Developing a TV Series

• Credit value: 30 credits at Level 7
• Convenor: Barbara Cox (subject to change)
• Assessment: a TV series proposal (40%), TV script episode of 30-50 minutes (40%) and 2000-word critical evaluation (20%)

This two-term module introduces you to the varied requirements of television drama series and serials and enables you to try the challenging task of creating your own original series or serial project. Teaching will include a mix of lectures, clips from TV shows, discussion and writing exercises, and workshops.

Indicative syllabus

• Context: we will consider the different requirements, slots and target audiences of 30-minute soap, 50-minute soap, sitcom, 50-minute and longer episodic series, six-part or longer 'closed' serials, mini-series, and series and serials for children and young people.
• Concept: you will work on their programme concept, individually and in the class, to test it and reveal its strengths and weaknesses.
• Characterisation: you will consider the best combination of regular characters for your project and will develop the main characters through writing notes, background material and story ideas, considering the characters' appeal for the target audience.
• Fictional world: it is important to set the project in a fully-realised fictional world, whether naturalistic or fantasy-based. You will explore the world of your series and establish its rules.
• Managing the story: episodic series require well-structured story content for each episode, with a complete 'story of the week'. You will develop and plan your story material, building on the skills you have acquired in previous modules.