About Edward Toby Wagstaff
Edward Toby Wagstaff is a versatile writer, editor, and script consultant with a strong background in entertainment and conversational AI. Originally from the United Kingdom, Toby graduated with first-class honors in Philosophy and Modern Languages (Italian) from the University of Oxford. Currently based in the United States, his work continues to bridge the worlds of creative storytelling and technology.
Academic Pursuits and Early Experiences in Rome
As part of his degree program, Toby spent a transformative year in Rome, studying at the Università degli Studi Roma Tre. During his time there, he immersed himself in courses on the history of cinema and art while also volunteering as a teaching assistant in the English department. His passion for theater led him to direct a production of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, featuring a cast of Italian students. Outside the classroom, Toby worked as a part-time English tutor and honed his amateur photography skills, capturing the timeless beauty of Rome’s historical landscapes.
Launching a Career in London’s Film Industry
Upon completing his studies at Oxford, Toby embarked on a career in the film industry in London. He began at Studio 8 Productions and Peace Arch Films, where he was responsible for writing script coverage and analysis, coordinating travel and ADR sessions for international talent, and creating promotional materials for global film markets. His experience expanded further during an internship in post-production for the long-running BBC TV series Monarch of the Glen, where he gained valuable insights into film editing, sound mixing, and color correction.
On-Set Experience in Tuscany
Toby’s first significant hands-on production experience came in 2004 with the feature film Shadows in the Sun, starring Harvey Keitel, Joshua Jackson, and Claire Forlani. Filming took place in Tuscany and London. Toby took on multiple roles, including serving as an assistant to the producers, acting as a translator between the Italian crew and the English-speaking production team, and even occasionally stepping in as an on-screen double for the leading actor.
Transition to Los Angeles: Development and Literary Management
Later, in 2004, Toby relocated to Los Angeles to join Fierce Entertainment as a Creative Executive. In this capacity, he was deeply involved in the development and production of Fierce’s first entirely in-house feature project, War, starring Jet Li and Jason Statham. His role extended beyond production as he played a crucial part in expanding the company’s buyers’ rep operation, tripling the client roster within his first seven months.
Recognizing that his true passion lay in writing and editing, Toby transitioned to a role at the boutique literary management agency Original Content. Here, he focused on discovering and nurturing new screenwriting talent, doubling the agency’s active client roster. Among his notable projects was the Ugandan hip-hop documentary Diamonds in the Rough. Toby supervised the editing process and directed the narration recording, earning him an associate producer credit.
Embracing Screenwriting
Toby’s deep involvement with writers eventually led him to transition into full-time screenwriting. His first spec script, the high-concept action sci-fi Arena, was optioned by Summit Entertainment in 2008. Following this, Toby signed up with Endeavor Agency, later moving to WME and Verve TLA, where his career flourished. Over the next decade, he continued to option scripts, sell pitches, and secure open writing assignments across a range of genres. His original feature screenplays include the contemporary thriller The Day I Die (optioned by Millennium Films), the YA drama Break My Bones (commissioned by Warhorse Films), and Powerhouse, a UK drama/thriller sold to Lightbulb Pictures.
In addition to his original works, Toby has completed assignments such as adapting the sci-fi graphic novel Shrapnel for Radical Studios and rewriting romcoms There Goes the Bride and High Heels and Horseshoes for PixL TV.
Venturing into Conversational AI
Following the WGA writers’ strike in 2023, Toby began exploring new avenues to apply his writing expertise. This led him to work with a major tech company, writing and editing and providing training for its conversational AI model. Although Toby remains a staunch advocate for the irreplaceable value of human creativity in writing, he acknowledges the significant role AI can play in enhancing access to factual information. He is particularly interested in AI’s potential to contribute to solving global challenges, such as climate change and sustainability.
Life Beyond Writing
Outside of his professional life, Toby is an avid musician, photographer, fencer, and nature enthusiast. He has played guitar and bass since his teenage years, composing, recording, and performing rock and electronic music both solo and with various bands. Toby was also ranked among the top 10 youth fencers in the UK and represented Oxford University in fencing competitions. In his free time, he enjoys exploring natural and urban landscapes with his 35mm SLR camera, capturing the world through his lens.
