We're delighted to announce a call for applications for the fifth season of this popular course, supported by the Skillset TV Freelance Fund, which provides a unique opportunity for six writers to hone their television writing skills.

Over a six-month period selected participants will take part in a series of practical workshops to learn then apply the range of techniques used by writers, producers and script editors when developing successful television drama series such as Spooks and Waking the Dead. During the course each participant will write a 50-minute episode of an original six-part drama series with support and feedback from tutor Philip Palmer, an experienced screenwriter and script editor.

Nine workshop days are spread over a period of six months beginning on 2nd October 2008. Writers will be expected to meet deadlines for treatments, storylines and drafts between sessions. Throughout the course guest screenwriters and television drama executives, currently involved in developing new work, will read the work in progress and provide constructive feedback.

The 2008/09 course is now complete. The six writers who took part were:

Amanda Stonham

David Bishop

Ken Williams

Laura Watson

Nell Denton

Rachel Murrell