The best TV shows are addictive, beckoning us to bring the characters into our homes or onto our devices, episode after episode. The people might be cops, thugs, monsters, geeks, doctors, lawyers, fixers, or just ordinary people with everyday problems. The format might be network, streaming, or a web series. As long as it hooks us.
Each TV show is a unique story-machine, with its own rules and formulas. Here you will learn about the craft of dramatic writing, how to write for TV, and how to market your work.
Whether you seek to write comedy, drama, or something in between, we’ll show you how to write TV episodes that might, someday, get you good ratings.
TV writers either work on the staff of an existing series or they create an original show. To break into the business, you need samples of your work—either episodes of existing shows or original scripts, the latter more desirable these days.
TV I focuses on writing “spec” scripts for existing shows, which is the best way to learn how TV episodes work. TV II focuses on creating an original series and “pilot” episode.
These courses cover “scripted” shows, as opposed to reality TV.
10-week Workshop
NYC info, tuition: $435 (returning students: $405)
Online info, tuition: $409 (returning students: $379)
Registration fee $25, paid once per term
One-on-One tuition: $1745 Request consultation
This course gives you a firm grounding in the basics of TV writing craft and gets you writing a TV script for an existing show. Course components:
TV Writing I is for beginners or anyone who wants to brush up on the fundamentals. Students must be 18 years or older.
One-day Intensive
NYC info, tuition: $150
Registration fee $25, paid once per term
One-on-One tuition: $300 Request consultation
The NYC One-day Intensives are seven-hour crash courses, giving you brief lectures that hit the high-points and writing exercises that let you immediately try your hand at what you’ve learned. Arrive in the morning with a desire to learn; leave in the evening as a more knowledgeable writer.
Intensives are open for writers of any level. Students must be 18 years or older.
Students may reschedule a One-day Intensive one time.
TV Writing Intensive topics include: format, scene structure, character, dialogue, selling/producing your work.
10-week Workshop
NYC info, tuition: $435 (returning students: $405)
Online info, tuition: $409 (returning students: $379)
Registration fee $25, paid once per term
One-on-One tuition: $1745 Request consultation
This course helps you sharpen your skills at TV writing craft and work on a pilot script for an original series. Writers often repeat TV Writing II to continue their projects. Course components:
Prerequisite: TV Writing I (10-week), or the equivalent. Students must be 18 years or older.
