The Craft of Writing TV Drama

Deadline for receipt of applications: 1pm, 29th April 2005.
Fees: £295.00

This course is a skills workshop for writers, with a strong emphasis o­n learning and then applying the tried and tested methods used by producers and script editors when developing drama for the small screen. At the same time, the practical objective is for all participants to write an episode of a fully-formatted original drama series.

The course has two paramount priorities: developing professionalism, whilst also encouraging and liberating passion. If you are accepted o­nto the course, you will have to work within a clearly defined existing format,observing shared rules about what can and cannot happen within that particular series format. You will have to work to a strict brief and will have to meet the series deadlines. At the same time, your script should have freshness, energy, and a clear flavour of your original voice. The aim is to learn to write good television... not mediocre television.

The course tutor is Philip Palmer, an experienced writer, Script Consultant and screenwriting tutor. His television screenwriting credits include 'The Many Lives of Albert Walker', 'Rebus', 'Back Home' and 'The Bill'. As a Script Consultant he has worked for a variety of companies including Enigma Productions, Columbia UK, Castle Rock, Zenith Productions, Granada Films, BSkyB and TVS. He is currently teaching o­n the  Screenwriting MA at the Northern Film School and has previously taught screenwriting at the National Film School and Bournemouth University.

This course is funded by Skillset's Freelance Training Fund, the European Social Fund and the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, and is part of  Lighthouse's scriptnaked programme, providing professional development support for screenwriters.

Eight workshop days will be spread over a 5 month period as follows:

• DAY 1: Thursday 26th May 2005,
• DAY 2: Wednesday 15th June 2005,
• DAY 3: Thursday 30th June 2005,
• DAY 4: Thursday 14th July 2005,
• DAY 5: Friday 29th July 2005,
• Day 6: 1st August 2005,
• DAY 7: Tuesday 4th October 2005,
• DAY 8: Wednesday 9th November 2005.

All the sessions will take place at Lighthouse Arts and Training Ltd in Brighton.