DC 272 Developing the Television Series
Summary
Introduction To TV Writing. The student over the course of the Fall Quarter will write a sitcom spec script of a current show suitable for submission to either a literary agent, a network executive or an executive producer.
Texts
No textbook yet... I'm writing when though. For now I email hand outs the night before each class.
Grading
Out of a 1000 points:
50 points, PITCHES
50, points, PAGE-BY-PAGE OUTLINE
50 points, CLASSIC OUTLINE
100 points, FIRST HALF, FIRST DRAFT
100 points, SECOND HALF, FIRST DRAFT
50 points, CRITIQUE
100 points, SECOND DRAFT
500 points, FIANL DRAFT
Week One
ART: Choose a current running sitcom of which you have some knowledge and affinity; craft six separate pitches for your spec taking into consideration that each should contain a combination of information, humor and your personal enthusiasm for the story you hope to create. COMMERCE: Explore and examine both the Writers Guild of America, West?s website, www.wga.org; as well as the Writers Guild of America, East?s website: www.wgaeast.org paying special attention to any and all information concerning the genre of sitcom. Due in the dropbox by 1:00pm, Wednesday, September 12, 2018.
Week Two
ART: Make two lists?on the first begin to describe what happens on each page of a real script of the show you?ve chosen to spec, paying special attention to those elements that constitute the basic DNA of that show (jokes, story, character); then on a second list, using the first as a kind of template, begin to jot down what happens on each page of your hypothetical script. COMMERCE: Go to the homepage of the WGA, West?s website: www.wga.org; at the top of the page, click on the 2nd drop down menu from the left, ?Employers & Agents?; then click on 3rd item from the left, ?Agencies?; then click on first item, ?Signatory Agency List.? and print the entire list! Don?t just study it, but actually print it out and begin to refer to it. Due in the dropbox by 1:00pm, Wednesday, September 19, 2018.
ART: Expand your page-by-page outline into a classic sitcom outline containing banners, casting per scene and a detailed description of what happens with the express purpose of converting the reader to your point of view. COMMERCE: Create a list of ten personal contacts who might be of some help with regard to building your career; renew your relationship with each. Don?t ask them for a favor?simply say ?hi.? Due in the dropbox by 1:00pm, Wednesday, September 26, 2018.
ART: Begin your first draft, adhering strictly to the detailed outline you?ve created. Don?t worry too much about individual jokes at this point understanding that even the ones you perceive as good, will probably only be placeholders until the next draft. Also, don?t worry about being too verbose?it?s easier to edit than it is to create from scratch. COMMERCE: Begin a generic letter to an agent, by writing a single paragraph of three sentences that addresses the general theme of ?Who are you?? Two things you might consider including: the exact town that you?re from, and a brief description of the moment that you went from passive consumer of entertainment, to actively wanting to do this for a living. Due in the dropbox by 1:00pm, Wednesday, October 3, 2018.
ART: Finish your first draft; don?t over think it. Just get it done, knowing full well that it?s not finished and that built into this process will be another rewrite. This is not the draft to overthink; this is the draft that Matt Stone and Trey Parker call ?the dog shit draft.? COMMERCE: Construct the second paragraph of your generic letter to an agent of no more than three sentences that addresses the general theme of ?What do I want?? Due in the dropbox by 1:00pm, Wednesday, October 10, 2018.
ART: Create six legitimate questions with regard to the first draft of your spec, to which the answers will lead to a better second draft. Pick two people to read both your questions and you first draft: your most honest friend and your most aware friend. Make sure the six questions you?re creating are in fact real things for which you are confused. Plus, I would strongly encourage you to not ask questions that can be answered with either a ?yes? or ?no.? Based upon the notes you received, complete your second draft. COMMERCE: Construct the third paragraph of your generic letter to an agent of no more than three sentences that has as its theme, ?Here?s how you can help me?? Make it specific and exact; don?t be cute. Due in the dropbox, by 1:00pm, Wednesday, October 17, 2018.
ART: Begin the rewriting process by employing a little relaxed thinking, quietly pouring over what you?ve written and jotting down improvements while taking into account the notes you?ve received. COMMERCE: Choose three literary agents on which to focus, by asking yourself four questions: What?s my favorite TV show? What?s my favorite episode? Who wrote that episode? Who represents that writer? And to answer that last question, sign up for imdb.com/pro. Due in the dropbox, by 1:00pm, Wednesday, October 24, 2018.
ART: On the condition that you take into account the notes you?ve received from the most honest and most informed persons in your life, you finished the second draft of your spec, and we arrange a conference call where I read the stage directions of your script and you read the characters; and I give you my notes immediately. COMMERCE: Having chosen an agent on whom to focus, you change your generic letter to a specific letter to a specific agent. Due in the dropbox, by 1:00pm, Wednesday, October 31, 2018.
pass; attempting to objectively make the story slightly more physical (possibly including sight gags); and finally picking three of your favorite bits and making them even better? COMMERCE: Hard copies of both the final draft of your spec script and your specific letter to a specific agent are to be handed in together on our final day of class.
This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L and sent via email.
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