If you’re keeping your eye on upcoming TV Festivals you know Real Screen Summit in Washington, DC is a big one. It’s also nearly $1900 US. Plus of course, your cost of travel and hotels.

If you’re ready to pitch this is definitely a great place to meet Execs as it is chock full of them. However, if you’re not quite ready to pitch yet there is another small Summit in Los Angeles. The TV Writers’ Summit is only a couple weeks after the Real Screen Summit and looks to be a great value (and it’s warmer there). …readmore

I ran into a buddy the other night. He’s a musician, or more specifically, a rapper. He’s had great success with it and in the last couple years has decided to move into television development. So, like many of us, he started writing down some ideas.

His first show idea was pretty good and garnered some interest from people in the biz but ultimately but it never found a home with the Broadcasters. …readmore

I received the following email the other day and thought I would share it, and my suggestions to the sender, with you.
 
There are a lot of “opportunities” out there where companies are willing to “help” develop your show for you. All you have to do is sign over the show to them and they’ll “take it from here”.
 
I’m not suggesting whether this is right or wrong (this is me covering my ass) but I’ve always thought the best way to get my show made is to develop it as thoroughly as I can hang before I have to sign the rights away. The show stays truer to my vision, and I get a better deal.
 
Here’s the email:

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Happy New Year!! I’m not really one for resolutions but if I was, I think it would be along the lines of “Work smarter. Not harder.” So in light of my non-resolution this week I’m re-posting a blog written by Alex Epstein.

In his blog last week he wrote about accepting feedback as a writer, and frankly, he makes a great point. I hope you find it useful.

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“Have I got a story for you!”

Story story story. Development Executives will tell you a good show is all about the story. “Story is everything. If you do not have a story, you do not have a show.”

And they’re right. However, you need a vessel to convey these stories to your audience. And those vessels are your characters. …readmore

With holiday season parties upon us you’re going to run into old friends and friends of friends. And if you’ve been working on your show for awhile you’re going to find something interesting starting to happen.

People are going to start pitching you their show ideas.

As people around you learn more and more about you writing your own show they are going to come to think of you as an expert. And why shouldn’t they? Out of most people they know you are probably the only person they know writing a TV show. And they’ve probable even told their friends about you. …readmore