Episodic series script

[Bono]

And finally, perhaps I am not a writer at all.

A twist!

[beejay]

It is not a good idea to write all the episodes.

too late, haha ... head down, full speed ahead. We shall see how it goes!

[Northbank]

This sounds like good advice to me. And also easier in a way. I know many writers who tell me they are writing an entire series and I see the joy in that, but it's probably coming from the novel world where that happens. Back to our novellas discussion.

I wonder if someone wrote a TV pilot and then for the other 5 episodes wrote it in more prose -- a novella maybe -- then you could show reps this pilot and producers, then say if you like that, check out this Amazon link where you can read more and adapt them also for TV. So then they can give their input and feel more involved in writing the next 5 episodes...

So you can bring your own IP with your spec script?

Northbank -- no idea who you are in real life and don't need to know -- but can you hint if you are a pro TV writer or film? Or both? Good to have you around.

I don't think a prose version of the remaining five episodes would really count as IP as we know it. If one can't explain the show in a mini bible then the issue is not the format or length of doc.

Writing the entire series in advance is generally considered an amateur move. Pros know they could get a big note (or lots!) on the pilot. Writing all episodes can be seen as a red flag, someone who will be reluctant to make the big changes.

And finally, perhaps I am not a writer at all.

[figment]

It is not a good idea to write all the episodes. As Jeff said, a pilot (to show you can write) and a mini bible that lays out where the show goes. You save your self a lot of time you could be writing other things. Also, anyone you attach (showrunner/producer/actors etc.) will want their input and any note they have on the pilot could ripple through your other five episodes so it is honestly a waste of your time to write them.

Gotcha. Thanks.

[Bono]

It is not a good idea to write all the episodes. As Jeff said, a pilot (to show you can write) and a mini bible that lays out where the show goes. You save your self a lot of time you could be writing other things. Also, anyone you attach (showrunner/producer/actors etc.) will want their input and any note they have on the pilot could ripple through your other five episodes so it is honestly a waste of your time to write them.

This sounds like good advice to me. And also easier in a way. I know many writers who tell me they are writing an entire series and I see the joy in that, but it's probably coming from the novel world where that happens. Back to our novellas discussion.

I wonder if someone wrote a TV pilot and then for the other 5 episodes wrote it in more prose -- a novella maybe -- then you could show reps this pilot and producers, then say if you like that, check out this Amazon link where you can read more and adapt them also for TV. So then they can give their input and feel more involved in writing the next 5 episodes...

So you can bring your own IP with your spec script?

Northbank -- no idea who you are in real life and don't need to know -- but can you hint if you are a pro TV writer or film? Or both? Good to have you around.

[Northbank]

So to piggyback this — would it be acceptable if you you just wrote all the episodes of a limited series? If the limited series were only 6 episodes it’s not likely that you would need a writers room…? Or is that not done?

It is not a good idea to write all the episodes. As Jeff said, a pilot (to show you can write) and a mini bible that lays out where the show goes. You save your self a lot of time you could be writing other things. Also, anyone you attach (showrunner/producer/actors etc.) will want their input and any note they have on the pilot could ripple through your other five episodes so it is honestly a waste of your time to write them.

[JS90]

Yeah, I know. 360 would be an episodic streaming series. (6 episodes x 60 pages each) but what do you call that actual thing -- an episodic script, I guess. Yes, feature is the wrong word but what I'm trying to find out is if there's an option for an abbreviated episodic script that combines all 6 chapters, but is not 360 pages.

that's probably not a thing, tho.

if I’m understanding you correctly, no. You wouldn’t combine all your chapters into one mega script.

In the case of a limited series (which this sounds like) each script would be presented separately, if that makes sense.
Even if there’s only one writer.

Another user said it best, all you need is a killer episode 1 script and a good bible that tracks the rest of the season.

[beejay]

Yeah, I know. 360 would be an episodic streaming series. (6 episodes x 60 pages each) but what do you call that actual thing -- an episodic script, I guess. Yes, feature is the wrong word but what I'm trying to find out is if there's an option for an abbreviated episodic script that combines all 6 chapters, but is not 360 pages.

that's probably not a thing, tho.

First thing to decide is if your writing a sports TV show like Ted Lasso or a feature spec like Hustle.

Yeah, it's more like Swagger on Apple + or The Crossover on Disney Plus. Like I said it started as Hustle, and now it's episodic, like Swagger.

I have the pilot scripts for Ted Lasso and Swagger. They were obviously written by known people in the business. But if Ted Lasso was a spec pilot, would the writer's agent ask the writer for a pilot only, and try to land a deal with only that, or would the writer have to show more?

[JeffLowell]

I can get to 360 pages total with no problem but I'm going to shoot for an abbreviated feature script broken into 6 chapters/episodes. I'm already over 200 pages. I have no idea if that will be acceptable, encouraged, frowned upon...

if it takes you 360 pages to tell the story, it's not a feature.

[Bono]

I can get to 360 pages total with no problem but I'm going to shoot for an abbreviated feature script broken into 6 chapters/episodes. I'm already over 200 pages. I have no idea if that will be acceptable, encouraged, frowned upon...

The friends I have who write screenplays are giving me advice from 10 years ago "Get this under 120" and "nobody will read ____ pages" ... I don't know if things changed in the streaming era, sadly.

I will update this thread if/when I get this to someone in the industry and they either eat it up, or take a flamethrower to it.

First thing to decide is if your writing a sports TV show like Ted Lasso or a feature spec like Hustle.

And feature specs today 110 or less is what the aim is these days.

[beejay]

If anyone is deep into basketball, it's interesting to read the HUSTLE script on the internet (Taylor Materne) and compare it to the Will Fetters version (written for Adam Sandler) ... they are nothing alike. Both writers have done podcasts and they walk around the fact that the stories are so different.

[beejay]

I can get to 360 pages total with no problem but I'm going to shoot for an abbreviated feature script broken into 6 chapters/episodes. I'm already over 200 pages. I have no idea if that will be acceptable, encouraged, frowned upon...

The friends I have who write screenplays are giving me advice from 10 years ago "Get this under 120" and "nobody will read ____ pages" ... I don't know if things changed in the streaming era, sadly.

I will update this thread if/when I get this to someone in the industry and they either eat it up, or take a flamethrower to it.

[JeffLowell]

Some people do. Six hours is still a lot of material, and a showrunner is also producing the series. Staffs are more common.

[figment]

So to piggyback this — would it be acceptable if you you just wrote all the episodes of a limited series? If the limited series were only 6 episodes it’s not likely that you would need a writers room…? Or is that not done?

[beejay]

Ah, good call, i used BIOPIC to describe it because I'm structuring it like a biopic, and there might be some composite characters based on actual people, but technically not a biopic, because my person is fictional.