London Film School, offer full-time MA Degree courses in both Film Making and Screewriting.

Introduction

Creating a long-running TV Drama series is a complex and difficult process but, if successful, the rewards can be immense. This new 2-day workshop explores how a successful drama series is put together and analyses the elements involved in its creation.

The workshop is aimed at practising writers, producers and directors who would like to develop their skills in creating TV Drama Series. Producer and workshop tutor Archie Tait will introduce the 4 Types of Drama Series, before examining the concepts of Subject Selection, the Series World, Character, Story, and the interplay between Series and Serial.

The course perspective is UK/US, and participants should have familiarity with current UK and US drama series. Participants should bring laptops as the workshops will involve an overnight writing exercise.

 

Course Outline

 

DAY ONE

On the first day of the course each participant should arrive with an idea for a TV drama series, which they will pitch to the class. The class will then be then divided into three groups of four. Each group will appoint a member to be the Editor and select a project to work on over the two days. The group will then jointly create the Series Bibles for the selected show. The Bible will define the Series World and the cast of characters, sketch the Pilot story, further possible storylines, and define the show’s style and tone.

A screening and analysis of the pilot episode of a major drama series will illustrate the principles.

Each participant will write a draft of an agreed section of the Series Bible overnight.

 

DAY TWO

Day two will begin with the Group Editor pulling together the various elements of the Bible, after which the group will write a fast polish to integrate all of the various elements. The Bibles will be presented to the class for their analysis and commentary.

Each Group will then re-write their Series Bible over a working lunch, for re-presentation in the afternoon.

The tutor will summarise the learning of the two days, and locate the series ideas that have been developed within a market context.

 

Archie Tait - Tutor Profile

Archie Tait has 20 years’ experience as a creative executive and producer of TV Drama Series. He has script-edited INSPECTOR MORSE, developed HAMISH MacBETH and OUTLAWS, and produced THE PARADISE CLUB, 99-1 and HEARTBEAT. He teaches screenwriting at the London Film School and on the NYU-Tisch School of the Arts London Visiting Program.

Top

Times: Sat 10am-6pm,
Sun 10am-5pm.
Capacity: Max. 12 participants
Fee: £250

How to apply

Please submit the following items (email applications preferred):

• Application Form
  (click to download)
• CV
• Personal Statement (i.e. a few brief paragraphs explaining why you're applying for the course, what you hope to gain from it etc.)
• An outline of the idea you would like to present on the course.

Places will be offered to suitable applicants on a first come first served basis until the course is full.

Once your application has been approved by the tutor we will provide you with instructions for booking your place online.

 

Email us:
Carolyn Atherton:
workshops@lfs.org.uk

Telephone us:
+44 (0)20 7836 9642