The panel on writing for children's animation was held by ScreenSkills as the closing event for a ScreenSkills writing workshop.
The panelists are Myles McLeod (writer), Hannah Lee Miller (producer), Chris Rose (VP of animation production and development for Nickelodeon International), Evgenia Golubeva (director and screenwriter) and Catherine Salkeld (storyboard supervisor and storyboard artist). It was introduced by Abigail Addison, ScreenSkills animation production liaison executive.
Questions they answer and the points covered include:
0:00 - Introduction
6:57 - When you read a script, how do you assess it? How do you know if it's good or not? What are the qualities about a script that get you excited?
13:04 - The stages a story will go through when it's being pitched
15:52 - How do you get a foot in the door as a writer? How do you impress a producer or a director?
23:02 - What's the format of a script and how long should it be?
24:50 - What's the balance of original work and adaptations of existing intellectual properties (IPs)?
28:34 - What are the top five most common issues with animations scripts?
42:06 - What's the difference between live-action and animation scripts?
44:06 - Do you know what backgrounds the writers you [the panelists] work with come from?
46:11 - There are quite a few books on how to write for animation; are there any that the panelists would recommend?
48:35 - What's the biggest difference between a script for a low-budget and a high-budget animation?
50:05 - On the development side of things, how do new ideas begin?
1:02:27 - How do you keep a show fresh 300 episodes in?
1:05:43 - Do you have to be able to draw to write for animation?
1:06:17 - In the UK are original scripts preferred over spec scripts for TV series that already exist?
1:07:16 - Do you need to be based in the UK to write for a UK-made series?
1:07:47 - What would you expect to find in an animation pitch bible?
1:12:18 - Do you need an agent to be a writer for children's animation?
1:12:49 - How do I protect my idea?
1:15:50 - Goodbyes and favourite shows of the moment
About the speakers
Myles McLeod is a BAFTA Award-winning writer who's written on numerous children's TV series, including The Clangers, The Octonauts and Hey Duggee.
Hannah Lee Miller is a producer who has been in animation since she finished her master's in animation direction. Hannah is currently producing Peppa Pig with the original team and creators.
Chris Rose is the vice-president of animation production and development for Nickelodeon International. He started out in the BBC when Frankenstein's Cat was commissioned, working in acquisitions. He went on to become the development producer at Hit Entertainment, then commissioning editor at ABC Children's Television, then director of development and production at Beano Studios before his current role.
Evgenia Golubeva is a director for children's TV. She is currently directing a show for Blue Zoo Animation Studio called Millie and Lou. Evgenia is also a head writer, writer, character designer and illustrates books.
Catherine Salkeld is a storyboard supervisor and storyboard artist. Catherine's worked on a lot of preschool shows and has worked with and for such animation companies as Blue Zoo Animation Studio, Jellyfish Animation and Cartoon Saloon. Catherine has worked on shows such as The Adventures of Paddington, It's Pony and Digby Dragon.
About the event
This is a recording of an online event that took place on 18 March 2021. It was introduced by Abigail Addison, ScreenSkills animation production liaison executive, and supported by the ScreenSkills Animation Skills Fund with contributions from UK animation productions.
Further careers information
Read our job profile on being a writer in animation. Learn how to build an animation portfolio. Check out all our animation job profiles.