Background
Neil Richards worked originally as a producer and story-exec in film and TV. He joined the industry as a script editor with David Puttnam's Enigma Productions, after 4 years working on set. He has extensive credits as a story exec for BBC, ITV and Channel 4 in children’s, drama and entertainment and has produced drama for Channel 4. He has run development and created drama slates for various independents, including Talisman, Catalyst TV etc.

As writer…TV & Radio
With New York based writer Matt Costello, Neil’s first script credits were episodes of the BAFTA-winning series Microsoap. Together they then created The Glitch - an original 13-part comedy sci-fi series in development for CBBC. Matt and Neil also wrote and designed the pilot episode for The Monkey’s Paw – an interactive reality adventure – for BBC Scotland. Neil also scripted an episode of sci-fi series Ace Lightning for Alliance/Atlantis/BBC.

In the last four years Neil has written over a dozen TV and Radio series and dramas for BBC Education, for all ages. His scripts for these have earned him a 2005 Celtic Film Festival nomination for best Education Program and two Children’s BAFTA nominations (2005, 2006). He is on the Hit Entertainment writing team for Thomas the Tank Engine, contributing 3 scripts to the most recent series.

As writer…Games & Interactive Narrative
Since the mid-90’s Neil has been involved in interactive media, games and iTV. With Douglas Adams he was co-writer on the Codie-Award winning PC game Starship Titanic (BAFTA nominated). This was followed by In Cold Blood - a PS1 adventure title for Revolution/Sony and Road to El Dorado for DreamWorks. He also co-wrote web-comedy Mount Kristos with Tim Wright and Rob Bevan (XPT).

Broken Sword – The Sleeping Dragon was released in November 2003, the third instalment of the classic adventure series earned 3 BAFTA nominations and a prestigious GDA “Writing Excellence” nomination in San Jose 2004. In 2004, Neil completed the script for street-racing game Juiced for Juice/Acclaim, and started scripting two as yet unannounced games for SEGA.
In 2005 he co-wrote Driver: Parallel Lines for Reflections/ATARI. He was also a writer-designer on Broken Sword 4 for Revolution/THQ (released 2006) and writer on the game adaptation of The Da Vinci Code game for SONY/TAKE TWO (released 2006).

With Matt Costello he scripted and high-level designed Just Cause for EIDOS/Avalanche which was released to rave reviews and topped charts in UK and US. He has now commenced concept work for Disney Interactive on a new action adventure, and with Matt Costello has finished scripting Just Cause 2 for EIDOS/Avalanche. With Charles Cecil at Revolution he is also currently scripting a new title to be announced Dec 07.

Currently…
Convergence is offering more opportunities in digital TV. With Matt Costello he is building a next-gen on-air/on-line animated series MMO for Jon East (Head of Children’s Drama BBC) at CBBC. For CBBC Scotland he has also story-lined 30 eps and written 3 scripts for interactive music show Carrie and David’s Popshop, which airs Spring 2008.

Consultancies
Neil has mentored for BBC iTV and broadband workshops, for PAL (Media Programme), PILOTS (Media Programme) and PYGMALION (Media Programme/Paris/Berlin Film Schools). He was one-time senior lecturer in Screenwriting at Bournemouth University. He has also consulted for the BBC as a producer in Creative Development, devising and running Creative/Interactive Labs across the BBC.