Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Concept Creation
• Method 2 of 3: Writing a Literary Script
• Method 3 of 3: Submit your TV show idea
• Tips
• Warnings

The high turnover of TV shows is due to the presence of fierce competition in the television industry. Knowing how to write and communicate your original ideas or scripts will give you a huge advantage, thereby allowing you to present those ideas to the world and get paid accordingly.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Concept Creation

1. 1 Think about the main plot line. The “what-if” storytelling is at the heart of all the series that have won acclaim in Hollywood. It could be as simple as "what if you make a reality documentary about the life of a paper supply company?" (Office) or something with a more convoluted plot, like "what if the chemistry teacher starts making methamphetamine?" (Breaking Bad). This idea will become the foundation of your show, the one that will set it apart from the heap and start making money.
   • At this point, you shouldn't (or shouldn't) come up with a lot of storylines or moves. Just put the main idea of ​​your show on paper. After all, Seinfeld itself was described as "what if we shoot a show about nothing?"
2. 2 Explore current TV programming for current trends and opportunities. You can visit the ubiquitous information portal Deadline.com or Variety to keep up with the current trends in Hollywood TV series. For example, in August 2015, an article flashed on Deadline that cable TV channels are looking for an idea for filming a new one-hour comedy. Isn't it a hint about the current state of the market?
   • Write down the names of TV shows and studios assigned to projects similar to yours. Most likely, they are the ones who will want to acquire your work in the future.
3. 3 Decide on a genre. It is the genre that determines the concept of the series you create. It can be anything from comedy to detective. There are many nuances in choosing a genre, so if in doubt, it would be useful to browse the genres of your favorite TV shows on the Internet.For example, Arrested Development is a "one-chamber situational comedy," meaning that there were no spectators during filming, as in classic sitcoms like Gay Company, which is a "multi-chamber sitcom." This difference, however small, is of great importance in conveying the idea of ​​your show, as some channels have their own preferences about the content they provide.
   • The genre dictates the mood, tone and style of the script, and it must also meet some of the expectations of the intended audience.
   • The presence of a genre should not lead to an obsession with one type of plot. It should only make it easier to sell and communicate your idea.
4. 4 Create a couple of characters. A well-written character is a must for any successful TV series. It is the characters of the series that make people turn on the TV on the right channel every week and set the plot of each episode in motion. Try to come up with 2-5 main characters, but no more, otherwise it will be difficult to control them. By the way, the limit is 7 people ("Community" and most dramas). Your characters must have the following characteristics:
   • Versatility. Characters need to be versatile, which sweeps aside simple descriptions like "angry wife" or "strong hero". Multi-faceted characters have strengths, weaknesses, and room for growth.
   • Filled with desires and fears. It is their ability or inability to overcome their fear (poverty, loneliness, space aliens, spiders, and so on) that ignites conflicts every episode and shows you the goals of the series.
   • Activity. A good character should push the plot forward with his choices. They make mistakes, try to fix everything, go to parties and so on and so forth, because they want it, and not because the scriptwriter demands it from them.
5. 5 You need to understand what makes a great idea marketable. The executive director of development is engaged in approving promising ideas from a huge number of checkpoints. The best ideas (or at least the selected ones) have some things in common:
   • Originality. Has this been shown already? Is this idea similar to something else, and if so, is it different enough not to be secondary?
   • Estimated cost. Few studios are willing to risk hundreds of millions of dollars for an inexperienced screenwriter or director. If you have just started working in television, it will be quite difficult for you to sell a large project, like The Walking Dead, which has a high financial risk.
   • Script / Pilot version. This includes writing a literary script, a director's script, or a short storyboard. Your idea may have given you a unique opportunity, but for the series to be shot, you still have to try hard.

Method 2 of 3: Writing a Literary Script

1. 1 Come up with a name. It should be easy to remember and catchy. Most of the series' titles are based on some kind of wordplay, and the use of well-established speech patterns ensures your show is universally recognized. The plot of Mad Men, for example, is based on an advertising agency and workers whose lives are spiraling out of control. Community, on the other hand, is about community college education and a close-knit group of people. Don't underestimate the importance of a good name.
2. 2 Write an interesting logline. A logline is one or two sentences about your show designed to feed an idea to producers. This description usually explains the main point of the show and / or talks about the main characters. If your concept cannot be summarized in the description, then such an idea may not be relevant. The logline should contain a description of the events of the series with the obligatory indication of the bold plot moves and premises present in it.
   • Back to the Future. A high school student accidentally falls into the past, where by his actions he interferes with the meeting of his parents and his own birth!
   • Jaws. The police sheriff, despite his fear of the sea, tries to protect the city from the attack of a killer shark. Meanwhile, the greedy mayor of the city refuses to admit that there is a problem on the beach, complicating an already deplorable situation.
   • Ratatouille. The French Rat is joining forces with a terrible chef to prove that everyone can cook, but envious critics and a sanitary inspector will go to great lengths to stop them.
3. 3 Write a synopsis between 300 and 500 words. This is a short but comprehensive description of the show. You can add many tense moments to your synopsis, but the shorter the description, the better. Try to extract from your show a captivating, concise description of the plot that you would like to see on TV. Some must-haves:
   • Setting.
   • The main plot of the series.
   • Scenario plan (what event does each episode describe?).
4. 4 Create a short yet detailed character description sheet. Take a separate sheet and list all the characters on it, adding 1-2 sentences each describing their personal qualities. Pay attention to precision and conciseness. What drives these characters and what makes them special? Do not include physique or cast unless they are relevant to the story.
5. 5 Write a synopsis of 3-4 episodes. This should be a short (1-2 paragraphs) description of several episodes. You need to give people the opportunity to see how the plot will develop in the series, what the episodes will be like, and what budget and cast will be required for this. If you're writing drama, aim for 400-500 words per episode, and roughly 200-300 words for 30-minute shows.
   • If you are promoting a series of documentaries, be sure to make a short video on the topic or the people involved. This will help producers see the potential of the project. You can also outline possible storylines in the lives of these people.
6. 6 Mixing a literary script. The final version of the document should be from 3 to 10 pages of text with a strict logical sequence. Add a title page to the script, including the project name, your name, and contact information. The order of documents should be as follows:
   • Name
   • Logline
   • Synopsis
   • Characters (edit)
   • Scenario plan
   • If you are creating a reality show, make sure it can be brought to life. In the case of a competitive reality show, provide a detailed description of each aspect of the game. It is important to indicate exactly what will actually be closely monitored, briefly telling the idea, as well as the main points.
7. 7 Consider writing a director's script. Ultimately, the fiction script will not make it onto the television screens. Having the director's script in hand, you can immediately start filming the first episode, if, of course, the channel likes your idea. Nevertheless, a lot of people sell the ideas themselves, and then they write the script. However, this practice is common only among already established filmmakers.
   • Check out scripts for TV shows that are similar to yours to get a better idea of ​​what the script should look like.
   • If you want to write a script for a TV show, such as a drama, first learn how to write it correctly. Scripting classes can be taught at local community colleges.
   • Specialized scripting software can make your job easier. Popular choices are Movie Magic Screen Writer, Celtx, Writer Duets, or Final Draft.
8. 8 In accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation, copyright protection does not require registration of a work or compliance with any other formalities.
   • However, the author can use special Internet services to protect his copyright.

Method 3 of 3: Submit your TV show idea

1. 1 Add your material to the public electronic business database. These sites cost money to use, but in return they allow the TV bosses to view your scripts. Typically, a fee is charged for evaluating the script and placing it in the appropriate place in the rating list. But be careful, the bulk of these sites are not trustworthy, so be sure to poke them online for reviews, reviews and successful projects. Check the validity of each submitted "success story" on the IMDB website.
   • The most authoritative site for hosting scripts remains The Blacklist, which has gone through many reviews and had several high-profile projects.
   • Accepting unsolicited materials without an intermediary puts the company at risk of being accused of theft. Receiving an electronic confirmation of the survey of companies that have access to your ideas is a unique advantage that the Internet today provides for the development of television technologies.
2. 2 Make a list of companies that might be interested in your idea and contact them online. Find phone numbers, email names, and a list of submitted ideas from companies that are making TV shows similar to yours. Contact them in a way that suits you and try to make an appointment to discuss your ideas. Most importantly, think of it not as a desperate act, but as a desire to do everything possible to sell your script.
   • No one in their mind would suggest a trite horror story to NBC when it can be sent to SyFy. For the same reason, you shouldn't send a historical drama to Greg Daniels' production company (The Office). Think about what kind of TV shows this or that studio is engaged in, and only then decide who your idea is best for.
   • Collect information on training courses. They are 6-8 week programs to hone your ideas in the TV studio. The problem is that there is simply an unheard-of competition for one place.
3. 3 Get to know everyone you can. A live meeting is still your best chance to sell your idea or show. Have a coffee with friends, take part in an impromptu performance, or get a job on set. Even if the people you meet are unable to bring your idea to life, they may know someone who can.
   • If you get the chance, take a job as a trainee or assistant on the set - whoever you want, just to plunge into the world of the television and film industry.
   • While not necessary, it will be much easier for you to sell your idea to Hollywood if you live there yourself. If you're serious about it, it might be time to move to Los Angeles. However, a lot of TV shows are also being filmed in New York.
4. 4 You need to understand that when you get to the interview, only an effective presentation will help you sell your idea. When you are given the floor, you will have to surprise the channel's management. Making a presentation is a whole art, but it has more to do with a commercial proposal than with a conceptual presentation. Your goal is to get these people interested in your show, to put its image in their heads so that they can clearly imagine the end result. To do this, pay attention to the following points:
   • Grasping. Go back to the “what if” description of your show. What is so original, exciting about it that makes it worth seeing?
   • Audience. Who is the series aimed at? Does it match the channel's current audience?
   • Announcement. If you were selling this show through ads, what points would you like to highlight? What shots bring the world of the show to life?
5. 5 Remember, you have to be a salesperson, not a writer. Why does your show fit their audience? How does he complement the rest of the series? Why would they buy your show? Don't get hung up on how awesome you and your show are, prove to them that buying it will be profitable for them.
   • To grab the attention of your audience, you need to know what series the channel is producing and for whom it is intended.
6. 6 Speak quickly and energetically. Your presentation should be no more than 15 minutes long and be as short as possible. Let management know what your show is, engage with their concept, and explain why it's perfect for their channel. Then thank them for their attention and promise to answer any questions.
   • Grind your presentation well in advance and rehearse it several times. It must be as flawless as the director's and literary script.
   • It also doesn't hurt to have a couple of other ideas with you, even if you don't have a script ready for them. Even if they like you and your idea, they may simply not have free space on the air.

Tips

• The more ideas and scenarios you have, the better. Keep working on different ideas in similar genres so that you can offer them a bunch of ideas at the presentation.
• Do market research and come up with an original idea. You will not be accepted by an idea that has already been used in movies, books, or other TV shows.

Warnings

• Registering an electronic copy will help prevent theft of your ideas.