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Writing and Producing the TV Pilot

Develop your own pilot and find out what to do when it's done

Course is closed.
Writing and Producing the TV Pilot

WHEN
Thursday, September 21
6:30-9:30 pm

LEVEL
Open to screenwriters, filmmakers, TV writers, and anyone else interested in developing a TV pilot.

WHERE
mediabistro.com
494 Broadway
(Spring & Broome)
New York, NY 10012

PRICE
$65 ($50 for )
more info

Course Details

Traditionally, making your own pilot for a tv show was a risky move. It was expensive. It wasn't always clear how to get in the door to sell it. And, in most cases, the pilot's production values were far below the standards of most networks.

But this has changed. The television landscape is evolving with each passing New Fall Season. With the onslaught of new technology, the opportunity to make television pilots is multiplying, and now there is even an industry-recognized forum to showcase them to the biggest names in the business. The New York Television Festival is holding its yearly festival, and the call for television pilots is out!

This seminar will give you the basics (and the details) of how to go about making your own television pilot.

In this seminar, you can expect to learn about:

  • The current overall television marketplace
  • The recent pilot season's winners
  • How to do the research to support your pilot idea
  • The secrets of successful television pilots
  • What makes a good pilot
  • What makes a pilot stand out from all other pilot submissions
  • How to produce the selling materials that accompany your pilot
  • How to generate buzz for your pilot
  • How to pitch your pilot

*During the last 30 minutes of this seminar, a special guest from the New York Television Festival will be available to answer questions about submitting a pilot to this year's festival.

Instructor Bio

Laurie Scheer's Courses

Brand Yourself – (Class starts November 12)
How to Write for (and Pitch to) Women's TV Networks – Chicago (Seminar on November 5)
TV Writing: Spec Script – (Class starts January 12)
Writing Scripts for Online Video – (Class starts November 4)

Laurie Scheer
Laurie Scheer is a former vice president of programming for WE: Women's Entertainment and is currently teaching at Yale University. 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. I never realized that such friendship, such encouragement, such genuine goodwill, and such human connection could be capable between people who have only met through a computer until I took this wonderful class. -- Paul Hagen

"Laurie's seminar was by far the best I have ever taken in my entire life! Not only was she enjoyable, clear, and relevant, she's the most knowledgeable instructor I've ever had. She is excellent on every level, and 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 on how to break into and master the murky world of television writing and production. 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," even when you're just starting out." -- Gina Laurie

"Laurie's classes are musts for anyone wanting to progress in the television industry. Laurie's class gave me the flashlight I needed to see the whole landscape of opportunities available. 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 about the business. 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

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