HOW DOES THE PROCESS WORK, FROM COMMISSION TO SCREEN?​

Most successful TV and film screenwriters have cut their teeth working on soaps and long-running TV series – it’s an established way into the business and a great way to build your reputation and contacts.

This two-day, hands-on course (running over two consecutive Saturdays) will reveal behind-the-scenes secrets of how TV drama series operate, enabling you to move forward with confidence when you secure a writing gig on an existing show and equipping you to develop professional TV drama series projects of your own.

You will be introduced to the professional processes common in the industry, with plenty of practical experience along the way - paying particular attention to the technical issues you would face in the real world including those of continuity, logistics, cast and budget.

Here are just some of the advantages of writing for continuing drama series:

  • There are established characters and "templates" of previous episodes to follow, so you don't have to write out of thin air
  • You will be able to learn the craft, hone your skills and improve your writing techniques
  • You (and interested industry professionals) will see your work on screen 
  • Your name will automatically appear on the Internet Movie Database
  • You'll be able to stop exaggerating on your CV!
  • If you write more than one episode of any show, it will demonstrate that you didn't mess up the first one - and (just as crucial) were not difficult to work with
  • When someone at a party next asks you whether they'll have seen anything you've written, you'll be able to send them a link to your episode
  • You may soon be able to give up the day job, enabling more time for writing your own projects
  • You'll make good connections with others in the industry
  • You'll be in great company - many esteemed film writers are now writing for television, and loving it
Meet like-minded individuals, all intent on writing for television. Students often stay in touch after the course and form invaluable support groups. All writers need constructive feedback and encouragement from their peers, to prepare them for the industry. Your classmates could well become "your people".
COURSE CONTENT

On Day 1 you will be:

Going behind the scenes to discover how a real show is put together.

​Learning how:

  • Characters are created
  • ​Storylines are developed
  • A commissioning document evolves into a finished, transmitted episode

You will develop a new character for an existing show and learn about episode structure & handling multiple storylines before receiving the brief for your "homework" exercise.

On Day 2, you will:

Receive professional feedback on your homework exercise

Develop a storyline for an existing TV series

Create a "beat sheet" and a more fleshed-out scene breakdown for your storyline

Receive tailored career strategy advice

Some homework will be required in-between the two sessions.

Please bring paper, pens, a laptop  and your imagination.
PRICES
STANDARD: £198
CONCESSION: £180
*We offer the concessionary rate to all usual Concessions as well as to members of thee affiliated organisations: WGGB, Society of Authors, BECTU, WFTV & Directors UK.  If you are a member of one of these organisations, please book at the concessionary rate and show your membership card to the course tutor at registration.
DATES
Saturday 14 and Saturday 21 September 2019
(Registration from 10am on Day 1)
Workshop 10.30am - 5.00 pm

(With some TV viewing prep work required before the course and in-between dates)

VENUE 
Chesham
Buckinghamshire
(At the end of the Metropolitan line in the Chilterns, 54 mins from Baker Street; 15 minutes' drive from M25, 20 mind from M1, M40)

CAPACITY
Max 8 people
FURTHER DETAILS
Email or phone 07989 382549 
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ABOUT YOUR TUTOR

​Anji Loman Field has been writing drama for television, radio and film for over two decades. A former contract writer for EastEnders, she has also written for BBC’s Holby City and Doctors.  She penned 40 episodes of Taste of Life for BBC Media Action in Cambodia and was the creator and show-runner of House of Many Windows, set in Vietnam. She has taught at the London Institute (LCP), West Herts College, the RCA and the Central Film School.
​Her past students include Mike Bullen, creator of Cold Feet and writer/producer/director Sean McConville (Deadline; The Quiet Hour).