Anyone with the yarbles to start something project-wise in the world of writing gets my backing. That’s why, when Mark sent the email around looking for contributors to Supermarket Matters, I wanted to be involved. I was lucky enough to land the editor’s job at Buzz magazine two months after graduating from Glamorgan, but just prior to that and in the absence of any kind of local opportunities for a writer, I was developing a fanzine for the Cardiff band, Sicknote. Unfortunately, the editorship of Buzz meant I had to put that project on permanent hiatus, but I’m a staunch believer in starting something yourself if there is nothing forthcoming in your area of expertise.
I studied Scriptwriting for Film as part of my creative writing degree, and received some great feedback for the first short film I wrote, The Tree Hugger, which I later adapted for stage as an entry to Scriptslam at the Sherman Theatre. But I was at a disadvantage when transferring those skills to an episode of Supermarket Matters, as I found (and as Mark quite rightly highlighted) my synopsis becoming heavily reliant on visuals, which isn’t the most podcast-friendly approach.
For my episode ? episode 7: Reduced Stock ? I had a think back to my days of working as a casual in Gateway in Canton as a 17-year-old. I looked after the washing powder and cleaning products aisle, spending my Saturdays breathing in all sorts of soapy shit as I individually priced bottles of Lenor. I’d piss my £17.50 earnings straight up the wall the same night, via some great times in GW’s metal bar and the original Bogiez rock club. But I also recall there were enough characters coming through the aisles on those Saturdays to trigger my imagination as to what the episode could entail.
One regular customer was an elderly lady who would wander the aisles reeking of stale cat urine and demanding Golden Shred marmalade. She would also bash tins on the shelves and ask for them to be reduced. We were all armed with price guns and would reduce whatever she asked to get away from the smell as quickly as possible.
Although Miss Haywood has been spared the wee odour, Reduced Stock focuses on her sudden turn of behaviour from Grab’n’Go protester to apparent customer. As she roams the aisles denting tins and ripping cereal boxes, she’s unaware that there is a new eye-in-the-sky watching her. But will she be caught, and what will be her explanation?
Ryan Heeger is the current National Editor of CLIConline. If you want to know more about him personally you can follow him on Twitter.
