Write to TV. Out of your Head and Onto the Screen

Learn to craft smart, original scripts and teleplays for a variety of television formats, including comedy, animation, drama, movies of the week, pilots, reality television, TV news magazine, and children's programming. Using the tools the author provides: checklists, sample outlines and treatments for each format, sample script pages, war stories from writers and executives, and a sample query letter to introduce finished script pages to agents, you'll avoid common pitfalls and come across as an industry veteran. Benefit from the experience of pros: 45 luminaries contribute their experience and wisdom, including Jay Leno, Mike Wallace, Norman Lear, Paul Haggis, writers for "Grey's Anaatomy," "Desperate Housewives," and more! With twenty-five years of industry experience as a television writer and producer, Martie Cook teaches you not only how to hone your craft but also how to break into the industry. Guiding you through the often confusing television hierarchy, Write to TV offers practical advice on important issues such as how to get an agent, how to write a query letter, how to network, even how to "do lunch". By learning how to craft smart scripts for a variety of television formats and how to get your foot in the door and keep it there, this invaluable book will help you get that big idea out of your head, onto the page, and then to the top of the heap. Learn how to craft smart scripts for a variety of television formats and break into the business through: * Examples: In addition to examples of common pitfalls, book includes sample outlines for various formats. * Industry wisdom: Benefit from the advice of an experienced writer. But you don't have to take her word for it--the book is filled with advice, stories, and examples from people currently working in the TV industry. * Practical advice: Business section offers practical advice on important issues like getting an agent, how to write a query letter, and how to network your way into a job.