01.08.19 / Television Drama – Writing, Structuring, and Developing a Hit TV Show with John Yorke

Course Title: TELEVISION DRAMA – WRITING, STRUCTURING, AND DEVELOPING A HIT TV SHOW with JOHN YORKE
Tutor: John Yorke
Date: 1^st, 2^nd & 3^rd August 2019
Duration: 2.5 Days
Venue: Dublin TBC
Cost:  250 euro
Course Profile: Story Structure, Development, Pitching

This course is being run in partnership with Screen Skills Ireland and in association with MediaXchange.

What are we going to do together?
A structured course that explores all the key components of storytelling and its application to television.  Over five sessions in two and a half days, we’ll explore how stories work, why we tell them and go into concrete detail about the history and application of the theories of narrative structure.  We’ll explore the relationship between Hero and villain, the role of the method of consumption in dictating structure, but more importantly we will apply that knowledge into concrete application – armed with a detailed knowledge of all the key ingredients, the attendees will put that into practise with the aim of creating perfect stories and perfectly structured shows.  We’ll give you all the tools you need to convey your vision to broadcasters and buyers.

How many stages
5 stages – each one half a day.

DAY ONE
– SESSION ONE
21 KEY ELEMENTS OF STORY TELLING.
The key rules of writing.  An illustrated talk taking us through all the essential “rules” that underline great archetypal stories.

 – SESSION TWO
WHAT IS A STORY PART ONE – ESSENTIAL INDGREDIENTS
The primary colours of storytelling – Protagonist, Antagonist, Inciting Incident – we look at the essential ingredients all stories have in common and put them into practical effect in product promotion – how to put them across in documents such as the story bible.

DAY TWO
 – SESSION ONE
WHAT IS A STORY PART TWO – STRUCTURE
The how and why of Structure. Exploration of narrative theory and how it works in practise – from Shakespeare to Netflix and beyond.  The history, application and current usage of dramatic structure.  Single closed narratives and their implication for television and beyond.

 – SESSION TWO
WHAT IS A STORY PART THREE – WRITING NARRATIVE DOWN– AND ALTERNATIVE STRUCTURES – WHAT WORKS IN THE MODERN AGE.
How to write narrative down and why that’s important i.e. communicating narrative for broadcasters and producers.  This will also focus on the draft/notes process, and how to streamline effective communication between writer and producer. Advanced Structure – it’s application to modern TV landscape – platforms and their impact on structure.

DAY THREE
 – SESSION ONE

• EXERCISE ONE.
  Working in small groups we will ask you to devise a TV series for a particular broadcaster and pitch it to the other participants
• EXERCISE TWO.
  You will then have the option to give a quick pitch of an original series idea. (Regarding IP and copyright, please be prepared to workshop an idea and share aspects of story development.)

About John Yorke
John is a drama producer, author and teacher who has spent 30 years studying our insatiable appetite for stories. His long career in TV drama has given him the tools to identify the underlying shape common to all successful narratives – from drama to political speeches.  He is the author of the UK’s best selling book on narrative structure – Into The Woods – How Stories Work and Why We Tell Them.
As former Head of Channel Four Drama, Controller of BBC Drama Production and MD of Company Pictures, John has shaped stories that have attracted some of the biggest audiences for drama in UK TV history. He has overseen some of the UK’s most enduring and popular programmes, from Shameless and Life On Mars to EastEnders and Holby City, alongside award-winners like Bodies and the internationally acclaimed Wolf Hall.
John has worked with a vast array of talent, from Paul Greengrass and Paul Abbott to Debbie Horsfield and Jimmy McGovern, making him uniquely placed to watch, learn and analyse the work of the finest writers in television.

Participant Profile:
Aimed at experienced producer/writer teams along with individual development producers, writers and development executives who wish to gain further expertise in developing and writing for television drama. Participants must have industry track record with at least one paid professional producing/writing/development credit (which can be in television, film, theatre, radio etc.). The workshop will be for a cohort of 20-22 people.

Application Procedure:

Step 1: Please apply online at www.screenskillsireland.ie with a current CV by 5PM on Thursday, 18th of July 2019. If applying as a team each team member must make an individual online application.

Step 2: If applying as a producer/writer team, in addition to your online application please also send one email per team to Neil.Murphy@screenskillsireland.ie confirming who the team partners are by the deadline, attaching both CV’s to the email.

Please note: the cost per person will be 250euro when applying as a team.

For further details contact Neil.Murphy@screenskillsireland.ie