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How to Write a Pilot for a Television Series     A well-written pilot for a television series opens the door to the world you want to explore further. In this article from 2019, Yvonne Grace shares tips to set up your storylines, create jump off points for your characters and grab a producer's attention. Read More...   By: Yvonne Grace   Writers working with me at Script Advice Towers, learn very early on that I am obsessed with structure. This is a good thing, because storytelling for Television is entirely dominated by this knotty problem. A weakly structured series storyline will not deliver the emotional clout nor the dramatic impact required to make a dent in the story hungry mind of the savvy series binge watcher.   Once you have the series arcs down in broad stroke, you will be able to tackle the pilot with confidence.   I strongly suggest starting with the series outline of your TV idea before you hit the script writing stage. This is because at all times, when writing for television, you need to be aware of the series elements of your story and each episode, although important in their own right, must also link and connect with the episodes following on after—like the beads in a necklace.   The first 10 pages are crucial in the writing of any pilot for television. I outline six essential elements to the construction of your first pages below, but also keep these headings by your writing desk, as a reminder to ensure you have the key facets in your pilot:   DRAW IN YOUR AUDIENCE—remember the visuals! ENGAGE THEM—plant the story seeds here. HOLD THEM—explore character and introduce intrigue or questions. CHALLENGE—deliver a great plot twist or observation via character. PUSH ON—use the pace of this reveal to move the narrative onwards.   Read More...     Sadie Dean   Sadie is the Editor of Script. She has been serving the screenwriting community for nearly a decade by providing resources, contests, consulting, events, and education for writers across the globe. Sadie’s work has been optioned and has had her work produced as well. Additionally, she was a 2nd rounder in the Sundance Screenwriting Lab and has been nominated for The Humanitas Prize for a TV spec with her writing partner. Sadie has also served as a Script Supervisor on projects for WB, TBS and AwesomenessTV, as well as many independent productions. She has also produced music videos, short films and a feature documentary film. Twitter @SadieKDean       Active Interest Media P.O. Box 20730 Boulder, Colorado, 80308 United States   Documentaries Use Scripts, Too   Most screenwriters have probably never thought twice about writing documentaries. But if you think about it, even an observational cinéma vérité style documentary needs someone to craft its story. Read More...   INDIE SPOTLIGHT: Interview with 'Wildcat' writer/director Jonathan W. Stokes     'Wildcat' writer/director Jonathan W. Stokes shares insight on the importance of pre-production, the creative brevity of writing within a contained world, and how his improv background informs his writing routine. Read More...     5 Tips Before Entering A Script Competition or Showing Your Script To a ‘Professional’   Follow basic rules, and you will give an amazing ‘first date’ impression to anyone reading your words. Tim Schildberger gives five tips to proactively check before entering your script into a contest. Read More...       Should Aspiring Screenwriters Move to Los Angeles? Not Necessarily   As the industry changes and more writers are finding representation, selling projects, and getting staffed remotely, you may find that you never have to move to Los Angeles. Read More...       How Comedy Works   This Thursday!   Comedy writing is sometimes compared to songwriting: in music, every note is important; in comedy, every word, even every syllable can be critical.   There are lots of classes about writing funny; this one is about what funny is – its mechanics, its principles. And while comedy people certainly vary in their ability to articulate those principles, they all take them seriously and refer to them constantly (“Call-back’s too soon”; “Set-up’s got too many words”).   Learn More...         Free Screenwriting Resources   If you’re looking for free screenwriting tips and advice to help kick-start your writing career, then you’ll love our vast selection of free downloads. From learning how to write a script the right way to how to beat writer’s block, you’ll find something that will help you increase your chances of success! Read More...   Sadie Dean   Sadie is the Editor of Script. She has been serving the screenwriting community for nearly a decade by providing resources, contests, consulting, events, and education for writers across the globe. Sadie’s work has been optioned and has had her work produced as well. Additionally, she was a 2nd rounder in the Sundance Screenwriting Lab and has been nominated for The Humanitas Prize for a TV spec with her writing partner. Sadie has also served as a Script Supervisor on projects for WB, TBS and AwesomenessTV, as well as many independent productions. She has also produced music videos, short films and a feature documentary film. Twitter @SadieKDean     Active Interest Media P.O. Box 20730 Boulder, Colorado, 80308 United States   A Special Message from our Trusted Partner Active Interest Media P.O. Box 20730 Boulder, Colorado, 80308 United States         A Special Offer from our Trusted Partner Register early by August 31st. The 2021 Script Pipeline Screenwriting and TV Writing Competitions connect talented writers with production companies, agencies, and managers who can help launch their career. As one of the longest-running and most successful screenplay contests, we focus specifically on finding writers representation, supporting diverse voices, championing marketable, unique storytelling, and pushing more original projects into production. $7 million in screenplays and pilots have been sold by competition finalists and "Recommend" writers, with numerous scripts produced since 1999. In the last few years alone, Script Pipeline writers have optioned screenplays, sold shows, or were staffed on major streaming and network series, including Writers Guild Award-winner Howard Jordan Jr. (Family Reunion, The Unicorn), Tripper Clancy (Die Hart, I Am Not Okay With This), and Laura Bensick (Everyday Insanity). Many others were connected with representation, such as Screenwriting winner Helen Gaughran signing with agents at UTA. Submit a Screenplay | Submit a TV Pilot View Script Pipeline success stories *follow Script Pipeline on Twitter for announcements and giveaways. Also join hundreds of other writers worldwide for Friday night "mixers" under the hashtag #PipelineWriters. Script an Active Interest Media company 5720 Flatiron Parkway, Boulder, Colorado 80301