Writing a script for a television series

Author: Judy Howell
Date Of Creation: 2 July 2021
Update Date: 1 July 2024
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How to Write a TV Show Pilot Script That Sells — TV Writing & Development Course: Ep3
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Content

Television is a unique and popular form of entertainment. As with any project in the entertainment industry, there are some rules to follow and tips to be successful. With the help of this article you will be able to write a detailed, exciting and high quality script.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Choosing a topic

  1. Choose a subject. If you have the option to choose the subject of your script yourself, give it some time. The hardest part is going from 0 to 1. Take a sheet of paper or open a new document in the word processing program on your computer. Write down all the ideas for a series that are in your head. For inspiration, write down everything that happens in your own life. Once you have completed this list, you will have many topics to choose from.
  2. Present your idea. Talk to people you trust about this. If many enjoy it, it may be a good idea to put some time into this. Follow your instinct.
  3. Decide. Even if your topic is not very popular, it may still stand a chance, so give it a try.
  4. Start with preliminary research. Before writing your own story, it can be useful to study external sources. This will help generate new ideas and can dispose of old ones. Don't forget that your producer doesn't want to see anything he or she has seen before!

Method 2 of 3: Understand the parts of a script

  1. Decide on the story. This is probably the most important part of your job as it sets the guidelines for the rest of the project. Most of the steps of this section will be worked out at the same time, so it is imperative that you keep the ideas separate so that you can ensure coherence and avoid mistakes. There are no rules on how to do this, so look for a method that works for you. Some people will draw on a drawing pad, others will write everything down on cards, use Mind Mapping, special software, etc. You have to try out what works best for you.
  2. Brainstorm about your idea. Write down another list of ideas for your story. Now you have to start thinking about the overall storyline for the series. Glee, for example, is a hugely popular and great series about college students with different personalities who are all in a singing society. Romance, comedy and drama will get you addicted to the mini-musical every Tuesday / Thursday. An interesting and original plot is essential for a fascinating series, so think carefully about this.
  3. Choose a genre. Think about the plot of your series and try to choose a genre that best matches it. Is it a mystery, a soap opera or a comedy? The possibilities are endless and it is possible that your series will fall into multiple categories. Glee, for example, is a musical comedy drama. After that, you have to choose your target audience carefully, because there is a world of difference between writing for children aged 2-5 and a soap opera for teenagers, or between a series that will be broadcast by a broadcaster in the United States and one that will be broadcast worldwide. will be viewed by Asian people.
  4. Write a pilot. You need a pilot if your series is ever going to be made into a movie. The pilot is what piques people's interest in your series. It should be full of detail while leaving audiences yearning for more information so that after seeing it, they'll want to watch another episode.
  5. Work out a setting. Describe some of the main settings of the series so that you can refer to them if the series is ever made into a movie. Timeline, era, weather conditions, clothing, language, idioms, and so on.
  6. Work out the characters. Each series needs interesting characters to entertain the audience and contribute to the series itself. It's important to keep both plot and genre in mind when working out the characters. Make sure the audience can identify with a character. That will make the audience want to follow the series even more eagerly.
  7. Work out a list of the relationships between the characters. Here you have to draw up three lists. A conflict or disagreement list - this will be a list of two or more characters who simply cannot stand each other. You can write down the reason for this and what the dispute is about exactly. Friendships list - write groups of characters who get along well. Also describe how strong their friendship is and whether it will last throughout the series. A love list - write down which characters are dating, engaged, married, or just like each other. Also write down which characters will come together over the course of the series.
  8. Introduce your series to people again. It is extremely important that your work is done well in this phase. If you make a mistake here, it will be harder and more expensive to fix it later. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to seek help from people with more experience.
  9. Work out the details. If you haven't done this yet, now is the time to capture all the details for your project. Make sure to check the small details several times for their mutual coherence.
    • Plot
    • Setting
    • Characters
    • Special items or tools

Method 3 of 3: Write the script

  1. Bring all your work together and start writing your script. Use a standard script template to help with the format. When writing for a competition, you must follow the specific guidelines regarding the presentation of the script. It is also possible that the producer or director will provide you with all the details. The general script template shape should be the same for all.
  2. Proofreading. There is nothing more valuable to gain experience. The person who started writing the script will certainly not be the same afterwards. Reread it and correct what needs to be improved.

Tips

  • Don't worry about if people will like your series. The viewers come on their own and if you make the audience crave more, they will become addicted to your series and love it.
  • Know your characters through and through. Even insignificant things like their favorite sandwich. If you want to make them into credible characters then she has to be versatile.
  • Contact me an experienced television series writer. His or her tips can lead you to success.
  • Make sure you crave more information yourself. After you've written an episode, you have to want to know where it goes next.

Warnings

  • The world of entertainment is complicated. Don't be discouraged if your work is not appreciated. Try to get feedback and convince yourself that you will do better next time.