Ways to Break Into TV Writing
Below are some ways to break into television that we’ve learned about from Showrunners, Co-EP’s and working TV and screenwriters.
1. Take a class and network with a Co-EP or working writer.
Build a personal relationship (and get your writing reviewed and read) by a working screenwriter or TV writer from a top show (e.g. A MAN ON THE INSIDE, SEVERANCE). These classes and our certificate program have helped 492 students get staff writing positions on TV shows including THE PITT and NOBODY WANTS THIS. Our classes also helped 35 students sell films. Many of our classes are taught by Showrunners and Co-EP’s who could help get you staffed on their next project.
| Name | Start Date | Day Of Week | Time | Teacher | Cost | Location | Inventory | Categories | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TV Comedy 1 | 7/9 | Thu | 5:00pm | Jack Kukoda | $550 — or $120 / week for 5 weeks | Online | 1 Spot Left | TV Writing | |
| TV Comedy 1 | 7/11 | Sat | 10:30am | Hayley Frazier | $550 — or $120 / week for 5 weeks | Online | 2 Spots Left | TV Writing | |
| TV 3 | 7/12 | Sun | 10:30am | Mike Ellis | $845 — or $131 / week for 7 weeks | Online | 1 Spot Left | TV Writing | |
| TV Drama 1 | 7/12 | Sun | 10:30am | Evelyn Yves | $550 — or $120 / week for 5 weeks | Online | 1 Spot Left | TV Writing | |
| Horror Feature Writing 1 | 7/14 | Tue | 5:30pm | Cheryl Meyer | $525 — or $115 / week for 5 weeks | Online | 1 Spot Left | Screenwriting | |
| TV 1 | 7/15 | Wed | 5:30pm | Sylvia Batey Alcalá | $550 — or $120 / week for 5 weeks | Online | 1 Spot Left | TV Writing | |
| Screenwriting 1 | 7/18 | Sat | 10:30am | Chris Reed | $515 — or $113 / week for 5 weeks | Online | 1 Spot Left | Screenwriting | |
| TV Drama 1 | 7/18 | Sat | 10:00am | John Herrera | $550 — or $120 / week for 5 weeks | Online | 3 Spots Left | TV Writing | |
| TV Drama 1 | 7/20 | Mon | 6:00pm | Nina Fiore | $550 — or $120 / week for 5 weeks | Online | 2 Spots Left | TV Writing | |
| Horror Feature Writing 2 | 7/20 | Mon | 5:30pm | Cheryl Meyer | $525 — or $115 / week for 5 weeks | Online | 1 Spot Left | Screenwriting | |
| TV Drama 3 | 7/22 | Wed | 6:00pm | John Herrera, Nina Fiore | $965 — or $131 / week for 8 weeks | Online | 2 Spots Left | TV Writing | |
| TV Comedy 1 | 7/27 | Mon | 5:30pm | Berkley Johnson | $550 — or $120 / week for 5 weeks | Online | 2 Spots Left | TV Writing | |
| TV 2 | 7/28 | Tue | 5:00pm | Sylvia Batey Alcalá | $1,165 — or $156 / week for 8 weeks | Online | 2 Spots Left | TV Writing | |
| TV 2 | 7/30 | Thu | 5:00pm | Brett Paesel | $1,165 — or $127 / week for 10 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | TV Writing | |
| TV Comedy 2 | 8/8 | Sat | 10:30am | Berkley Johnson | $1,165 — or $127 / week for 10 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | TV Writing | |
| TV Drama 1 | 8/13 | Thu | 5:00pm | Megan Ritchie | $550 — or $120 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | TV Writing | |
| TV Comedy 1 | 8/16 | Sun | 10:30am | Anna Salinas | $550 — or $120 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | TV Writing | |
| TV 3 | 8/18 | Tue | 5:30pm | Mike Ellis | $965 — or $131 / week for 8 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | TV Writing | |
| TV 1 | 8/22 | Sat | 10:30am | Ashley Skidmore | $550 — or $120 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | TV Writing | |
| TV 1 | 8/26 | Wed | 5:30pm | Sylvia Batey Alcalá | $550 — or $120 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | TV Writing | |
| TV Drama 2 | 8/29 | Sat | 10:30am | Evelyn Yves | $1,165 — or $156 / week for 8 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | TV Writing | |
| TV Drama 1 | 8/30 | Sun | 10:30am | Evelyn Yves | $550 — or $120 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | TV Writing | |
| Screenwriting 3 | 9/1 | Tue | 6:00pm | Chris Reed | $560 — or $122 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Screenwriting | |
| TV Comedy 1 | 9/19 | Sat | 10:30am | Hayley Frazier | $550 — or $120 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | TV Writing | |
| Screenwriting 101 | 9/19 | Sat | 10:30am | Chris Reed | $99 | Online | Limited Spots | Screenwriting | |
| TV Comedy 1 | 9/22 | Tue | 5:30pm | Berkley Johnson | $550 — or $120 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | TV Writing | |
| Horror Feature Writing 1 | 9/22 | Tue | 5:30pm | Cheryl Meyer | $525 — or $115 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Screenwriting | |
| Screenwriting 1 | 9/26 | Sat | 10:30am | Chris Reed | $515 — or $113 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Screenwriting | |
| TV Drama 1 | 9/26 | Sat | 10:00am | John Herrera | $550 — or $120 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | TV Writing | |
| Screenwriting 2 | 9/28 | Mon | 6:00pm | Chris Reed | $515 — or $113 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Screenwriting | |
| TV Drama 1 | 9/28 | Mon | 6:00pm | Nina Fiore | $550 — or $120 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | TV Writing | |
| TV Drama 3 | 9/30 | Wed | 6:00pm | John Herrera, Nina Fiore | $965 — or $131 / week for 8 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | TV Writing | |
| TV 1 | 10/4 | Sun | 10:30am | Ashley Skidmore | $550 — or $120 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | TV Writing | |
| TV Drama 2 | 10/6 | Tue | 6:00pm | John Herrera, Nina Fiore | $1,165 — or $127 / week for 10 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | TV Writing | |
| TV Comedy 1 | 10/17 | Sat | 10:30am | Hayley Frazier | $550 — or $120 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | TV Writing | |
| TV Comedy 1 | 10/25 | Sun | 10:30am | Anna Salinas | $550 — or $120 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | TV Writing | |
| TV 3 | 10/27 | Tue | 5:30pm | Mike Ellis | $965 — or $131 / week for 8 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | TV Writing | |
| TV Comedy 1 | 11/9 | Mon | 5:30pm | Berkley Johnson | $550 — or $120 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | TV Writing | |
| Horror Feature Writing 1 | 11/10 | Tue | 5:30pm | Cheryl Meyer | $525 — or $115 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Screenwriting | |
| Screenwriting 101 | 11/14 | Sat | 10:30am | Chris Reed | $99 | Online | Limited Spots | Screenwriting | |
| TV 3 | 11/15 | Sun | 10:30am | Mike Ellis | $965 — or $131 / week for 8 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | TV Writing | |
| Screenwriting 3 | 12/1 | Tue | 6:00pm | Chris Reed | $560 — or $122 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Screenwriting | |
| Screenwriting 1 | 12/5 | Sat | 10:30am | Chris Reed | $515 — or $113 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Screenwriting | |
| Screenwriting 2 | 12/7 | Mon | 6:00pm | Chris Reed | $515 — or $113 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Screenwriting | |
| TV Drama 1 | 1/11 | Mon | 6:00pm | Nina Fiore | $550 — or $120 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | TV Writing |
Classes are also a great place to practice writers’ room and pitching skills, find a mentor and/or build your network with like-minded aspiring writers, learn terminology and understand how the business works. If you want to improve your joke writing, take a sketch or improv class. If you want to improve your sense of story, take a class on TV structure. Always work to improve your craft and write your own material, even if you are busy working a full-time job.
2. Get a writers’ assistant gig, production job, or an assistant position on an agent’s desk.
Writers’ and showrunner’s assistants get the inside track on fellowships and often get to write an episode of the show under the tutelage of the showrunner. Production assistants and other positions help you learn the production side of the business and often introduce you to people on the writing side. Agents can help get you access to execs. Also, you’ll learn the culture of the biz which helps agents, managers and fellowship heads staff you.
Once you have the job, the key is to listen and learn as much as you can. If you do the job well and work your butt off, people will want to keep working with you and help you succeed.
3. Apply for fellowships and staffing programs.
Fellowships and staffing programs can help you get your foot in the door with your first staff writing gig and/or get you connections to gatekeepers like execs, agents, managers and showrunners.
Our classes and certificate program have helped 197 students land fellowships and staffing programs including at Disney, Sundance, NBC, Warner Bros., Paramount, NBCUniversal. See item #1 for classes that we offer to help you prepare your applications and samples. You’ll get an insider’s view on what to do to make your applcation stand out from a writer who’s gotten into a top fellowship or staffing program like Disney, Sundance, WIF/Black List, a working screenwriter or TV writer from a top show (e.g. A MAN ON THE INSIDE, SEVERANCE).
Here’s a TABLE with upcoming deadlines and application information.
4. Shoot teasers of your pilots or create a web series and post on TikTok and Youtube
Execs don’t like to read, so this will help you get your projects out there. If you have a built-in audience, you are much more likely to sell a project and stay involved once it's been sold. This will also help you work on your branding. Knowing your strengths and who you are as a writer, person and thinker is key to differentiating yourself.
5. Write a screenplay and submit to festivals like Austin Film Festival or Sundance.
Getting into a film festival can open new doors for you. If producers like your script, they may buy it or hire you to write on other projects, including TV shows. Festivals are also great places to network with your peers, and winning awards can garner the attention of managers and agents. See item #1 for classes we offer with successful screenwriters.
6. Network with junior agents/managers, creative execs, and assistants.
Junior agents need talent to get promoted to agent and producers need material to produce, so get to know these folks before they make it big. Build relationships with assistants and people starting out in their careers. This is a business of networking. You never know which connection will lead to your next job. Root for the success of your peers and you will rise alongside them.
7. Join an improv or sketch comedy group.
Performing at a comedy theater like UCB can help you build your craft, get live feedback, and you never know who will be in the audience looking for talent. It’ll also hone your creative problem solving and pitching chops while giving you a thick skin so you’re less precious with your ideas.
8. Get a short piece published.
Publishing a short story, personal essay, or humor piece is a great way to get your name out there as a writer. An agent or manager may read your piece in a newspaper or a journal and reach out to you. You may even get a book deal, or other writing opportunities. You can put it in your staffing packet and it will be a short sample in addition to your pilot that proves you can write and gives gatekeepers a reprieve from reading another long script. After taking class with us, 239 students have published short fiction pieces and 901 students have published essays, 59 in the NY Times.
| Name | Start Date | Day Of Week | Time | Teacher | Cost | Location | Inventory | Categories | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NY Times Worthy Personal Essay | 7/26 | Sun | 2:00pm | Brett Paesel | $460 — or $102 / week for 5 weeks | Online | 3 Spots Left | Personal Essay | |
| Short Story 1 | 7/26 | Sun | 10:00am | Katherine Taylor | $460 — or $102 / week for 5 weeks | Online | 2 Spots Left | Short Story | |
| NY Times Worthy Personal Essay 101 | 7/27 | Mon | 5:30pm | Brett Paesel | $99 | Online | Almost Full | Personal Essay | |
| NY Times Worthy Personal Essay | 8/10 | Mon | 5:30pm | Brett Paesel | $460 — or $102 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Personal Essay | |
| Humor Writing | 8/10 | Mon | 5:00pm | Rebecca Saltzman | $460 — or $102 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Short Story | |
| NY Times Worthy Personal Essay | 8/23 | Sun | 2:00pm | Brett Paesel | $460 — or $102 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Personal Essay | |
| NY Times Worthy Personal Essay 101 | 9/22 | Tue | 5:30pm | Brett Paesel | $99 | Online | Limited Spots | Personal Essay | |
| Humor Writing | 9/28 | Mon | 5:00pm | Rebecca Saltzman | $460 — or $102 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Short Story | |
| NY Times Worthy Personal Essay | 9/29 | Tue | 5:30pm | Brett Paesel | $460 — or $102 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Personal Essay | |
| Short Story 1 | 10/18 | Sun | 10:00am | Katherine Taylor | $460 — or $102 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Short Story | |
| NY Times Worthy Personal Essay | 10/18 | Sun | 2:00pm | Brett Paesel | $460 — or $102 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Personal Essay | |
| NY Times Worthy Personal Essay 101 | 11/9 | Mon | 5:30pm | Brett Paesel | $99 | Online | Limited Spots | Personal Essay | |
| NY Times Worthy Personal Essay | 11/16 | Mon | 5:30pm | Brett Paesel | $460 — or $102 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Personal Essay | |
| Short Story 1 | 12/6 | Sun | 10:00am | Katherine Taylor | $460 — or $102 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Short Story | |
| Humor Writing | 12/7 | Mon | 5:00pm | Rebecca Saltzman | $460 — or $102 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Short Story | |
| NY Times Worthy Personal Essay | 12/13 | Sun | 2:00pm | Brett Paesel | $460 — or $102 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Personal Essay |
9. Tell a story at the Moth (or other storytelling shows).
You’ll be pitching your life stories in the room so this is a great way to practice. Also having personal stories that connect you with your material will help sell yourself and projects in meetings. When breaking story in the room, writers with personal connections to the material are often chosen or hired to write that episode.
10. Write plays and/or solo shows and stage them at local theaters.
This will give you a different perspective on your writing by helping you see how it plays as well as develop an appreciation for casting choices, blocking, staging and dramatic writing in general. Again, this will also help you get your name out there but also will help you making more producible, less expensive and more actor-friendly choices.
11. Create your own IP.
Write a novel, book of short stories, memoir or anything that someone would want to turn into a TV Show. Execs are always looking for IP to produce from. Also, you may be able to negotiate a credit and a spot in the writers’ room. After taking class with us, 54 students have published books.
| Name | Start Date | Day Of Week | Time | Teacher | Cost | Location | Inventory | Categories | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Novel 2 | 7/11 | Sat | 2:30pm | Gretchen McNeil | $475 — or $105 / week for 5 weeks | Online | 1 Spot Left | Novel | |
| Novel 101 | 7/12 | Sun | 10:30am | Gretchen McNeil | $95 | Online | 2 Spots Left | Novel | |
| Memoir 3 | 7/13 | Mon | 5:00pm | Erika Schickel | $515 — or $113 / week for 5 weeks | Online | 1 Spot Left | Memoir | |
| Novel 1 | 7/14 | Tue | 5:00pm | Gretchen McNeil | $460 — or $102 / week for 5 weeks | Online | 1 Spot Left | Novel | |
| Novel 2 | 7/15 | Wed | 5:00pm | Gretchen McNeil | $475 — or $105 / week for 5 weeks | Online | 1 Spot Left | Novel | |
| Book Proposal 1 | 7/15 | Wed | 5:00pm | Rachel Kambury | $485 — or $79 / week for 7 weeks | Online | 1 Spot Left | Book Proposal | |
| Memoir 1 | 7/18 | Sat | 10:00am | Erika Schickel | $485 — or $107 / week for 5 weeks | Online | 2 Spots Left | Memoir | |
| Memoir 101 | 7/22 | Wed | 5:00pm | Erika Schickel | $120 | Online | 3 Spots Left | Memoir | |
| Memoir 3 | 8/9 | Sun | 10:00am | Erika Schickel | $515 — or $113 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Almost Full | Memoir | |
| Memoir 1 | 8/12 | Wed | 5:00pm | Erika Schickel | $485 — or $107 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Memoir | |
| Novel 1 | 8/16 | Sun | 10:30am | Gretchen McNeil | $460 — or $102 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Novel | |
| Memoir 3 | 8/24 | Mon | 5:00pm | Erika Schickel | $515 — or $113 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Memoir | |
| Novel 2 | 9/2 | Wed | 5:00pm | Gretchen McNeil | $475 — or $105 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Novel | |
| Memoir 2 | 9/15 | Tue | 5:00pm | Erika Schickel | $495 — or $109 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Memoir | |
| Novel 2 | 9/19 | Sat | 2:30pm | Gretchen McNeil | $475 — or $105 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Novel | |
| Memoir 101 | 9/19 | Sat | 10:00am | Erika Schickel | $120 | Online | Limited Spots | Memoir | |
| Memoir 1 | 9/23 | Wed | 5:00pm | Erika Schickel | $485 — or $107 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Memoir | |
| Book Proposal 1 | 9/23 | Wed | 5:00pm | Rachel Kambury | $485 — or $79 / week for 7 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Book Proposal | |
| Memoir 3 | 9/27 | Sun | 10:00am | Erika Schickel | $515 — or $113 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Memoir | |
| Memoir 1 | 10/3 | Sat | 10:00am | Erika Schickel | $485 — or $107 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Memoir | |
| Novel 2 | 10/14 | Wed | 5:00pm | Gretchen McNeil | $475 — or $105 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Novel | |
| Memoir 3 | 10/26 | Mon | 5:00pm | Erika Schickel | $515 — or $113 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Memoir | |
| Memoir 101 | 10/28 | Wed | 5:00pm | Erika Schickel | $120 | Online | Limited Spots | Memoir | |
| Novel 101 | 11/8 | Sun | 10:30am | Gretchen McNeil | $95 | Online | Limited Spots | Novel | |
| Memoir 3 | 11/8 | Sun | 10:30am | Erika Schickel | $515 — or $113 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Memoir | |
| Memoir 1 | 11/11 | Wed | 5:00pm | Erika Schickel | $485 — or $107 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Memoir | |
| Novel 1 | 11/15 | Sun | 10:30am | Gretchen McNeil | $460 — or $102 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Novel | |
| Novel 2 | 11/18 | Wed | 5:00pm | Gretchen McNeil | $475 — or $105 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Novel | |
| Memoir 2 | 12/1 | Tue | 5:00pm | Erika Schickel | $495 — or $109 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Memoir | |
| Book Proposal 1 | 12/2 | Wed | 5:00pm | Rachel Kambury | $485 — or $79 / week for 7 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Book Proposal |
12. Say yes to unconventional opportunities.
People break in different ways. Many writers start out working in tangential careers like working for a casting director or a publication, interning, etc. Anything that gets you in proximity to “the room where it happens” gives you the opportunity to prove yourself and build relationships, is worth it.