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CAREER COUNSELOR
Television Writer
Question: I read your November 2004 article on script resources and found it very informative. But I have a question: How is writing for television different from writing for movies? What is the best way to break in as a T.V. writer? Are there any resources specific to television writing that you can recommend?
— Connie
Response: Some differences between writing for television and writing for feature films are quite obvious. Feature films are generally written and produced one at a time. A television series is produced one season at a time. A season could consist of up to 26 episodes. That's a lot more pages of script. The format of the script for television programs is also slightly different.
There is one thing that television and feature film writing do have in common. There are no education, training or credential that will make you more employable as a writer.
The word on the street is that the simplest way to break into television writing – especially comedy – is to go to Harvard University and write for the Harvard Lampoon.
Breaking into television writing
One tried-and-true way to break into television writing is to begin work as a production assistant (P.A.) on a TV show. If you do a great job and are well-liked, you may be promoted to "writer's P.A." This will give you the opportunity to perform menial tasks for the writers on a show.
The next step on the ladder is "writer's assistant." In this position, you sit in the room with the writers who are hashing out the show. You may take notes or make copies. Or you may be asked for feedback on the work in progress. Being a fast typist is an asset.
If you have writing talent and are well-liked, the fact that you are familiar with the dynamics of the writing staff and the voice of the show gives you an advantage and you may be promoted to staff writer.
The first credit for most television writers is staff writer. As you gain experience and move up the ladder, your salary, position title and perks increase. In addition, you'll be able to pitch shows to networks, studios and production companies. Writers without credits are generally unable to pitch ideas for television programs.
Even if you have graduated from Harvard and written for the Lampoon, you will need to write episodes of successful shows "on spec" to use as writing samples.
One note of caution: If you write an episode of My Name is Earl, even if you have a great connection at that show, the producers will not read your script. There is a fear that they will be sued for infringement if at some point an episode similar to yours is aired.
Moreover, no matter how good your spec script is, producers tend to believe that new writers cannot possibly capture the voice of the show. So it probably makes sense to write and submit spec episodes of Two and a Half Men to your hypothetical great connection (former Harvard roommate) at My Name Is Earl. Without an agent or a great connection, you can't expect your script to be read. Therefore, you will need to network and make as many connections as possible.
Training Options and Costs
If you feel that you would benefit from more formal training, many Los Angeles-based schools offer screenwriting courses. For example:
Free Online Resources
The web is teeming with resources for aspiring television writers. Here are a few helpful examples:
Software
Many commercially available screenwriting software programs include templates for specific television shows. But before you invest in software, it may make more sense to watch a lot of television with a critical eye. Also take advantage of free resources available on the Internet, such as those listed above. Most importantly – write a lot to practice and hone your skills.
Commercially available screenwriting software programs include the following:
Union
Once the qualifications are met, $2,500 is due to the guild for activating membership.
Salary Range
Staff television writers generally earn $60,000 to $80,000 per year to start.
There are minimums set by the Writer's Guild of America. Compensation for a television story and teleplay for network prime time television networks begins at $14,700 for a program of 30 minutes or less, $30,145 for a program of 60 minutes or less, and $42,413 for a program of 90 minutes or less. Writers are also entitled to residuals on some programs depending on the number of times the show airs.
Susan W. Miller, M.A., is a National Certified Career Counselor, a Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist and holds diplomate status on the American Board of Vocational Experts. She heads California Career Services, a private practice career counseling firm in Los Angeles.
E-mail career questions you'd like answered in this column to info@californiacareerservices.com or visit California Career Services at www.californiacareerservices.com.
— Connie
Response: Some differences between writing for television and writing for feature films are quite obvious. Feature films are generally written and produced one at a time. A television series is produced one season at a time. A season could consist of up to 26 episodes. That's a lot more pages of script. The format of the script for television programs is also slightly different.
There is one thing that television and feature film writing do have in common. There are no education, training or credential that will make you more employable as a writer.
The word on the street is that the simplest way to break into television writing – especially comedy – is to go to Harvard University and write for the Harvard Lampoon.
Breaking into television writing
One tried-and-true way to break into television writing is to begin work as a production assistant (P.A.) on a TV show. If you do a great job and are well-liked, you may be promoted to "writer's P.A." This will give you the opportunity to perform menial tasks for the writers on a show.
The next step on the ladder is "writer's assistant." In this position, you sit in the room with the writers who are hashing out the show. You may take notes or make copies. Or you may be asked for feedback on the work in progress. Being a fast typist is an asset.
If you have writing talent and are well-liked, the fact that you are familiar with the dynamics of the writing staff and the voice of the show gives you an advantage and you may be promoted to staff writer.
The first credit for most television writers is staff writer. As you gain experience and move up the ladder, your salary, position title and perks increase. In addition, you'll be able to pitch shows to networks, studios and production companies. Writers without credits are generally unable to pitch ideas for television programs.
Even if you have graduated from Harvard and written for the Lampoon, you will need to write episodes of successful shows "on spec" to use as writing samples.
One note of caution: If you write an episode of My Name is Earl, even if you have a great connection at that show, the producers will not read your script. There is a fear that they will be sued for infringement if at some point an episode similar to yours is aired.
Moreover, no matter how good your spec script is, producers tend to believe that new writers cannot possibly capture the voice of the show. So it probably makes sense to write and submit spec episodes of Two and a Half Men to your hypothetical great connection (former Harvard roommate) at My Name Is Earl. Without an agent or a great connection, you can't expect your script to be read. Therefore, you will need to network and make as many connections as possible.
Training Options and Costs
If you feel that you would benefit from more formal training, many Los Angeles-based schools offer screenwriting courses. For example:
- UCLA Extension
- 10995 Le Conte Avenue
- Los Angeles, CA 90024-2883
- (310) 825-9971
- www.uclaextension.edu
- Los Angeles, CA 90024-2883
Free Online Resources
The web is teeming with resources for aspiring television writers. Here are a few helpful examples:
- "Beginning Guide to Writing for Television" by Chad Gervich
- www.pilotproject.tv/
- "So You Wanna Be a Sitcom Writer"
- www.soyouwanna.com
- T.V. Writer.com
- www.tvwriter.com
Software
Many commercially available screenwriting software programs include templates for specific television shows. But before you invest in software, it may make more sense to watch a lot of television with a critical eye. Also take advantage of free resources available on the Internet, such as those listed above. Most importantly – write a lot to practice and hone your skills.
Commercially available screenwriting software programs include the following:
- Final Draft, Inc.
- finaldraft.com
Union
- Writer's Guild of America (WGA)
- 700 West Third Street
- Los Angeles, CA 90048
- (323) 951-4000
- www.wga.org
- Membership # (323) 782-4532
- Los Angeles, CA 90048
Once the qualifications are met, $2,500 is due to the guild for activating membership.
Salary Range
Staff television writers generally earn $60,000 to $80,000 per year to start.
There are minimums set by the Writer's Guild of America. Compensation for a television story and teleplay for network prime time television networks begins at $14,700 for a program of 30 minutes or less, $30,145 for a program of 60 minutes or less, and $42,413 for a program of 90 minutes or less. Writers are also entitled to residuals on some programs depending on the number of times the show airs.
— • —
Susan W. Miller, M.A., is a National Certified Career Counselor, a Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist and holds diplomate status on the American Board of Vocational Experts. She heads California Career Services, a private practice career counseling firm in Los Angeles.
E-mail career questions you'd like answered in this column to info@californiacareerservices.com or visit California Career Services at www.californiacareerservices.com.
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