How to Capture the Attention of a Showrunner or Manager with your TV Writing Samples

The global television industry is poised to create more opportunity in writers' rooms for more writers than currently exist. And literary managers will be looking for new talent and voices to sign. 

But to take a seat at the table, you need a solid portfolio brimming with strong writing samples. Showrunners and managers are looking for a portfolio that demonstrates your ability to tell a story in a specific voice. There’s no time like the present to prep a portfolio with hot samples, cool writing, and even cooler storylines.

Showrunners need examples from you to make decisions on who to bring in the room. As an unrepresented writer, you have to demonstrate to them that you’re the one. And to do this, a series of writing samples, known as a portfolio, is a surefire way to show off your ability. You need to convince showrunners to bring you on board. If your writing samples lack luster or you don’t know where your story is headed in future seasons, conversations with managers or showrunners could be short lived. You could miss out on opportunities because your script wasn’t up to par, or your original idea wasn’t original at all. Let's make sure that never happens.

Spencer Robinson is a literary and talent manager at Art/Work Entertainment who's been in the industry for over twenty years. His clients have been in films with directors Quentin Tarantino, Steven Soderbergh, Clint Eastwood, Gore Verbinski and more. In the TV world, his clients have been regular cast members on shows for Netflix, The CW, Cinemax, CBS, NBC, FX, Starz, Nickelodeon, EPIX, and TBS, to name a few. His writing clients work in both features and television on broadcast, cable, and streaming platforms. He currently has a client writing on two Netflix series, and another client who just sold a show to Amazon. He also reps a writer who currently has a project at Aggregate Films, which has a deal at Netflix.

In this exclusive Stage 32 on-demand webinar, Spencer will dive deep into the kinds of TV samples writer’s should have ready, as well as exactly what managers and showrunners are looking for as they read through them. He will talk about the kinds of scripts your portfolio needs so that you shine like the crazy diamond you are. Certain elements of your script should stand out. Take useful notes as Spencer talks about these elements and helps attendees better understand the importance of solid and saleable characters. And then sit back and take in the golden nuggets he delivers on what managers and showrunners look for in a writer.

If you dream of being in a writer’s room, this webinar was made for you.

Praise for Spencer's Previous Stage 32 Webinar

"Spencer was awesome! Super informative and detail driven - providing great insights. Packed so much into a short amount of time which I'm super grateful for!"

-Eric C.

"Spencer Robinson has high energy and packs a ton of information in his lecture. Most importantly Spencer gives realistic advice while encouraging writers to move forward fully informed of the terrain."

-Oweeda N.

"Spencer opened my eyes to how the TV world works with broadcast and streaming. What a great crash course!"

-Ricki L.