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How to make it as a TV writer

featuresblogs.chicagotribune.c… — If you want to be a TV writer, make sure the scripts you send to network executives are formatted correctly. And for goodness' sake, use a spell-checker before you put your work in the mail. Those were just a couple of the practical tips that aspiring writers picked up...

Who dugg this? Made popular Apr 21, 2008

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  • DeathJux, on 04/21/2008, -0/+15Some sort of ridiculous show with giant fighting sex robot cars and animatronic banana commandos, filled with awesome guitar solos that wail harder than the biggest blackest boners.

    Yeah.
  • RabbiBizarro, on 04/21/2008, -0/+13Use a spell checker and make sure that its properly formatted? Come on....
  • Harabeck, on 04/21/2008, -2/+15Ive figured it out! During slow spells in the day random stories with about 30 diggs are pushed to the front.
  • joessandwich, on 04/22/2008, -0/+9Uhhh... this article doesn't actually give any information about making it as a TV writer beyond the obvious.
  • DannySpace, on 04/21/2008, -0/+9First Step: Purchase a pair of Knee Pads...
  • mrlivingston, on 04/21/2008, -0/+7About that spell-check thing..."British".
  • Amadeus2490, on 04/22/2008, -0/+6Step Two: cut a hole in the box. . .
  • MarrowMan, on 04/22/2008, -0/+6I'd want to write Terminator...I could fix that lame show so quickly...
  • mrlivingston, on 04/21/2008, -0/+6Oh yeah...and have talent!
  • ANT1138, on 04/21/2008, -1/+6You just rewrite scripts from TV shows from the past, but with updated vernacular, clothing and references to teh internet. That's all. Same ol' ***** with a shiny new exoskeleton.
  • Whackly, on 04/21/2008, -0/+4Futurama, The Venture Bros., Harvey Birdman, 30 Rock
  • humperdinck, on 04/22/2008, -0/+4"Its." But keep writing!
  • BTConan, on 04/22/2008, -0/+4Don't blame your inability to spell on Firefox.
  • funkytaco, on 04/22/2008, -1/+5Some show featuring Michael J. Fox. Not sure of the overal idea, but I'd have him say 'ayeeeeeeeeeeeugh' alot while pulling at his shirt colllar with one finger, loosening his tie, with his face turning red, while backing away from some hot women. I would do that every scene.

    I think I'd call it 'We love Michael'
  • killerstache, on 04/21/2008, -1/+4you're good. perhaps, too good.
  • twiztedambience, on 04/22/2008, -0/+3Here's a tip: STOP WRITING CRIME DRAMAS

    Another tip: expect your script to be bought for a low ball price, then either put in a vault in the basement of company headquarters until it is forgotten or modified and re-authored by some monkey employed by the network.

    However, I'd still like to think there is hope... so find a way to keep trying. Sadly, I doubt this article will help you.
  • d3dm, on 04/22/2008, -0/+3American Pole Dancer
  • whitemage, on 04/22/2008, -0/+3this article isn't really helpful
  • moocow1452, on 04/21/2008, -3/+6Heroes, to reclaim it's dignity!
  • holyreality, on 04/22/2008, -0/+3as a former film development executive, I can't even begin to count how many scripts I've seen with formatting issues, spelling problems and major grammatical errors. when you're swamped with scripts to read, tossing those with the most basic problems into the trash first is always a good (albeit sometimes unfortunate) way to start.
  • hellotherapist, on 04/22/2008, -0/+3Yeah, well most of the youth today have such poor grammar, that had to be brought to attention unfortunately.
  • Amadeus2490, on 04/22/2008, -1/+4That's true. Just add in an occasional reference to the current president, a popular band/song or something people remember from their childhood. To help you get started on your first script, here's a template (in no particular order):

    Terrible mother in-laws, a child who is aware of sex, one lie that leads to many more, Converting to Judaism; circumcision, an important object that is ruined by a friend/family member, who then tries to cover it up, a double-entendre that's a complete misunderstanding, an easy joke about George W. Bush being an idiot, an easy joke about Bill Clinton receiving oral sex, waking up with a hangover, an over-heard secret that is blurted under pressure, gay marriage, how out-of-touch a rich character is with everybody else, fat people, frat boys that drink a lot of beer , a scientist who refuses to believe in anything spiritual, married couples not having sex with each other for long periods of time; sly put-downs between the couple about how long he lasts in bed; how he is unsatisfied with her body, crashing a new car, a filmed-on-location episode, teenagers who are embarrassed of their parents, etc etc.

    Simply use any combination of these in your script, and then intersperse sex, violence and/or profanity exclusively for shock value; you'll have a hit in no time.
  • carpeclunes, on 04/22/2008, -1/+4Alls you do is make Summer Glau nude the whole time.
  • AshamedAmerican, on 04/22/2008, -0/+3Step Three: Get a fluffer for the goat.
  • tbone8978, on 04/22/2008, -0/+3I think the biggest tip from CBS would be to give them another ***** crime drama.
    CSI, CSI New York, CSI Miami, NCIS, Cold Case, Without a Trace, Criminal Minds, Numb3rs, Dexter, Shark,
    Anyone else see a patten?
  • swordedge, on 04/22/2008, -0/+3they forgot "Check your brain at the door"
  • himthatwas, on 04/22/2008, -0/+3Hold on, can you guys go a little slower? I'm trying to write this down but my hands are kind of full.
  • docCdav, on 04/22/2008, -0/+2+1 digg for me being there. It really was enlightening.
  • greatgatsbyII, on 04/22/2008, -0/+2Dear sir or madam will you read my script? It's a mini series will you take a look?
  • aethelberga, on 04/22/2008, -0/+2This article could have used a spell checker. And an editor.
  • jamesov89, on 04/22/2008, -1/+3Before handing in papers for school I always read them aloud and it helps a lot.
  • 1charmedlife, on 04/22/2008, -0/+2Great resource for budding writers is the old but awesome website of Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio - http://www.wordplayer.com/.
    Also, don't waste your time looking for an agent, invest instead in finding producers who have made at least *something* you like, or whom you think based on their track record, might like what you're writing - then see which ones allow direct submissions and send to them.
    If you have any interaction with them beyond a "pass," you can often ask one of the assistants for a copy of internal "coverage" if they have any - these will be notes from someone who read your script which can help you pinpoint where you went wrong, or what's not coming across the way you wanted it to.
    Good luck!
  • moocow1452, on 04/22/2008, -0/+2Brannon Braga? Is that you?
  • gudnbluts, on 04/22/2008, -0/+2Or go on one of those Law and Order/CSI type shows, and just resubmit stuff from a couple of seasons ago, or use the same scripts but set it in a different town.
  • jmkiii, on 04/22/2008, -0/+2How can "goodness" be possessive?
  • meatmcguffin, on 04/22/2008, -0/+2Yeah, like the guy in the ten thousand dollar suit is going to make sure it's properly formatted...
  • WilliamDavis, on 04/22/2008, -0/+2No kidding. I was immediately wondering if this was an event for mentally challenged aspiring writers.
  • DeathJux, on 04/22/2008, -0/+2Um, duh? So many diggers froth and scream "OMG HOW DID IT GET POPULAR WITH 30 DIGGS!" without considering the circumstances. When this place is crazy busy, it's rare that anything gets on the front-page without a high amount of diggs, but when it slows down overnight (CST), weaker stuff makes it.
  • kylere, on 04/22/2008, -0/+2Not a Forensics or hospital based show, we have more than enough of those.
  • spinaltap87, on 04/22/2008, -1/+2Hey *****, Dexter ***** rules on Showtime
  • ColonelTribune, on 04/21/2008, -2/+3My pleasure!
  • Harabeck, on 04/22/2008, -0/+1The real question is why dont they bump up the upcoming stories? Do they not want the upcoming section filled with stories with low numbers of diggs? Why did this story get to go up past stories with 200 diggs accumulated in a much faster time?
  • tecpatl, on 04/21/2008, -1/+2Sam and Jim Go To Hollywood is a kickass podcast about a couple guys who packed up everything in Minnesota and moved out to California to become writers. It was really cool to follow their adventure along the way. Google it if you're interested.
  • Amadeus2490, on 04/22/2008, -1/+2I've talked to many college graduates who have no idea how to spell common words. I have no idea how you can fail at your native language.
  • ANT1138, on 04/22/2008, -2/+3Step Four: Profit
  • boombye, on 04/21/2008, -1/+2How long have you been trying to solve this?
  • DesdinovaEL, on 04/22/2008, -0/+1One trick I use to catch all kinds of errors is to 'read' it backwards best I can. Your entire brain focuses on what is physically on the page and doesnt get into comprehending the message.
  • boombye, on 04/21/2008, -2/+3It's the lupus..
  • Kazanoe, on 04/22/2008, -2/+2I'm sorry. You listed Dexter under '***** crime drama'
    Your list will be henceforth disregarded.
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