BBC Writers Academy

About to enter its sixth year, the BBC Writers Academy is a major initiative aimed at discovering and training the next generation of writers for BBC One’s flagship drama series - EastEnders, Casualty, Holby City and Doctors. Eight writers are selected out of hundreds of applicants, to undergo an intensive fifteen month programme designed to equip them with all the skills necessary to write successfully for BBC Drama. The course entails classroom training, lectures from the country's best television writers, instruction in all aspects of television production and direct writing experience on the four BBC Continuing Drama shows. The course was started and is currently taught by John Yorke, Controller, In-House Drama.

History

Previous course graduates have gone on to become core writers on Casualty, Holby City and EastEnders. 90% of graduate are still in constant work with the department.

Content

1) Introduction to Writing for Continuing Drama Series

13 weeks training made up of: - Classroom lectures accompanied by intensive writing exercises, analysis and individual tutorials, led by John Yorke. - Guest Lectures from leading British TV writers including: Jimmy McGovern, Tony Jordan, Tony McHale, Alan Plater, Sarah Phelps, Ashley Pharoah. - Presentations from leading British Directors: Bharat Nalluri and Dearbhla Walsh. - Workshops in all aspects of television production including scheduling, design, production management, casting, editing etc., led by members of the department.

During this period each writer will also be commissioned to write an episode of DOCTORS.

2) Writing for Broadcast

At the end of the 13 weeks, if their individual Doctors episode is green lit for broadcast, each writer will be commissioned to write EastEnders, Casualty and Holby. During this time, they will be mentored by the Lead Writer on the show.

At the end of the 15 months, each writer will have written for each of the four shows. The BBC also has an option at this time to guarantee further commissions on the shows.