Do you want to write for an ongoing TV drama or pitch your own idea for a television series? Start your screenwriting journey on this practical short course. Examine the structure of an episodic TV drama, and explore approaches to the genre in a fun, supportive environment.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
This is an introduction to writing for popular television that offers stepping stones for students to develop their own drama idea.
What will we cover?
- The structure of a television episode - Synopsis, outlines and treatments - The development of characters - The plotting and planning of a storyline.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Recognise the development stages of a drama project - Start to write a script - Give and receive feedback with sensitivity.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This an introductory course designed for students who want to start writing TV drama, though it will help if you have had some exposure to screenwriting basics previously. An ability to write and speak fluent English is essential.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
- In class exercises - PowerPoint presentation - Original material handouts and samples including storylines and episode extracts - DVD and video clips.
City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Pen and paper.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
If you're a beginning writer, why not expand your focus by enrolling on Ways into screenwriting? You can also progress to our term-long Television screenwriting course.
All students are invited to join us at Late Lines, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to Between the Lines, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on Facebook and Bluesky.
Clive Ford writes for film and stage. He graduated from UAL with an MA in screenwriting. He currently works as a lecturer at the University of Creative Arts in Farnham and at the University of Bedfordshire where he teaches writing for the screen.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/writing-for-television-getting-started2490280Writing for television: getting startedhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/w/r/writing_for_television_getting_started-square_1.jpg7979GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Writing/Writing for stage and screen/Writing for stage and screen/Courses/Writing/Courses/Writing/Writing for stage and screen228515911358113605122851358113605Do you want to write for an ongoing TV drama or pitch your own idea for a television series? Start your screenwriting journey on this practical short course. Examine the structure of an episodic TV drama, and explore approaches to the genre in a fun, supportive environment.003048859Writing for television: getting started7979https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/w/r/writing_for_television_getting_started-square_1_4.jpgInStockDaytimeSatKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekend2027-03-27T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experienceMar 2027WritingHW0967979Writing for television: getting started795179Clive Fordwriting-for-television-getting-started/hw096-2627Do you want to write for an ongoing TV drama or pitch your own idea for a television series? Start your screenwriting journey on this practical short course. Examine the structure of an episodic TV drama, and explore approaches to the genre in a fun, supportive environment.0000-Available|2027-03-27 00:00:00This is an introduction to writing for popular television that offers stepping stones for students to develop their own drama idea.Do you want to write for an ongoing TV drama or pitch your own idea for a television series? Start your screenwriting journey on this practical short course. Examine the structure of an episodic TV drama, and explore approaches to the genre in a fun, supportive environment.- The structure of a television episode<br>- Synopsis, outlines and treatments<br>- The development of characters<br>- The plotting and planning of a storyline.- Recognise the development stages of a drama project<br>- Start to write a script<br>- Give and receive feedback with sensitivity.This an introductory course designed for students who want to start writing TV drama, though it will help if you have had some exposure to screenwriting basics previously. An ability to write and speak fluent English is essential.- In class exercises<br>- PowerPoint presentation<br>- Original material handouts and samples including storylines and episode extracts<br>- DVD and video clips. <br />
<br />
City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/expectations-for-participating-in-writing-courses" target="_blank">expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit</a>.Pen and paper.<p>If you're a beginning writer, why not expand your focus by enrolling on Ways into screenwriting? You can also progress to our term-long Television screenwriting course.<br><br>All students are invited to join us at <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/latelines" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Late Lines</a>, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/betweenthelines" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Between the Lines</a>, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/citylitcreativewriting" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/citylitwriting.bsky.social" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bluesky.</a></p>Writing for stage and screenWriting for stage and screenvirtual797951HW096NONESat27/03/2710:30 - 16:3010:3016:301 session1One-off onlyWeekendKSKeeley StreetClive FordBeginners, Some experienceAvailable courses2027-03-27T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeMar 2027Writing7979Writing for television: getting startedwriting-for-television-getting-started/hw096-2627Do you want to write for an ongoing TV drama or pitch your own idea for a television series? Start your screenwriting journey on this practical short course. Examine the structure of an episodic TV drama, and explore approaches to the genre in a fun, supportive environment.0000-Available|2027-03-27 00:00:00This is an introduction to writing for popular television that offers stepping stones for students to develop their own drama idea.Do you want to write for an ongoing TV drama or pitch your own idea for a television series? Start your screenwriting journey on this practical short course. Examine the structure of an episodic TV drama, and explore approaches to the genre in a fun, supportive environment.- The structure of a television episode<br>- Synopsis, outlines and treatments<br>- The development of characters<br>- The plotting and planning of a storyline.- Recognise the development stages of a drama project<br>- Start to write a script<br>- Give and receive feedback with sensitivity.This an introductory course designed for students who want to start writing TV drama, though it will help if you have had some exposure to screenwriting basics previously. An ability to write and speak fluent English is essential.- In class exercises<br>- PowerPoint presentation<br>- Original material handouts and samples including storylines and episode extracts<br>- DVD and video clips. <br />
<br />
City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/expectations-for-participating-in-writing-courses" target="_blank">expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit</a>.Pen and paper.<p>If you're a beginning writer, why not expand your focus by enrolling on Ways into screenwriting? You can also progress to our term-long Television screenwriting course.<br><br>All students are invited to join us at <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/latelines" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Late Lines</a>, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/betweenthelines" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Between the Lines</a>, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/citylitcreativewriting" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/citylitwriting.bsky.social" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bluesky.</a></p>Writing for stage and screenWriting for stage and screenconfigurable
159113605Writing for stage and screenhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/writing/writing-for-stage-and-screen/writing-for-stage-and-screen-11/2/285/13581/13605/1591/Courses/Writing/Writing for stage and screen/Writing for stage and screen
