Writing Your Original TV Pilot
Taught by Ian Grody
Ian Grody has developed original TV series for companies including MTV/Face Productions, Strange Weather Films and Unique Features- and features for companies like Heyday Films/The Gotham Group and Luber Roklin Entertainment. He has published short stories in magazines such as The Columbia Review, Lit, Solander, and Pank- and has had plays produced by The 13th Street Rep, The New York Collective for the Arts, and End Times Productions. Ian is a member of the Writers Guild of America East, and a graduate of Emory University (BA) and NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts (MFA), where he received a full academic scholarship. Ian has taught TV writing at both The New School and Montclair State University.
Writing Your Original TV Pilot will be divided into three, three hour sessions:
During Session One, we'll review the characteristics of genre focusing on one hour serials, procedurals, sitcoms and cable half-hours. We'll address structure, tone, and audience expectations. Then, we'll examine the key components of all pilots - what you'll need to know in order to properly craft your script. For homework, you'll write script outlines, using the template we review.
During Session Two, we'll workshop your outlines as a class. For homework, you'll refine your outlines and write the first 15 pages of your show (the first act of a one-hour or- ideally- the first half of a sitcom).
During Session Three, we'll read your pages aloud and offer constructive feedback as you move toward completion of your project.
Come to class with one-page descriptions of the shows you'd like to work on, laptops or notebooks, and your wizardly writers' brains. See ya soon!
