Rob Sprackling

Rob Sprackling is an experienced screenwriter and award-winning writer/director working across comedy, live action and animation. He is currently developing a comedy horror feature based on his award winning short film RISE OF THE APPLIANCES, which he wrote and directed (British Horror Award at the British Horror Film Festival 2011, Best Horror Comedy at the Oklahoma Horror Film Festival 2010 and Best Short Film at Shriekfest Los Angeles 2010).  He also wrote and directed the short film GREEN MONKEY which won a number of awards including best film at the New York Short Film Festival. As one half of Sprackling & Smith, an experienced comedy screenwriting team, he sold numerous original feature film scripts here and in Hollywood, including Disney’s box office hit GNOMEO & JULIET which was long-listed for the best animation BAFTA and an ANNIE Award for best screenplay.

Rob is currently writing on and developing a number of projects with Mosvold Studios, 3 Minutes West, Cool Beans, Qvisten Animation, Aniventure Ltd and Studio 100, including writing the feature script for heritage property HEIDI for Studio 100.

Rob also works in adult comedy and conceived and co-wrote the feature film MIKE BASSETT: ENGLAND MANAGER – the number one low budget (under $10 million) Brit film at the UK box office in the year of its release. He went on to co-write and exec-produce the TV series spin off MIKE BASSETT: MANAGER for ITV and developed a sequel MIKE BASSETT: INTERIM MANAGER with Riley Productions /BFI.

Other film projects include a page one re-write of the Aardman movie TORTOISE VS HARE, an adaptation of Roy Lewis’s book ANIMAL KINGDOM: LET’S GO APE (Pathé) Films, and the adaptation of the G.P Taylor novel, THE ADVENTURER: THE CURSE OF THE MIDAS BOX starring Martin Sheen, Sam Neill, Lena Headley and Ioan Gruffudd. Rob and his partner Jonny Smith also developed a new version of ANIMAL FARM with Andy Serkis at the Imaginarium Studios, and have also had animated family feature commissions from Fox Animation and Aardman Animation, as well as ELLA BELLA BINGO movie with Mosvold Studios, and original family feature THE QUEEN’S CORGI, produced with nWave Studios.

On the TV side, they were also lead writers on the BAFTA nominated TV series MUDDLE EARTH and have also worked on CBBC’S reboot of DANGERMOUSE.

In a solo capacity Rob’s first children’s book, BORN AGAIN BEN, is published by Can of Worms Enterprises and it has just been optioned to a major US Studio for animated feature adaptation. He’s had feature commissions from Comic Animations, and has been commissioned to work on new TV projects for DC Thompson. He was recently commissioned to write a live action feature about Rock Choir, and he is currently working on animated feature commissions with the Fabulous Fantasy Company, Voice Pictures Inc, Cool Beans BV and Studio 100. He is currently developing a TV Series for Nucco Brain. Rob is represented by Charlie Ferraro at UTA in the States, working in association with GHA.

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Credits

FILM
Production
Company
Notes
Production
UNTITLED (2023-24)
Company
Aniventure Limited
Notes
Animated Feature Film treatment commission
Production
UNTITLED (2023)
Company
Andes Distribution
Notes
Dialogue polish for feature screenplay
Production
UNTITLED (2023)
Company
Qvisten Animation AS
Notes
Writer on 90 min animated feature film
Production
UNTITLED (2023)
Company
Cool Beans BV
Notes
Page 1 rewrite and treatment commissioned for animated feature
Production
UNTITLED (2022)
Company
3 Minutes West
Notes
Treatment commissioned for animated feature
Production
UNTITLED (2022)
Company
Studio 100
Notes
Animated feature film in development, script commissioned
Production
UNTITLED (2022)
Company
Mosvold Studios
Notes
Writer on animated feature film
Production
HEIDI (2021-22)
Company
Studio 100
Notes
Animated feature film commission
Production
BORN AGAIN BEN (2020-22)
Company
Major US Studio
Notes
Rob's middle grade children's book under option for an animated feature adaptation
Production
PANDA BEAR IN AFRICA (2019-21)
Company
Cool Beans BV
Notes
Feature Film Commission
Production
FLAMINGO FLAMENCO (2019)
Company
Voice Pictures Inc
Notes
Commissioned to write an animated family feature based on his original idea.
Production
UNTITLED (2018)
Company
Fabulous Fantasy Company
Notes
Animated feature adaptation - treatment commissioned.
Production
THE CHOIR THAT ROCKS (2016-18)
Company
Rock Choir Limited
Notes
Live action feature commission
Production
THE QUEEN'S CORGI (2016-18)
Company
nWave Studios
Notes
Commissioned to rewrite original Sprackling & Smith screenplay.
Currently in production set for a 2019 release.
Production
ELLA BELLA BINGO (2016-18)
Company
Mosvold Studios
Notes
Co-written screenplay with Johnny Smith & Frank Mosvold based on popular TV series.
Production
UNTITLED (2016-18)
Company
Comic Animations/Cinesite
Notes
Original family feature commission
Production
UNTITLED (2016)
Company
Comic Animations
Notes
Commissioned to write a treatment based on Rob's original idea
Production
POLICE DOGS (2016)
Company
Aristos Films
Notes
Option on screenplay
Production
PANDAMANIA (2015)
Company
Feather Productions & Snowfish Productions
Notes
Script rewrite of family feature screenplay with Johnny Smith
Production
KNIGHTS OF THE ROUNDTABLE (2014-16)
Company
Phoenix Wiley Limited
Notes
Original feature film script optioned.
Production
UNTITLED (2013-16)
Company
Aardman Animations
Notes
Original co-written treatment and screenplay commission.
Production
UNTITLED (2014)
Company
Aardman Animations
Notes
Feature film comedy punch up
Production
UNTITLED (2013-14)
Company
Fox Animation
Notes
Family feature commission
Production
ANIMAL FARM (2013-14
Company
Imaginarium Studios
Notes
Commissioned to write treatment and first draft screenplay for a new adaptation of this classic.
Production
UNTITLED (2013)
Company
Aardman Animations
Notes
Feature Film Comedy punch up
Production
MIKE BASSETT: INTERIM MANAGER (2011-14)
Company
Riley Productions / BFI
Notes
Feature film sequel developed
Production
THE LOVE GOD (2011)
Company
Riley Productions
Notes
Re-write of original romantic-comedy feature for Stewart Till and Steve Barron.
Production
RISE OF THE APPLIANCES (2010-12)
Company
Big Rich Films
Notes
Original comedy/horror feature screenplay. Rob to produce and direct. Pilot shot and premiered in Autumn 2010 at the Empire Leicester Square.
*Winner of Best Horror Comedy at the Oklahoma Horror Film Festival 2010, and Best Short Film at Shriekfest Los Angeles 2010.
Website: http://riseoftheappliances.tumblr.com/
Production
THE PHOBES (2010)
Company
Antyx Animation
Notes
Commissioned family feature screenplay in development.
Production
LUCKY'S PAW (2010)
Company
Uli Meyer Productions
Notes
Commissioned to write treatment for animation feature.
Production
THE ADVENTURER: THE CURSE OF THE MIDAS BOX (2009)
Company
Entertainment Motion
Notes
Rewrite of feature film script based on the book by best-selling author G.P. Taylor. Released in January 2014 starring Martin Sheen, Sam Neill and Ioan Gruffodd.
Production
THUD, SWEAT AND TEARS (2009)
Company
Milk and One Sugar
Notes
Commissioned feature screenplay
Production
LOVE IS THE DRUG (2008)
Company
Independent Films
Notes
Commissioned feature screenplay.
Production
ANIMAL KINGDOM: LET'S GO APE (2007)
Company
Pathé/Les Animateurs
Notes
Page 1 rewrite based on the best-selling book by Roy Lewis.
Released 2015.
Production
TORTOISE VS HARE (2006)
Company
Aardman/Dreamworks
Notes
Page 1 rewrite
Production
CUPID X (2004)
Company
BBC Films
Notes
Original, high concept romantic comedy screenplay
Production
GNOMEO & JULIET (2003)
Company
Disney
Notes
Original screenplay and story for feature length animation. Released February 2011. Has taken nearly $200 million worldwide. Number one film in the UK and US.
“This lively little film, a comic take on Shakespeare's tragedy, is really entertaining!” Wall Street Journal
Production
UNTITLED (2002)
Company
Montecito Pictures
Notes
Original screenplay sold to Ivan Reitman (GHOSTBUSTERS)
Production
MIKE BASSETT: ENGLAND MANAGER (2001)
Company
Hallmark
Notes
Top Five grossing UK film of 2001.
"This sports satire is arguably the best football film ever made, and unarguably the funniest." Radio Times
Production
FRENCH EXCHANGE (2000)
Company
Talkback/BVI
Notes
Page 1 rewrite, feature comedy.
Production
BITCH BITCH BITCH (1999)
Company
New Line
Notes
Page 1 rewrite, feature comedy.
Production
20TH CENTURY BOY (1999)
Company
HAL/Miramax
Notes
Commissioned to write an extended treatment for an original feature film.
Production
BLACKWATER ZOO (1998)
Company
Jim Henson/20th Century Fox Animation
Notes
Original screenplay feature animation.
Production
Uncredited feature film rewrites include:
Company
Notes
Shooting Fish, Five Children And It, The Best Man, The Magic Roundabout, Goose On The Loose, The Truth About Love, The Abduction Club and Thunderpants.
Production
With John Smith Rob has written several commissioned treatments for Hollywood movies including:
Company
Notes
The Polar Express for Playtone/Universal and Harold And The Purple Crayon for Warner Bros.
TELEVISION
Production
Company
Notes
Production
UNTITLED (2019-20)
Company
Nucco Brain
Notes
Developing an animated TV series - bible rewrite and 11' script commissioned
Production
UNTITLED (2015)
Company
DC Thomson
Notes
Commissioned to write 2 x 11 min scripts for proposed new animated children’s show as well as 1 x 30 min Outline script for One-Off Special.
Production
DANGERMOUSE (2011-12)
Company
CBBC
Notes
Commissioned to write bible and pilot script for new series in development reviving this classic.
Production
REBEL TOYS (2009-10)
Company
Chapman Entertainment
Notes
Bible and script for animated TV series in development.
Production
THE LAST WILL (2009-10)
Company
Hat Trick Productions
Notes
Original comedy drama series idea optioned and developed.
Production
MUDDLE EARTH (2009-10)
Company
CBBC
Notes
Lead writers on major new animation series – edited and polished scripts for all 26 episodes and wrote a core block.
*2011 BAFTA Children’s Awards Nominee – Best Animation Programme
Production
MIKE BASSETT: MANAGER (2005)
Company
ITV
Notes
Wrote and produced six part TV spin off.
"This is a very rare thing indeed in the TV world - an ITV sitcom that is actually Premier League funny....Pick of the Week." News of The World
Production
CAPTAIN BUTLER (1997)
Company
Channel 4
Notes
Conceived and wrote six part comedy series.
Production
ENGLAND VS SCOTLAND (1996)
Company
Channel 4
Notes
One-off comedy show.
Production
LOGGERHEADS (1996)
Company
Absolutely Productions
Notes
One-off episode for animation comedy show.
Production
NOAH'S ARK (1995)
Company
Jim Henson Productions
Notes
Pilot TV sit-com script.
Production
WOODLAND TALES (1995)
Company
Jim Henson Productions
Notes
Pilot TV sit-com script.
Production
GRUTZBADEN SPA (1994)
Company
Jim Henson Productions
Notes
Co-wrote TV sit-com pilot with Richard Curtis.
FILM
Production Company Notes
UNTITLED (2023-24) Aniventure Limited Animated Feature Film treatment commission
UNTITLED (2023) Andes Distribution Dialogue polish for feature screenplay
UNTITLED (2023) Qvisten Animation AS Writer on 90 min animated feature film
UNTITLED (2023) Cool Beans BV Page 1 rewrite and treatment commissioned for animated feature
UNTITLED (2022) 3 Minutes West Treatment commissioned for animated feature
UNTITLED (2022) Studio 100 Animated feature film in development, script commissioned
UNTITLED (2022) Mosvold Studios Writer on animated feature film
HEIDI (2021-22) Studio 100 Animated feature film commission
BORN AGAIN BEN (2020-22) Major US Studio Rob's middle grade children's book under option for an animated feature adaptation
PANDA BEAR IN AFRICA (2019-21) Cool Beans BV Feature Film Commission
FLAMINGO FLAMENCO (2019) Voice Pictures Inc Commissioned to write an animated family feature based on his original idea.
UNTITLED (2018) Fabulous Fantasy Company Animated feature adaptation - treatment commissioned.
THE CHOIR THAT ROCKS (2016-18) Rock Choir Limited Live action feature commission
THE QUEEN'S CORGI (2016-18) nWave Studios Commissioned to rewrite original Sprackling & Smith screenplay.
Currently in production set for a 2019 release.
ELLA BELLA BINGO (2016-18) Mosvold Studios Co-written screenplay with Johnny Smith & Frank Mosvold based on popular TV series.
UNTITLED (2016-18) Comic Animations/Cinesite Original family feature commission
UNTITLED (2016) Comic Animations Commissioned to write a treatment based on Rob's original idea
POLICE DOGS (2016) Aristos Films Option on screenplay
PANDAMANIA (2015) Feather Productions & Snowfish Productions Script rewrite of family feature screenplay with Johnny Smith
KNIGHTS OF THE ROUNDTABLE (2014-16) Phoenix Wiley Limited Original feature film script optioned.
UNTITLED (2013-16) Aardman Animations Original co-written treatment and screenplay commission.
UNTITLED (2014) Aardman Animations Feature film comedy punch up
UNTITLED (2013-14) Fox Animation Family feature commission
ANIMAL FARM (2013-14 Imaginarium Studios Commissioned to write treatment and first draft screenplay for a new adaptation of this classic.
UNTITLED (2013) Aardman Animations Feature Film Comedy punch up
MIKE BASSETT: INTERIM MANAGER (2011-14) Riley Productions / BFI Feature film sequel developed
THE LOVE GOD (2011) Riley Productions Re-write of original romantic-comedy feature for Stewart Till and Steve Barron.
RISE OF THE APPLIANCES (2010-12) Big Rich Films Original comedy/horror feature screenplay. Rob to produce and direct. Pilot shot and premiered in Autumn 2010 at the Empire Leicester Square.
*Winner of Best Horror Comedy at the Oklahoma Horror Film Festival 2010, and Best Short Film at Shriekfest Los Angeles 2010.
Website: http://riseoftheappliances.tumblr.com/
THE PHOBES (2010) Antyx Animation Commissioned family feature screenplay in development.
LUCKY'S PAW (2010) Uli Meyer Productions Commissioned to write treatment for animation feature.
THE ADVENTURER: THE CURSE OF THE MIDAS BOX (2009) Entertainment Motion Rewrite of feature film script based on the book by best-selling author G.P. Taylor. Released in January 2014 starring Martin Sheen, Sam Neill and Ioan Gruffodd.
THUD, SWEAT AND TEARS (2009) Milk and One Sugar Commissioned feature screenplay
LOVE IS THE DRUG (2008) Independent Films Commissioned feature screenplay.
ANIMAL KINGDOM: LET'S GO APE (2007) Pathé/Les Animateurs Page 1 rewrite based on the best-selling book by Roy Lewis.
Released 2015.
TORTOISE VS HARE (2006) Aardman/Dreamworks Page 1 rewrite
CUPID X (2004) BBC Films Original, high concept romantic comedy screenplay
GNOMEO & JULIET (2003) Disney Original screenplay and story for feature length animation. Released February 2011. Has taken nearly $200 million worldwide. Number one film in the UK and US.
“This lively little film, a comic take on Shakespeare's tragedy, is really entertaining!” Wall Street Journal
UNTITLED (2002) Montecito Pictures Original screenplay sold to Ivan Reitman (GHOSTBUSTERS)
MIKE BASSETT: ENGLAND MANAGER (2001) Hallmark Top Five grossing UK film of 2001.
"This sports satire is arguably the best football film ever made, and unarguably the funniest." Radio Times
FRENCH EXCHANGE (2000) Talkback/BVI Page 1 rewrite, feature comedy.
BITCH BITCH BITCH (1999) New Line Page 1 rewrite, feature comedy.
20TH CENTURY BOY (1999) HAL/Miramax Commissioned to write an extended treatment for an original feature film.
BLACKWATER ZOO (1998) Jim Henson/20th Century Fox Animation Original screenplay feature animation.
Uncredited feature film rewrites include: Shooting Fish, Five Children And It, The Best Man, The Magic Roundabout, Goose On The Loose, The Truth About Love, The Abduction Club and Thunderpants.
With John Smith Rob has written several commissioned treatments for Hollywood movies including: The Polar Express for Playtone/Universal and Harold And The Purple Crayon for Warner Bros.
TELEVISION
Production Company Notes
UNTITLED (2019-20) Nucco Brain Developing an animated TV series - bible rewrite and 11' script commissioned
UNTITLED (2015) DC Thomson Commissioned to write 2 x 11 min scripts for proposed new animated children’s show as well as 1 x 30 min Outline script for One-Off Special.
DANGERMOUSE (2011-12) CBBC Commissioned to write bible and pilot script for new series in development reviving this classic.
REBEL TOYS (2009-10) Chapman Entertainment Bible and script for animated TV series in development.
THE LAST WILL (2009-10) Hat Trick Productions Original comedy drama series idea optioned and developed.
MUDDLE EARTH (2009-10) CBBC Lead writers on major new animation series – edited and polished scripts for all 26 episodes and wrote a core block.
*2011 BAFTA Children’s Awards Nominee – Best Animation Programme
MIKE BASSETT: MANAGER (2005) ITV Wrote and produced six part TV spin off.
"This is a very rare thing indeed in the TV world - an ITV sitcom that is actually Premier League funny....Pick of the Week." News of The World
CAPTAIN BUTLER (1997) Channel 4 Conceived and wrote six part comedy series.
ENGLAND VS SCOTLAND (1996) Channel 4 One-off comedy show.
LOGGERHEADS (1996) Absolutely Productions One-off episode for animation comedy show.
NOAH'S ARK (1995) Jim Henson Productions Pilot TV sit-com script.
WOODLAND TALES (1995) Jim Henson Productions Pilot TV sit-com script.
GRUTZBADEN SPA (1994) Jim Henson Productions Co-wrote TV sit-com pilot with Richard Curtis.