Script development on unscripted television: Grand Designs and the spectacle of the reveal

How do you develop a script for factual television? There is scant written about the process, and the audience often assume there is no script. This chapter discusses the mechanics of script development for unscripted television, from preproduction to postproduction. It examines the skills required and the challenges facing factual television in the fast-paced digital media landscape. The chapter uses a case study of Grand Designs, the international design/architecture series. The chapter offers insights into the longevity of Grand Designs and demonstrates how new and traditional storytelling methods, such as the hero's journey, function to ensure the viewer is hooked. It will argue that the success of Grand Designs can be attributed to three intersecting factors: (1) the production team, (2) the presenter and (3) the format. The author draws upon her professional experience and interviews with producers/directors to offer insider knowledge on the script development process within factual television.