Writing for TV and Radio: A Writers' and Artists' Companion (Writers' and Artists' Companions)

This essential companion offers invaluable insights and solid, practical guidance to those keen to write for TV and radio. PART 1 explores the nature of the media. It looks at the history of writing drama and comedy for radio and TV through a consideration of its key elements and some of the most successful dramas and comedies of past and present. PART 2 includes reflections and tips from award-winning writers of film, television and radio from the UK, the US and Scandinavia: Sam Bain, Peter Bowker, Elly Brewer, Laura Eason, Ellen Fairey, Nick Fisher, Phil Ford, Jeppe Gjervig Gram, Katie Hims, Rachel Joyce, Marcy Kahan, Rebecca Lenkiewicz, Jan McVerry, Jonathan Myerson, Hattie Naylor, Richard Nelson, Andrew Nickolds, Georgia Pritchett, Mike Walker and Stephen Wyatt. PART 3 offers practical advice on technical aspects of writing for TV and radio including character development, structure and dialogue. It also gives guidance on how to deal with branches of the broadcasting industry, from agents and actors to producers and script editors. Cover Contents Preface by Carole Angier and Sally Cline Foreword by Richard Schiff Introduction by Sue Teddern and Nick Warburton Part 1 Reflections and experiences Back story 1: My journey as a writer Sue Teddern Back story 2: My journey as a writer Nick Warburton Ten landmark TV dramas and comedies Sue Teddern Z-Cars (UK, 1968–1972) The Forsyte Saga (UK, 1967–1968) Breaking Bad (USA, 2008–2013) The Avengers (UK, 1961–1969) Cathy Come Home (UK, 1966) The Office (UK, 2001–2005) Grange Hill (UK, 1978–2008) Seinfeld (USA, 1989–1998) Blue Remembered Hills (UK, 1979) Talking to a Stranger (UK, 1966) Ten landmark radio dramas and comedies Nick Warburton Twelfth Night (1923) The War of the Worlds (1938) The Archers (1950) The Goon Show (1951/1952) Under Milk Wood (1954) Albert’s Bridge (1967) The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (1978) Dreams, Secrets, Beautiful Lies (1986) Spoonface Steinberg (1997) Ulysses (2012) Horses for courses: TV, radio or both? ‘I’ve written a play ... ’ Nick Warburton Either or both? Sue Teddern Ten memorable TV and radio characters Sue Teddern Roseanne Conner Alan Partridge Yosser Hughes Saga Noren Eddie Grundy Nick Warburton The philosophy of Norman Stanley Fletcher The enigma of Anton Meyer The aspiration of Harold Steptoe The silence of Bessie Bighead The progress of Peggy Olson How to make your own memorable characters Notes on notes: Dealing with feedback Sue Teddern The scriptwriting competition Submitting a script Reviews from critics Good notes v. bad notes Coping with the meddling Nick Warburton Having a laugh: Writing comedy Sue Teddern Funny for money ‘I could write rubbish like that!’ No, but seriously ... What kind of ha-ha? Seriously funny or funnily serious One idea, five formats Part 2 Tips and tales – guest contributors Sam Bain Peter Bowker Elly Brewer Laura Eason Ellen Fairey Nick Fisher Phil Ford Jeppe Gjervig Gram Katie Hims Rachel Joyce Marcy Kahan Rebecca Lenkiewicz Jan McVerry Jonathan Myerson Hattie Naylor Richard Nelson Andrew Nickolds Georgia Pritchett Mike Walker Stephen Wyatt Part 3 Write on – getting it right, getting it written That’s an idea: Tips and ­techniques to get you started How to kick-start your creativity Sue Teddern The Old Lemon – or where ideas come from Nick Warburton Characters: Making them memorable ‘Who am I and why am I here?’ Sue Teddern Drama karma Convincing surprises Nick Warburton The building blocks: Plot and structure ‘But where are the bones?’ Sue Teddern No place where it’s not Nick Warburton A most delicate monster – voice Nick Warburton More than one voice ... ‘Whose story is it anyway?’ Sue Teddern The talky bits: Writing dialogue Nick Warburton Speech, speech! Sue Teddern Hearing their dreams – the nuts and bolts of radio Nick Warburton The essential elements The visuals: Writing for camera Sue Teddern The silent treatment INT. desk – day How to start writing Sue Teddern Putting it off Nick Warburton PWD Not writing Selection and discretion Irongate – a case study Writing is rewriting – or what to do about drafts Good, better, best Sue Teddern The vanishing dream Nick Warburton The finishing line Now what? Sue Teddern Be professional Nick Warburton Reading (+ viewing + listening) list Scripts DVDs, CDs, etc. Books about radio, TV, writing Websites, etc. Courses and workshops Acknowledgements Index "This companion offers invaluable insights and solid, practical guidance to those keen to write for TV and radio. Part 1 explores the nature of the media. It looks at the history of writing drama and comedy for radio and TV through a consideration of its key elements and some of the most successful dramas and comedies of past and present. Part 2 includes reflections and tips from award-winning writers of film, television and radio from the UK, the US and Scandinavia. Part 3 offers practical advice on technical aspects of writing for TV and radio including character development, structure and dialogue. It also gives guidance on how to deal with branches of the broadcasting industry, from agents and actors to producers and script editors" -- provided by publisher