TV Writing I is a ten-week workshop combining instructional lectures, writing exercises, and a detailed critique of student projects. This course serves both newcomers to television writing and experienced writers seeking to reinforce their foundational skills. A complete syllabus is available for detailed review below.
The most compelling television programs captivate audiences, drawing viewers to experience characters repeatedly through their screens, whether week after week or in continuous streaming sessions. These characters might be law enforcement professionals, educators, supernatural beings, technology enthusiasts, medical practitioners, attorneys, problem-solvers, or simply everyday people navigating ordinary life. The delivery format might be traditional broadcast, digital streaming, or independent web production. The key element is engagement.
Every successful television series functions as a unique storytelling apparatus with its own distinct logic and operational rules. This course teaches you how to write compelling television episodes and strategies for promoting your work professionally.
Whether you're interested in comedic series, dramatic programming, or hybrid formats, we'll guide you toward creating television scripts that captivate audiences and generate industry buzz.
Important Considerations:
- Professional television writers typically either contribute to existing show staffs or create original series concepts. Breaking into the industry requires a professional portfolio of scripts, either based on established programs or, increasingly, original work
- TV Writing I emphasizes developing "spec" scripts for existing shows, representing the most effective approach to understanding television narrative mechanics. TV Writing II Pilot focuses specifically on developing original series concepts and pilot episodes
- These courses address scripted television programming, distinct from reality television formats
This course delivers comprehensive training in television writing fundamentals and guides students through completing a full television script for an existing program.
Course Components:
- Comprehensive lectures on television writing principles
- Hands-on writing exercises and assignments
- Peer workshops and individual project presentation (each student presents twice during the course)
Online Course Structure
- Week 1: Fundamentals of Television Writing: Professional writing samples including spec scripts and original work; understanding TV series elements: format categories, core premise, episode structures including self-contained and serialized storytelling, multi-threaded storylines, recurring signature elements, character development, setting, overall tone, and thematic underpinnings; selecting appropriate shows for spec writing; methodical show analysis
- Week 2: Developing Episode Concepts: Generating compelling storyline ideas; mining both existing show material and external inspiration; deepening character exploration through vertical storytelling; orchestrating multiple concurrent storylines; leveraging expected and unexpected narrative turns
- Week 3: Structural Outlining: Identifying essential storyline turning points; fundamental plot structure; narrative outlines in prose form; dividing episodes into segments; developing step-by-step outlines; outlining strategies and best practices
- Week 4: Character Development: Deep analysis of recurring characters; character desire, including long-term and episode-specific objectives; strengths and vulnerabilities; distinctive personality traits; character relationships and dynamics
- Week 5: Technical Format and Description: Examining television script formatting conventions; managing descriptive passages effectively
- Week 6: Scene Construction and Function: Scene definition and purpose; essential scene guidelines emphasizing significance, character desire, and structural integrity; analysis of diverse scene types, including brief, moderate, and extended scenes
- Week 7: Dialogue Fundamentals: Creating naturalistic dialogue; the skill of compression; employing stylized dialogue when appropriate; specialized terminology and jargon; revealing character through speech; subtext and underlying meaning; stage directions
- Week 8: Dramatic and Comic Elements: Dramatic components including character complexity, emotional depth, suspenseful pacing, action sequences; comedic elements including character foibles, absurd situations, clever wordplay, physical comedy; balancing drama and comedy effectively
- Week 9: The Professional Writing Process: Understanding real-world television production practices; your personal creative process, including story development, narrative breakdown, scene construction, transitions, script length, and final refinements; quality assurance before submission
- Week 10: Professional Development and Industry Networking: Building a diverse script portfolio; breaking into the industry through professional connections, entry-level positions, representation by agents and managers, and production company relationships; identifying appropriate contacts; crafting professional query letters; responding to industry inquiries; participating in meetings; strategies for maximizing professional opportunities
Important Note: Course content varies by instructor and term.
About This Online Program:
- Online classes gather writers from around the globe to learn from Gotham instructors, New York City's most respected writing school
- Classes operate on an asynchronous basis, allowing participation any time, with courses advancing on a weekly schedule and specific weekly milestones
- Online participation is possible from anywhere with internet connectivity; while predominantly U.S.-based, our student population spans nearly every country
- Technical support is provided throughout the program
- Beyond schedule and location convenience, students maintain full access to course materials for downloading and archival purposes (content is text and image-based, not video)
