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Posts tagged as “Fellowships”

TV Spec Script 201: Starting Your Research (PT79)

Alex and Nick discuss how to start researching your TV spec script and the show you selected.

Which episodes and scripts should you watch and read to prepare? Where should your spec script fit within a show? How do you research the structure, characters and stories? What should you look for in scripts of the show you want to spec?

Plus, we answer more voicemails.

The Paper Team does some reverse-engineering…

SHOWNOTES

Content

Paper Scraps: Spec script headers (01:11)
1 – Preparing the research (03:51)
2 – Researching the show on a macro level: structure, character, story and theme (13:40)
3 – Researching the show on a micro and macro level: prose, formatting and added sources (34:31)
Takeaways and Resources (43:10)

Links

Send a voicemail to TV Calling & Paper Team
Roadmap Writers
“TV Spec Script 101” (PT34)
“When should your TV spec script be placed?” – TV Calling
“Weaving Storylines: A/B/C Stories” (PT53)
“Act Breaks” (PT15)

Resources

WGF Library
KCRW’s “The Business”
WGAW’s “3rd & Fairfax”
Barry Katz’s “Industry Standard”

This episode brought to you by:

&

Tracking Board’s Launch Pad Writing Competitions

Use code PAPERTEAM to get $15 OFF when you enter a Launch Pad Competition

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

If you enjoyed this episode (and others), please consider leaving us an iTunes review 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: [email protected]

Current Programming at a TV Network ft. Dana Bramble (The CW) (PT49)

Alex and Nick invite Dana Bramble, coordinator in current programming at The CW, to discuss the ins-and-outs of working in the scripted side of a TV network.

What happens after a pilot gets picked up? How is current programming different from development? What notes do network executives give? How does staffing season operate for current shows? What arcs are pitched ahead of the season? How are standards and practices involved with scripts?

The Paper Team looks at the slate…

SHOWNOTES

Content

Working in current programming, network branding, giving notes, pitching, standards & practices, staffing, diversity initiatives and watching television (01:04)
Resources and Next Week On (34:01)

Links

Dana Bramble on Twitter
The CW
CW Seed
UPN
The WB
CBS Television Studios
Warner Bros. Television
Arrowverse
Broadcast Standards and Practices
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Machinima, Inc.
In the Loop
Sweet/Vicious
JHRTS

Resources

“On Writing” – Stephen King

This episode brought to you by Tracking Board’s Launch Pad Writing Competitions

Use code PAPERTEAM to get $15 OFF when you enter a Launch Pad Competition

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

If you enjoyed this episode (and others), please consider leaving us an iTunes review 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: [email protected]

Writing Children’s Animation ft. Steven Darancette (Lalaloopsy/Tumble Leaf) (PT41)

Alex and Nick invite Steven Darancette, writer on Amazon’s Tumble Leaf and Nick Jr.’s Lalaloopsy, to discuss writing for TV children’s animation.

How does a non-primetime animation writers’ room work? What are some of the distinctions in TV age-groups? How strict are censorship and regulations for children’s content? What are unique challenges in writing for young kids versus young adults? Are there any mandates on an educational or promotional standpoint?

The Paper Team channels their inner child…

SHOWNOTES

Content

Getting started writing for TV children’s animation, how the writers rooms work, and discussing content (00:55)
Resources and Next Time On (40:51)

Links

Steven Darancette on Twitter
Tumble Leaf on Amazon
Lalaloopsy (TV series)
Warner Bros. Animation
Batman: The Animated Series
Animaniacs
Pinky and the Brain
Alan Burnett
Ozzy & Drix
“A Growing Cell” (2×08 – Ozzy & Drix)
Bleak Future
KODAK Super 8
The Tick (2001 TV series)
Jackie Chan Adventures
Krypto the Superdog
Guardians of the Galaxy (TV series)
Ben 10
Lalaloopsy (Dolls)
Bob the Builder
IATSE 839 (Animation Guild)

Resources

“Producing Animation” – Catherine Winder & Zahra Dowlatabadi

This episode brought to you by Tracking Board’s Launch Pad Writing Competitions

Use code PAPERTEAM to get $15 OFF when you enter a Launch Pad Competition

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

If you enjoyed this episode (and others), please consider leaving us an iTunes review 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: [email protected]