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Basic Training: Intro to Writing for Women's TV and Cable Shows

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Basic Training: Intro to Writing for Women's TV and Cable Shows

DURATION/TIME
6 weeks
Saturdays
June 24 - July 29
10 am-2 pm

LEVEL
Intro 

LOCATION
New York (Soho)

PRICE
$499 ($475 for )
more info

Course Details

Lifetime, Oxygen, Women's Entertainment, Style, TLC, and SoapNet are just a few of the extremely popular networks that cater strictly to women's audiences. The list continues, and with the emergence of broadband and digitally-created networks, there will be even more of a demand for programming for these venues. This course will teach you what you need to know about women's television networks and how to break into this exciting and growing industry.

Over the course of six weeks, you will fully workshop two women's cable-related pitches, including a perfectly polished, no-fail query letter and prepared pitch. Your writing and concepts can range from talk shows to full feature dramas, game shows to documentaries -- any material that would appeal to female audiences. You'll also learn industry terms, the complete process of approaching a cable network's insider staff, and how to be a player in the arena of women-oriented cable networks.

In this class, you can expect to learn:

  • How to create high concepts, loglines, and synopses
  • How to write compelling and marketable treatments
  • How to write query letters and prepare your winning audio and in-person pitches
  • How to approach development executives, producers, actors, agents, and managers
  • How to factor budgeting into your projects
  • How to brand yourself and your material
By the end of the class, students can expect to have:
Two salable treatments, high concepts, loglines, synopses, and pitches to match, as well as knowledge enough to survive in the world of women's cable.

Admission Requirements:
Please submit a letter of interest (including a brief work history) explaining why you want to take a class.

Instructor Bio

Laurie Scheer's Courses

Brand Yourself – (Class starts January 21)
TV Writing: Spec Script – (Class starts January 12)
Writing Scripts for Online Video – (Class starts January 13)

Laurie Scheer
Laurie Scheer is a former vice president of programming for WE: Women's Entertainment and is currently a key member of the Film Faculty at Flashpoint Academy in Chicago. She has worked as an assistant, d-girl, and producer for some of the most powerful media conglomerates in the world, including ABC, Viacom, Showtime, and AMC-Cablevision. She has been a professor at numerous universities across the US and considers herself a media goddess, helping creative professionals realize their goals of working and improving 21st century media. Her book Creative Careers In Hollywood: From Extra Girls to Errand Boys (Allworth Press, 2002) chronicles and celebrates all of the movies ever made that feature women working in Hollywood. She also has a DVD, How to Pitch and Sell Your Screenplay.

Testimonials


Laurie has boundless enthusiasm and offers the opportunity to succeed. -- Paul Hagen

"Aside from priceless information and insight based on her background in TV, Laurie offers constructive feedback and moral support that fledgling TV writers are unlikely to find elsewhere." -- Roslyn Ross

"Laurie's seminar was by far the best I have ever taken! She's the most knowledgeable instructor I've ever had, excellent on every level. I can't say enough how much I got out of attending." -- Jamila Bey

"Laurie's seminar was the best money I've ever spent! I learned more about how television programming works in 3 hours than I picked up in a lifetime as a television news reporter." -- Brigette Polmar

"Laurie's class provided invaluable tips. She's one of the coolest instructors I've ever had. I would recommend her classes to anyone interested in learning more about writing for film and television." -- Imani Dawson

"Laurie's generous advice about television writing helped give me the confidence I needed to negotiate the contract process. I'll always remember that if you are a professional, you're worth it." -- Gina Laurie

"Laurie's classes are musts for anyone wanting to progress in the television industry.It is quite unusual to have someone offer to share their experiences, and even more unusual for them to truly want you to succeed." -- Tamara Federici, writer & former associate producer, Chappelle's Show

"Laurie is a professional who generously shares with her students her love and first-hand knowledge of the complex TV industry. She has a wonderful knack of encouraging writers, instilling confidence, and showing them where they have taken a wrong turn." -- Nancy West

"Laurie was informative, funny, and extremely knowledgeable. I found myself riveted and wanting to know more. If anyone is thinking of a career in television writing, this course is your starting point." -- Inger Slade

"Laurie's message of being well-researched, prepared and realistic -- while also having supreme confidence in yourself and your ideas -- is one that all producers should hear." -- Tony Monterastelli

"Laurie's engaging presentation, her wealth of knowledge, and her personal stories about the TV business will give any aspiring TV writer the necessary tools to succeed. Laurie gives you a thorough step by step process that will make you hone in on your concepts, brand, writing, and pitching skills." -- Denise Hendricks

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