The hardest truth about breaking into TV writing? 'Good' isn't good enough anymore. Your sample needs to be BLAZING HOT. Not 'shows promise.' Not 'solid.' The kind of script that makes people stop what they're doing and call you immediately.
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Easier said than done, though, right? Here's some advice on the subject:
Breaking down the anatomy of a successful writing sample. What makes readers say 'We HAVE to meet this writer!'? It turns out that the best samples have (at least) 3 things in common. 🧵⤵️
Over the past few months, I've been revisiting and revising Hollywood Boot Camp, my online course for folks brand-new to the business. It's great for emerging producers, directors, cinematographers, and more, but today I want to focus on writers.
I've learned that many writers -- even ones who come from great film schools -- don't have a practical understanding of what makes a great professional writing sample. That's a shame, because great samples are a crucial tool every writer needs to break in to the business.
First, let's talk about what industry folks mean when they say "sample." A sample is a complete work, most often a full pilot script or feature. In some cases, plays, short stories, and spec episodes of existing series can be used as well.
(New folks sometimes assume a sample might mean a "writing sample" -- like it could be 5-10 pages of a script. Totally understandable mistake, but that's not what we mean when we say "sample" in this business.)
Next, let's talk page count. Generally speaking, I think these are good page counts to aim for for samples:
Feature: 90-110 pages
Hour Pilot: 52-55 pages
Half Hour Pilot: 30-35 pages
It's probably an effort to sell some seminar/course thing. Redpill stuff for aspiring TV writers.
When the industry contracts, it becomes a club. The existing talent has a far better chance of staying in than any outsider has of getting seen. They're not looking.
This POV makes a ton of sense, and I appreciate the skepticism. But I'm seeing folks break in to TV writing each year, even post contraction. Throwing one's hands up and saying "it's impossible now" seems like wise cynicism, but it doesn't track with my experience.
Comments
Breaking down the anatomy of a successful writing sample. What makes readers say 'We HAVE to meet this writer!'? It turns out that the best samples have (at least) 3 things in common. 🧵⤵️
Feature: 90-110 pages
Hour Pilot: 52-55 pages
Half Hour Pilot: 30-35 pages
When the industry contracts, it becomes a club. The existing talent has a far better chance of staying in than any outsider has of getting seen. They're not looking.