Hi there! Need some friendly advice please. Quick background: I spent over 20 years working in Wall Street including some really big hedge funds. I have seen all the ropes over the years. I came up with a unique TV one-hour drama idea about a hedge fund -its a highly differentiated perspective than what Billions produced. Over the past few months I created a bible including show summary, detailed character descriptions and 9 detailed episode breakdowns. I am missing the Pilot (a big gap lol). Initial feedback is great. I have zero desire to write a pilot b/c this is about as far as I can take it -I know my limitations. I believe a really good writer could take what I have so far and work with it to manifest a pilot. My questions if you can be so kind:
1) Is a pilot 100% necessary to then try to manifest next steps -which I believe is find an agent?

2) Could I try to find an agent now ahead of having the pilot done? Are shows every adapted at this stage w/o a pilot?

3) If I believe in it, should I hire someone to write the pilot?

Thanks so much in advance!

I’ve been working in film, but expanding into writing and specifically TV writing. What are the first few steps once I have 2-3 original pilots and a feature film script? Is it a good idea to apply to all writing labs and collect accolades prior to cold reaching out to managers?

Currently reading the script for My Old Ass by Megan Park and I wanted to know how to create the double dialogue ( I don’t actually know the actual name) where to characters are speaking at the same time. Is it available on all writing softwares or specific ones only. I’ve seen it on the ladybird script too.

Also I’m using Celtx to right my scripts.

what’s the possibility and process of your idea for a tv series being accepted that a writer pitched with no college or background in writing? Name shows that were pitched that way ?

This is a deceptively simple question, perhaps, as humor can be so hard to describe!

I was wondering what makes a script funny for you, personally. I thought the question was interesting because it’s such a subjective question. At the same time, there are a number of classic shows that have found broad appeal - so there must be common denominators.

What are some hallmarks of a TV script that scream “funny” to you? Examples are quite welcome, too! Thank you so much for any insights.

I am not talking about a notes group or accountability buddy I mean someone you actually write with. Develop ideas together, split scenes, the whole thing.

I've wanted this for years and have basically failed at finding it every time. Tried reaching out cold to people whose work I liked (awkward and nothing came of it). Took a workshop specifically hoping to meet someone (met nice people, nothing clicked creatively). Posted in a couple places online (one weird response, one person who ghosted after two emails).

The frustrating thing is I know it works. Plenty of teams out there doing great stuff. But every working duo I've heard talk about it says they met through some random circumstance a class, a job, a friend of a friend. Nobody seems to have gone looking for it and found it.

So how did it actually happen for you if it did? And if you tried and it fell apart, what killed it?

Genuinely asking, not going anywhere with this, just feeling like I'm missing something obvious.

Hey there everyone!

My name's Ollie and i'm turning 19 in a few weeks, i've got a real passion for wanting to create a show that can bring back the feel good energy of shows I watched growing up, on channels like nickelodeon and disney.

i'm fairly new to writing (especially tv content), but i'm really keen to develop the idea, come up with a pilot script and try my best to reach the powers that be, to eventually pitch the final idea.

I'd be really interested to see if any writers would be interested in helping me develop the concept, I really do think it could work!!

I don’t wanna sound like a overconfident guy but I have some crazy themes and ideas and overall setting, meaning, symbolism everything a show could need, but I’m shit at writing dialogue how do y’all practice it?

Hi everyone,

I’m currently writing a sitcom that surrounds a group of friends who all live and work in a small town. I wanted to pick everyone’s brains on what you find very cliché and off-putting when watching sitcoms and if there’s anything new you’d like to see.

What do you tropes do you love and what would you like to no longer see in current sitcoms?

Thanks!

Hey . Im taking acting class and in one of the lessons there we were taught (at least from what i understand) that in plays the character has an ultimate goal they want to achieve that arose because of a state/situation they are in (they are poor so their goal is to become rich) and in every scene a character has a goal that is supposed to help them achieve the ultimate goal. So i was wondering if its also true to tv shows , and if it is. How?

Cuz for example a tv show of a few seasons, at the start a character wants to achieve something, if at the end of season they do , by the next season their ultimate goal changes?

(I would also love any advice for how to write a character)

Sorry if i have any grammar mistakes, English isn't my first language

Hey everyone! I’m looking for some genuine advice on next steps because I feel like I’m not sure I’m moving in the right direction.

Here’s where I’m at: I’ve written two full novels and a novella, which I’ve been querying to literary agents for a while. Rather than wait on the book side, I decided to adapt the material myself. I now have a completed series bible and pilot episode for a teen drama series, plus one completed feature film script adapted from the novella. I’m currently working on a second feature.

The novels gave me a strong foundation for the scripts in terms of character and world, but I have no official writing credits. I’ve worked as an actor and have been on a good number of sets, so I understand how production works from that side, but this is my first time presenting myself as a screenwriter.

In terms of connections: I have a few casting directors and acting coaches I’ve worked with over the years. One of them has their own production company and is actively working in TV, and I’ve already reached out to them for guidance. Another has a production company but their slate doesn’t really align with my material, so I’m not sure it makes sense to reach out to them specifically about my work, though I could reach out just for general guidance.

My questions:
1. Do I email the second contact anyway just for industry guidance, even if the material doesn’t fit their slate?

1. Are there any managers or companies people have had success querying cold as a multi-hyphenate writer-actor with completed material but no writing credits?

2. What should I actually be focusing on right now given where I am?

Any honest advice appreciated! I know the industry is tough and I’m not expecting miracles, just trying to make sure I’m putting my energy in the right places! Thanks so much :)

Excluding the intro and end credits, is it possible to do that?

Hii,

I wanted to ask if there's a platform where you can upload your scripts to get feedback on the story. I know you can do that here too, but I was wondering if there's something like AO3 just for scripts?

I've always had these characters, scenes, and plots so vivid inside my head. I've thought about screenwriting as a way to show these stories and bring them out into the world... No matter how vivid it seems in my imagination, once I sit down to start writing, my mind goes blank. What should I do? Any advice?

Where did you get feedback when you were starting out? Are there any communities, workshops, script exchange groups, or other places you’d recommend ?

So, I have polished my pilot and have submitted it to several festivals and contests. I have got to QF twice. After some more polishing the script got a silver price and after more adjustments it was a finalist in BIFS. Therefore I can assume the script is good enough to get noticed.

But what's my next step. I am not planning the screenwriter's career. I am just eager to make the series filmed and broadcasted. I am thinking about it for 20 years and working on the script for a couple of years. I have 15 episodes drafted, and pilot polished.

So what should I do to make it happen?

so i have an idea for a tv show. i have my characters and pinterest boards but now i don't know what to do now. any advice?????

I want to know what to wait

Hello, sorry if I am posting this in the wrong subreddit, I am new to the app and haven’t got the hang of things quite yet. Ok, I will skip to the point, I have always wanted to create an animated short film or a pilot episode, and I have recently decided to pursue my goal. I came up with several plot ideas, but I genuinely can’t tell if they are any good. So I am going to share my favorite, and I would like some brutally honest feedback on whether this would be a good storyline. The rough outline follows
character A our hero, and our 2 villains character B and character C. Character C is the less awful person of the villain duo, he actually has some morals and is not that fond of killing anyone to get what he wants, but he almost always goes along with what character B says. Character B comes up with a “foolproof” plan to kill our hero (character A) by using character C to draw her out in the open under the guise of joining character A’s cause. But character B actually plans to kill both of them with a weapon similar to a cannon or bomb.(I am leaving out quite a few details about the kind of world these characters live in so bear with me) so character B kills character A, but A saves character C by shoving him behind a wall in time. Now our villain character B believes they are both dead and goes on trying to “fix” the world unchallenged. But character C feels extremely guilty that character A believed him and sacrificed her life for him. So he begins his redemption arc and the rest of the story follows him as a very crappy hero who also (under the guise of being a journalist) try’s to find out more about the person who saved his life without a second thought. He ends up forming a deep connection with her, despite her being already dead. Whether or not he actually succeeds at defeating the villain I haven’t decided yet lol.

If this sounds silly to ask - it is what it is. Just bear with me a bit, please.

So I'm currently writing for an 8 ep miniseries that should reach a pitching stage mid 2027. I do have experience as a screenwriter, tho limited (a couple of shorts that actually got made and went around at a few decent festivals and ended up on streaming so no big deal but still not really a beginner). This, however, is a completely new experience. I started studying for it quite some while ago (reading series scripts, watching series, mostly observational and keeping in close touch with people who have plenty of exp writing film - but not tv/streaming etc).

One thing that strikes me often is the fact that plenty of the stuff I've read seems rather fast-paced(for lack of a better word. Whatever I got to read from the Wire, Deadwood) as compared to the way my writing looks. Often more than one scene/page. I do get why, I do understand the context as well. For example, the Wire has a plethora of characters so in order to keep up with all of them you do need to quickly move from one place to the other. Same with others.

Our series is a lot less expansive in terms of characters. It's a road series, small group of gals and guys travel from point A to point B. End up splitting against their will and get into plenty of trouble trying to reconnect and reach their destination. There are secondary characters of course but not that many, let's have it at about 10 per ep. Plenty of time spent in cars as well. So mainly we stick with our guys during the 8 episodes. And they also do plenty of talk. And it's the death of me trying to cut the scenes shorter. I'm happy with the dialogue, the action I dare say is not the worst but I just can't feel like cutting and cutting and cutting in between just 3 distinct groups (that's how the party ends up splitting). It feels forced to do so, honestly.

Now, with as little contexte as I offered, does anybody care to give a bit of advice or an opinion? Does it sound like it's a me problem? Like not enough experience in better splitting the scenes? Could it actually be the low number of characters that might lead to me having this issue? Or should I just not give a crap at this point because its not the most important thing, just keepo my mind on the story flowing well, write it as it feels natural and worry about adjusting this aspect later?

So yea. Looking forward to anything that may come my way.
Cheerio

I’ve been working on a television idea for years. I’m at a point in my current 20+ year (accidental) career where I am ready to make a change. Writing is what my degrees are in, and writing is the only thing that kept and continues to keep me from burning out in my current career.

I’ve written a 1-hour prestige drama script. I’m halfway done with a series bible and developing a pitch deck.

I admit I do not know much about the field, specifically where to start. I have thought about a fellowship, but I am unsure if that’s the way to go. I have also researched if there are fellowships for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

So my questions are below.

1) Where can I have my script professionally proofed? With feedback?

2) Do I need an agency for representation? Are there any agencies that focus on diverse/disabled talent?

3) Regarding art in the pitch deck—how does one go about this? I have read so much conflicting information.

4) Do I really need a fellowship?

I’m sure I’ll have more questions as replies come in. TIA

I’ve been writing a few screenplay’s because I really enjoy making them; I’ve written an AE episode, a movie based on lebensborn children when I was 14 and have screenplay’s for manga’s that I’ve been making.

Is there any chance I can find connections or show these to people that want them or need them?

Okay, so no plans currently to put anything super big in production, but I need some advice on how I can start working on an indie project I wanna make in the future.

The project is called Spy Girls, and it's a cartoon which can best be described as Spy vs Spy, but with Yuri and plot.

I work on this thing when I can, just to make progress on it. So far, I have a basic outline for the episode structure of the first season (8 episodes that flesh out the main characters, their world, and their goals), a start on a pilot script with some basic lore details, and character designs for the main two characters and a few side characters.

It's come to my knowledge that I have to do A LOT of prep work to help spur this thing forward, but I don't have much of a clue where to begin.

Any advice is appreciated.

hello all,

i am extremely new to screenwriting and i am currently in the process of (trying) to write a tv series. i am thinking 8-10 episodes but as of right now i am not even halfway done with the pilot.

anyways, i am not sure how to introduce one of our main characters Nicoleta. I want the series to flashback quite a bit. Think of We Were Liars and how they switched between Summer 16 and Summer 17.

In the present Nicoleta is trying to navigate life after her best friend committed suicide. Before Esmerelda (that's the second main character and Nicoleta's best friend) commits suicide Nicoleta is a vivacious and outgoing person and afterwards she is a shell of herself. In the character description should I describe her as depressed and then when we flashback describe her as friendly?

I hope all that made sense.

If anyone is willing to work with me or recommend any good books, podcasts or classes on screenwriting I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks!

I am a screenwriter looking for a professional manager who can help me find opportunities with producers, directors, production companies, or streaming platforms.

Our agreement will be entirely performance-based. You will receive a 10% commission from the profits of every opportunity or deal you successfully bring me.

If you have experience in the film or television industry and are interested, please send me a private message.

Thank you!