8 Week TV Working Writers Lab – How To Write A 1-Hour TV Drama Pilot

Learn directly from Jenna Nicholson, Drama Development at CBS Studios who has worked on shows such as The Good Wife, CSI, Blue Bloods, Jane The Virgin, Madam Secretary, Scorpion, and Criminal Minds!

This lab is designed for beginner and intermediate screenwriters looking to build a pilot from scratch or expand on an existing idea.

With the TV market exploding right now, one of the most in demand formats is the 1-hour TV drama pilot. Many, if not all, managers and agents are looking for writers that can write in this space, and with more and more production companies heading into TV, knowing how to write a strong 1-hour TV drama pilot will give you a competitive advantage and help you find success as a TV writer!

Due to popular demand, the Stage 32 Happy Writers is thrilled to bring back our How to Write a 1 Hour TV Drama Pilot 8 Week Intensive Lab taught by Jenna Nicholson from the Drama Department at CBS (The Good Wife, CSI, Blue Bloods, Jane The Virgin, Madam Secretary, Scorpion, and Criminal Minds)! This hands-on intensive lab will guide you through picking a concept, creating engaging characters, structuring and outlining your pilot and writing the first 10 pages!

The main objective of this 8-week lab will be to have at least 10 solid pages completed of your script. You will meet online with Jenna for 2 hours a week in a class setting, plus have phone consultations during some of the weeks when you don't have an online class. This will be accompanied by weekly homework assignments to guide you on your way to creating a marketable, unique pilot that will grab the industry's attention.

• Payment plans are available - please contact education@stage32.com for more information.
• This Lab is Limited to 20 People.
• Please Note: Participating in this lab does not mean you are writing for or pitching to CBS.

Class Schedule:

Week 1: Introduction, Character, & Pitching

Jenna will begin class with a general class overview and discussion of her history and experiences. She will answer some of the initial queries raised in the pre-class questionnaire. She will then cover:

• What she looks for in a good story/screenplay.
• The difference between cable and network and what networks are primarily looking for now.
• A discussion on the creation of strong, unique, memorable characters.
  • How to have them best serve your story, the genre, themes, etc.
• Dialogue and voice.
• Antiheros in 1-hour dramas.
  • Breaking Bad
• Common traps writers fall into when creating their protagonist.
• Supporting characters and what types of archetypes should and should not be included in 1-hour TV pilots.
• A discussion on what makes a good pitch and what executives are looking for when you pitch.
  • How much of the sale happens before the pitch even takes place.
  • How does the pitch structure work? What is acceptable to bring to a pitch?
• What’s the difference between a good pilot and 100 episodes?
  • Examples of some shows that were good ideas but were not able to stay on air.
• Q&A to answer any remaining questions.

Week 2: No on-line class this week. (Consultation)

Each writer will have a private 10 minute call to pitch Jenna their story. She will offer feedback on what works and what doesn’t. At the end of the pitch you will know if you are approved to proceed. If not, a new idea will need to be approved via email.

Week 3: Writing a Story Doc, Tone, & Notes

• What goes into a story doc and what do you leave out?
• How long should it be and what is the tone?
• Finding your tone and voice and allowing it to show in your writing.
• How the notes process works when developing and how to apply the notes given.
• Q&A with Jenna.

Week 4: No on-line class this week (Consultation)

Each writer will have a private 10-minute call with Jenna to discuss feedback on what works and what doesn’t in their current concept. This will be a time to discuss the next steps in preparing for the outline.

Week 5: Outlining & Teaser

• What is a teaser and what type of formats need one based on which network/cable?
• Character introductions.
  • Examples of great character introductions from Jenna’s personal experience.
• Overview of the outlining phase.
  • How networks usually develop material.
  • How an outline should be structured.
• Outline-itis and how to avoid it.
• Q&A with Jenna.

Week 6: Act Structure & Plotting

• Plotting and development of your story across the Acts.
• Examples focusing particularly on Structure.
  • Act breaks.
  • Emotional crescendos.
  • Keeping all your characters proactive and engaging.
  • Internal/external conflict.
• The final act and how this area primarily showcase what the week to week of your show is.
• How to create a successful cliffhanger.
• How to end your protagonist in the pilot in an engaging way.
• Q&A with Jenna.

Week 7: Continue With Outlining (Consultation)

Continue with the outlining phase. The class will be broken down into two mini groups and critiques will be given to each writer on their outline.

• Discussion will be on how to strengthen act breaks, sharpen emotional crescendos and keeping the character dynamics/relationships strong.
• Writers ready to advance will begin the first 10 pages of their script.

Week 8: No on-line class this week. Final Review

This class will consist of a group call in which each writer receives notes from Jenna on their project overall. This will be the final evaluation for this 8 week lab.

About your Teacher, Jenna Nicholson, Drama Development for CBS:

Jenna Nicholson’s career in entertainment began at CAA, where she worked her way up to ultimately assist a TV Packaging Agent. She then went to CBS Television Studios to work in the VP of Current Programming department, working on shows including The Good Wife, CSI, Blue Bloods, Criminal Minds and Under The Dome. In May of 2013 she transitioned into drama development and currently works for an SVP and VP. This past season she was a part of the development of Madam Secretary, Scorpion, and Jane The Virgin.

About the Class

Classes take place online using a designated software program from Stage 32. You can participate from the comfort of your own home and you will be able to communicate directly with your instructor during the class. If you cannot attend the live class, you can still participate! Each class will be recorded and Jenna will have designated office hours to work with her class.