Co-writer of Sky 1's You, Me and the Apocalypse Mickey Down explains how to write for drama.
Last year he was on a panel discussion at the RTS Futures Christmas Party which focused on diversity in the television industry.
Here he reveals that avoiding cliché is key when writing for the genre.
Students were given the opportunity to listen industry experts about their craft.
From cameraman Steve Robinson describing how to portray personal moments on camera to editor of BBC One's The Missing explaining how a show comes together in the cutting room, the two-day masterclasses provided advice and insight into the television industry.
You could be forgiven for thinking that the award- winning screenwriter and producer, Jeff Pope, approaches his work by trying to find the most gruesome story possible.
This is the man who has made TV dramas based on the dark deeds of serial killer, Fred West, Moors murderers Ian Brady and Myra Hindley, and Britain’s most prolific hangman, Albert Pierrepoint.
From writing hit show Philomena to co-writing and executive producing Cilla and Mrs Biggs, Jeff Pope has had a successful career in the media.
He started out in television by working as a researcher at ITV's London Weekend Television in 1983. Years later he became Head of Factual Drama at ITV Studios.
In 2007 he won a BAFTA in screenplay for See No Evil: The Moors Murders.
At this week's RTS Student Masterclasses he told eager television students that dramas tend to be re-written about fifteen times.
Phil Ford has written almost 200 episodes of TV Drama. His work spans popular drama series, and dramas for young people. Together with Russell T Davies, he co-created and executive produced WIZARDS & ALIENS for CBBC and before that was lead writer on the DR WHO spin-off THE SARAH JANE ADVENTURES. He has also written for DOCTOR WHO and TORCHWOOD.
