Lost For Words: How to Write Your First TV Pilot (Your First Good One)
Pilot writing, to quote an EP-level friend, “is some Jedi-master shit.” I agree, but sadly, the days of that spec Sopranos landing you a job have long passed. Ya want a job? You need a damn good pilot, and writing one can be torture. So let’s learn how to do it right, taking a pilot from concept to break to finished draft. We’ll cover such topics as:
• Writing for you vs. writing for the reader.
• Know your audience: cable, network or cable-y network?
• Genre, and how to be original without being too original.
• Act structure vs. act-out structure. Yes, there’s a difference!
• Breaking story and learning to really use the board (hint: note cards!).
• Operational Theme: what the hell is it, and why don’t I have one?
• A break isn’t an outline isn’t a script.
• Why you should still write a spec Masters of Sex or Good Wife, etc.
• As promised, we’ll also talk oodles of career strategy.
Topics like: positioning yourself with jobs on shows, applying for
writers’ programs… and how to cozy up to successful writers who will
champion you in the days to come.
• A lot, lot more!
Note: You don’t have to be Sorkin, but please have at least one script
under your belt. You need a basic understanding of character, plot,
and theme or you’ll be lost. For words. Ba-dum.
Note #2: Come with an original pilot in mind — at any stage, from
idea to outline to finished draft. The more you can apply class material
to your material, the more you’ll learn.
Maybe a little blurb here like, all classes are run by Jordan Rosenberg with a shortened bio. Details of class location and everything you need to know will be supplied once you are registered. Blah blah blah.
Or maybe not, this can be removed. :)