Sitcom Success: Write the Perfect Pilot in 6 Weeks
What is a perfect sitcom pilot?
The perfect pilot is the one that sells. A pilot that sells has: 1) a great story, 2) great characters, and 3) is very funny and original. You need all three elements. With only one or two of these, it’s a “no sale.” You need 3 out of 3.
The Perfect Pilot is well-written, funny, easy to pitch, fills the basis for more than one season, and satisfies the buyers’ financial and demographic needs.
How to write the perfect sitcom pilot?
How do you do all of that? These comprehensive packages walk you through the entire process, from blank page to the funny final draft. Whether you have a new idea, or you’re already writing one, in order to succeed, the perfect pilot must get written fast!
Package #1: From Idea to Pilot – You write it
- Step 1: I’ll help you design your series. This includes defining the series concept, and creating memorable characters along with a strong plot.
- Step 2: I will show you how to properly structure your story, then guide you through the process of writing and revising your script.
- Step 3: I will then review your draft and give it a little TLC (a professional polish and comedy punch up) so your script is market ready.
Optional: Help you create the necessary series “Bible” and a Pitch letter.
Package #2: From Idea to Pilot – I write it for you
- Step 1: I’ll help you design your perfect pilot. This includes defining the series concept, and creating memorable characters along with a strong plot.
- Step 2: I write the series pilot
- Step 3: You review, I do one set of revisions
- Step 4: Final review – a few small tweaks
- Step 5: Professional copy edit and proof read
Optional: Create the necessary series “Bible” and a Pitch letter.
The Comedy “Punch up”
“Dying is easy, comedy is hard.” – – words from the great comedian Jack Benny, but if you’re writing a screenplay and you wait that long to find out, you probably won’t sell your script!
Comedy writers always have extra help. Comedy writer’s rooms are 6-12 writers. Why? It’s not easy. Different writers have different strengths, no one does everything. You may have a great story and characters, but if your jokes aren’t top shelf, buyers will pass.
Why lose a sale because you have two out of three? You wouldn’t let your kid play in the street wearing a blindfold, so don’t let your screenplay out the door without a coat. Get some comedy insurance!
How I can help:
I’ll take you to the finish line, gut-check your story structure and give it the nice comedy punch up it deserves. Funnier is better, make ‘em laugh! Remember what’s great can always be improved.
Here’s what you get:
- A professional script evaluation to make sure your story structure is perfect
- A dialogue clean up and polish
- Dozens of jokes, one-liners and comedic buttons to spice up your screenplay or teleplay
- Copyedit
- Proof reading
Here’s how the process works:
- Set up a complimentary 15-minute consultation to discuss.
- You submit your screenplay or teleplay.
- I evaluate the story structure and comedy to determine what it needs to be market ready.
- We meet, discuss and agree.
- I revise the script.
- You review it.
- We make changes.
- You review it.
- We finalize the draft.
- The script is copyedited and proofed.
- You’re ready to go and retain all the rights and credit.
Optional: I can also help you write your pitch.
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Writing Classes
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Writing Guidance
Whether you’re an aspiring writer or a seasoned writer who wants to improve, Professor Marilyn Horowitz’s intensive personal coaching will help you complete and/or revise your screenplay, novel or non-fiction book, more efficiently than you ever thought possible. Her unique evaluation process ensures both the artistic merits and sale-able commercial qualities of your script or other written work. Her students’ works have been produced by studios such as Warner Brothers. and published by companies like Simon and Schuster.
Are YOU ready to succeed? Read more
