“Consult This: Getting Started in TV – Writers & Producers” – January 9th, 2009

This time Film Independent hosted a seminar concentrating on how writers and producers break into hour-long scripted dramas. Brian Peterson (Co-Executive Producer, SMALLVILLE) gave out a few pointers to would be TV spec writers (like me) between dishing on the brutal truth of writing and producing a network show.  A few of the best tips:

  • You have to be a fast writer. Usually you get 2 weeks to script an episode but 3 days isn’t unheard of.
  • Have no more than 3 lines of action ever. If it starts to look like a block quotation, consider a job with Encyclopedia Britannica.
  • It seems like everyone can write decent dialog (Really? I find that hard to believe.) but they all forget the emotion.
  • Focus on the main characters. This isn’t a minor character’s time to shine.
  • Use every location twice. It shows you know the show and can write within the budget.
  • Don’t have more than 2-3 people per scene. More people means more money spent.
  • Don’t save your best hook for the end of the episode; use it at the end of act one.
  • Don’t try to keep ahead of the show’s weekly developments. Couch you episode in the previous season. This shows you can work within their parameters.

    • Honestly, that last one struck the loudest chord in me. If you’ve been following this blog, you know I’ve been trying to write a spec for TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES but have yet to finish it because I’ve been fighting to stay ahead of show. Unfortunately, once I have my spec plotted out, something happens on the show that forces me to alter my structure or my b-story or consider another character or… you get the picture.

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