Writing for Television

This course provides an overview of two important television writing skills: the creation of a pilot for an original series and the writing of a “spec,” which is writing an original idea for a television show that currently exists (a requirement in the pursuit of employment as a TV writer). Students will intensively study the structure, character build, template, theme, and franchise involved in the development of TV shows (both half hour and hour long), as well as learn about the current business of TV. Since this is an intensive writing and workshopping course, students will be required to submit work to and to give constructive criticism to their fellow writers.