#TV PILOT OUTLINE HOW TO#
#TV PILOT OUTLINE SERIAL#

#TV PILOT OUTLINE SERIAL#

There’s a feeling of comfort and familiarity with episodic TV, as these characters rarely change throughout different seasons.Īn anthology series is different from episodic or serial TV in one big way: the show has a strong thematic element. For this type of show, having memorable characters is a must as this is what audiences expect to see every time they turn it on. Examples would be The Simpsons, The Office, Community, Seinfeld, Solar Opposites, South Park, Rick and Morty. For this reason, comedies and sitcoms are usually the chosen format for episodic TV. You can watch any episode in any order, and you won’t get confused as the audience.

With the dawn of video-on-demand and streaming, this is still true.Įpisodic television contains more isolated stories, and there is a new story and conflict every episode. These are normally categorised as serial drama as they must be watched in sequential order to be understood. Some examples of serial shows are Narcos, Breaking Bad, WandaVision, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Sopranos, Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead. One episode leads to the other, and the events in one episode sequential impacts another. Here are some key decisions you are going to have to make before you put your fingertips to the keyboard.Ī serial TV show that has a continuous storyline that spans throughout the series. Writing a TV pilot comes in many different formats. After that, writing the actual pilot is so much easier. Know why you’re writing the pilot before you write it. What is familiar about this pilot, but also never-seen-before? Is your show a doctor procedural…but twists a modern-trope in one important way? Start the pitch strategy right now, so if a development executive asks, “Why you?” you already have an answer.ĭoes your show lean into a classic murderer-detective formula…but has a totally new perspective on the world? Really assess your motivations and why your pilot will stand out from others. Once you have a clear answer to these questions, you can start to craft your TV pilot (and series).

Why am I the perfect person to write this pilot and the series?.

What elements of this genre speak to me?.

Because it’s always clear when there’s a mix match between writer and a certain type of show it just doesn't work. Why are you writing this? You must understand yourself as a writer, what genres resonate with you, and WHY you want to write this particular kind of show and no other. Every writer needs to have a conversation with themselves when they start a new project. But their passions, interests, and skills clearly reside in other areas. They think they should be writing the next Lost or Stranger Things because…trends. This one may seem obvious, but I’ve encountered so many screenwriters that are NOT writing the right show for them. Decide on the type of show you want to make As for the pilot, here’s a simple step-by-step guide for new screenwriters and those that just want a refresher.

#TV PILOT OUTLINE HOW TO#

If you haven’t read my TV bible guide, how to format a screenplay or how to write an unforgettable scene post, you can check them out. So what are the elements of a TV series pilot that you NEED to have? And what can a writer do to raise your chances of being read and your pilot being commissioned into a series? Over the years, I’ve learnt that whether you live in Asia or the United States, the general rules still apply. For others, I was simply there to write the pilot, pitch it, and move on. For some projects, I’ve stayed on and written the entire series. This includes everything from knowing your genre, story engine, formatting, crafting an un-put-downable first 10 pages, and how to “beat out” a story through action.įor myself, I’ve pitched and written countless pilots. Screenwriters can learn countless lessons while writing a television pilot.

Tv pilot outline