In Write to TV, Fourth Edition, industry veteran Martie Cook serves as a personal mentor, offering practical advice to help aspiring television writers get that big idea out of their heads and onto the screen. Completely updated for the rapidly evolving television landscape, this edition combines timeless lessons with an inside look at what it takes to write – and work – as a television writer today.
From the first spark of an idea to the finished script, Cook walks writers through every step of the process: developing original stories, creating compelling characters, breaking story, outlining, writing and rewriting scripts, pitching original series, and getting their foot in the door. Along the way, she examines a wide range of genres and formats, including comedy, drama, animation, docudramas, holiday movies, podcasts, vertical microdramas, and other emerging forms. New and expanded material tackles writing for a global marketplace, creating content for digital platforms, navigating today's writers' room, taking notes like a professional, finding representation, pitching and selling, and understanding the constantly shifting business of television. The book features real-world insights from more than 50 industry professionals, including writers, creators, showrunners, producers, executives, agents, and managers. It also contains sample outlines and script pages, along with practical strategies writers can put to work immediately.
Blending theory with practice, this book provides a candid, comprehensive guide to turning an idea into a professional script – and that script into the beginning of a career. It is ideal for students in related university courses, as well as aspiring professionals ready to make their mark in television.