1. Understanding of
Script
Commissioning
IG1 – Task 2
By Charlotte
Bracken

2. Introduction
In this report I will show understanding of
script commissioning is and also describe in
detail of what process a script writer will go
through to the development of a script to be
forwarded for production using second
hand resources such as books, magazines
and websites which will contain all the
information I will need.

3. “Each offer sent to the BBC
Commissioning is clearly stated on the BBC for any Commissioning team is
screenwriters wanting a clearer understanding. It automatically and securely
explains what will happen to an idea which has been logged with a unique
reference number for your
sent in to the BBC Commissioning team. The BBC is
records following your
straight forward and gives specific details which submission. e-
people will find very helpful. It gives a section on Commissioning enables the
whether a person is eligible to register or not. It is BBC to handle the huge
volume of proposals it
one of the main places where people can freely send receives faster and more
in scripts which can give many people an opportunity effectively so producers
to start their career, if they had one in the media submitting proposals to the
BBC receive a quicker
business. I think the BBC is good for what it does as
response” (Online)
it is one of the worlds largest broadcasting
organisations.

4. “ITV today announced three
major new drama
commissions for 2011, written
and created by three of the
UK‟s leading screenwriters
Peter Morgan, Anthony
ITV‟s commissions part of the website seems Horowitz and Sally
more complex than the BBC‟s. It talks about Wainwright” (online)
“ITV Director of Television,
three new commissions which have been placed Peter Fincham, said: “ITV is
in ITV by “three of the UK‟s leading screenwriters increasingly building a
reputation for working with
Peter Morgan, Anthony Horowitz and Sally the very best writing and
Wainwright” (Online). The ITV doesn‟t seem to acting talent. These three
look for new talent in the screenwriting yet they new commissions, written by
three of the UK‟s most
seem set on using the very best writing talent. acclaimed screenwriters, join
This gives no one outside of ITV to show off what an impressive and varied
they have. range of drama for 2011,
alongside the likes of The
Oaks, Monroe, Kidnap and
Ransom, and the return of
Primeval.” (Online)

5. Channel 4 offers people to a chance to have script “We were looking for 12
talented, original and
they have wrote seen to and decide whether it is diverse writers who
original and good or it‟s copied another TV series with currently have no
the narrative. This offer is open every year for a broadcast credit but wish
limited time only as they look for a certain amount of to write for television
drama” (Online)
people who have talent of writing original scripts. This
gives newly formed talented writers a chance to work
with professional writers and develop new skills and
the chance to get „in‟ to the industry. Channel 4 in my
own opinion has set up a good idea and a great
chance for people who enjoy doing script writing and
which to get a career out of it. Not many stations
would give this opportunity only a few.

6. Screenwriting can be one of the easiest things in the world, if u have a
natural talent for it or an understanding of the structure and layout.
Some people need to develop their skills more when writing a script by
researching it within depth to get a more clear understanding. There are
many sources in the world which can help you undertsand more about
how to script write to professional standards via magazines, websites
and even books which I, myself have also used throughout my
presentation. The development of a script can seem very complicated
as you have to think of a main story line which involves the beginning,
middle and end what will hold a plot within. A main protagonist
(Character) is also important as most stories evolve around that
character because that single character will be in most scenes and will
have the plot, or story line based around them and their life. It helps
establish a story which can be more detailed and specific lining up the
narrative for the audience to follow. Some people in the world do not
get that successful in script writing where others go on to make TV
programs or soaps which are watched by a whole nation.

7. “a story is composed of three sections: a
beginning introduces a complication of a
character‟s life, launching the story. The
middle section presents developing action,
a series of revolutions and discoveries,
which drives the story forward. The end
resolves the story conflict, often through a
reversal of fortune for the main character!”
(Book)
This section of a book resource which I have looked at explains a brief explanation
which everyone seems to know about stories or screenwriting. If an idea of a story
did not have a beginning, middle or end then there wouldn't be no story so thinking
of the basics is one of the first main things to do. Each of the three main sections
have to be set with in detail to set the story, getting a better narrative for someone
reading the script is a better start as they can base a small image in their mind on
what the story will most likely look like and predict what will happen to decide
whether its good or not.

8. “Developing a character through story
provides the quickest way to a narrative
spine and therefore, a potential main story.
However, developing story through character
will provide you with a clear understanding of
the character‟s motivations and, therefore, a
potential plot and ultimately a main story.
Both routes work and both are regularly used
by different writers to arrive are essentially
the same position” (Book)
This quote can give the script writing a main direction on where to go. Having a main
„narrative spine‟ and having the main protagonist put into place and basing the story
around the character can often help people as its the quickest way to get a story. A
good script which will get looked at should have a main story and a good plot to keep
the reader of the script interested. Clear indications of what is expected of a script is
vital as a script needs to be the best it can be.

9. “If your script is „optioned‟ by a
producer – where they buy the
rights to exploit that property for a
set period of time- it will go into
„development‟. Here the producer
will discuss the script with you and
properly give you „notes‟ asking you
to rewrite or change certain parts to
their suggestions (if amicably
agreed) or demands (if not).” (Book,
Page 5)
When a script has been chosen, a
„collaborative process‟ will take place where
a producer will read it and possibly make
some changes. These changes must be
agreed before anything else happens. This
section of the source I have chosen gives a
brief insight on what is expected. The write
must be open to changes in the script.

10. “being a visual medium,
these „sometimes‟ are
visible actions and
desires that can be seen
on the screen – they form
the action of your story.
Expressing your story
concept will help you
achieve clarity about your
characters and the action
of your story” (Book,
Page 44)
This source gives the same information as most of the other sources I
have used. It is all based on screenwriting breaking it down and giving
individual tips which can help someone further along the way. Writing a
script to professional standards is not easy and straight forward as its the
little details you have to look out for. Again, the quotation taken from the
source talks about the character in the story as it the story is always
based around the character as it helps get an in depth feel on what the
story will be about and whether its original or not.

11. “Developing new ideas is the first
essential part of working as a
screenwriter. Most professional
screenwriters have upwards of
seven projects in various stages of
development at any one time. A
writer submitting storylines to an
existing television writers will be
expected to arrive with a minimum of
five ideas and may well work through
fifteen before one is accepted for the
series.” (Book)
Writing a script doesn't always come to someone as easy as it does with
others. So using a book like “The Art and Science of Screenwriting, Philip
Parker” is a good place to start as it helps the person work and understand
from a professional screenwriters perspective. Giving the person a better feel
for screenwriting. Writing a script professional standard can be tricky as you
have to learn what not to do.

12. “The success of a show does not
hinge solely on casting; HBO
(Home Box Office), for example
invest heavily in their writers, many
of whom are established
Hollywood scriptwriters. Writing is
considered integral to the
authenticity and integrity of the
show” (Magazine)
This section of the magazine shows and highlights
that the writers are very important during the creation
of a program. For a show to be a success, there has
to be a decent, well thought script behind it. Without
the script there would be no show. The Home Box
Office or the HBO invest in script writers especially
Hollywood scriptwriters. This can show people that
you have to have skill in script writing and have
professional standards. Starting off little can help you
go bigger. Hollywood seems to be a place where
everyone would like to end up someday as its one of
the main places who have the best programs and
even films.

13. Conclusion
After conducting all of this research, I have found out many things in order
to write a script and submit it to a broadcasting organisation. It can be very
simple, or complex depending on the organisation. To script write you need
to be very creative and open minded to write a good story which may later
on be changed slightly. Talent is one of the key ways in which to write a
good script. Even if you are not sure on what exactly to write or even
structure your script there is help all over which people can access. In my
own personal opinion, organisations just like the BBC, have opened
opportunities to many people in the public who have a gift or even want to
learn. Knowing there is a place where people can hand something of their
own work and for it to be chosen and read by professionals gives more
people hope in that they can do it. Reading all of the sources I have used in
my presentation of understanding of script commissioning, I have some
understandings in which the BBC has helped me more as the website I
have used gives detailed specific information which people will need for
their script. The books go in depth of what is expected in script writing and
doesn't give much on commissioning itself but still is very helpful and useful
in many more ways.