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Posts published in “TV Business”

TV Writer Representation 101 (PT31)

Alex and Nick discuss the basics of getting an agent or manager representation as a television writer (also known as “TV Lit” representation).

What are the main differences between agents, managers and entertainment lawyers? What will they do for you, and what will you be able to do for them? When are you ready to be represented? Should you get an agent or manager first?

The Paper Team makes some calls…

SHOWNOTES

Content

1 – What is representation for TV writers? (0:35)
2 – The artist/rep relationship (2:00)
3 – Should you get a rep? (11:06)
4 – FAQs and common myths (21:38)
Takeaways and Resources (26:32)

Links

Mike Ovitz meeting in “The Late Shift” (Video)
The Geometry of the Deal
WGAW’s Signatory Agency List
Networking 101: How to Talk With People in Hollywood (PT05)
How to Follow Up (Without Seeming Desperate) (PT07)
Getting Your TV Script Read (PT29)

Resources

“How to Get an Agent” – TV Calling
“How to Manage Your Agent” – Chad Gervich

Special thanks to Jason J. Cohn 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]

Getting Your TV Script Read (PT29)

Alex and Nick discuss strategies on getting your shiny new TV script read around town, and what to actually expect from your efforts.

Who should you want to read you? How do you know when you’re ready to be read? What should you send over? What if you don’t hear back?

The Paper Team has some recommendations…

SHOWNOTES

Content

1 – Who you should get read by (0:39)
2 – What to send and knowing when you’re ready to be read (4:48)
3 – Expectations versus Reality (10:47)
Takeaways and Resources (21:12)

Links

“How to Meet People in LA (When You Don’t Know Anyone)” (PT03)
Networking 101: How to Talk With People in Hollywood (PT05)
The Second City
Starship Troopers – Would You Like to Know More? (Video)
Seeso
Kay Reindl
“How to Follow Up (Without Seeming Desperate)” (PT07)

Resources

“I Will Not Read Your Fucking Script” – Josh Olson
Louis C.K.’s Newsgroup Post

Special thanks to Jason J. Cohn 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]

Web Series and TV Writing ft. Sam Miller (Single by 30/Mom) (PT27)

Alex and Nick welcome Sam Miller, writer on YouTube’s Single by 30 and CBS’ Mom, to discuss his own process for creating a web series (L.A. Beer), the state of the format, his TV writing work, and being involved in JHRTS and the WGA.

How do you make and market your own independent web series? What are the differences between television writing and writing for a YouTube web series? What are the benefits of being involved in JHRTS and the Writers Guild of America?

The Paper Team skips the ad and goes straight to the content…

SHOWNOTES

Content

1 – Beginnings and making/marketing an independent web series (00:37)
2 – The relationship between professional web series and tradition television (18:13)
3 – Writing for TV versus a YouTube Red series (23:39)
4 – Being involved in JHRTS, the WGA, and how Sam sees the evolution of television content (28:32)
Recommendations and Outro (38:49)

Links

Sam Miller on Twitter
L.A. Beer
Machinima
Half-Life
“Small Screen, Big Picture” – Chad Gervich
LA TV Writers Yahoo Group
Desperate Housewives
Supah Ninjas
Mike Alber
Kirby Buckets
Chris Wu
Ali Chen
Jessica Kivnik
Greg Machlin
Andrew Orillion
The Exes
“L.A. Beer, First Web Series Filmed With Live Studio Audience to Launch” (Variety)
High Maintenance
Teachers (TV Land)
CW Seed
Broad City
Single by 30
Machinima, Inc.
Maker Studios
FullScreen
Todd Waldman
JHRTS
“#TheGreyBox: A TV Writing Chatroom” (TV Calling)
“Creating Your Web Series: Empowering Writers to do their Own from Concept to Completion” (Video)
WGF Library
James L. Brooks
Jeff Melvoin
“Farewell, Hulu! Hello, Criterion Channel!” (Criterion)
Seeso
CBS All-Access
YouTube Red Membership
WGAw (YouTube)
PGA (YouTube)
MIPCOM (YouTube)

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]