The Gift

July 4, 2015

Synopsis

Tupelo, Mississippi, 1946. To celebrate his 11th birthday, a mother takes her son to the local hardware store to get his present, where a .22 rifle catches his attention. With the mother unamused, a helpful store worker offers an alternative. The Gift tells the inspiring, true story of how a boy from the wrong side of the tracks could become the greatest entertainer of all time…Elvis Presley.

About the author

Gabriel Robertson

GABRIEL ROBERTSON – Screenwriter/Director

Having been chosen for the Media Guardian talent scheme at the Edinburgh TV Festival, MGEITF TVYP 2007, Gabriel was also chosen as a delegate at the MGEITF’s ‘Ones To Watch’ in 2010.

In 2010, Gabriel was asked to head a new FirstLight project, becoming the youngest person to do so. The film, MODERN LOVE, would go on to win best film at the 2010 FirstLight Awards.

Following this, BBC SCOTLAND’s Flagship Soap RIVER CITY hired Gabriel to ‘storywrite’ their new series; where his success would result in BBC’S EASTENDERS hiring him as Lead Story- Writer. After ten successful months, Gabriel left EastEnders to write and direct [NEH/SEE/ENS], a play commemorating the 10th Anniversary of 9/11, performed at Glasgow’s Oran Mor to a sold out audience in September 2011. Gaining great reviews and a fantastic audience response, the show would lead to a short residency with the NATIONAL THEATRE OF SCOTLAND in November 2011.

During this period, Gabriel wrote THE CRAB & THE EGRET, a play performed at Glasgow’s CCA as the headline piece of THE CHEEKY B’S ‘Apocalypse’ Series, and BUTTERFLIES & POLITIK.

As well as this, Gabriel co-wrote and directed a pilot for URBAN CREATIONS entitled URBAN REVOLUTION, and a series of videos for the award winning ZOMBIE SCIENCE 1Z, a live theatre show written and performed by BAFTA winner, Austin Low. Gabriel also wrote and directed CLYDE VALLEY WARRIORS, a successful pilot for BBC SCOTLAND & THE COMEDY UNIT.

Gabriel’s first feature script DON’T SPEAK, SCREAM was selected for the prestigious development scheme at the Edinburgh International Film Festival 2012. In August 2012, Gabriel was named ‘One To Watch’ in a selection of the most exciting new voices in Scottish Film, chosen by Edinburgh International Film Festival and Glasgow Film Festival. Gabriel has been chosen as one of ten individuals making up a new generation of writers and filmmakers in Scotland.

Having being selected for BFI London Film Festival’s Think-Shoot-Distribute in October 2012, Gabriel’s short piece AFTER THE END was shortlisted for Bombay Sapphire’s Imagination Film Series– selected by Oscar Winning Screenwriter Geoffrey Fletcher– and Gabriel was selected as one of Scottish BAFTA’s ‘Ones to Watch’ by The Scotsman.

In 2013, Gabriel wrote IN BLOOM for CHANNEL 4, and wrote and directed his multi award winning debut short film BUCKET for 27 TEN PRODUCTIONS. The film garnered a BAFTA NT Award Nomination for Gabriel in the category of Best Writer.

Gabriel’s 2014 film, THE GIFT, is a high-end short starring Xander Berkeley (24, TERMINATOR 2, APOLLO 13). Produced by 27 TEN PRODUCTIONS, THE GIFT was shot on location in the US, and will be emerging on the festival circuit throughout 2015.

Currently, Gabriel is writing THE RUBAIYAT, a feature for BLACK CAMEL FILMS as well as developing his debut directorial feature with 27 TEN PRODUCTIONS.