Story Room Skills - How to Show Up, Stand Out and Serve the Story Room

Story Room Skills- How to Show Up, Stand Out and Serve the Story Room  

National Talent Academy Film & TV Drama, with ALTAF TRAINING, present Story Room Skills - How to Show Up, Stand Out and Serve the Story Room on a Continuing Drama, a new practical course equipping writers with the tools and understanding required to collaborate and contribute meaningfully to the story room of an existing continuing drama.  

Course Overview  

 This 8-week course will emphasise real-world, room-ready skills: learning the show, generating pitchable ideas under pressure, brainstorming as part of a team, taking clear and actionable notes, writing up stories, applying notes, adapting quickly when ideas are reshaped or discarded, and using production constraints as creative opportunities.   

Through focused workshops and simulated writers' room sessions, participants will learn how to contribute meaningfully to ongoing story development. They will write their own stories, work together to make all strands fit the whole. 

Participants will experience the real world dynamics of a story and script department when paired participants from the Drama Researcher Course, working together on stories to flesh out the world with authenticity and colour.   

By the end of the course, writers will be prepared to enter any story room with confidence and the skills to collaborate effectively within the fast-paced world of continuing drama.  

Course Profile 

Participants will learn:     

• The role of a contributing writer and their place in the Story Team. 
• Creative tools to come up with new ideas alone or as part of the room.    
• Character development and creation  
• To showcase their skills while supporting the vision of senior creatives.  
• To collaborate constructively to shape and refine story, responding to notes. 
• Present and Pitch ideas clearly to other writers and higher ups  
• Apply learning through simulated writers’ room sessions and researcher interactions, gaining hands-on experience of the dynamics of a professional story room.    

Who Can Apply  

 Applicants must be:  

• Over 21 years of age (if selected proof will be required)  
• Living and/or working on the island of Ireland  
• Out of part-time or full-time education; recent graduates areHave  welcome to apply.   
• Have two or more writing or development credits on produced work, or the equivalent of two or more years’ professional experience in your role.

Once applicants meet the above eligibility requirements, anyone currently working in or aspiring to work in live-action drama film and television is welcome to apply.   

The course is suited to:   

• Emerging or experienced writers looking for an entry point into continuing drama.   
• Crew and cast interested in a move into pre-production.   
• Script-Editors who would like to enhance their story problem solving skills.   
• Individuals from underrepresented or underserved communities whose lived experience could add depth to Irish drama.   
• Writers who have entered a story room before but lacked the skills to secure a return invitation.  

We particularly welcome applications from individuals from marginalised or underrepresented backgrounds, including those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, women, LGBTQ+ people, members of the Traveller community, migrants, and people from other ethnic minority backgrounds.     

Dates and Duration  

The course will take place online, one evening per week (approximately 6:00–9:00 pm), on the following dates:  

• 2nd/ 9th/ 16th/ 30th November 2026 
• 7th/ 14th December 2026 
• 11th / 18th January  2027 

Please note: Homework (max 1-2 hours) is assigned allowing viewing, writing and reflection that will be discussed the following week.    

Please make sure you can commit to the majority of these dates before applying.    

How To Apply  

Applicants must apply by completing the application form HERE   

This application form will ask you to supply an open access sharing download link to the following materials/documents (Google Drive or Dropbox recommended):  

• CV, detailed professional/work biography or a detailed summary of work and credits to date (up to 2 pages or filmed statement of up to 3 minutes).    
• A Personal Statement detailing how this initiative will progress your career (up to 2 pages or filmed statement of up to 3 minutes).    
• Links to examples of your written work, if applicable.

Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.    

The deadline for applications is 28 September at 12 noon.  

Selection Process   

The applications will be assessed by a panel which may include representatives of the National Talent Academy for Film & Television, ALTAF TRAINING, and independent external assessors.    

Further Information:  

For any questions, please email filmandtv@nationaltalentacademies.ie      

Cost associated with access requirements will be covered in full by the NTA Film & TV.    

The NTA Film & TV reserves the right to make amendments to this initiative subject to funding, production landscape and health and safety requirements at the time of delivery.    

The National Talent Academy Film and TV is an initiative of Screen Ireland managed by Ardán.