Harriet Beaney: Learning Every Step of the Way

08 September 10

In her fifth Screen Skills blog entry, Harriet tells how her journey has taught her everything from how to lay the foundations for a successful screenwriting career to what elements are essential in developing a commercially successful TV series.

Harriet Beaney Blog 5 On the 1st of July, I went to the BBC TV Drama Writer’s Festival at the Leeds College of Music. I went to four talks, given by industry professionals, and learnt so much. It was also a brilliant insight into the life of writers because it was such a good chance to talk to real writers and ask them how they got into writing.

The first talk I went to was one by John Yorke, the BBC Controller of Drama. I learnt that a commercially successful TV series has a good format, compelling characters and a unique, but clear, world.

I then went on to a talk given by the producer and writers of E20, a teenage spin-off of East Enders. They said that Internet shows have greater freedom than TV shows and for those people wishing to start something up, online is a good place to get a stage. Check out the website of Media Literacy if that interests you.

I then learnt about low budget dramas from writers Jack Thorne, Toby Whithouse and Tony Roche, who have written for Cast-Offs, The Thick of It, Being Human and Shameless (which is my current obsession and I think everyone should watch it). When writing, think about cast size, costumes, stunts and a good night/day balance.

I learnt that a commercially successful TV series has a good format, compelling characters and a unique, but clear, world.

Unfortunately, I didn’t take notes for the last talk, which was called ‘The Alchemy of the First Episode’. The first episode is very important – if it’s rubbish, no one will come back. It needs to be attention grabbing and set up the story and characters. I can’t remember much else, I’m afraid. Sorry – I wish I’d taken notes!

Since then, I’ve snoozed my way through the last weeks of school and started actually writing. It’s not going very smoothly – writing a longer piece of work is SO MUCH HARDER than a short film. So I’ll stop writing this blog and carry on with the screenplay. Toodle-oo for now!