Hi! My published writing has only been in the realm of non-fiction, but my husband, son, and I put our heads together and came up with an idea for a television sitcom that has potential. I wonder if any of you could direct me to any resources that would help me put together a proposal for a series and how to write the screenplay for the pilot. I am completely new to this style of writing, although I did "win" in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month in the past and was able to crank out 50,000 words toward a novel in a month. If anyone could get me started in the right direction, I'd much appreciate it. I am open to brainstorming about the idea, but I wonder if I have to protect it in any way so that while it's in development, it won't walk off with a more experienced (but unscrupulous) promoter? Any thoughts about this? Thanks in advance! -- Michaela
Screenwriting : I have an idea for a TV sitcom and want to know how to get started by Michaela Oberlaender
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You could protect it through the WGA. And once someone gives you advice on where to start people get angry because there is no one way and also many many resources. I say google it and dig in.
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Why don't you pick up these two books, "Writing The TV Drama Series by Pamela Douglas" and "Writing Television Sitcoms by Evan S. Smith." I can tell you right now these two books will get you more then started. Those two books are what I'm using right now in school as a guideline to help create my series. Check it out. http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Drama-Series-3rd-Professional/dp/1615930582 http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Television-Sitcoms-revised-Smith/dp/039953...
Thanks for the advice, Antonio! I will definitely check out those titles. I'm at the very beginning of my journey with this project and I'm taking all of you along for the ride. Let's hope that it will turn into an exciting joyride!
IIRC, you can't copyright an idea, only the expression of the idea in fixed format. Once you do get it written, use the copyright office for protection, not the WGA. Copyright office is instant, online, and gives you more legal protections than the WGA. Start with basic "how to write a script" sources, but don't get handcuffed by rules. Rely on your sense of storytelling, not proscribed scene numbers or other plot formulas. If you want to collaborate, find people that you trust both in integrity and humor, to work with. Winning NaNoWriMo shows you can put butt to chair and fingers to keyboard. Use that discipline but don't let it blind you to the quality of the script you write, and don't let it discourage you when it takes longer to write a 30-page screenplay than it did your 50,000 word piece. Above all, enjoy the process!
You're in the right place for advice good luck!
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Michaela, I advise you to write the pilot and the synopsis of the sitcom and register their copyright first. Great written texts are gold, great ideas are diamonds (harder to get). A really good idea is quickly picked up and often used in multiple remakes. I know that in writing you can't protect just the idea expressed on one page, but you can protect the script of your pilot episode where this idea is used. P.S. It's so great that your husband and son contributed to the idea. It must be a lot of fun to create and discuss it together. A wonderful family time :)
Exactly how Victoria put it.As long as your main idea is copyrighted, no one can take your theme.
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Ok - first off, there's no point in creating a proposal for it unless it is written (and rewritten, and polished, and ready). Second, you can't copyright a theme or a title or an idea. You need to start by writing a treatment/series bible for it. Write EVERYTHING you can about the idea, the concept, the characters, what happens in the series and in the pilot. Register the treatment with WGA. THen start reading books on writing Pilot scripts - Jen Grisanti has a great one, Ellen Sandler, and there are others. Then WRITE IT. Then register that script with the WGA. Then REWRITE it and repeat that step 5-15 times until it's good. You do NOT have to re-register with each draft. Then go from there.
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Thanks you guys for the help, especially Danny's detailed instructions. I've been out of town for a while, so I have not logged in here and did not get to see your feedback until now. I do appreciate the input and will keep it in mind. The series bible idea especially (with backgrounds on the characters, settings, etc.) is something that's been kicking around in my head. I just did not know that this is what it's called. So that's what I'll be working on next when the fanny hits the chair and some real work begins. I did know that you cannot copyright an idea from my time in the visual arts. Thanks again!
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You definitely need to write the pilot and see where it goes. I'm in the same boat.
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Yeah, you'd definitely need to write a pilot. The chances of selling a series without previous TV writing experience is already pretty slim, but I've never heard of it happening without at least a pilot script. I recommend those two books Antonio suggested, as well as: The TV Writer's Workbook (http://www.amazon.com/The-TV-Writers-Workbook-Television/dp/0385340508) It's mostly about writing specs of existing shows, but it's got some great exercises for developing show plots. Elephant Bucks (http://www.amazon.com/Elephant-Bucks-Inside-Writing-Sitcoms/dp/1932907270/) Also more about writing an existing spec, but it's got some really good stuff about how to structure jokes within a scene.
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The TV Writer's Workbook is great for half-hour sitcoms. Great guide for first time sitcom writers. I keep it with me to refer back to for helpful tips on character motivations, plot, dialogue and rewrites.
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I know it's been ages since I've been on here, but I am finally looking at getting a vacation from work and the two books Antonio recommended will be waiting for me. I look forward to diving into them and then getting started on my own project. I hope everyone else is having a good summer, with some time set aside to follow your passions!