HE started scribbling story ideas as a release from the stresses of everyday life.
But now pharmacist Iqbal Mohammed is jetting off to America to produce a pilot for a new TV show.
And the premise of the 20-minute film couldn’t be more suitable – it’s called The Pharmacist!
Iqbal hopes it will lead to a full series.
The Marsh-based man started writing as a form of escapism.
His first script, 31.6, about a father looking for his kidnapped daughter in India, made the top 20% in this year’s prestigious PAGE International Screenwriting Awards in LA.
Then he heard on Twitter that there was a pilot show in pre-production called The Pharmacist and got in touch its writer Michael Cassidy.
When Cassidy heard about Iqbal’s day job, he invited him to get involved.
After reading The Pharmacist script and suggesting a few changes, Iqbal was offered the role of co-executive producer.
He is flying to Washington DC this week for the pilot, which will be shot over two weekends..
Iqbal said: “It’s amazing how quickly it all happened.
“I told Michael about my background and he was intrigued and he sent me his script and liked the changes I suggested.
“What also made me credible was the fact that I had done well in the screenwriting competition.
“He asked me to be his co-executive producer with a writing credit.”
Comedy drama The Pharmacist follows neighbourhood pharmacist Hal as a prescription-dispensing vending machine is introduced into his store.
The machines are common in America and are being trialled in the UK.
The machine’s arrival quickly complicates Hal’s work and the lives of his customers.
Iqbal said: “Hal is an old-school pharmacist and isn’t happy about people coming to see the machine and not him because he feels his role is about interaction and not just speed.
“There’s the message that pharmacists are still essential to health care.
“But it’s funny because it’s got all the colourful characters that they see on a daily basis.
“I think my expertise helped and I really think it will do well because it’s a unique idea and the pharmacy profession is not something that is represented in film and TV.”
The film, produced by independent film studio Praetorian Pictures, is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Then next year the plan is to show the film at major festivals like the Washington DC Film Festival and the UK’s Raindance in the hope that it will get picked up by a television network.
Iqbal’s hopes that a full series will be commissioned and his dream is to use his experience as a springboard for writing for major feature films.
He said: “If this makes it big, and I believe it will, then I hope to continue as a writer and go on to do bigger and better things.
“Eight months ago I never would have thought I’d be doing this, it’s just amazing.
“Everyone at the pharmacy has been really supportive and love the idea of it – I’d love to see what the customers think of it!”
But despite the fact that the 27-year-old could soon find Hollywood calling, he will not give up on his day job.
He said: “I love my job and I spent too many years in training just to give it up.
“But I would love to have a career as a writer as well – I’m happy doing both!”
Iqbal started work at Siddique Pharmacy in Fartown after qualifying as a pharmacist at Bradford University two years ago.
