Writing for Television

Writing a TV Script

Choose a topic. If you have the opportunity to choose the topic for the script prepare to give it some time. The hardest part is going from 0 to 1.Get a piece of paper or open a new document on your computer's word processor. Write down any show ideas you have in your head. Write down what is happening in your own life for inspiration.Once you have finished this list, you will have a good amount of topics to choose from.

Pitch the idea. Talk to people you trust about your idea. If many seem to like, it might be the right idea to invest time in. Follow your instincts.


Make your decision. Even if your best topic is not the most popular, if it seems to have a chance, try it out. 


Begin researching. Before you start writing your own story you might want to look at outside sources. This will help you get good new ideas and break with old ones. Remember, you don't want to show your producer something s/he's already seen!


I   Understand Script Elements

Decide the story. This is probably the most important part of your work, as it's where the guidelines for the rest of the project should be set. Most of the steps on this section will be developed at the same time, you must try to keep ideas sorted all the time to ensure coherence and prevent mistakes. There are no rules about how to do this, but you should look for a method that works for you. Some people will draw on a sketch book, others will write everything on cards, mind mapping, software assisted, etc., you should try what works better for you.

Brainstorm your idea. Once again, write a list of ideas for your story. This is where you should think of the overall storyline of the show. For example, Glee is a wildly popular and amazing show about high school students with different personalities and they all happen to be in a glee club. With romance, comedy and drama you become hooked to the mini musical every Tuesday/Friday. An interesting and original plot is vital for a captivating show, so put a lot of thought into it.

Choose a genre. Consider the plot of your show and try to decide on a genre that best fits. Is it a mystery, soap opera or comedy? The possibilities are endless and it's possible for your show to fit into multiple categories. Glee, for example, would be a musical comedy drama. Then you must carefully define your objective market, there is a world of differences between writing a show targeted for kids from 2-5 years and a teenagers soap opera, or between a show that should be broadcasted on an American TV station, and one that will be watched by Asiatic people around the world.

Write A Pilot. You'll need a pilot if your show ever gets filmed. The pilot is what gets people interested in your show. It has to be filled with detail but at the same time, you have to leave your audience craving for information so that it gets viewed they will want to see another episode.

Develop a Setting. Describe some of the main settings in the show so that later on you can reference to it if your show ever gets filmed. Timeline, epoch, weather, locations, dresses, languages and idioms...


'Develop a Character Relationship List. With this step, you need to make three lists. A Conflict or Disagreement list- this will be a list of two or more characters that just simply cannot stand each other. You may want to include on the list why they fight and what they fight about. A Friendship List- Write down groups of characters that are friends. Also write how strong their friendship is and if it will last the whole show. A Love List- write down two characters that are dating, married or like each other and will eventually get together during the show. 

Pitch, again and now more than ever. It's really critical to get your work done right on this stage. If you make a mistake here it will be harder and more expensive to repair it later. For this reason it is strongly recommended to get help from some other people with more experience.


Develop the details. Now, if you hadn't done it already, you should take care of picking all the details for your project. Be sure to double check your finer details for consistency:

1. • Plot
   • Setting
   • Characters
   • Special items or tools

II    Write the Script


Get all your work together and start writing your script. Use a standard script template to help you with formatting. If you're writing for a contest, they should give you the proper regulations to follow in order to present your script, or your producer or director should tell you the specifics of your delivery. Anyway the form of the basic script template should be the same for all of them.

Proofread. There is nothing more valuable for getting better than experience, and the person who started writing the script is definitely different than the one who finished it. Read it again and correct what should be corrected.