facebook_pixel Press "Enter" to skip to content

Looking to start your TV writing journey?

Posts published in “Paper Team”

Fox Writers Lab ft. Moira Griffin – Inside the TV Writing Programs (PT137)

Alex and Nick return to their “Inside the TV Writing Program” series – a deep dive into what goes on inside every major TV writing program from the decision makers themselves.

Our fifth part takes a look at the Fox Writers Lab, with Moira Griffin, who oversees the program as Executive Director of Production and Creative Labs for 21st Century Fox.

We discuss everything, from the latest update about the program and its application process, to what they focus on in scripts, loglines, and what comes after.

PT137 Moira Griffin Fox

Content

About the Fox Writers Lab (00:43)
1 – The application process (06:41)
2 – The selection process (23:27)
3 – The program (31:10)
4 – After the program and final advice (41:33)

Links

Fox Writers Lab
Fox Directors Lab
Moira Griffin on Twitter

If you enjoyed this episode and others, please consider supporting us on Patreon at paperteam.co/patreon! :)

Special thanks to Alex Switzky for helping us edit this episode.

You can find Paper Team on Twitter:
Alex@TVCalling
Nick@_njwatson
For any questions, comments or feedback, you can e-mail us: [email protected]

Paper Scraps Monthly – Similar Ideas, Quality of Dialogue, and Staffing Opportunities (PT136)

Alex and Nick answer audience questions about similar premises, quality of dialogue, and cultural experiences.

Plus, we catch up on some of the TV writing news from the past few weeks, including a discussion on staffing opportunities, Netflix and Disney.

Content

Shout-outs (00:24)
Audience Questions: Similar ideas, quality of dialogue, cultural experience, animation (02:46)
TV Writing News: Staffing opportunities, Netflix and Disney (20:29)

Links

“To Live & Dialogue in LA” podcast
Inspiration vs. Stealing in TV Writing (PT58)
TV Dialogue 101 (PT51)
Writing Samples and Preparing for TV Staffing ft. Liz Alper & Kai Wu (PT119)
“Feeling the Churn: Why Netflix Cancels Shows After A Couple Of Seasons” – Deadline
“Disney+ to Launch in November” – Variety

If you enjoyed this episode and others, please consider supporting us on Patreon at paperteam.co/patreon! :)

Special thanks to Alex Switzky for helping us edit this episode.

You can find Paper Team on Twitter:
Alex@TVCalling
Nick@_njwatson
For any questions, comments or feedback, you can e-mail us: [email protected]

Earning Your Way Into the Writers’ Room ft. Ning Zhou (Ozark) (PT135)

Alex and Nick invite Ning Zhou, story editor on Ozark, to discuss how she worked her way up through the assistant ranks and into the fabled writers’ room.

What is the process of writing for Ozark? How do you transition into the writers’ room? How can you nail that assistant interview? What are ways of being a valuable showrunner’s assistant and writers’ assistant? Why is it important for the support staff to make their career goals clear? Why is communication so important in television?

The Paper Team moves up the Ozark writers room…

Content

Earning Your Way Into the Writers’ Room with Ning Zhou (00:32)
Final Advice, Resources, and Next Week On (47:08)

Links

Ning Zhou on IMDb
Ozark on Netflix
Damages
Bloodline

Resources

“Bird by Bird” – Anne Lamott

If you enjoyed this episode and others, please consider supporting us on Patreon at paperteam.co/patreon! :)

Special thanks to Alex Switzky for helping us edit this episode.

You can find Paper Team on Twitter:
Alex@TVCalling
Nick@_njwatson
For any questions, comments or feedback, you can e-mail us: [email protected]