A Stirling-born writer nominated for an Oscar at the 95th Academy Awards says it is a “dream come true”.
Lesley Paterson is one of the front- runners to claim the Oscar for her work on Netflix war epic All Quiet on the Western Front.
Lesley was one of the production’s screenwriters, having based the film on the novel of the same name.
Tirelessly, she spent 16 years trying to get the film off the ground after developing the novel into a screenplay.
And, film making aside, the multi-talented 42-year-old is also one of the world’s most decorated triathlete’s having claimed an incredible FIVE world championship titles.
Lesley grew up in Clarendon Place, King’s Park, before later living in Bridge of Allan when her parents owned the Old Manor Hotel.
She now lives in Los Angeles with her family.
Lesley described to the Observer this week how it feels to be Oscar nominated. She said: “It’s a dream come true and incredibly surreal. I can’t quite believe it yet to be honest.”
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All Quiet on the Western Front was directed by Edward Berger and stars Felix Kammerer, Albrecht Schuch, Daniel Brühl, Sebastian Hülk, Aaron Hilmer, Edin Hasanovic, and Devid Striesow. It was released on Netflix in October last year.
The film has been nominated for best cinematography, best sound, best production design, best visual effects, best hair and makeup and best original score.
Lesley, along with co-writers Ian Stokell and Edward Berger, also picked up an Oscar nomination for best adapted screenplay.
Lesley studied for her undergraduate at Loughborough University in drama and then went on to do a Masters in theatre and film at San Diego State University, in California.
“I started off acting and then went into writing and producing. I did a number of independent projects before embarking on All Quiet on the Western Front.’’
She co-wrote the screenplay with her then writing partner Ian Stokell.
“Ian and I saw the book on sale at a book store in Los Angeles and re-read it. Given it’s so beautiful with such poignant themes of betrayal of a youthful generation, anti-war sentiments and so on, we started to inquire as to who had the rights.
“Low and behold they were available and we pitched them and managed to secure the option to the rights.
“We then adapted the novel into a screenplay and spent 16 years trying to get it off the ground before we luckily got teamed up with Edward Berger (director) and Malte Grunert (producer). Netflix then came on-board and boom – we were off”, she said.
During her formative years in Stirling, Lesley developed a keen passion for sport.
The former Allan’s Primary pupil also grew up playing rugby for Stirling County before going on to join Stirling Triathlon Club.
She said: “I was the only girl playing in the rugby club and captained the team to many victories in the late 80s and early 90s.
“The triathlon club was then my joy and I trained with them every day and eventually got into the Scottish then British teams and was on lottery funding.”
She eventually became one of the world’s top triathletes, claiming world titles. She claimed gold at the XTERRA Triathlon World Championships in 2011, 2012 and 2018 and was also victorious at the ITU Cross Triathlon World Championships in 2012 and 2018.
She added: “I’ve won five off road triathlon world titles, numerous national titles, and podiums throughout the world both on and off road.”
Lesley spends most of her time living in Los Angeles with her husband, screenplay writer and producer Simon Marshall, who she now exclusively writes and produces with.
Lesley added: “We have a lot of films in development that we have written.
“A few are set in Scotland so we’re excited to come home and shoot those! We are in a big building phase of our career and see this as a massive opportunity and stepping stone for the future.”
Her mum, dad and step-mum continue to live in Stirling, as does her eldest sister.
This year’s Oscars will be hosted by American late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel and takes place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on Sunday, March 12.
Lesley previously took on the role as Chieftain of the Stirling Highland Games back in 2016.
