Advanced TV Development Workshop for NEM in Zagreb

I just had a fantastic time in Croatia! I was invited by NEM ZAGREB to deliver a 3-day workshop starting with the first day of my 3-day Advanced Development Workshop as an introduction to the Story-Type Method, followed by my new module on TV Series.

The workshop took place over the whole conference, which had a busy schedule focusing on the European TV market. The conference was hosted in the Esplanade Hotel and welcomed more than 400 participants and speakers coming from around the world.

The participants selected for the workshop were writers, directors, producers and story editors from Croatia and Slovenia working for Nova TV, Pop TV and MIR Media.

One of them was the talented Daria Kersic, who won the TV writing contest in the scripted category with her project Dream Hackers. The group was lovely and Zagreb is a wonderful city: impressive Christmas decorations at night, and vibrant city centre during the day!

Here are a few testimonials from the participants of our TV Series Workshop

The course had more jaw-dropping moments than Game of Thrones.

To sum it up in one word, INSPIRING! The content was on point and helped make it easy for me to categorize and break down a story that I was struggling to tell. When I get stuck at a certain point, be it treatment or bible, I search high and low for a spark or key to unlock the issue so that I can move on. I now feel like the janitor walking about with a master key, no longer intimidated by the daunting task of holistically bringing everything together in a single document. That’s a powerful tool to have in anyone’s arsenal.

Danny McCafferty

Meticulously designed to make every bit of information comprehensible and enjoyable!

I am blown away by the attention to detail and care that was shown by Emmanuel in constructing this course. I have never been on a writing course that is so meticulously designed to make every bit of information comprehensible and enjoyable. It took one week with Emmanuel for me to understand story design, character and structure at an in-depth level I didn’t think was possible to attain in such a short time. I can’t wait to get stuck into my TV pilot knowing I have all the tools and material I need to make a compelling show.

Tania Notaro

Excellent, insightful and practical

Emmanuel’s approach is comprehensive, insightful and gives you the tools to design, test and troubleshoot your scripts or any Story writing project you undertake. The course is intensive and you really need to cover the material – not only the minimum trailers and first episodes or seasons but also preferably the full Series of the case studies to get a complete appreciation of the principles involved. It has given me food for thought, ideas on how to approach my projects and I’m looking forward to troubleshooting the projects that need rewriting. Thank you Emmanuel!

Tom Halton
HMHmmmmm Limited

Thoroughly recommend this inspirational and practical course

The structure of the TV show you aspire to write – broken down for you, by a professional. That’s what this course achieves. It is extremely well researched, and uses very up-to-date references as examples of each story type. The tone of the live training is informal, humorous but practical and straightforward. Emmanuel Oberg is a professional in screenwriting who knows his subject inside out, explains it in great detail, and he also uses visual diagrams to represent some of the more complex elements. I left this course excited about my project and would thoroughly recommend that anyone who aspires to TV screenwriting take these workshops.

Dara Flynn

Great Experience

I had high hopes for this course, that I would gain certain insights on how to progress my own project and learn what approach to take with different types of stories . This online course surpassed my expectations. I found it interesting and full of worthwhile information that I can use in a practical way going forward. I would certainly recommend it to anyone with an interest in the area.

Mark Hayes
Clear Haze Limited

A Toolbox Filled to Bursting

An excellent experience. Emmanuel doesn’t preach a magic formula for writing success, instead he presents a flexible set of dramatic tools that can be applied to any genre, format or process and which are far, far more helpful than any rigid creative doctrine. The course was both enjoyable in its own right and insightful on its topics. I would highly recommend it to anyone, regardless of your position in the screen sector.

Adam O'Keeffe

A superb and refreshing online course!

‘Writing a Successful TV Series’ is a superb online course. The story-type method is a refreshing approach, driven by dramatic conflict rooted in causality and understandable character action, reaction and evolution. It is a welcome alternative to the plethora of other structural analyses out there that often appear to strive for adherence to time-based units of progression without prioritising the internal dramatic engine. I absolutely agree with the idea of the fractal aspect of storytelling at season, series, episode, sequence and scene level – nature is built on fractals so it makes complete sense that drama that resonates with us is too. I would thoroughly recommend the course for any aspiring and indeed many experienced writers.

Dominic Wright

Brilliant step by step guide in how to design a TV series

For a total novice, only started in TV writing and intimidated by the gargantuan task ahead of me, I really needed a course like this.

Emmanuel broke down the elements into fresh, manageable parts, posed all the right questions, explained their importance and challenged me to think more deeply about the ultimate question‘ – What’s really at stake ?. It really opened my eyes to both the flaws and opportunities in my project.

In terms of the online course. As someone with patchy or no WiFi during the days allocated to the workshops with Emmanuel, I had to speed watch whenever I got a chance. I found it overwhelming so I would recommend taking your time with his excellent video instructions and rewatching the videos again and again before taking the tests.

I would strongly recommend that you buy his book Screenwriting Unchained. It compliments the course and helps you to make sense of the large body information provided online.

Lisa Callanan

A fabulous insight into the structure of TV Series

“Writing A Successful TV Series” online course, provides a fabulous insight into the structure of TV series and how to troubleshoot your project. Emmanuel covers everything from story structure to constructing your own series bible, using great examples and case studies of some successful TV shows along the way. The blend of self led modules and online workshops and Q&As is an excellent way for everyone to work at their own pace. Highly recommend this for anyone looking to learn more about structure and design.

Heather MacLeod

Easy to grasp and use in relation to your own work

Emmanuel breaks down story structure in a fresh way that really opens up the process of writing without hindering you with set rules and page numbers. His deep dive into case studies made his concepts immensely easy to grasp and use in relation to your own work. I highly recommend his courses to really get that extra personal level he brings to the live lectures and Q&A’s.

Graeme

Helping me to understand and appreciate the stories I want to tell.

Emmanuel’s passion for storytelling throughout the course was infectious from the get go. Having such an engaging tutor was a huge help to me in bringing my own stories to life.
Sign up for his course today; you won’t regret it.

Paddy C. Courtney

Fantastic and in-depth course on the fundamentals of story and structure

I really enjoyed this course and think it will change forever how I approach writing and watching TV and film. I’ve read a lot of screenwriting books and almost all point to a narrow and often contrived approach to writing which never really sat right with me. Now, I understand why. There’s a lot to unpack and I’ll be digesting the information for a long time to come, but overall I am coming away with permission to be more creative, while meeting the constraints required for screenwriting production. Thank you!

Nicola Cassidy

Thought provoking and practical

I found the ‘Writing a Successful TV Series’ hugely informative, thought provoking and practical in terms of giving you an additional ‘toolset’ for the development of stories. The case studies are excellent, and feature a forensic level of analysis of dramatic structure in hit TV serials. Highly recommended!

Bob Jackson

Great!

I did this course online and loved it from start to finish. I think it gives writers a very clear understanding of some really useful tools which can be used to design a story/storylines or to diagnose why a story might not be working and how to fix it. I loved having the ability to pause and rewind and take notes at my own pace. I also found the quizzes at the end of each module and the feedback on right/wrong answers super useful. I think I will come back again and again to all I’ve learned here.

Fiona Diver
Writer

A deep dive into story structure

“Emmanuel’s course is like a deep dive into story structure. You think you’ve got it mastered and then you realise how much more there is to learn. I feel so much more equipped as a screenwriter and script reader after this course.”

Niamh O'Connor

Excellent course for those who work with story

Excellent course for those who work with story – writers, directors and producers. Goes direct to the fundamentals which can get lost in ‘development jargon’. Can help kickstart a project revision or inspire a new one. Emmanuel is an engaging and insightful teacher.

Imogen Murphy

Creating a common toolbox for writers working together

TV Series is a wonderful aid for writers and producers working together. Since completing the ADW in 2018, and the TV Series course in 2020, I’ve come back again and again to Emmanuel’s methods when troubleshooting my own work or steering others in development. Recently, along a group of writers I’m working with, I completed the latest online TV Series course. It has created a common language with which to discuss story issues and character development that has been invaluable in shortcutting how we communicate. The course is thorough and well presented, with clips and case studies that make it easier to put these gems of writing wisdom into practice. Emmanuel’s methods put the audience at the heart, helping the writer to amplify their message and maximise the chances of getting their story out into the world.

Bláthnaid de Róiste
Danú Media Teoranta

A brilliant and comprehensive one stop shop

I was a novice writer coming into this course with a head busting full of ideas. This course helped to focus my ideas and give them direction, steering me away from wasting my time. It’s a brilliant and comprehensive one stop shop that cuts through all the excess and illuminates the path to writing your best script. Emmanuel is very easy to listen to and makes the journey of learning that good bit more enjoyable. Cúrsa den scoth! Nár laga Dia a lámh.

JJ Ó Dochartaigh
Losta Plot

A great course

I recently completed the on-line course “Writing a Successful TV series” by Emmanuel Oberg. I found the course to be really comprehensive and practical. Emmanuel’s application and teaching of the ‘Story Type Method’ can be applied to every possible type of TV series genre including Hybrids. In fact it could be applied to nearly all screenplays as a very effective means of addressing problems in the script that might not be apparent to the Writer. Many thanks.

Brian Ó Tiomáin

An engaging masterclass in storytelling

With a background in documentary and podcast making for the BBC, I have always wanted to take some of the skills I have acquired over the years and learn how they might translate into visual storytelling. But I didn’t know where to begin. Then I did Emmanuel’s course and that soon changed. This course provides focus around the practical matters of how to go about developing your ideas for the screen; the different trends when it comes to writing a TV series, the importance of a strong bible, how to identify the type of story you have and what that means for how you go about telling your story. No stone is left unturned. The use of samples such as Stranger Things and Big Little Lies to further detail the points he was making was fantastic. I love the tone Emmanuel has by not coming across preachy but that he really wants your stories to be the best they can be. Emmanuel was engaging throughout and his passion for storytelling has definitely encouraged me to put pen to paper.

Proinsias Ó Coinn

An insightful, clarifying and fun workshop!

Emmanuel Oberg’s workshop offers an insightful and comprehensive way to approach tv series narrative and structure. His method is simple but very clarifying, a useful tool when dealing with episodes, pilots, bibles, strands, seasons, cliffhangers, franchise and all sorts of often confusing concepts even for the experienced film producer. It is also fun and I really enjoyed taking it. I can say that I feel much better equipped now to face the development of my series project.

Cristina Zumarraga

A great tool box to find your own approach

Emmanuel’s approach to dramaturgical structure is the right mix between craftsmanship and the knowledge that each project is individual. He gives you a great tool box to find your own approach.

David Keitsch
Komplizen Serien

Thanks, Emmanuel!

Of all the many international workshops I have done, I have rarely experienced one that offered such a steep learning curve. Thanks, Emmanuel.

Ivan Madeo

TV Series Workshop for CE Desk Latvia

The TV Series online seminar with Emmanuel Oberg in Riga organised by CE Desk Latvia, MEDIA office, was a unique experience, as it was the first professional training for writing TV series in this country.

It was a huge pleasure to organise it together with Emmanuel – all happened on a highly professional level – he was reachable 24/7 and solved any organisational issues promptly and easily.

The seminar was also greatly appreciated by the participants. Several of them said that these 3 days were like a month at a film school, all of them confirmed that having participated in the seminar will seriously improve the quality of their projects and all of them said they have a hunger for more!!!

Thank you very much for being the turning point of the TV series writing in Latvia!!!

Lelda Ozola

An enlightening experience

I did the Advanced Development Workshop and I really enjoyed the experience. It brought to the forefront the importance of a solid structure in order to enhance the impact of storylines without necessarily compromising creative expression. Emmanuel uses practical examples to breakdown the theory into practice which I found very useful. I would definitely recommend this course if you want to dig deep into the heart and soul of your story and give it legs.

Sinead Collopy
Screenwriter

Great tools

This workshop is great. Leaving you with many tools to help with redrafting and reassessing your bibles and pilots. Thanks Emmanuel. [TV Series Online Workshop for Creative Europe Galway, May 2020]

Paul Walker

Extremely enlightening and informative

Extremely enlightening and informative. [TV Series Online Workshop for Creative Europe Galway, May 2020]

Conor Matthews

Brilliant!

This 4 day online course was really enjoyable. Emmanuel presented it very well and it was interesting from start to finish. The tips and advice given to us will most definitely be used in the future and I appreciate it very much. Thank you. [TV Series Online Workshop for Creative Europe Galway, May 2020]

Niamh Ní Chualáin

Highly Instructive Webinar

I found Emmanuel’s course immensely beneficial. He combines an encyclopaedic grasp of his subject with a natural flair for communication and shares his knowledge with great generosity and passion. I was able to apply the information and insights immediately to my scripts. I could not recommend his courses more highly. [TV Series Online Workshop for Creative Europe Galway, May 2020]

Peadar Cox
Ros na Rún

I would definitely recommend it!

The workshop was so well-structured, easy to follow and it felt like the focus was put on just the right things. Even when you hear about the stuff you already know about, like Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, you see it in a different light and it gets you to think about your own projects immediately. I would definitely recommend it! [Advanced TV Development Workshop for NEM Zagreb]

Daria Keršić

This is the way to go!

If you want to dig deep and even deeper: this is the way to go. It is explained well, every step of the way, so you can apply what is thought.

Helen Perquy

Impressive knowledge!

I had the pleasure to attend two of Emmanuel’s workshops. His knowledge about the different screenwriting approaches is impressive and enables him to recombine and rethink them to a new approach. I highly appreciate his work no matter if you already know a lot about screenplays or not.

Arash T. Riahi

Helpful, necessary and stimulating…

A helpful, necessary and stimulating approach to structure! [TV Series Workshop for ACE Producers, November 2019]

Laura Gragg

Many thanks to Antea Andelic and Dora Turopoljac from Mediavision for their kind invitation and to everyone involved in making this first edition of the conference in Zagreb such a successful one!

Here is a brief recap video of NEM Zagreb 2019. If you don't blink, you might spot a few shots of this workshop about 15 seconds in:

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