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 responsibility level, or improving 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.

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.

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.

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

How to apply

This session will take place online via Zoom. Click ‘apply now’ at the top of the page and follow the instructions to apply for your place: you must login or register before you are able to complete your application.

If you need additional support to complete your application or require the application form in an alternative format please contact USF@screenskills.com

Places on these free online courses are limited and applications are often highly competitive. To stand the best chance of securing a place, please be sure to consider the following:

When asked to list your three most recent credits, please include the programme title and your job role.
When asked what you hope to gain from the course, please be concise but ensure you cover the specific elements of the topic you would like to gain knowledge of and what gaps in your skillset you believe the course may address. A rewording of the course title or a general comment on career progression does not tell us much about how this course would benefit you.
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. Our sessions are often oversubscribed, so we’d like to give other freelancers the opportunity to fill available spots. Thank you for your consideration.

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.

This course would normally cost participants to attend, but thanks to this support, we are able to offer it to you for free. If you fail to attend, we reserve the right to request reimbursement of costs, unless your place can be taken by someone else.