I Don't Want to be a Staff Writer...Should I Still Write My Pilot?

[Kandiman]

Originally Posted by montevideo

For each its own. Feature and tv. Frank Darabont does both! Sorkin as well.. yeah yeah but they're pros. so what. Either you choose to learn it, master it or you don't. No need to set barriers by convincing yourself that you can't do both.

I can do both - I've even recently discovered that I can write plays - I just hate writing features. I like to play with my characters for more than 90 pages.

[InfiniteJest]

My friend's Brother did both. He wrote for Fox TV for years and did very well, then moved on to features and always stuck to his true passion which was play writing.
Of course it helped that he won a pulitzer as a playwright before he moved into television and film, but he was willing to stretch his idea of being "a Writer".

[gridlock'd]

If you don't ever wanna be a staff writer just do what I do, try REALLY HARD to become a staff writer.
It's worked for me.

[BurOak]

Originally Posted by gridlock'd

If you don't ever wanna be a staff writer just do what I do, try REALLY HARD to become a staff writer.
It's worked for me.

That's the way my life generally seems to work.

[jsay]

curious, anyone know what a 1st year staff writer makes?

[jimjimgrande]

Originally Posted by jsay

curious, anyone know what a 1st year staff writer makes?

From the WGA schedule of minimums:


WEEK-TO-WEEK AND TERM EMPLOYMENT (ARTICLE 13.B.7.s.(2))

Compensation Per Week - these are the current rates 5/12-4/13

6 out of 6 weeks 4,244
14 out of 14 wks guarantee 3,945
20 out of 26 wks guarantee 3,639
40 out of 52 wks guarantee 3,325

On most Network and Cable shows, a staff writer is going to get a 20 week guarantee, thus the 3,639 rate.

[richardonthego]

In my experience, you should write the pilot so showrunners and producers can get a sense of your voice. I don't think many people want to read specs anymore -- they would rather see original stuff.

That said, it's always great to have a few specs to go along with your originals so you can show people you're able to write in another voice, which is what you're doing if you're staff.

So basically: write a whole bunch!

[MacGuffin]

I like the idea of writing a tv drama pilot, and then every time I attempt it ... well, let's just say that for me writing screenplays seems infinitely easier. I still have the idea for one on the back burner though.

The part of creating a t.v. show that is the most challenging for me, is creating a world and characters that can continue on for season after season. Not such an easy task.

[YakMan]

Originally Posted by MacGuffin

I like the idea of writing a tv drama pilot, and then every time I attempt it ... well, let's just say that for me writing screenplays seems infinitely easier. I still have the idea for one on the back burner though.

The part of creating a t.v. show that is the most challenging for me, is creating a world and characters that can continue on for season after season. Not such an easy task.

Writing a TV Drama Pilot is once again one of those "seemingly very simple" yet devilishly excruciating processes that I found was very well covered in a couple of books:

http://www.amazon.com/Television-Wri.../dp/1557835012

http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Pilot-...william+rablin

And yet even better than both these for the Sitcom world is:

http://www.amazon.com/Elephant-Bucks...s+sheldon+bull

ALL -- available for the Kindle'izer!!!

[rdlln]

I think that at the amateur level you have to write whatever you're most passionate about. It's the only way you're going to write something amazing and have a shot at becoming a pro.