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Advanced Development
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Preparation and Resources

Hi there, Emmanuel here!

Let’s talk about preparation, available resources and how to make the most of this course…

‘Writing a successful TV Series’ is an add-on to the main Advanced Development online course / workshop, so you’re expected to be familiar with the method already. If you haven’t followed my Advanced Development Workshop or read Screenwriting Unchained recently, I highly recommend that you read the book or take the main Advanced Development online course before going through this add-on.

If you’re ready to compromise or just need a refresher, reading the free sampler of Screenwriting Unchained (first 60 pages of the book) is the minimum pre-requisite. It’s available as a free download in the Members’ Area.

Assuming you’re already familiar with the method, you’ll need at least a week to prepare if you want to make the most of this course as I recommend you watch a few series before going through the case studies (Modules 4-7).

It’s possible to do this preparation as you go through the first three modules of the course (Series Design and Project Development), but please be aware that the whole content is designed assuming you’ve watched these series before you start.

Here are the series I suggest you watch before following the course if you want to make the most of it:

The first season of the main case studies:

Stranger Things (Duffer Brothers)
Season 1, 8×50 min. Available on Netflix and on Bluray/DVD

Case study in ‘4. Developing a plot-led series’

Sex Education (Laurie Nunn)
Season 1, 8×50 min. Available on Netflix

Case study in ‘5. Developing a character-led series’

Big Little Lies (David E. Kelley)
Season 1, 7×50 min. Available on Amazon Prime, Google Play, HBO, Hulu, iTunes, NowTV and Bluray/DVD

Case study in ‘6. Developing a theme-led series’

And the pilot/first episode of these:

(if you mind spoilers, please watch the whole season)

Killing Eve (Phoebe Waller-Bridge)
Available on Amazon Prime, Google Play, Hulu, iTunes and Bluray/DVD
Case study in ‘3.2 Writing a Compelling Pilot’

Occupied (Jo Nesbo)
Available on Amazon Prime, iTunes, Netflix and Bluray/DVD
Bonus case study in ‘6. Developing a theme-led series’

Mr. Robot (Sam Esmail)
Available on Amazon Prime, Google Play, iTunes and Bluray/DVD
Case study in ‘7. Hybrids and Exceptions’

Fleabag (Phoebe Waller-Bridge)
Available on Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, iTunes and Bluray/DVD
Case study in ‘7. Hybrids and Exceptions’

Happy Valley (Sally Wainwright)
Available on Amazon Prime, Google Play, iTunes and Bluray/DVD
Case study in ‘7. Hybrids and Exceptions’

It’s up to you to source these series if you haven’t watched them already. I’ve chosen well-known titles that shouldn’t be difficult to find just about anywhere in the world on streaming, bluray or DVD.

For your convenience, we provide direct links to stream, rent or purchase these titles wherever they are available. Please note that some of these are affiliate links. We might earn a small amount if you purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you. Although we try to keep them up-to-date, availability fluctuates and some links might not work in your country. Please kindly report any broken link.

Spoiler Alert

If you mind spoilers, please make sure that, besides the first season of all the series listed above, you’ve watched the pilot of Transparent (J. Soloway) as we’ll use it to illustrate cliffhangers in topic 1.2, ‘Conventional Series Design’.

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