BAFTA-winning screenwriter Matt Greenhalgh differs from most participants in The Tony Wilson Experience because he took his inspiration as a wide-eyed, arms-length enthusiast of the legend, rather than as a contemporary.

Most pertinent were the amazing nights he spent in the Hacienda nightclub, where he would be welcomed, and then bid a fond farewell, by the iconic image of the broadcaster which hung at the entrance.

"I'd arrive there buzzing with excitement, see that picture of Tony, then leave at the end of the night having had the time of my life, and say `cheers Tony, thanks for making it all possible," says Greenhalgh.

And so it felt pretty special to the Salford-born writer when he got to know Tony so well that his number was in his mobile.

That honour was earned as screenwriter for Control, Anton Corbijn's movie based on Deborah Curtis's book about her relationship with Joy Division's much venerated frontman Ian Curtis, and the film, which also earned Greenhalgh the Bafta's Carl Foreman Award in recognition of a `remarkable achievement in first-time feature filmmaking'.

The first time he met Wilson was at the film's launch press conference. The svengali figure subsequently held court at his Manchester city centre apartment as Greenhalgh soaked up anecdotes from the era in which the film was set. "It wasn't exactly a conversation because he did all the talking. I'm really glad that I didn't interrupt because what he had to say was incredible," Greenhalgh adds.

Greatest tragedies

"One of the greatest tragedies about Control was that while Ian Curtis was already dead, Tony Wilson died never having seen it."

Greenhalgh, 35, who lives in Prestwich, says he owes his successful career as a writer to the spirit of defiance and determination he soaked up as a fan of dance music at the Hacienda.

"I failed my A-levels at Loreto, I was unemployed and my one dream as a dance music kid was to make a record that would get played in the Hacienda, even though I wasn't musical. I imagined that Mike Pickering would play my tune, everyone would go mad and I'd be a happy man. That was all part of the Mancunian attitude which Tony helped to create."

It certainly helped him as a writer - some of his first published work was as the clubs editor of City Life, who he approached saying their reviews were rubbish.

His screenwriting portfolio includes Clocking Off and Burn It, and he is currently toiling on a biopic charting the early years of John Lennon's life.

He says that one of Tony's most important legacies is the message that creative people can have a career which doesn't necessitate moving to London.

"I love the fact that he got a job with ITN but turned back on the motorway because he couldn't leave Manchester behind. You can stay in Manchester and have a creative career," he adds.

"It's not easy being a writer of a musician because things simply don't happen straight away. But keep writing, remain determined, and prove that you have a voice, and you stand a chance."

Matt Greenhalgh will be speaking at 8pm on Saturday.
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