Q&A for How to Write a Television Show Script

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  • Question
    How can I create an original character?
    Melessa Sargent
    Professional Writer
    Melessa Sargent is the President of Scriptwriters Network, a non-profit organization that brings in entertainment professionals to teach the art and business of script writing for TV, features and new media. The Network serves its members by providing educational programming, developing access and opportunity through alliances with industry professionals, and furthering the cause and quality of writing in the entertainment industry. Under Melessa's leadership, SWN has won numbers awards including the Los Angeles Award from 2014 through 2021, and the Innovation & Excellence award in 2020.
    Professional Writer
    Expert Answer
    Find your main focus by asking yourself what you want to say about the world or a particular situation or problem. Then, create a fleshed-out main character to tell the story. How old are they? Where are they from? What would they look and sound like?
  • Question
    I'm 11 and I've written an entire pilot for an original TV show with original characters and settings. How can I get it out to the public?
    Community Answer
    You could try to find someone in the industry who will read it and give you advice. Check with your parents to see if they have any friends who work in the media, or ask for recommendations on social media. Spread the word and try to network.
  • Question
    I want to write a fantasy TV series about a magical town. How can I get started?
    Community Answer
    First start creating your characters. On your computer, laptop, or on a piece of paper do an "About" which consist of name, gender, age, birthday, family, friends, relationships. And then do the your characters history and personality and any magical abilities they have. Then when you are done with that, do the same thing with your town and it's landmarks and the types of magic and magical tools it uses. The religion it uses, type of clothing, stuff like that.
  • Question
    How do I find out who I would talk to about writing for "Young Justice"?
    Community Answer
    Contact the producers, directors or writers.
  • Question
    I'm a younger teenager and definitely more of a novelist, and I'm trying to write a reboot of a canceled show based on an older book series. Do I have a chance?
    Community Answer
    You might have a chance, but you might also want to make it different from the other show.
  • Question
    How long should my TV script be?
    Community Answer
    Each episode should have a runtime of about 40 minutes, to account for a 1-hour time slot that includes commercials.
  • Question
    I want to create a series about the struggles of a young rapper in South Africa. How can I get started?
    Community Answer
    Showcase the reality of the African music market featuring the good and bad. Next, give the audience an inside view of one overcoming the obstacles along the journey to reach the top.
  • Question
    I'm a teenager trying to write an anime on kidnapped children being forced to fight each other in an arena for the amusement of the audience. Does this story have a chance?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Your best bet is to make it original. There are already a lot of stories like this, kind of like The Hunger Games, so make it stand out from the rest.
  • Question
    I'm 20 and want to make a soap opera about a village. How should I go about this?
    Community Answer
    Find something that will give the characters an edge that the viewers can't deny watching. A soap opera in a village is already a unique scenario.
  • Question
    I'm a kid and want to make a mermaid show. How would I get started?
    Shira
    Community Answer
    Depending on your age, friends, and time, follow the instructions and learn how to make swimmable tails.
  • Question
    I want to make a show about mermaids who need to leave their homes because of humans. What genre should it be In?
    Asher Ward
    Community Answer
    Probably a drama, but you can really make it any genre you see fit. Sometimes you just need to write and a genre will come out of it. I've had trouble coming up with genres myself, so I just came up with the theme and characters and their motives. Then just started writing and the right genre wrote itself into the story.
  • Question
    Would I need permissions to write a remake of an old TV series?
    Community Answer
    Yes. You can't use someone else's intellectual property without express permission.
  • Question
    I'm a young teenager and I've been spending the past couple of months writing a screenplay for a TV series I've always wanted to make. How do I know when it's good enough?
    Asher Ward
    Community Answer
    When you feel you can't stop re-writing it, it is good enough. When you have difficulties changing anything, send some good friends your script and have them tell you what they think, ask them what they think should be changed, and what they think of some dialogue. Get all their input then do that until everyone seems happy with it. That's when you'll know.
  • Question
    I want to write a show. The first season follows some teenagers who get sent to the future by their future selves to fight in a robot apocalypse. Does this actually have a chance of being produced?
    Tristan Nolan
    Community Answer
    If it's a developed enough idea, there's sure to be a audience to follow it. Just work through it and try to get it into the right hands.
  • Question
    I want to set up a live television music countdown show, how do I go about it?
    Community Answer
    Look up templates online and go from there. I suggest looking for a show in your genre, and reading a script or two. Don't copy the content, just use the format and make it your own. Then, once you get used to it, you can work with it a little more if it doesn't exactly fit what you're trying to do.
  • Question
    How do I write a synopsis for a television program about fashion?
    Stef Bauwens
    Community Answer
    Just as you would write any other synopsis. Write it as if you're telling it to someone. Don't forget to sell the show and make readers want to see your show.
  • Question
    Should a script still follow the structure listed above if it's for a web series?
    Community Answer
    Yes, because the process remains the same.
  • Question
    How do I not make a cliche television show script?
    Community Answer
    Avoid Mary Sue characters (who are perfect in every way), have a unique plot, original characters, and a catchy title. Treat it like a book and do research. Or think of a cool and popular show that you like and think about why you like it for inspiration.
  • Question
    How much does everyone get paid when writing a TV show script?
    Community Answer
    It depends on who you are working for. It could be anywhere from $3,000 to $500,000, sometimes more. Of course, if you are just writing for fun and not for a TV show, you might not even get paid at all. It all depends on what the production company or studio is willing to pay, how popular the show is, etc.
  • Question
    I'm writing a high school show. I know it's overused, but I'm attempting to make it unique because the aspirations of the two main characters are to be a dancer and a comedian. Would this work?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it would work. Even though your idea has been used already countless times, there are still ways to stand out and be original.
  • Question
    How would action scenes be written? Should I write a play-by-play of the action?
    Community Answer
    Enclose action notes in brackets, like this [continues to type the answer on keyboard].
  • Question
    Can I write and direct a TV show at the same time?
    Community Answer
    Of course! Many shows have directors who are writers.
  • Question
    How do I write a TV show that's similar to another TV show without copying it?
    Community Answer
    Look at the way that TV show takes advantage of both their characters and the setting. For example, "Parks and Rec" and "The Office" were shot and created in almost identical ways, but they ended up being entirely different shows with a somewhat similar premise. Find a way to make your characters unique and interesting, and if the setting is the same, find a way for them to interact with it in a new way.
  • Question
    Should camera angles and shots be included in the script?
    Community Answer
    You can include them in the script. If you're just starting out and it's your fist time writing a script I highly suggest you to leave most of the angles for the director/cameraman. However, don't stop yourself from writing them if you would like to, when your script gets published it would be extremely easy to change them.
  • Question
    How do I make my story interesting?
    Community Answer
    Make it unique. Be inspired by people and things in everyday life. Don’t make it overly dramatic, and make sure your characters and storyline make sense.
  • Question
    How many words should a script for a one-hour drama have?
    Community Answer
    It depends, as there isn't a limit on words. When you rehearse how the show should go, make sure it doesn't exceed one hour.
  • Question
    I want to write a series, about a Thor alternate universe where Loki is blinded and cast to Earth as a mortal. Can I do this?
    Community Answer
    You can't try to sell a script about DC characters, as DC owns them and you will get sued. You can write fan fiction, but cannot profit from it.
  • Question
    I want to make a show where the main character is sent to live with his grandparents after his parents die. Would that be too much like "The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air"?
    Community Answer
    You should be fine, the two shows can share that aspect of the plot. However, avoid making it too similar. Changing the protagonist's goals and personality, as well as other aspects of the show (his relationship with his grandparents, the change in lifestyle, etc).
  • Question
    What is the difference between a comedy and a drama?
    Community Answer
    Comedies are usually episodic, and the script is a bit more humour-oriented. Dramas tend to be serial, and the scripts usually follow the relationships and struggles of its characters.
  • Question
    How do I start writing a talk show script?
    Community Answer
    First make sure that you have a person to interview so when you introduce them, the audience can get a sense of who they are. Start with the basic talk show intro: Good evening everybody and welcome to the ______ show! My name is_____ and today we have a special guest... [name]". Then you write a set of questions that will reveal the person's current activities and thoughts.
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