Visual STORYTELLING for Television - Tips on Writing a TV Pilot | Script Reader Pro
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- Опубліковано 29 чер 2024
- Hope you enjoy this video on how to write a TV pilot where Scott does a deep dive on how to approach storytelling for television. Thanks again for watching!
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I have written three television pilots: two sitcom pilots and one one-hour police procedural. Thanks for the video, Scott!!
Solid and direct advice. Love it and look forward to more.
Thanks for the feedback, Edward!
Scott,
You know I loved your guidance with my feature scripts. But, I loved this, just when I was sitting down to work on a new pilot idea. Thank you. Keep them coming. Although, now I know who to send my pilot to for coverage. I keep saying I want to try one of the girls, but, no, I am sending you this pilot draft when done. Thanks again for this video. I am sharing it.
Joy V.
Scott here. I love this, Joy. Thanks for sharing and I am so glad I can help keep you inspired.
Hope the writing is going well, Joy!
Ok, Scott, a new project idea for our mentorship!! Thanks for this video.
That's great! Thanks for watching and being a part of our mentorship program :)
How about non-violent breadcrumbs..I've grown weary of the copious use of violence in the majority of series..fortunately Netflix took the dive with "Queen's Gambit" which was a smart move. Regardless, its time to develop TV series that engage without violence..with all the innocent people being shot today, it seems obvious.
Good point - thanks for watching, Jonathan!
Great advice, really helpful 👍.. Seeing it as breadcrumbs really simplifies serious writing. . Thanks for the advice Scott.
Thanks for watching Shrewd! We are glad you agree with Scott's advice. So do we!
Great video! But in my opinion, I disagree every time someone gives Stranger Things as an example, there's nothing special or original about that pilot or even the entire show. It's funny how everyone says producers are looking for "fresh, original ideas" when in fact a lot of the content today on TV and streaming is NOT ORIGINAL. Industry professionals are just in love with the fact that they comply with script structure and storytelling standards word by word, line by line. Or because they follow Blake Snyder's Save the cat guidelines. There is more original content roaming here and there, looking for representation but they get rejected just because they don't follow some storytelling principles like "the inciting incident doesn't happen on this page" or things like that. It's unfortunate, originality should be above anything else. Anyway, I still like this channel big time!
We appreciate your feedback and insight, Bruno!
Excellent advice, it got right to the point. This video didn't waste my time at all. Thank you for sharing!
Glad it was helpful!
Great video.
Thanks a lot, Evan!
This us great advice!
Glad you enjoyed the video!
Awesome tips.
Thanks for watching!
My TV pilot script is a little different in that I'm bringing back a show (hopefully with 2 of the 3 original cast members) and introducing the characters who'll be the leads on the new version. The problem I have is that the 2 surviving cast members have already stated that they doubt they'll ever make another movie as those characters. Also, I think the team of writers hired for the series should help develop the second part of the pilot script.
Good luck with it, Karlene - we're here to help if you need it.
Good stuff, thanks. On average, how many different plotlines should be established in the pilot?
It's really up to you but the show's main plotline should be set up and other 2 or 3 subplots. It really depends on the story.
Thank you. I figured the same thing with my pilot which is the only story I've ever written in my life. That it would be okay to not resolve the A story positively. As there wouldn't be enough time. and then what else do you write about during the rest of the series? I haven't gotten any good feedback from it but they probably have their points as well regarding I need to work more on learning the craft in terms of characterization and writing from character rather than from plot.
Hello, it's glad to hear you're getting professional opinion and thinking outside of the box. The development process is certainly just that, a process!
Thank you so much for this video, Scott! This is my first dive into writing a script. I was wondering, and this may seem like a dumb question, but how do you find ideas? Reading? Other shows? Real life? I'm just curious about your process and what inspires you?
Scott here. Well I tend to just have an imagination that doesn't leave me alone. Ideas come to me out of many different places but they don't always grab me. But when one does that goes in the big book and may become my next pilot or movie script.
Hi Deven, we hope the writing is going well!
@@ScriptReaderProLosAngeles Yes...no...sort of. LOL. It's a slow process as I learn more and try to stop editing while writing. I'll keep you posted! You keep producing these great videos for me!
After I've submitted my pilot for coverage multiple times the thing I keep getting is they don't want breadcrumbs. Which is all this video talks about. So I'm not sure what the hell to think anymore. It's like here's a fun cliffhanger and no one wants the cliffhanger because they're now asking themselves questions and they don't want those questions left unanswered. It just feels like the industry is up their own ass and don't know what they are doing but yet new writers need to be perfect to write for the dime a dozen shows on tv.
Hi Cody, we certainly understand your frustration. Our suggestion is to continue to put on various "hats" to evaluate your screenplay -- remember we never want to throw in something for the sake of it, especially if it's just to satisfy industry checkmarks. We want everything to come across organically, which is why it's also okay to "break" the rules -- as long as it's done with intention. Hope that helps!