Summary
Learn From A Top Literary Manager Whose Clients Work With Netflix, FX, CBS, NBC And More And Receive Exclusive Handouts + THE STRANGER THINGS Pitch Deck
The television screenwriting landscape is one with many opportunities, but also many questions. Can I use a pilot to get staffed? Can I sell an original pilot if I haven’t sold one before? If I sell my show, can I be the showrunner? How do I get in front of the streamers or networks? Do I need a manager or agent to make that happen?
Having clarity to these questions and understanding the landscape can make the difference between a clear path to success and unintentionally blocking yourself from moving forward.
We’re here to demystify the entire process to assure that you’re putting yourself in the best position to break in and stay in.
Spencer Robinson is a manager at the leading management firm, Art/Work Entertainment. For over 20 years, Spencer has been staffing his clients and selling shows all over the globe. Spencer and his clients have worked directly with Amazon, Netflix, HBO-MAX, The CW, Cinemax, CBS, NBC, ABC, Starz, Nickelodeon, Epix and TBS to name just some. Further, Spencer has been an instructor for Stage 32 for over a decade and is one of our most popular teachers.
In this 3-session on-demand class, Spencer will go in-depth on the steps you should be taking to find work as a writer in TV. Whether you're interested in selling your own TV show or film, or if you want to join a writers' room, there are specific steps you need to be taking aside from simply writing well, and Spencer will break it all down for you.
Spencer will provide you with the proper approach when it comes to talking with reps, managers, agents, attorneys, showrunners and execs. What’s more, he’ll share his powerful pitching knowledge for writers looking to sell their show idea or screenplay. You’ll leave this three week class understanding what it takes to write on assignment, what kinds of written tools you should have prepared prior to meetings, and the general etiquette you should come to the table with so you can land a job as a writer in the industry.
Plus! Spencer will provide exclusive and helpful downloads and resources you can use when working on your own projects including:
- The real STRANGER THINGS pitch deck
- The real ADVENTURE TIME pitch deck
Spencer put a massive amount of effort into this class and it shows! This class has a 100% satisfaction rating.
Praise for Spencer:
"I had a great time learning and progressing my knowledge of the craft of writing and working directly with a mentor who is a professional in the industry. Spencer was fantastic to be taught by! Thank you!"
- Natalie A.
"Spencer tells it like it is - he doesn't beat around the bush. He gave me practical, solid, actionable advice. It opened my eyes and I can see how it can help me shorten my path to break in."
- Wally M.
"Spencer was amazing!"
- Summer K.
"Spencer's teaching style is the best! His patience and easygoing approach is ideal and unique to him. Kudos to Stage 32 and to Spencer!"
- Armando O.
What You'll Learn
Session 1 - Finding Representation and Building Your Team
- Setting Your Goals
- Different Types of Representation and How They Can Help You
- Agents
- Managers
- Attorneys
- Publicists
- Which Reps Do You Need For Your Team?
- How to Find the Right Fit For You in a Representative
- How Best to Approach Reps and Get Them Interested in You
- Preparing for Your Initial Meetings with Reps
- What are reps looking for from you?
- What to prepare
- Using writing samples strategically
- General etiquette
- Following up afterwards
- Q&A with Spencer
Session 2 - Getting Staffed on a TV Show
- How TV Shows are Structured and Staffed – A Rundown
- What Do Reps Need from You to Help You Get Staffed
- Navigating Different Types of Meetings That Are Part of the Staffing Process
- Meetings with your reps
- Generals
- Showrunner meetings
- What to Do In Your First Writers Room
- A guide to a room’s hierarchy and expectations
- Getting along and working efficiently with other writers
- How to stand out in a good way
- Common mistakes you should avoid
- Q&A with Spencer
Session 3 – Selling Your Own TV Show
- The Different Ways You Can Sell Your TV Show
- Writing Spec Pilots
- The Art of Pitching Your TV Show
- What does an effective pitch look like?
- What pitch documents do you need and how should they look?
- Leave-behinds
- Tips to pitching remotely
- How Your Reps Will Take Your Show Out
- And how to support them in the process
- Navigating Meetings with Execs, Studios and More
- Open Writing Assignments (OWAs)
- What are OWAs?
- How can you be considered for OWAs?
- Standing out from the pack and getting the job
- What Does It Look Like Once You Sell Your Show?
- And in what ways can you expect to be involved with the show once it’s sold?
- Q&A with Spencer
WHAT TO EXPECT:
- This on-demand class is designed for beginner and intermediate filmmakers and producers interested in taking their first steps into writing for film and TV.
- This is an in-depth, practical, and detailed class with significantly more content than a standard 90-minute webinar.
- Each class is roughly 2 hours in duration.
- While this is not a live class, you are highly encouraged to complete the assignments to get the most out of the education.
Who Should Attend
Directors (Advanced, Intermediate, Beginner) interested in taking their first steps in writing for film and/or TV.
Producers interested in understanding the role of a writer in the entertainment industry.
Actors interested in understanding the role of a writer in the entertainment industry.
Executive
Spencer Robinson is a literary and talent manager at Art/Work Entertainment who's been in the industry for over twenty years.
His clients have been in films with directors Quentin Tarantino, Steven Soderbergh, Clint Eastwood, Gore Verbinski and more. In the TV world, his clients have been regular cast members on shows for Netflix, The CW, Cinemax, CBS, NBC, FX, Starz, Nickelodeon, EPIX, TBS and more. Spencer’s clients have also recurred on series for Freeform, TNT, AMC, Showtime and many more. He currently has a client writing on 2 Netflix series, and another client who just sold a show to Amazon. He also reps a writer who currently has a project at Aggregate Films, which has a deal at Netflix. One of Spencer’s clients had her first film shot for Netflix last year.
Art/Work's writing clients work in both features and television on broadcast, cable, and streaming platforms.
Testimonials
Praise for Spencer:
"I had a great time learning and progressing my knowledge of the craft of writing and working directly with a mentor who is a professional in the industry. Spencer was fantastic to be taught by! Thank you!"
- Natalie A.
"Spencer tells it like it is - he doesn't beat around the bush. He gave me practical, solid, actionable advice. It opened my eyes and I can see how it can help me shorten my path to break in."
- Wally M.
"Spencer was amazing!"
- Summer K.
"Spencer's teaching style is the best! His patience and easygoing approach is ideal and unique to him. Kudos to Stage 32 and to Spencer!"
- Armando O.
Credits
