Breaking Story for 1 Hour TV Dramas + Interactive Mock Writers' Room

You’ve heard the phrase “the content gold rush” get bandied about much these days, but as it relates to TV, it’s never been more true. Drama television is at its peak with iconic shows like THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT, THE UNDOING, OZARK, KILLING EVE, BETTER CALL SAUL, THIS IS US, THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT, STRANGER THINGS, BLACK MIRROR, and so much more. With the influx of networks and streaming platforms either moving into or expanding their original content libraries, the demand for dramatic TV ideas and pilots has never been greater. Thanks to streamers such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max and others, over 600 shows were greenlit last year and some industry experts are predicting we may see as many as 1,000 television shows greenlit per year by 2025. But not only is the quantity increasing, so is the quality, as companies are funneling an unprecedented amount of money, resources, marketing and talent into their shows. And the impact of COVID-19 is even having an impact that could benefit writers all over the world as shows have begun implementing virtual writer’s rooms. In short, there has never been a better time to write for TV. Now it’s just a matter of breaking in.

The opportunities are plentiful and the prospects have never been more exciting, but if you want to write dramatic television you need to prove that you have the chops, and this means more than just writing a pilot script by yourself; it means that you can excel in a writers’ room, breaking story with the showrunner and fellow staff writers. TV story breaking is a wholly different process than solo writing and requires a very different skillset. It’s more collaborative, it’s more flexible, and it requires the ability to pitch and defend your ideas. The ability to thrive in a television writers’ room can allow you to find real longevity in your writing career and give you the opportunity to contribute to a lot of exciting new shows coming out of this gold rush.

Amanda Johnson-Zetterström is a writer and co-producer on the Netflix series YOU from writer/producers Greg Berlanti and Sera Gamble. She’s currently working on a film project with Amblin and is in development on two TV series, one alongside Matt Spicer (INGRID GOES WEST) with Aggregate Films’ Jason Bateman and Michael Costigan producing; the other based on the blog FORTY DAYS OF DATING with Emma Roberts starring and producing. She previously wrote on Showtime’s PURITY based on the Jonathan Franzen novel with Todd Field at the helm and Scott Rudin producing. Before venturing out on her own, Amanda was a founding member of NYC based Animal Kingdom. During her time as an executive there, she co-produced SHORT TERM 12 (SXSW 2013 Grand Jury & Audience Award) and helped shepherd movies like IT FOLLOWS, KICKS, and LOUDER THAN BOMBS into production.

Over the course of this intimate four-week workshop, Amanda will delve into the craft of the hour drama and pilot structure and then lead the class through a mock writers room, where students will gain experience pitching pilot ideas to your show runner, breaking the pilot script with the group, and then practice pitching story ideas for the series. Through both Amanda’s lessons and her leading of the writers’ room, you will gain direct, practical and real-world experience that you can take with you as you pursue your own television career.

WHAT TO EXPECT

• **Amanda will be available on email during the 4 class sessions to answer any questions you have.**
• This workshop is designed for working and aspiring TV writers of all levels looking to learn about drama TV writing and how to pitch and work in a writers' room. This is an in-depth, practical, and detailed lab with significantly more content than a standard 90-minute webinar.
• This lab will consist of four sessions, each roughly two hours in duration. Sessions will vary between presentation style lessons and interactive mock writers' room sessions where all students will have the opportunity to participate.
• Plus, to stay motivated and inspired, you will have access to a private, dedicated Stage 32 Lounge where you can communicate with your fellow classmates throughout the process.
• To see the lab schedule, see below under "What You Will Learn".

PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 lab is limited and will be booked on a first come, first served basis. The opportunity to work this closely and for this long with an experienced writer/producer and an expert in the field is an incredibly unique and valuable opportunity. If you are interested, please book quickly. Once the spots are gone, they’re gone for good.