Writing for Television II offers students who have succeeded in Writing for Television I the opportunity to conceive and develop their own hour-long television program, from the creation of a "show bible" to the completion of a full-length spec script of the pilot episode.

Taking into account the growing popularity of pilot spec scripts in the industry, Writing for Television II is a focused study of pilots and how to create one's own show. Students study and review well-known pilots and pilot specs that have been produced (Mad Men, Dirty Sexy Money, etc.) with an eye towards how they accomplish the goals of a pilot: to tell a good stand-alone story while creating the potential for a whole world of continuing stories and characters that can be sustained throughout a season. They then compile a 6-7 page "show bible", a document that is frequently involved in pitching a new show comprised of a pilot synopsis, character profiles and future episode ideas, then produce a beat sheet for the pilot episode and, finally, a first draft of the pilot spec. During the course, students often will be involved in workshop sessions, critiquing one another's work.

Course Requirements:

Students are expected to actively participate in classroom discussion, produce a 6-7 page "show bible" for their original series, write a 10-12 step outline of their pilot, and complete a 60-page spec script of their pilot.

Intended Audience:

SAC majors with an interest in a television career.

Class Format:

Small class discussion with weekly screenings during class.