limited nature of the opportunities outside of the hustle-and-bustle of London, while constantly challenging myself and my abilities to take advantage of whatever breaks come my way.

If you’d like to contact me with regard to anything you may have read above or with a project you think I’d be interested in, then please feel free to (details on how included below). I’m more than eager to take on new freelance work that relates to film, be added to press and PR contact lists and converse with fellow writers who share my love of film.

Contact info:

Twitter – @jamieneish

Email – jamie.neish@live.co.uk