Any books that are good for learning TV writing?

Hi,

I just joined the Television Writers Group and wondering if there are any books that are good for getting started writing a 1 hour TV drama.

Carol L.

Message edited by: Carol Lorentz on May 11, 2009 1:43 PM

Hi,

I have read two books on televsion writing in general and in the middle of one about writing the one hour drama. They are all very helpful and recent.

1. Write to TV; Out of your head and onto the screen By Martie Cook
2. The TV Writers Workbook; A creative approach to Televsion scripts By Ellen Sandler
3. Writing the TV Drama Series, 2nd edtion By Pamela Douglas

Hope these help.
Jenn

Jenn,

Thanks for that info. I recently purchased Pamela Douglas's book. I'll check out the other two.

Thanks again.

Carol L.

I got a book called "Starting you television writing career", from the WB tv writers workshop people. It's a really good book, and even includes a full length sitcom and drama script in the back, formatted as they were for the shows.

Also, there's an old book about screenwriting, and it covers tv writing, called "The complete book of scriptwriting" by J Michael Strczynski (sp?) This one even tells you (as of 1984) what the going price was for a half hour episode, 60 min episode, staff writer salaries, ect.

Thanks Mike. I'll check that out.

Carol L.

[quote=Jennifer]Hi,

I have read two books on televsion writing in general and in the middle of one about writing the one hour drama. They are all very helpful and recent.

1. Write to TV; Out of your head and onto the screen By Martie Cook
2. The TV Writers Workbook; A creative approach to Televsion scripts By Ellen Sandler
3. Writing the TV Drama Series, 2nd edtion By Pamela Douglas

I have not read the latter, but the other two are pretty good. I really love the Ellen Sandler book as well. Some very practical advice that I hadn't heard until I read her book.

Angel,

Ellen wrote for J. Seinfeld so she must know something, right? Thanks for your input. But isn't she strictly comedy genre? I want to start out with Drama then hit comedy later on. Keep me informed on any updates about her.

Carol L.

Carol Lorentz wrote:
Angel,

Ellen wrote for J. Seinfeld so she must know something, right? Thanks for your input. But isn't she strictly comedy genre? I want to start out with Drama then hit comedy later on. Keep me informed on any updates about her.

Carol L.

Actually, Ellen wrote for Everyone Loves Raymond. As far as her book goes, it's a very thorough analysis on how to breakdown and demystify spec script writing. While she does sitcom, nothing in the book is geared only towards sitcom writing... just the good old outlining, writing, rewriting processes with her wit thrown in. I'm a fan because this book helped me big time with my Big Bang Theory spec. I have also written one hour specs and the process is very similar.

I do know firsthand that Freaks and Geeks is in print if you need to see what a 1 hour drama looks like on the page. Basically... more commercial breaks. Also, the Pamela Douglas book is very good as well.

Hello "mystery person" at the Writers Store.

Thanks for that correction. I do remember now that it was for ELR not Seinfeld.

Okay. Ellen gives script writing advice for all genres. Sounds good. I'll order her book.

Thanks.

Carol L.