Edward Wagstaff

Edward Wagstaff is a writer, editor, and script consultant with expertise in the entertainment industry and conversational AI. Originally from the United Kingdom, he holds a first-class honors degree in Philosophy and Modern Languages (Italian) from the University of Oxford. He is currently based in New York. At Oxford, he spent a year in Rome at the Università degli Studi Roma Tre, focusing on cinema and art history. In addition to his studies, he volunteered as a teaching assistant in the English department. Edward directed a production of The Importance of Being Earnest with a group of Italian students. He also worked as a part-time English tutor, which helped him further develop his communication skills. This period in Rome also allowed him to pursue his growing interest in photography, capturing the city's historical landmarks and culture. After completing his studies, he moved to London to begin his career in the film industry. Edward Wagstaff worked at Studio 8 Productions and Peace Arch Films, where he contributed by writing script coverage, managing travel logistics, and creating promotional materials for international film markets. He also gained post-production experience while interning for the BBC series Monarch of the Glen, learning about film editing, sound mixing, and color correction. In 2004, he worked on the feature film Shadows in the Sun, which was filmed in Tuscany and London. Wagstaff took on several roles during production, including assisting the producers, translating for the Italian crew, and occasionally serving as an on-screen double for the lead actor. Later that year, he moved to the US to become a Creative Executive at Fierce Entertainment. He played a key role in the production of War, starring Jet Li and Jason Statham, and helped expand the company’s client base. He also worked at a literary management agency, where he helped writers develop and pitch their scripts, significantly growing the agency’s client roster. In 2008, Edward transitioned to a full-time screenwriting career, with his first spec script, Arena, being optioned by Summit Entertainment. He continued to sell scripts, including The Day I Die, Break My Bones, and Powerhouse, and worked on assignments such as Shrapnel and There Goes the Bride. In 2023, after the WGA writers' strike, he began exploring conversational AI, working with a major tech company to provide writing, editing, and training for their AI model. While he believes AI will never replace human creativity, he is excited about its potential to improve access to information and address global challenges, especially in sustainability. Edward Wagstaff continues to blend his love for storytelling with emerging technologies, always seeking innovative ways to create and problem-solve.