Animated Series Development 101:
SHAPE YOUR SHOW

What belongs in a series bible — and how to achieve it.

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Course features
  • Author: Natasje van Niekerk
  • Level: Beginner to Advanced
  • On Demand Modules: 5 x 40 mins
  • Self Study time: Student dependent
  • Author: Natasje van Niekerk

A note from me

Before you spend money on consultations, development, or artwork…
put your idea through this process first.

Use this framework to shape your series.
Let it hold your thinking.
Let it show you what’s working — and what isn’t.

Then, when you’re ready to go deeper, you’ll know exactly what you’re developing.

This is a 5-module, on-demand course designed to help you understand what goes into a series bible — and how to begin shaping your show in a clear, structured way.


We’ll walk through each part of the series bible together, unpacking what it is, why it matters, and how producers and studios will read it. Along the way, you’ll start building a basic series bible for your own idea — not a final, polished document, but a strong, practical framework.


This is not a deep dive into development.

It’s the step before that.


It’s where you:

  • shape your series
  • bring your ideas into focus
  • and understand what your show actually needs


This is your starting point.  Your foundation.  The first step in turning an idea into a show that works.

A little note from me... Before you spend money on consultations, development, or artwork: Put your idea through this process first.


Use this framework to shape your series. Let it hold your thinking, and finally let it show you what’s working — and what isn’t.


Then, when go deeper, you’ll know exactly what you’re developing.

WHO IS THIS FOR?

Writers who are starting out and don’t know where to begin

Creators with a messy or overwhelming idea who need structure

Anyone who has a draft bible but wants to organise their thinking

Writers who want to understand the lens through which producers evaluate a show

the best way to catapult your idea to concept... and your concept to series.

Animated Series Development in your words

"Animated Series Development gave me the framework to go from a "barely-there" idea to a pitch-ready TV series.
I learnt a whole load and got to talk cartoons with a bunch of other big kids like me!"
alex english - published author
"The Series Development Bootcamp exceeded all my expectations.
Natasje is incredibly knowledgeable and supportive. I left with a solid series concept, which I used to apply for funding for further development. This course is a must for any aspiring series creator."
zainab balami - children's producer
“This is a great experience! Series Development demystified the how’s and why’s of how things work for young audiences with hands-on examples and a supportive class environment.”
CIARAN LUCAS - CONCEPT ARTIST, writer, show developer
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Facilitated by

Natasje van Niekerk 

SCREENWRITER - STORY EDITOR - SERIES DEEVELOPER

I’m a screenwriter, story editor, and series development specialist with over 20 years’ experience working across television and film.


I began my career in live action in 2003 and moved into animation in 2006, where I trained under Clive Endersby. Since then, I’ve worked as a screenwriter, head writer, development writer, and story editor across a range of projects, helping shape stories from early concept through to production.


I also spent seven years at the Film Commission as a script editor, where I worked closely with writers and served on multiple evaluation panels — assessing projects for development and funding. That experience gave me a deep understanding of what makes a project not only creatively strong, but viable in the industry.


Alongside my professional work, I run The Storyteller Pod, where I teach and mentor writers in animation and long-form storytelling. I’m particularly drawn to helping writers find clarity in their ideas and build stories that actually work.


Because I’ve been the writer with the empty well — and I know the difference it makes when someone helps you find your way back to the work.

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