TV SERIES WRITING

And, ACTION! Get the ball rolling by meeting your super instructor, getting an overview of the course, as well as an introduction to your final assignment.

• Instructor introduction
• Final assignment discussion
• Housekeeping

Final Assignment: Series Pitch Document
In this final assignment, students will review their feedback on assignments and combine these to create a marketable pitch document for their original TV series concept.

Dive into Class 1 with the evolution of TV series writing and exploring the landscape of the current industry. Learn to identify the different types of productions and broadcasting platforms, from network to streaming, and gain an understanding of the role of a writer.

• Evolution of TV series writing & current context
• Productions & broadcasting types: Network, cable, streaming 
• Current industry trends
• A ‘Day in the Life’ of a writer
• Creative collaboration & teamwork

It’s time to go back to the basics. Build a strong foundation in structure, character development, pacing, and research. Finally, apply this fresh knowledge in a hands-on workshop where you’ll watch and analyze a pilot episode.

• The basics: Structure, character outlines, pacing
• Researching & analyzing series
• Comedy & drama
• Plot vs. character-driven plots
• Workshop 1: Go through a pilot episode (watched before class) with your instructor and analyze it from structure to motifs

Assignment 1: Craft a logline for your original TV show concept.

Discover how to generate ideas using brainstorming and conceptualization techniques, blend and subvert genre conventions, and identify core messages and themes in storytelling. You’ll further learn how to craft effective loglines for your series concepts.

• Brainstorming & conceptualization techniques
• Blending & subverting genre conventions
• Core messages & themes
• Crafting effective loglines
• Workshop 2: Divide into breakout rooms and share 3-4 original concept ideas with the class. Leave with one idea to develop further

Assignment 2: Create a character description

In Class 4 you’ll get into character basics. Explore the different types of characters, from protagonists and antagonists to supporting characters, delve into character arcs, and learn the difference between creating characters for comedy and drama.

• Defining antagonists, protagonists & supporting characters
• Character arcs & growth
• Creating characters for comedy & drama
• Case study analysis of characters
• Workshop3: Divide into breakout groups and share your original character concepts for feedback

Assignment 3: Create a character description

Now the characters are in place, time to build their world. Dive into set-up structures, creating effective character introductions, and understand the differences between series-long and pilot stories. You will also dip into target audiences and the marketability of your concepts. 

• Set-up structures & genre-related variants
• Character introductions
• Series-long show, pilot story, timeline
• Target audiences & marketability
• Anatomy of a scene
• Workshop 4: Identify story arcs of characters within an episode

Hot tip: Setting up an arc early gives you a clear direction for your story. Learn everything from defining story arcs, understanding the role of subplots, and adapting arcs to fit different genre requirements.

• Defining story arcs
• Story arc types
• Subplots & interweaving narratives
• Adapting story arcs for comedy & drama
• Workshop 5: Outline the main story arc of the pilot episode for your chosen TV show

Assignment 4: Create an effective storyline for each character in your pilot episode

Who doesn’t love a good bit of misdirection? Explore using foreshadowing to build suspense, employ red herrings to mislead audiences, and manipulate time in your narrative to create interesting and engaging storylines.

• Layered storytelling
• Foreshadowing techniques
• Red herrings & misdirection
• Temporal manipulation
• Workshop 6: In groups, flesh out the beats for your characters

Assignment 5: Take what you’ve discussed in the workshop and flesh out the beats. Provide a detailed progression of what happens to each character in the pilot episode. 

Time to give your character a voice! Learn how to develop an authentic voice for your character, write believable dialogue, and balance exposition in your storytelling.

• Developing authentic voices for characters 
• Writing believable dialogue
• Balancing exposition 
• Writing dialogue for comedy & drama

Get into the ins and outs of what makes a good teaser. Learn to apply teaser writing techniques, build anticipation, and identify key elements and strategies of successful teasers.

• Teaser role & purpose
• Teaser structures
• Teaser writing techniques
• Building anticipation & excitement
• Case studies: Examples of successful teasers

Assignment 6: Investigate the different types of teasers and outline your opening for your original concept

And to round it all off, explore the different season finale structures and learn to identify and avoid common mistakes when writing a finale.

• Defining the season finale
• Season finale structures
• Avoiding common pitfalls

Assignment 7: Write a few paragraphs outlining the shape of season 1 with additional areas to explore for season 2 and beyond

A script is only as strong as its pitch! In class 11, you’ll analyze examples of successful pitches and apply these insights to develop your own compelling pitch document.

• Pitch document sections
• Pitch examples
• Workshop 7: In groups, practice elevator pitches and brainstorm ways to enhance them

Out into the world! This final class will prepare you for everything ‘real world,’ from your portfolio, pitching techniques, and networking to agents and managers. This is just the beginning of your journey - good luck!

• The pitch & your portfolio
• Pitching tips
• Networking & professionalism
• Agents, managers, & representation
• The future of TV Series Writing