Screenwriting : Period Drama/Epic Family tv series by Dr Beverley Cooper-Chambers

As with any screenplay, you have to start with an action. Across the generations, what is this family seeking to do that ISN'T a reaction to the European colonists? Once you have that, the slavery and splintered family tree become obstacles in the collective "mission" of the protagonists.

What is the future the heads of this family envision for their children and descendants? As this vision and plan is passed down from generation to generation, how does the goal and the execution change? In any story, the evolution of the mission is the arc. What is the mission, and how does it evolve?

To me, it seems like the trick is to not let these characters be passive victims - but active creators of their own destiny, even as that destiny is routinely, completely blown out from under them.

The classic advice is to watch TV or movies with a similar premise and/or audience to what you have in mind and study what they do well.

is their a hook?

I can only speak of the UK. The young adult market is changing. A young adult differs incredible to what you might refer to as a millennial. They are less blaming of others. They have high morals about how you treat people but are far more forgiving than todays 30's up social media cultures that operate the blame your out mentality.

If you want to connect with a young adult audience focus on the story, it has to be relevant to them. I'd write a questionnaire and send it out to universities and ask if they would allow their students to fill out. Obviously you don't get a full demographic doing that but it helps understands some of your markets mindsets towards your subject matter.

Historically we see portrays showing certainly mentalities. Of course terrible things happened but also beautiful things happened. Todays young adults don't want to sit through a blame game. They don't identify with that kind of history anymore.

JMO of course I would question whether the subject matter is for an older audience. Unless you have a rabbit up your sleeve and a killer concept then go for it. All I can think of for that market is interracial love in a time that disapproved of it. Young adults will identify with empathy and naturally route for the protagonist's situation. Older generations doing terrible things ect Basically Romeo and Juliet. in the 1700's and the differences in todays culture about that. If you transposed that 1700's family in todays culture what would they think? they think it was amazing. They could walk freely, be paid, be treated with respect and love who they wanted. Sure this is not universal but in general it's the way thank god. So I'd look for a story that can be told in parallel. The same journey in different eras that shows how far humanity has come because it really has. It's not perfect and you can show that but mostly as far as young adults are concerned people are people and you judge on actions not appearance and then you forgive anyway.

I'd just concentrate on craft & execution.

That other stuff- marketing - is not your job. Besides, the endgame is using your spec pilot as a writing sample to get a staff job on an existing tv show. Maybe 3-4 years later in writer's room and building a track record, pitch the same spec pilot to Execs.

Liverpool would be fertile ground, being a port city with links to the dark history of the empire. Is there a particular angle you've been asked to focus on? Plus it's a very active city for production at the moment, we're basically Georgia.

Particularly (yes the pitch goes on) with the strong familial links that remain in the city dating back to slavery, and it's also the birthplace of William Gladstone, celebrated abolitionist... end of Liverpool pitch.

YOU COULD PUT JODIE COMER IN IT!

Liverpool was the largest Slavery port in England I think. Second to Whitehaven where they traded Slaves for Rum and Sugar. Jeffersons was founded on Slavery. They called it Dark Spirit which is a bloody awesome title for a show about Slavery if you ask me. Whitehaven also I believe was forefront in the abolition act of 1770 though I'm not sure why as the town was built on trading Slaves. Also there's the whole John Paul Jones invasion to sink the fleet.... end of Whitehaven pitch. I see you and raise you Jamie Sadler

Since you're in the UK, I start with the BBC Writer's Room. https://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/

There are also several other fellowships going on at Warner Brothers and ABC I think.

First, make the best work you can, then think about the target audience.

@KarenStark I shall fight no battle over who was the best at slavery. I concede, you monster!

...and I don't even know how the bass player from Led Zeppelin got dragged into it! How many more victims @KarenStark ?

It seems like you have two different sets of demographics stated in your post - the "young adult" market, and the "Family TV" market. I imagine those are two different types of demographics, and with two different types of general viewing needs and expectations.

For example, I'd imagine that the type of person who would generally watch Killing Eve, Skins, and Fleabag, might be different, and might have different general viewing habits than the type of person who would watch Downtown Abbey, The Crown, and Victoria.

So I think you should narrow down the type of demographic you are planning your show for, and then be crystal-clear regarding the mood and tone. For example, if the mood and tone are going to be "edgy"" and "solemn", then you need to be consistent with that mood and tone, or any other mood and tone you may choose, like the six shows that I mentioned above are.

Television audiences and demographics are pretty narrow these days, and I hope you find the right mood, tone, producers, and audience for your project. That sounds like a great subject matter, premise and period to explore - at least to me. Me personally....I'd write something like that as realistic adult material and intended for mature viewing audiences...and with violence, mature themes, sexual situations, and profanity. You may have a different mindset.

Best fortunes to you in your creative endeavors, Beverly!

Jamie, it's a bittersweet victory I have to admit! poor JPJ of Led Zeppelin, named after a bungling "pirate" who treated his crew so badly they went to the pub, got drunk then woke up the town because they refused to allow poor peoples homes to be burnt down. epic!

It sounds barbaric but on balance...

I don't know of a way to comfortably conclude that sentence.

… poor is poor no matter which country you live in.

...but for the spelling and pronunciation...