The purpose of the course is to offer 12 writers new to television drama an insight into how the industry works and to provide a “dry-run” of what it can be like to write under a television drama commission, specifically for one hour series and serial drama, and to work with them as they write an original drama script.
Writers will be expected to write an original C4 / E4 one-hour drama series or serial pilot episode, and 2-3 page outline / pitch for the series / serial as a whole.
Each writer will be assigned a script editor, who is currently working in the industry, to guide them through this process.
Course dates: 26th and 27th January 2019 / 15th and 16th June 2019. Writers must ensure before entering that they are available to attend both these weekends, and are free to write at least two drafts of an original one-hour television drama between 28th January and 1st June 2019.
Who can apply:
Only writers who do not have a broadcast credit as a television writer or theatrical release as a feature film writer may apply (although produced short films – 20 minutes or less – are exempt).
How to apply: for full details including dates, course content and FAQs Visit the Channel 4 Screenwriting Course website and submit the application form (from 7th September) together with your CV and writing sample.
The writing sample can be a screenplay (film or TV), stage play or radio play, minimum length 20 pages (novels, treatments, short stories, unfinished screenplays and “shorts” are not acceptable), maximum length 130 pages.
The scripts should be original, not episodes of existing drama series.
Fee: writers will be paid a fee for participating in the course and for completing two drafts of a one hour script. All writers will be required to grant Shelley Productions a first option for Channel 4 to acquire all rights in their script and will be told within six months of delivery whether Channel 4 wishes to exercise this option.
Deadline: 28 September 2018 at 5pm
Source: BBC Writersroom
Strange this excludes writers with, say, a continuing drama credit or a film credit, when this course focuses on developing an original drama series. ‘Writers new to television’ who have never written for continuing drama or film are highly highly unlikely ever to be commissioned to write their own drama series.