Successful Television Writing / Edition 1

Successful Television Writing / Edition 1

ISBN-10:
0471431680
ISBN-13:
9780471431688
Pub. Date:
07/01/2003
Publisher:
Turner Publishing Company
ISBN-10:
0471431680
ISBN-13:
9780471431688
Pub. Date:
07/01/2003
Publisher:
Turner Publishing Company
Successful Television Writing / Edition 1

Successful Television Writing / Edition 1

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Overview

Do you dream of a job as a successful television writer on a hit show? 

Lee Goldberg and William Rabkin give you practical but essential advice to help make your dreams a reality. They teach you how to discover the "Franchise" or structure of a television show in order to write a successful and eye catching spec script. The four-act structure is covered, along with the elements that go into telling a good story. After you've blown them away with your spec script, learn how to pitch confidently and concisely. You'll also find invaluable information on how to work with producers, how to handle your first writing assignment, and tackle revisions. Also included are Writer's Guidelines, and beat sheets, from several television shows to help you familiarize yourself with the way writer's work.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780471431688
Publisher: Turner Publishing Company
Publication date: 07/01/2003
Series: Wiley Books For Writers , #1
Edition description: First Edition
Pages: 224
Product dimensions: 6.08(w) x 9.06(h) x 0.61(d)

About the Author

About The Author
LEE GOLDBERG and WILLIAM RABKIN are veteran "showrunners" whose executive producing credits include the long-running drama Diagnosis Murder and the action-adventure hit Martial Law. Their writing and producing credits also include SeaQuest 2032, Spenser: For Hire, Hunter, Baywatch, Sliders, The Cosby Mysteries, Monk, and Nero Wolfe, to name a few. Both are former journalists who covered the television industry for Newsweek, American Film, the San Francisco Chronicle, and the Los Angeles Times Syndicate, among others. In addition, Rabkin has directed episodes of Diagnosis Murder and has taught a popular television writing course at UCLA. Goldberg is also a mystery novelist (Beyond the Beyond, My Gun Has Bullets) and the author of a definitive book on television series development (Unsold TV Pilots). He has taught writing seminars in Seattle, Miami, Denver, and Edmonton, Canada.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments.

Introduction: So You Want to Write for Television.

Chapter 1. Basic Preparation.

Chapter 2. What is a TV Series.

Chapter 3. The Four Act Structure.

Chapter 4. Telling a TV Story.

Chapter 5. The Spec Script.

Chapter 6. What to Spec?

Chapter 7. The Name is Morris, William Morris.

Chapter 8. The Pitch.

Chapter 9. How to Read the Producer's Mind.

Chapter 10. What to Pitch.

Chapter 11. You've Got the Assignment, Now What?

Chapter 12. Your First Assignment.

Chapter 13. We've Got a Few Notes.

Chapter 14. Am I There Yet?

Chapter 15. Becoming Rob Petrie.

Chapter 16. Rewrites.

Chapter 17. Your Really Great Idea For a Show.

Chapter 18. I'm a Professional Writer, and I've Got the Card to Prove It.

Afterword.

Appendices.

A.  Plotting a Mystery: How We Wrote Diagnosis Murder.

B.  Diagnosis Murder Writers' Guidelines.

C.  Martial Law Writers' Guidelines.

D.  Martial La Pitch/Leave-Behind.

E.  Martial Law Beat Sheet.

F.  seaQuest 2032 Pitch/Leave-Behind.

G.  seaQuest 2032 Beat Sheet.

H.  Diagnosis Murder Beat Sheet.

I.  Diagnosis Murder Beat Sheet.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Where was this book when I was starting out?! A fantastic, fun, informative guide to breaking in - and more importantly, staying in the TV writing game - from the guys who taught me how to play it." —Terence Winter, Co-Executive Producer, The Sopranos

"Goldberg and Rabkin write not only with clarity and wit but also with the authority gleaned through their years of experience slogging through Hollywood's trenches. Here is a must-read not only for new writers but also for established practitioners whose spirit and imagination could use a booster shot." —Prof. Richard Walter, Screenwriting Chairman, UCLA Dept. Film and TV

"Not since William Goldman's Adventures in the Screen Trade has there been a book this revealing, funny, and informative about The Industry. Reading this book is like having a good, long lunch with your two best friends in the TV business." —Janet Evanovich

"With sharp wit and painful honesty, Goldberg & Rabkin offer the truest account yet of working in the TV business. Accept no substitutes!" —Jeffrey B. Hodes & Nastaran Dibai, Executive Producers, "Third Rock from The Sun"

"Should be required reading for all aspiring television writers." —Howard Gordon, Executive Producer, 24 and X-Files

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