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Training
Television Drama Script Reading
Will Brit TV drama ever come close to The Wire?
Now taking bookings for:
Tues 24 Feb & Tues 17 Mar
An entirely different discipline to assessing feature film scripts, TV script reading is often about talent spotting for writers to contribute to existing series as well as hunting for new programme ideas. We’ve teamed up with Alison Lumb, a highly experienced, award-winning TV script editor, producer and executive producer (whose credits include Silent Witness for BBC1 and Baby Father for BBC2), to offer an insider’s guide to script assessment, report writing and the TV drama landscape.
Consistently excellent - CasualtyThe course will provide an overview of TV drama and consider the requirements of different formats, time slots and broadcasters (what’s the difference between a pre or post-watershed idea, for example?); through reading, analysing and reporting on draft scripts by emerging and established writers, participants will learn both what makes a strong original televisual idea and also learn to recognise a writer with the potential talent to contribute to a long running series; and by comparing an early draft script with the transmitted programme participants will gain valuable insight into the TV development process.
Ideal for anyone in their first TV job, or with ambition to work as a TV script editor, or with experience in reading for film but hoping to broaden their knowledge. This is a highly practical course and all participants will be required to read scripts and prepare reports between the sessions (and watch some telly!). Individual feedback will be provided on all work submitted. The course comprises of two full days of training, held three weeks apart. (Scroll down for full details of the training sessions.)
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COURSE FEES
The fee for this course is £275 + VAT (total £316.25). Script Factory members can take advantage of a 10% discount on this course, making the fee £247.50 + VAT (total £284.63). For information on becoming a member please click here.
BOOKING INFORMATION
To book your place by credit / debit card, please call 0207 851 4890.
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COURSE OUTLINE
Prior to the course participants will be required to read a draft script and write a preliminary set of brief notes.
DAY 1 (10am–5pm)
• The function of reports in the TV industry
• TV Drama Landscape I: formats, schedules and genres
• Script analysis – the fundamentals
• Briefing a writer
After this first day of teaching, participants will have the opportunity to turn their notes into a fully-drafted report on which they will receive feedback by email from the tutor. Further preparatory work for the second session will include preparing a full report on a draft script by an experienced writer, considering the potential development of the project and watching a current episode of a long running drama series.
DAY 2 (10am–5pm) [Held three weeks later]
• Feedback on scripts read
• Consideration of the parameters and demands of writing for an established series
• An overview of the production and development processes plus a close examination of a case study
• TV Drama Landscape II: commissioners, broadcasters, in-house production, the independent sector and co-productions
• Working as a reader