Becoming a television writer allows you to craft stories and characters that entertain or impact audiences. It’s a challenging yet rewarding career path for creative, persistent storytellers.
Writing for UK television – whether comedies, dramas, or other formats – requires talent and skill. But with hard work and savvy strategy, you can break into this competitive industry. If you dream of seeing your name in the credits of a buzzworthy show, here’s how to launch your TV writing career in the UK.
Hone Your Writing Skills
Naturally, exceptional writing ability is a must. Consider steps like:
- Take creative writing courses and workshops, either in-person or online. Identify strengths and weaknesses.
- Read screenplays to study structure, formatting, scene writing, stage direction and more. Deconstruct what makes them compelling.
- Write daily – follow the “1 Page a Day” rule to build a consistent habit, even if you’re busy.
- Start writing spec scripts for existing shows to practice capturing dialogue, characters, tone, and the show’s voice.
- Develop your storytelling craft by writing short stories, plays, novels, web series, etc. Diversify your writing portfolio.
- Read books and consume films and television voraciously to learn from others’ storytelling techniques.
Mastering writing fundamentals is an ongoing process. Never stop honing your ability to craft narratives that resonate.
Understand the UK Television Landscape
Success requires intimate knowledge of the UK TV industry landscape today. Make sure you:
- Know which channels and platforms finance and air programs – BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Sky, streaming services like Netflix and Amazon.
- Follow industry trends regarding formats and genres in demand.
- Identify production companies that produce the kind of shows you aspire to write for.
- Learn the business side – how shows make money, the development cycle, financing models, and more.
- Recognize key decision-makers like commissioners, channel controllers, and producers.
Understand the ecosystem you want to be part of. Having industry context helps you position yourself well.
Choose Your Genre
While versatile writing skills are an asset, specialized expertise in certain genres can help you market yourself. TV writing spans:
- Comedy
- Drama
- Soaps
- Sci-fi/Fantasy
- Children’s
- Crime/Thrillers
- Documentaries
- Animation
- Reality/Factual programming
Consider your talents and interests. Become exceptionally skilled within one or two genres to make your abilities stand out.
Develop Original Ideas
To generate unique, compelling stories:
- Draw inspiration from your own life experiences and anecdotes.
- Find inspiration in current events or cultural trends.
- Eavesdrop on interesting conversations or people watch in public places. Fictionalize real personalities and exchanges.
- Wake up early – those pre-dawn moments when dreams mix with reality often produce vivid insights worth capturing.
- Collaborate and brainstorm with friends – sometimes combining perspectives yields killer concepts.
- Peruse newspapers, blogs, and magazines for unusual real stories to spark ideas.
Creatively mining your world for inspiration leads to distinctive narratives. Keep an organized list of story ideas with potential character notes, settings, and plot angles. Revisit and build upon concepts over time.
Understand Commissioning
Getting a show made requires knowing how commissioning works. In the UK:
- Writers pitch concepts to TV channels or production companies.
- If they show interest, you develop an outline, proposal, then scripts for a pilot episode.
- Financing is secured and a deal is struck for a season order.
- During development, you collaborate closely with producers, networks, and sometimes on-screen talent.
- If successful, the show gets recommissioned for more episodes/seasons.
Familiarize yourself with the process so you can effectively navigate pitching, development, and production.
Start Local
Getting your start writing for local channels or regional productions can provide invaluable early experience:
- Research small local studios producing commercials and web videos. Offer your writing services.
- Look into opportunities with community television stations. These often accept volunteer writers.
- See if local news or magazine programs need script writing assistance.
- Inquire if regional theatres need help writing content, radio ads, website copy or other materials.
While modest in scale, these opportunities help you build a portfolio and connections that may open bigger doors down the line.
Pursue Entry-Level Writers Room Jobs
Aim to get your foot in the door with writing support roles:
- Writers’ PA – Assist the writing team with research, admin, scheduling, and script coordination.
- Script Reader – Provide notes and feedback on scripts under consideration.
- Script Editor – Proofreading and editing scripts for clarity, consistency, formatting, etc.
- Researcher – Dig up subject matter details to inform storylines and character development.
Take internships or shadow professionals when possible. Prove yourself in junior positions to work towards writing opportunities.
Continue Your Education
While not required, courses and degrees demonstrating writing proficiency can boost your chances:
- Degree programs – English, creative writing, television or media production, drama
- Short courses – scriptwriting, comedy writing, writing for television
- Workshops – writing labs, storytelling masterclasses, genre-specific seminars
- Screenwriting software certification – FinalDraft, WriterDuet, CeltX, etc.
Higher education provides specialized instruction, mentorship from professionals, and peer feedback.
Enter Screenwriting Competitions
Script contests offer exposure, feedback, and sometimes financial prizes:
- BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Competition
- BBC Writersroom – Comedy and Drama awards
- Channel 4
- London Screenwriters’ Festival Red Planet Prize
Successes can earn development deals, land you representation, or lead to writing gigs. Competitions indicate talent to the industry.
Get an Agent or Manager
Securing quality representation opens doors:
- Research UK literary agencies and talent managers specializing in television writers.
- Network to obtain referrals and get introductions.
- Attend industry events where reps scout new talent.
- Follow submission guidelines and pitch your unique voice. Convince them you’ll be easy to work with.
The right agent shops you to key decision-makers and negotiates lucrative deals on your behalf. Managers offer career guidance and packaging opportunities.
Network Extensively
Making connections leads to collaborators and champions:
- Attend TV festivals and markets like BBC Showcase, MIPCOM, and Edinburgh TV Festival.
- Join professional groups like Writers’ Guild of Great Britain to connect with peers.
- Follow relevant people on social media and engage thoughtfully with their content.
- Cold email producers and development executives – politely ask for advice – don’t directly pitch projects.
- Sign up for newsletters from production companies and talent agencies to stay on their radar.
Expand your relationships. Have conversations, not transactions. Over time, your network will yield next-level opportunities.
Collaborate with Others
Co-writing can be an effective strategy:
- Partner with producers who have stronger industry access and can package projects effectively.
- Team up with more experienced writers who will mentor you.
- Form writers groups and collectives to support each other’s career growth through accountability, feedback, and brainstorming.
- Connect with illustrators, composers, or digital artists to develop compelling proposals for animated or interactive projects.
Choose partners carefully – shared creative vision and work ethic compatibility are key. Leverage collaborations to complement skills.
Demonstrate Professionalism
Present yourself as a consummate professional:
- Exhibit stellar communication – follow up promptly, meet deadlines, and avoid excessive emails.
- Know when to stop pitching – don’t harass producers constantly.
- Take and apply notes instead of resisting feedback. Check your ego.
- Understand legal aspects like intellectual property, defamation, and clearances for any factual references.
- Be reliable and consistent – show up prepared and ready to work hard.
- Remain patient and persistent in pursuing your writing dreams despite obstacles.
Always act with maturity, integrity and grace. Earning a reputation for being talented and easy to work with will take you far.
FAQs About Becoming a TV Writer in the UK
1. What undergraduate degree is best for becoming a TV writer?
Answer: Useful degrees include English, creative writing, media production, drama, journalism, or communications. Coursework should focus on storytelling craft.
2. How important are screenwriting software programs for TV writers?
Answer: Extremely – TV writers use dedicated screenwriting programs like FinalDraft, WriterDuet, and Celtx for formatting. Proficiency gives you credibility.
3. What jobs lead to TV writing opportunities?
Answer: Researcher, script reader, writers’ assistant, script editor, content writer. Also screenwriting adjacent roles like video editor, story producer or literary agent assistant.
4. Should you pay for screenwriting contests?
Answer: Only enter reputable, recognised competitions that offer significant industry exposure and prizes. Research submission fees, judging process, and past winners before paying to enter contests.
5. How do TV writers find representation?
Answer: Research UK literary agencies with strong television departments. Follow submission guidelines. Network with agency assistants. Have an excellent writing sample ready. Pitch your distinct vision.
Conclusion
Forging a career as a television writer demands tremendous skill and persistence. But by relentlessly improving your writing abilities, immersing yourself in the UK television industry, seeking hands-on opportunities, networking extensively, and promoting your unique creative perspective, you can author the next hit show that captivates audiences.
Remember that every credited TV writer started somewhere. With focused dedication to your craft and savvy career strategy, you can progress from aspiring writer to showrunner. Believe in your stories and never waver from your writing dreams.
