Writing for TV and Radio A Writers' and Artists' Companion

by Teddern, Sue; Warburton, Nick; Angier, Carole; Cline, Sally

• ISBN13: 9781441195906
• ISBN10: 1441195904
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2015-11-19
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic

Summary

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.

Author Biography

Sue Teddern has over twenty years experience writing for TV and Radio. Her writing credits include episodes of The Archers, Birds of A Feather and My Family.

Nick Warburton has written extensively for television, radio and the stage. His play Beast won the Tinniswood Award for Best Play of 2005.

Table of Contents

Foreword
Preface

PART 1
1. Back Story: My Journey As a Writer
2. Back Story: My Journey As a Writer
3. 10 TV Dramas and Comedies That Changed the Rules
4. 10 Radio Dramas and Comedies That Changed the Rules
5. Horses For Courses: What to Write … TV, Radio or both?
6. 10 Memorable TV and Radio Characters
7. Having A Laugh: Writing Comedy
8. Notes on Notes: Dealing with Feedback
PART 2
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
Jonathan Myerson
Hattie Naylor
Richard Nelson
Andrew Nickolds
Jan McVerry
Georgia Pritchett
Mike Walker
Stephen Wyatt
PART 3
1. That's An Idea: Tips and Techniques To Get You Started
2. Characters: Making Them Memorable
3. The Building Blocks: Plot and Structure
4. Voice: Whose Story Is It Anyway?
5. The Talky Bits: Writing Dialogue
6. The Nuts and Bolts of Radio
7. The Visuals: Writing for Camera
8. INT: DESK - DAY … How to Start Writing
9. Writing is Rewriting
10. Agents, Producers, Indies, Broadcasters + Working with Actors
11. Writing Courses
12. Reading List
Index