Television series are not developed in a vacuum. Writers work with studios, producers or networks to develop a series together. And central to this process is television script editing — the ability to rewrite and reconceive a series and its pilot. In this 15-week class, students learn the basic tools of rewriting a TV pilot teleplay: taking notes, finding their original intent and working with producers, directors and development execs. Students start with a completed teleplay for an original pilot and a proposal for that series — such as the one written in our online Television Pilot Workshop. Notes and suggestions from the instructor and class will be combined with notes received previously on this project and planned changes to build a new version of the series proposal and a rewrite blueprint for the pilot script. Once a plan for the rewrite is created, students rewrite the pilot script, adjusting their blueprint and proposal as they go to reflect the lessons they’ve learned along the way. At the end of the class, students will have completed a rewrite of their script and have a new version of the series proposal.
A live video class is held once a week via Zoom. If time restrictions prevent attendance, students can catch up via recordings of the class and communicate with each other and the instructor digitally. In between sessions, students interact with the class digitally, with feedback provided by the instructor.
Video lessons will be made available for viewing through our course Portals. Written lessons and assignments are posted for critique, and the class interacts on an electronic course Portal. Instructors are available electronically for support.
The class meets once per week for 3 hours (two 1.5-hour sessions with a 30-minute break).
Additional video lessons are posted online and may be viewed according to a student’s personal schedule. Outside coursework will vary in time based on the student’s writing speed but usually takes 1-4 hours per week.
Deliverables: Rewrite Blueprint and completed rewrite of a television pilot script and series proposal
PLEASE NOTE: This class is separate from the 15-Week Online Screenplay Rewrite Workshop but depending on enrollment, may occasionally be combined with that group to give students a full and robust workshop environment.