Austin Improv

Out of Bounds is considering adding a "Writing for TV" class to the series of workshops already slated up this year. Would you take a 2-hour writing class from professional Hollywood writer types who have won numerous Emmys and wrote on big time shows like Frasier, Ellen, The Simpsons, and According to Jim?

Please vote and any other feedback is appreciated.

Thanks,
OOB

Maybe not "According to Jim", but I'm interested.

Kidding on the first part. I know that writers are often more talented than the final product. [I worked on the short-lived Emeril sitcom.]

I would be interested.

Yes, absolutely.

ok. now what if it were Friday 3-5pm? does that change anyone's interest?

beardedlamb wrote:ok. now what if it were Friday 3-5pm? does that change anyone's interest?

i take it this is going to be the TBA in the Hideout classroom after Dollar's workshop? if so, then it works out perfectly for me.

the_reverend wrote:

beardedlamb wrote:ok. now what if it were Friday 3-5pm? does that change anyone's interest?

i take it this is going to be the TBA in the Hideout classroom after Dollar's workshop? if so, then it works out perfectly for me.

That would rule it out for me.

Aden wrote:

the_reverend wrote:

beardedlamb wrote:ok. now what if it were Friday 3-5pm? does that change anyone's interest?

i take it this is going to be the TBA in the Hideout classroom after Dollar's workshop? if so, then it works out perfectly for me.

That would rule it out for me.

Me too.

OK, thanks so much your input. We're going to go ahead and do this.

It'll be at The Hideout 3-5pm on Friday, August 29 and feature them Emmy award winning TV writers from Trans4merz.

I'm waiting on the teachers for a description of exactly what they want to cover and registration for the class should be open tomorrow sometime.

scratch that. i was confused about when the guys were going to be in Austin which isn't until Saturday, so this class is a no go. i repeat, a no go.

sorry to get you all worked up only to jump out of bed in the middle.

beard

They couldn't do it saturday? or Monday?

If you're thinking about writing for television, here's a great general reference link that addresses both drama and comedy: Scriptwriter's Network / TV Script Formats

If you want to pitch an idea for a new show ... possible to do, but difficult without established credentials ... you'll need to write a treatment covering concept/scope/characters, a shorter treatment covering the pilot, short synopses of future episodes, and an actual script for the second episode in the series (with everyone "in the groove" / past the exposition needed to establish the series).

Another source of expert ruminations on writing for TV is Jane Espenson's blog.

This information does not come from my personal experience, but from other members of the Austin Screenwriters Group.

mmm...love me some Espenson. anyone who can go from Gilmore Girls to Battlestar Galactica is someone i would like to eat cake with.

(oh, and that Buffy/Angel/Firefly stuff as well...if you're into that kind of thing. )

Another valuable resource is Lee Thomson's treasure trove of TV show Scripts & Bibles.