screenwriting

Matthew Bell takes notes as top screenwriters explain how to pen a hit drama

Although still early in his career himself, Brown has been making waves, having won the Bafta New Writing Prize of Drama in 2016, and been runner up in an Idris Elba-fronted writing competition, 'Write to Greenlight'.

Competitions are now key to breaking into the industry as a young writer, he believes. While in the past it was possible to get your break with a killer script and the right opportunity, now young writers need an ‘in’. Competitions, he believes, are the key.

Speakers included Sally Wainwright, creator and writer of Happy Valley; Rohit Kachroo, ITV News Security Editor; documentary filmmaker Rowan Deacon and Suzy Lamb, Head of Entertainment at Thames TV.

We've rounded up the very best of the day's tips in the video below.

The Screenwriting Goldmine Awards help talented British writers develop the right skills and contacts needed to break into the industry. The screenplays can be in film, TV drama or pilot in any genre.

The competition allows talented writers to have their screenplays read by over 33 leading industry professionals from the likes of the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and HBO. 

Entries should be submitted via the website at www.awards.screenwritinggoldmine.com.

The Write To Green Light competition aims to develop a major new television series from the winning entry.

The competition is being run in conjunction with Lionsgate UK & Europe and seeks to address a “huge shortage of undiscovered television writing talent”, said Lionsgate UK & Europe CEO Zygi Kamasa.

Within a few minutes of taking tea with television writer Peter Bowker, it becomes clear why he writes such effective dramas on subjects close to his heart. He is a people person: curious, observant and fascinated by family dynamics and human quirks. At one point, he suddenly directs a question at me, and I realise how easy it would be to open up to him.

Aged 57, born in Stockport – his strong northern accent is still intact – he also tends to end every other sentence with laughter. When he talks about his fictional characters, it is as if they are real.

Rob Gittins has written for TV and radio for 30 years, and is currently the longest serving writer for hit BBC soap EastEnders.

He has also written a number of novels, as well as contributing scripts to numerous other TV and radio shows. 

"Before my grandad died he used to ask me what I was doing and this pained expression would come across his face and he’d say ‘it’s no job for a grown man.’

“I still think it’s not quite the job for a grown man. We just sit and play.”

British TV institution Coronation Street celebrated its 55th birthday in December. After some 8,800 episodes, you might expect the old girl to be a bit doddery on her pins, but the ITV soap is in rude health.

Over the past couple of years, Corrie has fed its viewers a rich diet of murder, death and suicide.