Complete the genre choice sheet and hand this back to me. What genre would you like to apply for? These choices will be used as we work on our next major project (the TV script). During our viewing of The Simpsons, I'll arrange writing groups.
The Simpsons:
Emerging from the Tracy Ullman Show (a comedy sketch show), Matt Groening's The Simpsons is the longest running American television program in history. The prime-time animated show began in 1989 and is still running.
Please read the article on the Simpsons (see homework).
We will screen two episodes. I've included a fan-written script (not in proper tv format) and a sample of storyboards. Let's take a look.
Homework Reminder: Please read "The Birth of the Simpsonian Institution" by Chris Turner. On your BLOG, please post a summary of main points or information in the article you read, AND consider the ancestors and descendants of The Simpsons (the graphic on the last page of the article). Discuss an animated show not listed and, after researching it, explain how it influenced or has been influenced by The Simpsons.
Lab:
The television pitch. A television series is pitched to television producers. If the producers like the idea, they often will hire the writer(s) to submit a pilot or sample script. If all goes well, the pilot might lead to a series. If all goes well again, a 1st season of a show may be renewed for a second season or third or 30th, as in the case for The Simpsons. The Simpsons, by the way, has recently been hired again for its 31st season!
The teaser pitch is a very short pitch of the idea behind the show. Let's start here. In 5 sentences or less, hook your peers by creating a teaser pitch:
Then, the hard part. As an individual writer hired by the studio to write the season of this show for your producer (me), each writer will come up with an idea to pitch for the season. This pitch is what is called a story pitch. The story pitch is longer than the teaser pitch. This is what is typically included in a story pitch:
Look here for more help if you get stuck or need some examples.
HOMEWORK: Please read the article "How to Land Your First TV Writing Job" by Michael Wheaton. On YOUR blog, please post a comment about what you learned from the article about TV writing. Is this something you might want to pursue as a career? Why or why not?
Read one (or more) of the sample television scripts: "Big Bang Theory", "Blackish", and/or "The Simpsons". Get familiar with the television script format.
The Simpsons:
Emerging from the Tracy Ullman Show (a comedy sketch show), Matt Groening's The Simpsons is the longest running American television program in history. The prime-time animated show began in 1989 and is still running.
Please read the article on the Simpsons (see homework).
We will screen two episodes. I've included a fan-written script (not in proper tv format) and a sample of storyboards. Let's take a look.
Homework Reminder: Please read "The Birth of the Simpsonian Institution" by Chris Turner. On your BLOG, please post a summary of main points or information in the article you read, AND consider the ancestors and descendants of The Simpsons (the graphic on the last page of the article). Discuss an animated show not listed and, after researching it, explain how it influenced or has been influenced by The Simpsons.
Lab:
The television pitch. A television series is pitched to television producers. If the producers like the idea, they often will hire the writer(s) to submit a pilot or sample script. If all goes well, the pilot might lead to a series. If all goes well again, a 1st season of a show may be renewed for a second season or third or 30th, as in the case for The Simpsons. The Simpsons, by the way, has recently been hired again for its 31st season!
The teaser pitch is a very short pitch of the idea behind the show. Let's start here. In 5 sentences or less, hook your peers by creating a teaser pitch:
- What is the premise of the show? Answer: "This show is about..."
- Who are the main characters in the series? (Who will be the program's protagonist(s)?)
- What is the main setting for the series? This might include time, place, season, weather, etc.
- What does the show resemble? What previous shows, films, or books are sort of like this idea?
- What is your vision?
- How much might the show cost to make?
Then, the hard part. As an individual writer hired by the studio to write the season of this show for your producer (me), each writer will come up with an idea to pitch for the season. This pitch is what is called a story pitch. The story pitch is longer than the teaser pitch. This is what is typically included in a story pitch:
- What is the working title for your episode? [This can change, of course]
- Which characters will be featured in the episode?
- Make sure you mention your episode's setting in your description!
- What is the inciting incident or hook? (this is sometimes the teaser. A teaser or prologue usually is a compelling scene just before the titles of the show start--think of Star Trek or Twilight Zone as models...)
- What is the main plot? Usually a television show has two plots (one main, the other a subplot).
- What conflicts, crisis, or problems arise in the first act? (the beginning)
- At the end of an act, there is usually a reversal or turning point (crisis) that happens just before the commercial break. How does your act 1 end?
- What is your second act about? How will your second act end? (the middle)
- What is your third act about? How will the television episode end or resolve? (the end)
Look here for more help if you get stuck or need some examples.
HOMEWORK: Please read the article "How to Land Your First TV Writing Job" by Michael Wheaton. On YOUR blog, please post a comment about what you learned from the article about TV writing. Is this something you might want to pursue as a career? Why or why not?
Read one (or more) of the sample television scripts: "Big Bang Theory", "Blackish", and/or "The Simpsons". Get familiar with the television script format.
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