Screenwriting for Television Short Course
Course description
Course overview
Have you ever wanted to know what goes into making a great TV drama? Do you have an idea for the next great box set series?
The Screenwriting for Television Short Course aims to give you the basic screenwriting skills and creative confidence needed to start putting that story down on paper. Through a combination of lectures, group discussions and practical exercises, students gain an insight into the fundamentals of writing for television.
Several topics are covered including creating compelling characters, premise and theme, story structure, action, dialogue and tone, grabbing the audience in the first 10 pages, TV formats (series, serials and singles) and the industry from pitch to production.
Students have the opportunity to look at several key case studies during the course and spend class time feeding back on weekly writing assignments designed to put theory into practice.
This course is available both on campus or online.
Who this course is for
This course is aimed at anyone interested in writing television drama who wants to develop their creative ideas and dramatic storytelling skills (beginners). Students should be prepared to write, re-write and re-re-write their ideas in a fun, supportive and collaborative environment.
Key information
Topics covered
- Finding the best television format and genre for your idea and how to express it in a compelling dramatic premise
- Building blocks of dramatic storytelling: exploring character, story, dramatic action and dialogue
- Writing assignments and exercises to put principles into practice, building your confidence as a storyteller and encouraging collaboration with the rest of the group
Learning outcomes
- Have learnt the practical and creative aspects of writing for television drama
- Understand how scripts are developed by the television industry
- Have written at least 10 pages of a pilot script and a story outline for the rest of the episode (or more depending on how much time you can commit outside of class)
- Digital badge and certificate of attendance
Materials
- A notebook and pen
- A computer - we recommend you download/sign up for screenwriting software to write your script (free/trial options include Fade In, WriterDuet and Celtx)
- Ideally, an idea you would like to develop as a TV drama or comedy-drama
If you are taking this course online, please see our Guide to taking online short courses
Tutor
Dan Nixon
DAN NIXON is an award-winning playwright and screenwriter from South East London. His debut play LOOK ME IN THE EYE WHEN WE'RE DANCING won Out of Joint's Writers in Theatre Award and his next play ST. IVES was commissioned by Sky Arts for their ART 50 festival at the Barbican. He has worked with theatres including the Lyric Hammersmith, the Criterion, the Soho Theatre, the Arcola, Theatre 503 and Southwark Playhouse and has been shortlisted for the Old Vic 12, Theatre 503 Five and the Kevin Elyot Award. For TV, he was selected for the 2021/22 BBC Studios Writers' Academy, has written broadcast episodes of EASTENDERS and CASUALTY and has developed original projects with Two Brothers Pictures and BBC Studios. He teaches screenwriting at London College of Communication, University of the Arts, London.Book a course
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