In this video, the presenter talks about how to write TV series and the most important steps undertaken in the process. He breaks down the process of writing a TV series into three stages; researching, writing and having an agent. One should begin by first deciding on the kind of show to create; is it for regular TV or is it for cable TV? I think this is a major step as it help you determine what opportunities are available in the market and the kind of show that the audience will enjoy. I think the research step is the most tedious since one has to go through numerous scripts of similar series (eHowTech). The research will also let you know what television shows are showing on the various channels to avoid any replications. By doing so, one will have the opportunity of creating a unique show of a particular genre for the audience and as a result attracting an enormous viewership.
The next step after collecting enough information is to get to writing. I believe this is a fairly easy step after you have gathered all the necessary information. It just involves getting the creative wheels rolling. The presenter indicates that one should put enough focus on the characters and what will happen to them. I think characters and their relationships create the basic framework of a TV show; it is therefore vital that the writers do it effectively and in an interesting manner not seen in shows with similar themes. Getting an agent is a crucial step to getting a writer to make presentations to different directors. A writer may be very skillful but without the right amount of networking and interaction, the script will not be of any use.
Creating a TV Show from the Ground Up
According to the Writers Guild Foundation conference, there are various factors that go into the making of a TV series or a TV show. One is that before deciding on whether a particular story is appropriate for a TV series or a movie is the number of possible variations. A story that can have numerous variations would make up an excellent television series. The participants also indicate that it is important to understand that network and cable television have different preferences when it comes to the kind of shows they air. This is primarily because the shows have varying audiences with different preferences. Writers and directors need to have this in mind when they are seeking to come up with a show. Not all brilliant ideas are taken up by the production studios. The have to look at the market place. Every network is always making an effort to create a brand identity for themselves (Writers Guild Foundation). So, whenever an idea is pitched the production companies have to see whether the stories march with their brand identities and whether they are in conflict with any other program that they are currently airing. I think as a writer any idea can be manipulated and tailored to fit into a particular market.
At the conference, they also discussed the dynamics surrounding the management of talent in the production process. An important point came up that talent management is a very sensitive issue in production this is especially true when it comes to deciding who is in control or who has the mandate of managing the show and all other stakeholders. I think creating a balance between the expectations of the star or stars of the show, and that of the directors would go a long way in resolving problems that they encounter on a daily basis.
Works Cited
eHowTech. “Independent Film & TV Production: How to Write a TV Series.” Online video clip. YouTube, YouTube, 30 Jul. 2010. Web. 11 Mar. 2016. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_u9S0pm3HE>
