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Posts tagged as “Specs”

Episodes, Actors, and Contagion – Paper Scraps Monthly (PT175)

Episodes, Actors, and Contagion – Paper Scraps Monthly (PT175)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:04 — 27.7MB)

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Alex and Nick answer your TV writing questions about episodic versus serialization, actor schedules, and fellowship specs.

Plus, we look at some TV business news tied to the coronavirus and the upcoming WGA-MBA negotiations.

NOTE: This episode was recorded before the current “shelter in place” orders.
Get the latest updates and resources about COVID-19 in California at https://covid19.ca.gov. Stay home, stay safe.

Content

Announcements and Shout-outs (00:51)
TV Writing Questions: Episodic v. serialized, actor schedules, fellowship specs (05:12)
TV Writing News: WGA-MBA negotiations and coronavirus (17:24)

Links

Javi’s Twitter thread on serialization
The Art of the TV Episode (PT20)
Writing Episodic vs. Serialized TV (PT95)
Jeffrey’s Twitter thread on scheduling
“WGA And AMPTP Set Date To Start Contract Talks” – Deadline
“SXSW 2020 canceled” – USA Today
“TV Academy Bans Audience Interaction With Talent at FYC Panels” – Variety

If you enjoy Paper Team, 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]

Showrunning Duncanville & The Simpsons ft. Mike Scully (PT172)

Showrunning Duncanville & The Simpsons ft. Mike Scully (PT172)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:18:58 — 72.5MB)

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Alex and Nick invite Mike Scully, executive producer, co-creator, co-showrunner of FOX’s Duncanville, long-time writer/showrunner of The Simpsons, and writer/producer on Parks and Recreation/The Carmichael Show/Everybody Loves Raymond, to learn all about his writing process and running a comedy room.

From staffing a writers’ room and reading samples, to breaking episodes and producing an animated show, we take a deep dive into what goes into creating a comedy series from the inside.

PT172 Mike Scully

Content

1 – Beginnings, pitching, and becoming a showrunner (00:00:43)
2 – Staffing Duncanville and other writers’ rooms: reading samples, assembling the right staff and advice for showrunner meetings (00:09:19)
3 – The Duncanville & Simpsons rooms and writing process: best practices, format differences, blue-skying, breaking episodes, tone, structure, and character arcs (00:23:53)
4 – Production of Duncanville: animation, department heads, casting and punch-ups (00:40:47)
Final advice, resources, and next week on (01:11:38)

Links

Duncanville on FOX
Mike Scully on Twitter
Everybody Loves Raymond
Parks and Recreation
The Carmichael Show
What a Country!
Out of This World

Resource

“Tinker in Television” – Grant Tinker

If you enjoy Paper Team, 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]

Preemptive Specs, Political Tweets, and Peacock – Paper Scraps Monthly (PT157)

Preemptive Specs, Political Tweets, and Peacock – Paper Scraps Monthly (PT157)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:37 — 25.5MB)

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Alex and Nick answer your TV writing questions about political tweets, topic suggestions, and predicting fellowship specs.

Plus, we catch up on some TV writing news from the past few weeks, including the WGA election results, the announcement of a new OTT service, and a TV crossover event.

Reminder

Our next live event will be on Wednesday, November 20. We’ll be doing a table read of a pilot script from one lucky Paper Tease winner! Join our Patreon to get early tickets.

Content

Announcements and Shout-outs (01:07)
Audience Questions: Political tweets, TV writing education, and predicting speccable shows (05:56)
TV Writing News: WGA election results, Peacock, and Apple Studios (18:54)

Links

The Paper Team 150th Episode Special (PT150)
Should You Pay for TV Writing Education? (PT19)
Results for WGAw’s 2019 Officers and Board Of Directors Election
NBCUniversal Announces Peacock as Name of its Streaming Service (PR)
“Apple Launches In-House Studio” – The Hollywood Reporter
“Tom Welling to reprise Smallville role for Arrowverse’s ‘Crisis on Infinite Earths’ crossover” – EW

This episode brought to you by Roadmap Writers
Use the code PAPERTEAM to get $15 OFF your Roadmap Writers Program

If you enjoy Paper Team, 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]