Writing the TV Series Pilot - 4 Units
Units: 4
Student Level: Intermediate
Jun 29 - Aug 7 APPLICATION
In-Person - Ages 16+ - Brown Section
Schedule: Tue/Thu 9:00am - 1:00pm
Max. Seats: 15
Faculty: Beverly Neufeld
Jun 29 - Aug 7 APPLICATION
In-Person - Ages 16+ - Green Section
Schedule: Mon/Wed 2:00pm - 6:00pm
Max. Seats: 15
Faculty: Zach Cannon
Are you ready to transform your passion for storytelling into a groundbreaking television series? Welcome to Writing the Television Series Pilot—a course designed to ignite your creative spark and launch you into the exciting world of television production. Whether your vision leans toward the intensity of drama or the sharp wit of comedy, this class will guide you in shaping a pilot that showcases your unique storytelling voice.
Course Description
This immersive and interactive course meets two days a week and is a comprehensive journey through the process of creating a new TV series. From the initial spark of an idea to the final pitch, you’ll gain invaluable insights into what makes a series successful. Together, we’ll screen and analyze sample pilots—both dramatic and comedic—dissect the elements of hit shows, and explore different prototypes to understand the nuances of television storytelling across genres.
You’ll learn to:
- Create the World of Your Show: Build a setting so vivid and engaging that it becomes a character in its own right, whether it’s the backdrop for high-stakes drama or laugh-out-loud comedy.
- Develop Unforgettable Characters: Design multi-dimensional characters that viewers will love, hate, and root for—characters who drive the story and keep audiences coming back for more.
- Develop Your Show’s Story Engine: Master the art of constructing a narrative framework that sustains your series, balancing ongoing arcs with fresh stories in each episode.
- Structure Your Series: Learn the principles of structuring a TV pilot and series—whether dramatic or comedic—that flows seamlessly from episode to episode and keeps audiences hooked.
- Practice Screenwriting Through Scene Work: Write scenes that are functional, emotionally resonant, and impactful, whether aiming for dramatic tension or comedic timing.
By the end of the course, you’ll have developed a detailed pilot treatment and/or show bible. This comprehensive document will serve as the blueprint for your series, outlining the world, characters, main arcs, sample episodes, and future seasons—your ticket to turning your vision into reality.
Additional Information
- All projects are created outside of scheduled class time.
- Additional tutorials may be taught outside scheduled class dates and times.
- All dates and times of the course are subject to change.
- SCA has a strict ban on the use of prop weapons during the SCA Summer Program.
Prepare to unleash your creativity and dive into the exhilarating world of television writing. Whether your imagination thrives on drama or comedy, this course will equip you with the skills to craft stories that captivate audiences, spark conversations, and bring your vision to life on the screen.
Green Section (19305)
- Class Schedule: Mon & Wed: 2 pm - 6 pm
- Instructor: Zach Cannon
Brown Section (19231)