This course is for writers, script editors, producers and people with ideas for making television drama or feature films. It will take you through the process of practising and delivering a successful verbal pitch, which is a crucial skill to acquire for anyone wanting to work in the industry today.

Over three days, the course explores how best to develop drama proposals, script outlines or un-commissioned scripts and how to target and pitch these to potential financiers, sales agents and distributors.

It will make you think realistically about your ideas and give you a framework for going forward. If you’ve been struggling on your own, it will give you invaluable feedback, suggestions and ways of packaging your ideas.

Participants will come to the course with an idea for a TV drama series or screenplay at an early stage of development.

DAY 1 Begin discussing your drama with your fellow writers. We will ask: what makes a great TV drama or screenplay? Key breakthrough dramas will be analysed from both the streaming services and UK broadcasters. Emphasis on how character is crucial to every successful idea for drama. Overnight: write two scenes from your pilot or screenplay for discussion the following morning with a view to creating memorable characters as well as a strong narrative.

DAY 2 After sharing and discussing your scenes with your fellow writers and producers, we’ll look at your idea in the context of the industry today. How will it stand out among the competition? What is original in terms of genre and appeal to audiences? You will then rehearse your pitches, with your fellow writers as the first audience. Overnight: write a two-page summary of your series or movie which can be sent out to agents.

DAY 3. You will pitch your project to a leading Head of Development. This will be followed by career advice which will include how to locate the right production company for your project and finding an agent - how to get into the right room.

All discussion and practice of the work will take place in the atmosphere of a creative and supportive online Writer’s Room.

This course is led by NFTS's own Peter Ansorge (Ex-commissioning Editor and Head of Channel 4 Drama) whose award-winning career includes: A Very British Coup, Traffik, GBH, The Politician’s Wife, Tales of the City, Brookside and The Camomile Lawn.

Previous course participants said:

'Hugely insightful comments that developed my pitch - and project - in a positive way.'

'Peter's knowledge and experience was so valuable and he was generous in sharing both.' 'It was invaluable to get feedback from someone who was working at such a high level in the industry and was honest and tactful in his approach, feedback and insight.'