Unscripted TV development: development 101

Do you have a passion for unscripted TV? Are you brimming with ideas? Can you spot trends, subjects and/or people who would make great TV? Would you like to learn about the TV development process for unscripted TV show ideas?

Development 101 is the first of a five-part series of short courses that will do just that. In this live online session we will look at:

• Understanding the development process from end to end (ideation to greenlight)
• Understanding genre and the characteristics of different genres
• Ideation and delivering value in a brainstorm
• Changing the narrative on and off-screen – diversity and inclusion

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.

Who it's for

This short course series is aimed at entry-level and early-stage screen professionals who have an interest in working in unscripted TV development. You don’t need to have any prior industry experience.

If you're already working in development for unscripted TV, you may be interested in the upcoming Summits for development teams happening across the UK, run by Mission Accomplished with support from the ScreenSkills Unscripted TV Skills Fund.

What it covers

Attendees are recommended to attend the full series of five episodes to maximise their learning. There will be four instances of each, spread out between January and July, 2023. You can find more details and specific dates for the other episodes via the links below:

• Development 101 – See dates at the top of the page
• How to watch TV like you work in development
• Start your engines
• Talk of the town
• The perfect pitch

Course tutor

Perjit Aujla has 13+ years in factual TV as an RTS award-winning Series Producer, an Edit Producer and a former Head of Development. She has won commissions from Channel 4, Channel 5 and worked on programming as diverse as a Joe Wicks series for 4OD to the Bafta-nominated Cbeebies series Maddie's Do You Know. 

Based in Leamington Spa, Perjeet is a champion of the regions, producing and chairing local events on behalf of Women in Film and Television and RTS Midlands, where she is also on the committee. She has supported diverse off-screen talent via. Creative Access and the Channel 4 Trainee Scheme.  

How to apply

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

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.

Applicants must:

• Be over 18 years old
• Live in the UK and have evidence of the right to work in the UK
• Have completed full-time education