Scripting for unscripted

As part of our Step Up strand, we’re offering training to help individuals coming back into the industry after a break, moving into a new role, or improving their skills in unscripted TV. 

It’s one of the big challenges of any documentary production. You’re making a film or series, you haven’t shot it yet, but the Exec or the broadcaster wants a script.

How long should it be, and how detailed? How do you ‘write’ scenes and interviews before filming, when the results of any documentary shoot are by definition unpredictable? What’s a ‘Beat Sheet' and how does it differ from an ‘Outline’ or a ‘Shooting Script’? Do you need to produce all three? And how many ‘drafts’ should you expect to write?

This course sets out to unpack and clarify the often confusing world of scripts for unscripted shows. And to suggest useful tips and pointers on how to deliver what the Exec or broadcaster want and need, in a streamlined way that fits with your workflow and production.

This session is supported by the ScreenSkills Unscripted TV Skills Fund which invests in training for the unscripted workforce thanks to contributions from broadcasters, SVoDs and production companies.

Who it's for

The course is aimed at exec producers, series producers, PD’s and edit producers, but also thes AP’s and researchers in unscripted TV who are prepping the research material that the writer(s) will need to produce the scripts.

We generally require applicants to have at least 3 credits (unless working in a traditionally uncredited role). If you strongly feel you would still benefit from the training, please email USF@screenskills.com

We are committed to ensuring all our courses are accessible to everyone. Please email the above address with any access requirements so that we can make the arrangements you need.

What it covers

This will be an interactive course using video clips, outlines, beat sheets and scripts from real projects, plus some exercises for the participants, led by a trainer with more than two decades experience writing many scripts for unscripted shows.

• Explaining the difference between outlines, beat sheets and scripts, and the purpose of each
•  Understanding what your Exec/Broadcaster is looking for and needs to know
•  How to put together an outline, a beat sheet and finally a script, with some guidance on length/detail
•  Tips on how to write the all-important ‘opening’
•  How to tailor your scripting process to fit your production schedule
•  Understanding and responding to script feedback from Execs/Broadcasters

Trainer

Steven Clarke is a BAFTA and RTS winning director, producer, writer and show-runner with over 20 years experience. He has produced multiple critically acclaimed films, from factual drama, to drama-doc and documentary, for the BBC, Channel 4, ITV and Channel 5, as well as NGC/Disney+, Discovery, PBS and Arte. Past credits include ‘Union, with David Olusoga’ (BBC2), ‘John Bishop’s Great Whale Rescue’ (ITV1), ‘Bigfoot Files’ (Channel 4), ‘Hostile Planet’(NGC/Disney+), ‘The Beauty of Maps’ (BBC4), and ‘Victoria Cross Heroes’ (Channel 5). He also has experience over many years teaching Filmmaking students in the UK and Europe.

How to apply

This session will take place online via Zoom. Click ‘get ticket’ at the top of the page and follow the instructions to book your place; you must login or register before you are able to book your place.

Our courses are popular and often book up quickly. If you are no longer able to attend, we ask you to please use the “decline ticket” function on the right-hand side of the page so that we can release your place to someone on the waiting list.