I've read and heard about the first 10 pages being critical, but not specifically in samples to get staffed. I wonder if this can be a double-edged sword in that a lot of new writers will be putting shocking or controversial things right up front just for the sake of it. I assume it would be pretty obvious if the uniqueness was forced and not organic. A delicate balance to get it just right.
Oh man, pork chops for hands and meatloaf for feet?! I've heard of the "famous" specs that were episodes of older shows. The Friends script where they all get AIDS, the 9/11 Seinfeld script, and the I Love Lucy script where she gets an abortion. Someone wrote a Lost spec from the point of view of the dog. The only stories I've heard of original pilots that got writers hired, other than the one Marc mentioned, is two that Mike Shur has talked about; Widow's Bay by Katie Dippold and Ernesto by Emily Kapnek. I haven't been able to find them to read them though.
Great advice about not saving the best stuff until the end where it's not likely to be read! Is it different in comics, where if you are pitching to a publisher, you are not coming in a with a full script? Or is it the case that if you are able to get a meeting to pitch in the first place, the publisher is going to take their time to read the script and so you don't need to frontload it?
Those Arrow reunion photos are heartwarming! And your observations are so helpful, though I do hail from the UK. I wrote my first spec TV script at the start of this year on a course at MetFilm School in London- I think it's time to give it another draft.
This is completely, entirely HELPFUL! THANK YOU! I want to honestly share it with all my friends because this is invaluable advice for making the best staffing-spec.
Congrats on finishing the novel and the amazing picket event! Wish I could have been there (work), but it looks like it was fun!
Lots of fantastic advice for writers in this one! Thank you for the tips. Glad to hear the Arrow event went well. Lots of talented faces in that crowd.
I've read and heard about the first 10 pages being critical, but not specifically in samples to get staffed. I wonder if this can be a double-edged sword in that a lot of new writers will be putting shocking or controversial things right up front just for the sake of it. I assume it would be pretty obvious if the uniqueness was forced and not organic. A delicate balance to get it just right.
Oh man, pork chops for hands and meatloaf for feet?! I've heard of the "famous" specs that were episodes of older shows. The Friends script where they all get AIDS, the 9/11 Seinfeld script, and the I Love Lucy script where she gets an abortion. Someone wrote a Lost spec from the point of view of the dog. The only stories I've heard of original pilots that got writers hired, other than the one Marc mentioned, is two that Mike Shur has talked about; Widow's Bay by Katie Dippold and Ernesto by Emily Kapnek. I haven't been able to find them to read them though.
Great advice about not saving the best stuff until the end where it's not likely to be read! Is it different in comics, where if you are pitching to a publisher, you are not coming in a with a full script? Or is it the case that if you are able to get a meeting to pitch in the first place, the publisher is going to take their time to read the script and so you don't need to frontload it?
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The breakdown of script to get hired vs. script to sell was incredibly helpful, thanks!
Those Arrow reunion photos are heartwarming! And your observations are so helpful, though I do hail from the UK. I wrote my first spec TV script at the start of this year on a course at MetFilm School in London- I think it's time to give it another draft.
Your advice blows my mind. I didn’t even realize this was a possibility. And how rare the TV spec sale was these days. Thank you for sharing.
This is completely, entirely HELPFUL! THANK YOU! I want to honestly share it with all my friends because this is invaluable advice for making the best staffing-spec.
Congrats on finishing the novel and the amazing picket event! Wish I could have been there (work), but it looks like it was fun!
Lots of fantastic advice for writers in this one! Thank you for the tips. Glad to hear the Arrow event went well. Lots of talented faces in that crowd.
Usually, talk is cheap, but in this case, talk is good...very...VERY good.