STORYTELLING For The small screen(s)
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
8-10 participants will take an idea for a TV or online project from concept, through rigorous interrogation in a writers’ room environment, all the way to industry pitch session.
Stage One - 15 - 17 February 2018
The program will begin with three days of interactive classes covering the basics of developing stories for the small screen(s), including building strong story engines, shaping satisfying episodes, creating unique characters, defining your audience and pitching to potential broadcasters/buyers. This will include a session devoted to a case study of a successful narrative webseries led by key creatives. Time will also be devoted to exploring how online content can act as a pathway to broadcast and how boundaries have blurred as broadcasters and streaming services seek to feed a content-hungry public.
At the end of this stage, you will have 2 weeks to work on your series’ concept before taking it into a simulated writers’ room in stage two.
Stage Two - 3 - 4 March 2018
After refining your concept, you will return to the program to immerse yourself in two full days of workshopping within a writers’ room environment.
Each writer will have 60-90 minutes with their very own writers’ room, during which time we will identify/refine core story elements such as the series’ arc, story engine, character arcs and episode shape. Although you will take the lead on your own project, you will also be supported by an industry mentor with significant experience in running writers’ rooms.
In addition to having a braintrust to assist you in developing this concept, these writers’ room sessions will give participants a taste of what it is like to work in a professional environment and to contribute ideas as a ‘writer for hire’ and work to a brief. It will also assist in learning to give and receive feedback in a professional and constructive manner. You will exit stage two armed with more information about how to strengthen and distill your idea into a pitchable concept.
Stage Three - 7 May 2018
Stage Two will be followed by a break during which time you will continue to refine your concept and pitch. Then everyone will be given the opportunity to present their work to industry at a networking and pitching event.
If you have questions, take a look at our handy FAQs or email us.