Happy Friday!
I‘ve been in LA working on a TV show, and what I am seeing is that there is real opportunity to get shows made.
Based on the meetings and attending a panel where the creator of BoJack Horseman discussed his success, it seems that the best format to write in is the half-hour show whether comedy or drama. That’s because they are less expensive to produce, so a newbie has a real shot.
When I work with my private students developing TV shows, they learn how to write two episodes, an “origin” Pilot, and the first episode. There are several reasons for this:
1. Character development is essential to success, but by writing stories instead of character bios, we writers can maximize our time.
2. When writers make a sale, the producers may want a Pilot that reads more like an episode.
3. Being prolific is a key to success, so getting used to writing multiple episodes strengthens your writing muscles.
4. It increases the probability of you surviving and flourishing in the Writer’s Room.
This is a window that will close, so get busy!
Father’s Day
Father’s Day is on Sunday, and it’s important to remember to connect with your father in some way. Mine is gone, but I remember how he used to show us movies and read to us when we were kids. I miss him, and want to honor his memory. I also want to honor my stepfather who raised us from age 14 on. He was a career Marine, who won a Purple Heart medal in Vietnam.
Here’s to your successful writing,
Professor Marilyn Horowitz
