Categories: Paper Team TV Writing

Spec v. Pilot: What You Should Be Writing Next (PT04)

Alex and Nick discuss the differences and implications between writing a television spec episode and a television spec pilot. Which script should you choose to write as your next sample? Whether it’s your first teleplay, you want to apply to the fellowships, or you’re trying to build a portfolio to get representation, the Paper Team has got you covered.

SHOWNOTES

Content

1 – Defining what “spec script” and “spec pilot” mean (00:28)
2 – The goals of writing a TV spec script or a spec pilot (02:33)
3 – Why and how spec scripts and pilots are read (10:13)
4 – Deciding what your next writing sample should be (17:13)
Takeaways and Resources (29:40)

Links

What is the difference between a “spec script” and a “spec pilot”?
Star Trek: Terran
Stargate SG-1 – “The Other Guys”

Resources

Writing the TV Drama Series – Pamela Douglas
The TV Writer’s Workbook – Ellen Sandler

TV Calling’s TV Spec Course mentioned in the episode is almost ready.
Be prepared by taking our free PDF Spec Test!

If you enjoyed this episode (and others), please leave us an iTunes review and/or rating at paperteam.co/itunes! :)

You can find Paper Team on Twitter:
Alex@TVCalling
Nick@_njwatson
If you have any questions, comments or feedback, you can e-mail us: ask@paperteam.co

Paper Team
Alex Freedman & Nick Watson

Paper Team is a podcast about television writing and becoming a TV writer.

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Tags: Agents & Managers Books Fellowships Pilots Specs Staffing Star Trek

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