DL135- Certificate Writing Television
Drama

The course will be delivered online on Teams and Zoom.

What is it?

TV drama has changed radically since the arrival of streaming platforms over 10 years ago. Audiences are hungry for drama in hybrid genres, where the quality and richness of the writing is key to the success of the series. Writers have become the creative drivers of productions – the showrunners – the creative leaders of productions where in film the director is often that person.

Production companies, broadcasters and streamers are always looking for the next new idea that will capture audience. This course explores current trends and how to ensure ideas, regardless of genre, standout as authentic.

Working with Eilish Kent, a recognised educator in this area with extensive industry expertise in writing and commissioning for television, we have developed this course to focus on developing and writing TV Drama.

What will I do?

The course follows an industry standard, development process that underpins a professional approach to a career in screenwriting for TV. You will be taught the craft of TV drama writing that will enable you to complete a pilot episode of a TV drama.

You will be required to evaluate a personal and professional strategy for the development of any work in the context of the screen industries.

The course will:

• Enable you to write a compelling one-page pitch for an original TV drama idea
• Enable you to write a TV drama pilot script to a professional standard
• Provide a supportive and critical environment for the development and creation of new work
• Develop a disciplined and professional approach to writing for TV drama
• Enable you to develop a personal strategy for the development of your work
• Familiarise you with the process and business of writing for television – including matters relating to contracts and copyright, career opportunities and career pathways.

What modules will I study?

This is a single module certificate.

This ten week course, delivered over three months, has been running for five years. Several graduates have got their projects into development with production companies. It sits alongside our MA in Screenwriting for Film + Television which has been running successfully for over 20 years.

How will I be assessed?

• Assignment 1 (40%): Analysis of a TV Drama. Submission deadline: 0102/2025
• Assignment 2 (60%): Submission of an original TV drama by 01/05/2025 (revised one-page pitch and first 10 – 15 pages, at revised 2nd draft stage of pilot episode). Students will submit drafts throughout the course and have feedback by email and in person.

Dates + Times

Tuesdays | 7pm – 9.15pm:

• 3rd and 10th December 2024
• 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th January 2025
• 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th February

Saturdays:

• 1st and 22nd February (10am – 1pm)
• 1st March (10am – 5pm. Students will be allocated a 30 minute time slot during the day to pitch to a panel)

Who can apply?

This course is suitable for students who have an undergraduate qualification of 2nd Class Honours or higher at Honours Degree level.

Applicants without a Level 8 qualification may be considered provided they can demonstrate Honours Degree equivalence which can be verified through the RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) process.

Two references must support your application. You may also be asked to attend an online interview.

Future Careers

Graduates from the MA and Certificate have gone on to work as full-time screenwriters, script-editors, development executives, producers, directors and third level teachers in film and on writing programmes.

Fees + Scholarships