Updated Workshop Schedule

WRITING A SUCCESSFUL

How to Pitch and Develop Projects For Television and Online Streaming

An Advanced Development Workshop Designed by Emmanuel Oberg for

Online, May 25-28, 2020 (Draft schedule: dates, content, case studies and film clips might change)

What’s In It for You? We are delighted to offer Irish TV and film creative professionals our workshop Writing a Successful TV Series, delivered online over four days. This module is an extension of our 3-day Advanced Development Workshop, which has been delivered successfully on many occasions in the UK as well as in Germany, Finland, Sweden, The Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, Norway, France, Croatia and The Czech Republic. Based on Oberg’s innovative Story-Type Method®, this workshop explores the crucial distinction between conventional TV Series formats and the actual story structure lying underneath. The aim of the workshop is to equip storytellers (writers, directors, producers, showrunners, story editors, development execs) with a detailed understanding of the principles at play in the development of a TV Series for broadcast or online streaming. The workshop puts a strong emphasis on each project reaching the widest possible audience, both at home and abroad, without compromising the storytellers' creative ambition. Using clips, examples and exclusive case studies from successful TV series such as Stranger Things, Killing Eve, Breaking Bad, Sex Education, Occupied, Game of Thrones, Money Heist, Big Little Lies, Fleabag, Happy Valley, Mr. Robot and many others, we’ll look at the flexible yet powerful tools and techniques needed to master this fast-evolving medium. Finally, we’ll explore how to create an irresistible bible, a compelling pilot, unforgettable characters and addictive storylines that audiences around the world will want to watch week after week once they’re hooked on the first episode... Important note: participants are expected to have either attended our 3-day Advanced Development Workshop (from October 2014 onwards) or read Screenwriting Unchained (www.screenwritingunchained.com), as this 2-day module builds on the theory introduced in the book and the main workshop. For more information please visit: www.screenplayunlimited.com

Workshop Overview: Over the first two afternoons, we’ll explore how the Story-Type Method can be used to develop a successful TV SERIES. We’ll talk about conventional paradigms focused on a logistical format, and then look at a more powerful and flexible approach based on story structure. We’ll discuss how managing information is used to generate an ideal balance between identification, suspense and mystery, all key elements for a successful TV Series. The following two afternoons, we’ll go through case studies of successful TV Series. Although most series tend to have a strong theme-led element and to be multi-stranded in some way, we’ll see how it’s also possible to develop TV Series that are more clearly character-led or plot-led, as well as hybrids or exceptions. Throughout the workshop, we’ll use many clips from produced series to illustrate various tools and techniques. To make the most of the course, the following series/seasons should be watched before the workshop: · Occupied (2015-2019): Season 1, 10x45min, available on Netflix in most countries and Amazon. · Sex Education (2019-): Season 1, 8x60min, available on Netflix. · Stranger Things (2016-): Season 1, 8x60min, available on Netflix.

In addition, if you can find the time, please watch at least the first episode of the following series: · Fleabag (2016-2019): Season 1, 6x30min, available on Amazon Prime and on DVD/Bluray from Amazon UK. · Happy Valley (2014-2016): Season 1, 6x60min, available on DVD/Bluray from Amazon UK. · Mr. Robot (2015-2019): Season 1, 10x45min, available on Netflix. · Killing Eve (2018-): Season 1, 8x60min, available on Amazon Prime and on DVD/Bluray from Amazon UK.

Workshop Schedule: Day 1 – Monday (14:00 – 18:30) DEVELOPING A TV SERIES WITH THE STORY-TYPE METHOD®: Introduction, Trends and TV Series Design In this first session, we look at the way the Story-Type Method can help us to develop a TV Series, specifically: · Different Types of Series: Serial, procedural, limited etc. · Superficial Series Design: It's All About a Logistical Approach. It’s important to understand this conventional approach because it still shapes most of the discussions around TV Series development. · Underlying Series Design: Let's Talk About Dramatic Structure! Especially the importance of the fractal aspect of story structure in TV series design, and how managing information is often what makes or breaks a series. Group work: What’s Your Type? Clips: Brent Forrester on Comedy Writing, Transparent (J. Soloway), Stranger Things (The Duffer Brothers), Friends (D. Crane and M. Kaufmann) Day 2 – Tuesday (14:00 – 18:30)

® DEVELOPING A TV SERIES WITH THE STORY-TYPE METHOD : In this second session, we’ll focus on project development: · Pitching and Developing an Irresistible Bible · Writing a Compelling Pilot / First Episode · World Building in a Series Clips: Brent Forrester on Comedy Writing, Transparent (J. Soloway), Stranger Things (The Duffer Brothers), Friends (D. Crane and M. Kaufmann), Killing Eve (P. Waller Bridge)

Day 3 (Wednesday, 14:00 - 18:30)

DEVELOPING A PLOT-LED SERIES Most procedurals fall into this category, but many serials too. Let’s see how we can handle the most classical story-type without being formulaic. Case Study: To be revealed during Group Work “What’s Your Type?”

DEVELOPING A CHARACTER-LED SERIES Although less common than plot-led and theme-led series, character-led series are alive and well. A series based on the transformation of a main character can be just as gripping as one based on a tense plot. Plus, the two are not incompatible! Case Study: To be revealed during Group Work “What’s Your Type?” Day 4 (Thursday, 14:00 - 18:30)

DEVELOPING A THEME-LED SERIES In this session, we’ll take an in-depth look at a theme-led (multi-stranded) series, which tend to dominate the modern series world. Many contemporary series are theme-led or have a strong theme-led element. Case Study: To be revealed during Group Work “What’s Your Type?” Group work: Getting Stranded

DEVELOPING A SERIES AS A HYBRID OR AN EXCEPTION Some of the most successful series are hybrids or exceptions. In this session we’ll explain how they successfully break the “rules”. Case Studies: To be revealed during Group Work “What’s Your Type?” Bringing It All Together (if time permits)

THE REWRITE STUFF: 12 WAYS TO A STRONGER SERIES Conclusion

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