Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland in association with MediaXchange is pleased to offer Series Accelerator. Run across 3 modules with internationally renowned tutors and contributing speakers, Series Accelerator is designed to build the key skills for developing and producing a TV series.
This programme is supported by Fís Éíreann/Screen Ireland through the Screen Stakeholders Funding Scheme.
“The mass of men,” said Henry David Thoreau, “lead lives of quiet desperation.” If you’d like to lead a life of noisy desperation instead, then check out this analysis of the core of comedy – The Comic Toolbox Masterclass, presented by John Vorhaus, author of the bestselling book, The Comic Toolbox: How to be Funny Even if You’re Not and The Comedy Writer’s Companion. You’ll learn everything you need to know about building comic moments; designing comic characters; rewriting and improving your material; collaborating well with others; and creating comic stories that actually work from beginning to middle to end.
Whether your background is sitcom or standup or sketch, writing for stage or screen or stream, if you want your comedy to stand out, this is the place to be.
Core Topics:
The effective development of a series requires a creative storytelling skillset, strategic positioning, and personality management. John Yorke has been behind some of the biggest hits in television and has distilled that knowledge into Developing a Series.
This course explores the core skills that go into creating and selling a TV series for either the local or international market. Focusing on exploring the role of the method of consumption in dictating story structure, how to develop a story, how to approach character arcs and characterisation, and take a deep dive into the key characteristics constituting all successful formats. We will look at the elements that go into creating a story bible, how to create them, and how to present them to broadcasters. Budget and logistics will be explored and how best to match concept with network expectations, and we will do all of that by getting you to create your own show.
Core topics:
Please be prepared to workshop an idea which you, or other participants, may bring to the table or which may be initiated during the sessions as part of the course work. This will be subject to usual industry practice IP and copyright provisions and the terms and conditions applying to the course.
A webinar series providing inspiration and insight by comparing and contrasting best practices as shared by US and international showrunners and executive producers of TV drama series.
Core Topics:
In each one-hour session a selected theme from each speaker’s creative process and experience will be examined, ranging across:
The forum will enable producers, writers, directors and executives to directly ask their questions and consider the applications to their own process.
Speaker details:
A confirmed list of speakers will be announced ahead of the start of the programme. Please click here for speaker bios and a link to previous speakers.
As the role of the showrunner continues to evolve, courses such as MediaXchange’s Series Accelerator programme are invaluable to screenwriters and producers wanting to add value to their projects through a better understanding of the TV development and production process. The particular inclusion of working showrunners and executive producers as guest speakers makes this programme a must for any screenwriter or creative producer serious about getting their own show greenlit. I found it excellent.
- Sheena Lambert, Series Accelerator 2024 participant
Aimed at: experienced creative producers, writers and executives who wish to gain further expertise in developing, writing and producing television drama series. Participants must have an industry track record with at least two paid professional producing/writing/executive television or film credits.
Participants must be available to attend the complete programme. Participants of Series Accelerator will be invited to apply for The Showrunner TV Drama Exchange, Los Angeles with MediaXchange. Click here to explore MediaXChange's showcase of professionals who have participated in the programme over the years.
Please note places are limited and we expect a high volume of applications.
This course is no longer accepting applications.
For further information, please email neil.murphy@screenireland.ie
Screen Ireland skills opportunities are open to all regardless of age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, civil status, family status and membership of the Traveller community.
