• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Marilyn Horowitz

Marilyn Horowitz

Screenwriting Classes, Coaching, and Resources

212-600-1115
  • Home
  • About
  • Writing Services
  • Writing Guidance
    • Writing Evaluation
    • Writing Guidance
    • Comprehensive Packages
    • Ongoing Coaching
  • Classes & Seminars
    • New York University Classes
    • Seminars
    • Free Video Tutorials
    • Movie Breakdowns
    • Online Stores
  • Books & Media
  • Blog
  • Contact

From Feature to TV Series-Adaptation Tips

December 19, 2020 by Marilyn Horowitz

Happy Friday and Happy Holidays!

What a great snowstorm!!! I love the snow and earlier today was playing hooky from writing and having a coffee outside. When I looked down, I saw this sign and took a photo.   The sign reminded me of what I’m here to do,  so I went home and went back to work.  The message I got was clear: Writing is a 24/7 job, and even though the holidays are coming, honor your inner writer who may enjoy writing as much as “civilians” enjoy hanging out!

This week, I worked on helping a student adapt their feature script into an hour TV pilot. Of course, once you’re busy, you get busier, and two other writers converting screenplays into TV series approached me.  We reviewed the differences between screenplays and teleplays, and I thought some of the main points would be of interest.

Here are some adaptation tips:

1. You must “un-resolve” your story.
In a movie, the main conflict is resolved, while in a TV series, this core conflict must drive the series. For example, in the great TV show, Everyone Loves Raymond, the endless conflict is that he can’t choose between his parents and his wife and kids. In every episode, each part of his life vies with the other, and he can never win. In a feature script, this conflict would be resolved at the end.

2. A well-structured screenplay lends itself to a traditional TV season story “arc.”
You can break your screenplay into “episodes” and then expand into a full season of a series because a portion of the season story arc is told in each hour or half-hour TV episode. Further, you can adapt your current  ending  into  a “season finale,” which wraps up any loose ends and often suggests what the next season will be about.

3. Serial Structure is easiest.
When adapting a screenplay into a series use the serial structure because each chunk of the plot can neatly fit into a half-hour or one hour episode. Since my writing method, The HorowitzSystem®, divides a story into four-act sections, and twelve sequences, you can create a 13-part serial series with ease!

I’ll be exploring adapting screenplays for TV  in more depth in upcoming newsletters.

Here’s to your successful writing,

Professor Marilyn Horowitz

Primary Sidebar

Sign Up

for our Screenwriting Newsletter and Receive Our FREE Gift How To Write a Treatment.

Testimonials

I feel like I have found “my teacher.”

For the first time, in all my years of taking various classes, I feel like I have found “my teacher.”

Audrey M.

Larry G.

“Marilyn, It’s been an amazing year developing my script. Thank you for your mentorship and friendship.”

- Larry G.

Allison-Author 101 University

“Just wanted to say I read your book and think it’s terrific. You took a process that can seem overwhelming… Read more “Allison-Author 101 University”

- Allison-Author 101 University

Levin Lee

“It is such an amazing ride to take your classes. Your generosity, insight and gracious support inspires me in so… Read more “Levin Lee”

- Levin Lee

Deborah Van Eck, executive producer, Bonyton Beach Club

“Professor Horowitz offers amazing insights and tools to keep the writer focused, disciplined and thinking out the box.”

- Deborah Van Eck, executive producer, Bonyton Beach Club
View All Testimonials

Television Writing Evaluation & Guidance

Screenwriting Evaluation & Guidance

Classes & Seminars

Footer

Connect

Contact

CLASSES

Contact the office at 212-600-1115

MEDIA & SPEAKING INQUIRIES

Contact Marilyn Horowitz at 212-600-1115

PUBLISHING & FILM INQUIRIES

Contact Koehler Books at 757-289-6006

  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
Copyright © 2021 · Marilyn Horowitz. All rights reserved.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkRead more