Beginner's Guide Writing Workshop: TV Pilot/Webseries

Day 1: Got an idea for a great TV series? This one-day workshop is designed to show you the how and why of writing a professional TV pilot.

Day 2: A dynamic one day workshop designed to show participants how to create a web series and start writing it!

TV Pilot

TV shows are now more in demand than ever. But before you spend weeks and months trying to work out how to write your awesome TV show—you need to know the basics. Like whether or not your series ideas has legs, how TV episodes are structured, what a TV pilot needs to include the difference between a series proposal and a series bible—and how the local market works. This practical one day workshop guides you through the key elements of creating a television show and how to start writing an attention-grabbing pilot episode.

Facilitators: Kathryn Burnett and Rachel Lang
"I assess TV projects from new writers all the time—and I can tell you hand on heart, you will save yourself so much time and money by investing in this one day before you start creating. One of the unique aspects of this workshop is that it gives you insider information about how to avoid newbie mistakes." - Kathryn Burnett

Participants (that’s you, aspiring writer) will:
Learn how to generate a compelling series ideas.
Learn the essential components of a TV series
Learn the key elements of writing a TV episode – episodic structure, character, characterisation, formatting, dialogue and big print.
Learn the difference between writing for TV and film.
Learn how to storyline your pilot episode. And start writing it.
Learn the function of the script documents involved in TV production
Learn how and when to pitch your idea.
Leave with your pilot outline.
Have the opportunity to pitch their project to a panel of TV Creators

Webseries

Come with your awesome idea. And spend the day developing your webseries...
A web series is a series of short episodes and is a great way to get attention by showcasing your dramatic or comedic work as a writer or director or actor. But as with any show (big or small) your audience craves good storytelling. So we’ll be showing you the nuts and bolts of creating a webseries—and then digging into how to structure a kickass first episode.

If you’ve been wanting to create your own web series, but not sure how to start or if you’re on the right track then this web series workshop is for you.

Participants (that’s you, aspiring writer) will:
Learn proper script length for each genre (5–15 pages)
Learn how to develop a premise and compelling characters
Learn how to write for an inexpensive budget
Learn particular aspects of specific genres (comedy, drama, thrillers, etc.)
Learn how to create a story arc over your episodes (webisodes)
Get tips about how to fund your series.
Leave with a clear idea about what your series is about
Leave with an episode 1 outline.
You might also like to combine this day with my one day Writing TV Pilot workshop...check ticket options.

Facilitator: Kathryn Burnett
Kathryn is an award-winning screenwriter who has worked in the NZ television/film industry for over 20 years. She has significant television and film credits and has developed numerous television series for NZ’s major production companies. Her most recently produced TV projects include—"Fresh Eggs,” “The Sounds” and multi-award winning series “The Cul de Sac.” In 2019, she co-wrote TVNZ telefeature "The Tender Trap" and is currently on the development team for an HBO sci-fi series and has a comedy series in development with Warner Brothers.

Facilitator: Rachel Lang MNZM
Rachel Lang is the multi-award winning writer and producer, known for "Outrageous Fortune" , "Nothing Trivial", "Bad Mothers" and "Filthy Rich" to name just a few of the jewels in her extensive TV career. She currently splits her time working on creating prime time drama in NZ and Australia.