Writing for television

About this course

The course introduces the main stages of developing a television drama script, from generating ideas and identifying genre conventions to creating an outline and structuring a script. It covers spec scripts, pilots and standard industry formatting. Teaching combines tutor presentations, writing exercises, group discussion, and analysis of scripts and television clips. Learners will share work in progress, take part in tutor and peer feedback, and examine how scripts are interpreted on screen by directors and actors.

What you'll learn

• Develop original ideas for television scripts and produce new writing
• Apply genre conventions and key features of television scripts to original work
• Create outlines and structure scripts, including pilot material
• Analyse extracts from screenplays and television scripts, including their on-screen interpretation
• Present part or all of a pilot script in standard industry format
• Give and respond to constructive feedback on work in progress

Is this course right for you?

Designed for learners beginning to write drama for television. The course involves writing exercises, group discussion, sharing work and exchanging feedback, with fluent spoken and written English identified as essential.

• Learners should be prepared to share their writing with the group
• The course includes short writing assignments between classes
• Fluent English is essential

Before you go

• Bring writing materials
• Short writing assignments are set as homework
• Learners are encouraged to watch a range of episodic television programmes to reinforce the course concepts