Unlocking Genres and Formats

As part of our Step up strand, we’re offering training to help individuals coming back into the industry after a break, moving into a new role or responsibility level, or improving skills in unscripted TV. 

Maintaining and developing a career as a self-shooting PD in unscripted requires an appreciation and understanding of the expectations of different factual genres. Participants will develop their understanding of how to unpick different genres and formats - from specialist factual, current affairs and observational to high volume factual entertainment and daytime programming. 

They will build their confidence in how they can adapt and present their skillsets and experience in ways that demonstrate to potential employers that they know what’s needed in different circumstances. 

Who it's for

Researchers, DV directors, assistant producers or PDs working in unscripted TV who are already confident and competent self-shooters and want to develop their skillset in different genres. But those that are not yet working as PD’s can also benefit. 

The majority of the Unscripted Skills Fund online short course offering is for those at early career stage and above. As a result, we generally require applicants to have at least three credits (unless working in a traditionally uncredited role). If you strongly feel you would still benefit from the training, please email USF@screenskills.com so we can assess if an exception should be made.

We are committed to ensuring all our courses are accessible to everyone. This course is designed to be as interactive as possible. Please email the above address if you have any access requirements and we will be delighted to help, be that clarifying the form such interaction is likely to take or discussing reasonable adjustments.

Trainer

The course is run by Ashok Prasad – who is an experienced programme maker and trained educator. A former Head of Documentaries at the National Film & Television School, Ashok has taught programme making at Westminster University and London’s University of the Arts as well as with programme makers at community groups and at the BBC. 

Ashok has more than twenty-five years of experience making documentaries, primetime specialist factual and current affairs films for major broadcasters. He has also worked on factual entertainment and popular factual programming and is well-versed in switching genres and adapting to the demands of the PD role in different situations. 

He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Authority and has a Post graduate Certificate in Higher Education. 

What it covers

The course will involve discussion and demonstrations using clips from various programmes. Areas covered include: 

• Unpicking the expectations and practicalities of different genres
• The importance of being flexible 
• Understanding tone, intention and format
• Working with presenters, experts and members of the public  
• Character and narrative
• Scripting, planning and preparation
• Filming sequences and controlled vs uncontrolled actuality 
• Self- assessment and selling yourself: demonstrating you have what’s needed

How to apply

This session will take place online via Zoom. Click ‘apply now’ at the top of the page and follow the instructions to apply for your place: you must login or register before you are able to complete your application.

If you need additional support to complete your application or require the application form in an alternative format please contact USF@screenskills.com

Places on these free online courses are limited and applications are often highly competitive. To stand the best chance of securing a place, please be sure to consider the following:

• When asked to list your three most recent credits, please include the programme title and your job role.
• When asked what you hope to gain from the course, please be concise but ensure you cover the specific elements of the topic you would like to gain knowledge of and what gaps in your skillset you believe the course may address. A rewording of the course title or a general comment on career progression does not tell us much about how this course would benefit you.

If you are no longer able to attend, we ask you to please use the 'decline ticket' function on the right hand side of the page so that we can release your place. Our sessions are often oversubscribed, so we’d like to give other freelancers the opportunity to fill available spots. Thank you for your consideration.

This session is supported by the ScreenSkills Unscripted TV Skills Fund which invests in training for the unscripted workforce thanks to contributions from broadcasters, SVoDs and production companies.

This course would normally cost participants to attend, but thanks to this support, we are able to offer it to you for free. If you fail to attend, we reserve the right to request reimbursement of costs, unless your place can be taken by someone else.