Changing Feature to Series.

In my experience, the things studios or producers request can differ depending on which side of the ocean you're on. It also depends on how close you are to the producer/director. If you happen to be close friends with them, they might not be too strict about requirements.

If you're asked to write a 4 part tv series, then I would expect they want you to write all the episodes, so I don't think sending a treatment or bible would be particularly beneficial unless they want to be involved in the development from the start.

Scripts with a 3 page pre-credit teaser and 4 acts of 15 pages or 3 acts of about 20 pages seem to be the norm.

Since you are in the UK, I would recommend taking a look at http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/ for one possible way to do things right.

Hi Chris

I'm in the UK too. From what I've heard, and the scripts etc. on the Writers Room site, the actual scripts will be an hour for the BBC, more like 45 mins for commercial channels, with no particular requirements for teasers etc. Just write a damn fine story. I think they'll be more concerned with the big picture stuff like concept, character, the series arc etc. at the early stages.

Bibles/treatments and the like will be whatever the producer or commissioner wants, so ask them. And given Spooks took 9 years and umpteen different versions to get commissioned, I imagine they'll get a good hard going over...