6 Tips For Writing A TV Pilot Or Spec Script by Carole Kirschner
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- Опубликовано: 8 фев 2025
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#screenwriting #screenplay #writing
Ah. "Write something exceptional." Got it, thanks.
😂😂
Yeah but you’ll be surprised how many people write the same old standard bullshit tho...
I mean she's really just trying to give insight about how many scripts they read. In order for your piece to stand out it has to be a gem, and like she said, take risks.
...Like Tarantino once said , when ask about the difficulty to gets notice as an indie filmmaker:
« go make Reservoir dogs! » 🙂 Sometimes it is just that simple .
exactly. probably the most useless video in this series. oh you mean write something that's MEMORABLE ohhhh.. gee glad I ran into you.
“Write a great script.” Wow. Profound advice.
Just write something from your heart and soul. I'm tired of all these rules. And such vague rules at that. Love the Film Courage channel! You guys are amazing.
it still has to adhere to industry parameters. Producers are reading it thinking, "what genre? what format? where can I sell it?" not "wow this is such a great story from the heart and soul"
When you hit that point in your story where you pass your writers block, shit just flows!! And it feels so good and smokth like butter 😍. Especially when you can see it clearly in your mind.
Oh I'm so glad I found this channel!
All of the information and knowledge for a beginner writer all in one place.
Better get out my notebook. So informative!
I love her “write the hell out of it” I love that I’m putting it on a post it ... find something that you LoVE and write the hell out of it !” I get it , she’s right the voices are there you know in your heart what it is ... ❤️
Love this woman!! She’s just SO real & honest & at the same time she is funny & unique. I continue 2 learn & grow so much by not only studying the best writers in the tv Buisness, but also reading/listening 2 their advance & guidance. And i wanna add I mean REALLYY study the sucessful ppl in this Buisness that write material u admire as a viewer & as a writer yourself. For example I rewatched this video 27X within 2 years dissecting every word and doing research + creating some self made written activities in which ive created from watching/listening to this video & others like it; and by doing this I feel personally I pump ALL the educational substance from it till mama feelz good & tipsy 🥴 from all the admiration & inspiration 😂😂
The problem with all this advice is that she's saying you need to do things that are totally unique, captivating, take big risks and etc. But 90% of the shows and movies out there are doing the exact opposite. Hollywood is more formulaic and predictable than ever. So clearly these people writing formulaic procedurals with the trope protagonist are getting hired. That's what most of prime time TV is, so is it any wonder that people are emulating that with their specs? This also goes into her comment about not writing for a "crowd pleaser" show. So in other words, we're not suppose to write for what's popular? And I'm sorry, most of the shows out today which people considered "layered" can't hold a candle to something like The West Wing or The Good Wife. But both those shows are no longer airing. Instead, we have junk like Scandal and Madam President. Shows I don't even want to watch, let alone write a spec for.
Also, I've written specs for the CBS program. If they don't want people writing specs for series older than 2-3 seasons, why do they have Big Bang Theory and The Simpsons on their acceptance list?
You are talking about shows like Scandal not being unique or taking risks when at least Scandal does take risks - it had the lead have an affair with the President which was seen as edgy when Shonda was trying to get it made.
The thing is with a procedural, the point is: yes procedurals are formulaic, but what separates your procedural out from the pack.
You lost me at the good wife
I watch so little tv because it bores me to tears.
prigg88 Scandal was not original in the formulaic sense, but was still groundbreaking. And it lost all its original mojo by season 3. Likewise with Empire. Being Mary Jane, I find, was less formulaic than Scandal.
Breaking Bad was pretty unique. And that’s the point she’s making. In this sea of oversaturated media, being exceptional will make you stand head and shoulders above everyone else & give you a career.
I wish I had gotten this advice over ten years ago when Battlestar Galactica was all I could think I about. Still is in a lot of ways. I gotta find a new show to love.
Carole is a terrific writer/producer. Well worth paying attention to.
but a shit for brains teacher/mentor. I could give this advice... write a script that makes you go WOW. make it memorable. OH what an insight. I was sitting here all this time trying to write something that no one will remember. whew glad I stopped by here
@@SDwilly This video has 1.4k likes and 40 dislike. Did you ever consider those who got something tremendous out of her advice and aske yourself "what did they get out of this video that I clearly didn't see?"
@@jeremiahnoar7504 This video has 2.3K likes and 114 dislikes ruclips.net/video/3L-O32gHCWE/видео.html maybe you can relate to me what tremendous worth people got out of that video? Or maybe... just MAYBE... the quality of a video is not correlated to the number of likes because of the vague nature of what a "like" is? I clearly outlined why this "advice" was absolute inanity. It's like telling someone in a cooking competition... "make it taste good!" Gee really? wow thanks, all this time I was trying to make it taste bad.
Dang it I just wrote a spec for MASH
jesster kind - Thanks for the laugh.
jesster kind 😂😂
Very funny!
😂😂😂
This was a really nice vid. I always enjoy hearing some new advice on how to make my writing better. This was a really nice breakdown. This inspired me to write some new stuff as well. Thanks for this.
I finished a 2nd draft writing an Australian Action movie. It's still got some work left until it gets to where it needs to be.
I pooped today
good tips i need all the tips and knowledge i can get love the film world and how to put shows together one day our be in a writer's room soaking it all up i need to get into script contest i just want to write. i love tv. love the ending of the video lol
Got it, so push the boundaries, only don't push them.
I have stopped writing for TV and focused primarily on feature length scripts. I made this decision when I noticed that EVERY TIME I write for an existing TV show, it gets cancelled or they air an episode that covers my subject sufficiently so that my "new" idea will look old.
Carole has strong and very genuine body language I thought, red hot was full of fire.
The Doors - JIM MORRISON. "Come on baby light my script."
Enjoyed her conversation like to hear more of Carole Kirschner, good interesting talker.
specs are over, write original material. pilots and movies. trust me
Lark Macallan - Specs can be original ideas.
Most spec scripts are original.
Lark, I don't think you know what specs are...
Marie B unsolicited screenplays that you write on your own, hoping I will get optioned by a producer or a company.
Most spec scripts are original ideas people have for movies, taking interesting concepts and integrating it into a viable story structure.
There are those out there who write stuff based on IP but most specs are indeed original.
in this context they were talking about picking existing shows to write. Yes, I understand spec is short for speculatve, in other words if you're not being paid to write it, just writing it on speculation someone will buy it.
Original content is what you need, and I'm writing this from the biggest talent agency on earth.
Great job with some tough follow up questions.
“It’s called Roseanne because it’s about Roseanne” lol, that aged funny
I just wrote a spec script for "Family Guy". I am thinking about sending it into a screenwriting contest and I am also writing a spec script for a TV pilot for a show that I am creating.
That's awesome. I hope you win! :)
@@livefreeordie3149 Thanks! I am almost finished writing a one-hour police procedural in the meantime. :)
Has to be really really really good? Where are/have all these scripts been hiding? If standards are so high, why do so many of us hate what’s on?
Thank you very much for your time and contents you shared with us
It helps alot
God bless you
I disagree with her about sending a script that makes readings "cringe, or say ew". Just because she doesn't like something, doesn't mean everyone won't like it. All it takes is one person. Just saying. A script editor is 🔑 prior to submitting scripts though...
Difficult. All the shows I like get cancelled right away...
Matthew The Great Coin Roll Hunter write about that!
Like?
I'm in the same boat. I keep hearing from execs that they want pilots in the same genre now instead of specs. Could be that's the reason!
The question I have is that, what if we don't have any connections to producers or writers. I just love writing and would love for people to read my stuff but don't know who to send it to.
Sir, have you managed to find any producers yet?
Next up on amazing advice from Carole Kirschner... "folks, when it's raining outside, have an umbrella. you won't get wet that way"
Thanks ❤
SAVE YOURSELF TIME: The only real takeaway: Write a spec of a show in its 2nd - 3rd season. Everything else was so subjective such as write something "exceptional," when all network TV is the same ol' same ol'. AND,.... She never defined "Exceptional." Big waste of interview.
If we're a beginning writer should we write a whole t.v show series such as 10 episodes or more and send it out or just write a pilot? What do you guys suggest?
did you figure out the answer to this question yet? I am also curious about this. i am working on a series idea and am a total novice.. i am arming myself with as much info as possible but the variables still remain.
I know this comment is years old but as far as I know you just write the pilot until a company/broadcaster is on board as they'll want to change everything to adapt to audience analytics/expectations anyway. Have your world and characters built, know your core theme, know what motivates the characters, and make it clear you have more stories in you to continue writing the whole series
Just the pilot. You can write a second episode, or a third, but the pilot and the show bible is what sells the show. No one ever asks for that many episodes.
@@zachskaer6401 facts!
Thanks for posting!
Thanks
What’s that saying?
“Success is doing the same successful thing in a spectacularly different way.”
I don't see any writing credits for Carole Kirschner. What has she written?
Carole is a former executive. From her website, "I worked my way up to become a senior level creative television executive. I was at CBS Comedy and then hired as Vice President of Steven Spielberg’s first Amblin Television. During that time, I heard more than 3,000 pitches, bought hundreds of scripts, and was involved in developing dozens of television series. In all, I’ve probably read about 5,000 scripts."
She hasn't written anything but feels she can tell writers how to write. Makes sense eh? Its like a person who has never been a carpenter telling someone how to build a house.
@@filmcourage I've listened to a lot of music but I can't write a song.
Can somebody please describe me what the spec is ?
I mean I thought we are talking about writing an original TV script, but as I get it - I can write my own script for any TV show ?
Yeah, it’s often highly recommended to include a unique script of an airing show with your own original pilot script. It’s so that producers can determine that you’re a well-rounded writer that has depth and can thrive writing in any scenario,
I have a pilot that needs revision!! Plz someone help me!!
She talks so calmly omgz
Both Two
Skipped #3?
I just started writing a short comic series and I wanted to know how to professionally write comedy dialogue and get the admiration of all age groups, and what are the writing rituals? Is it schizophrenia? Or is the writer drunk? Or what?...Oh, please don't laugh at my questions because I'm upset
the post:
www.carolekirschner.com/blog/six-things-your-tv-spec-script-needs-to-stand-out
To say all this is all fine and dandy, however the execution is bullshit because as we all know, how many tired, overdone, cliche and predictable television series are the norm, not the exception.
Isn’t it obvious that you don’t call a television show a characters name and then focus on a different character? Are there really people out there doing that?
I don't know Carole other than her vapid advice in this video to writers. This is tautological garbage from a non-writer.
Interviewer: So Carole, what advice do you have for sprinters who want to win Olympic gold?
Carole: I've watched over 5000 races. I've spent my life watching other people running. And without a doubt I can say that running fast isn't enough to win. You've got to do something all the other runners are not doing. You got to run faster than everyone else.
Interview: Wow! Inever thought of it that way. So, the secret to being better is: to be better?
Carole: Absolutely.
tubewatchingelephant HAHAHA
Shes actually more important than being a writer shes the one who decides if that piece of paper you work on is ever going to become what its meant to be: A visual story. Writers are just one part of the process, sure we are the beginning and in some ways the most important part but our script as brilliant as it could be is just a script unless someone like her is willing to take a chance on it and put her reputation on the line for you to have a chance to live your dream. Maybe the process isnt the most creatively stimulating but that the business were in. If you dont like it write a novel or something that isnt a visual medium but dont come here bitching about "why is she giving out advice?" when critiquing writing is her damn job you sound foolish and whiny.
Kila Hoomana: He actually has a good point. If he didn’t, those in the Directors Guild wouldn’t be voting for their peers for an Academy Award, etc.
It would be wonderful to write for a television series. It would be more wonderful to say I had a great run and I'm not writing for a Television show.. Gosh What involvements.
So why do I see so much shite that gets commissioned?
The shows she names as really good: Breaking Bad, The Americans, Masters of Sex, and Mr. Robot are all too far into their run to make her other rule: 2nd or 3rd season. She can't even follow her own advice.
Outline your stories for the script not waste time on one, be productive
So... Breaking Bad is a no... but Mr. White.
I have the story...Nudity is part of their life, not by choice. What do I di? Not tell their story?
shocking would be, alien2 take place in Matrix, that exist in a Starwars world? lol
In other news the sky is blue and water is wet...
Write a decent script with layers to the protagonist - no go. Write a bad script about woke culture - gets accepted. It’s madness out there.
So why then there are a lot of dumb movies made? Sad to say, but the truth in is that one must have connections to be taken in consideration...
Nobody wanted to take a risk with Stranger Things.........
Stop using Walter white as example, it’s a great show, but lots better examples out there
With all this dribble, it's no wonder the shows on TV suck
Meet the woman who kills your pilot...because she went ewww...😅
Yet lots of rubbish gets made.
Feminism and wokeness ruined her script