Creating Factual and Documentary Programme Ideas with Hilary Fennell

Where do great television, film and radio factual and documentary ideas come from and what are the key steps in developing, writing them and getting them made?

This course looks at the creative process from idea to pitch for documentary and factual (non-fiction) programme ideas. It is designed to give participants the tools to create a finished written and verbal pitch for their idea.

 It is suitable for emerging writers, established writers in different genres and those with a strong interest in an idea they feel could make a programme or series.

Session 2. Ideas development: Making it work – development of initial idea, research and interview skills.

Session 3 Best practice in proposal writing. Story basics: what are the elements we are looking for? The process of creating the narrative, from idea to treatment.

Session 4 How to write a short synopsis and a more detailed treatment from your proposal. How to write an elevator pitch – and how to pitch your idea verbally.

Session 5. Overview of the industry and opportunities for commissioning and funding. Overview of production process and crew roles. Participants submit their proposal, for feedback next week.

Session 6 Participants have the opportunity to pitch their self-generated idea verbally and will receive feedback.

Participants will have a finished written and verbal pitch for their idea.