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. Network with a Showrunner, Co-EP, development exec or working writer. You can do this by taking a class at Writing Pad.
Networking is a crucial part of breaking into the business. It’s all about who you know and it’s really good to know writers and gatekeepers who are currently working as they are on the inside and many have the power to help you land your first job or representation. In our classes, you can build a personal relationship with a working screenwriter or TV writer from a top show (e.g. A MAN ON THE INSIDE, SEVERANCE). Many of our classes are taught by Showrunners (can hire you) and Co-EP’s (have hiring input) who could help get you staffed on their next project and creative execs who could buy your pilot. You’ll also get your writing reviewed and read by this scribe which is important for them to feel comfortable recommending you to their reps or for assistant or staff writing gigs.
In our certificate program, you can participate in small, private networking events with showrunners from the biggest shows, fellowship and staffing program heads, and agents and managers.
These classes and our certificate program have helped 474 students get staff writing positions on TV shows including THE PITT and NOBODY WANTS THIS. Our classes also helped 35 students sell films.
| Name | Start Date | Day Of Week | Time | Teacher | Cost | Location | Inventory | Categories | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screenwriting 1 | 11/7 | Sat | 10:30am | Chris Reed | $515 — or $113 / week for 5 weeks | Online | 1 Spot Left | Screenwriting | |
| TV Drama 2 | 11/7 | Sat | 10:30am | Evelyn Yves | $1,165 — or $156 / week for 8 weeks | Online | 1 Spot Left | TV Writing | |
| TV Drama 1 | 11/9 | Mon | 6:00pm | Nina Fiore | $550 — or $120 / week for 5 weeks | Online | 1 Spot Left | TV Writing | |
| TV Comedy 1 | 11/9 | Mon | 5:30pm | Berkley Johnson | $550 — or $120 / week for 5 weeks | Online | 2 Spots Left | TV Writing | |
| TV 2 | 11/12 | Thu | 5:00pm | Brett Paesel | $1,165 — or $127 / week for 10 weeks | Online | 1 Spot Left | TV Writing | |
| TV Drama 1 | 11/14 | Sat | 10:00am | John Herrera | $550 — or $120 / week for 5 weeks | Online | 2 Spots Left | TV Writing | |
| TV Comedy 1 | 11/15 | Sun | 10:30am | Anna Salinas | $550 — or $120 / week for 5 weeks | Online | 1 Spot Left | TV Writing | |
| TV 3 | 11/15 | Sun | 10:30am | Mike Ellis | $965 — or $131 / week for 8 weeks | Online | 2 Spots Left | TV Writing | |
| Horror Feature Writing 1 | 12/1 | Tue | 5:30pm | Cheryl Meyer | $525 — or $115 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Screenwriting | |
| Screenwriting 3 | 12/1 | Tue | 6:00pm | Chris Reed | $560 — or $122 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Screenwriting | |
| TV Comedy 2 | 12/1 | Tue | 5:30pm | Berkley Johnson | $1,165 — or $127 / week for 10 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | TV Writing | |
| TV 1 | 1/19 | Tue | 5:00pm | Sylvia Batey Alcalá | $550 — or $120 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | TV Writing | |
| Screenwriting 101 | 1/30 | Sat | 10:30am | Chris Reed | $99 | Online | Limited Spots | Screenwriting | |
| TV Drama 1 | 2/1 | Mon | 6:00pm | Nina Fiore | $550 — or $120 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | TV Writing | |
| Horror Feature Writing 2 | 2/1 | Mon | 5:30pm | Cheryl Meyer | $525 — or $115 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Screenwriting | |
| Horror Feature Writing 1 | 2/2 | Tue | 5:30pm | Cheryl Meyer | $525 — or $115 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Screenwriting | |
| Screenwriting 3 | 2/2 | Tue | 6:00pm | Chris Reed | $560 — or $122 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Screenwriting | |
| TV Drama 3 | 2/3 | Wed | 6:00pm | John Herrera, Nina Fiore | $965 — or $131 / week for 8 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | TV Writing | |
| Screenwriting 2 | 2/8 | Mon | 6:00pm | Chris Reed | $515 — or $113 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Screenwriting | |
| TV 3 | 2/9 | Tue | 5:30pm | Mike Ellis | $965 — or $131 / week for 8 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | TV Writing | |
| Screenwriting 1 | 2/20 | Sat | 10:30am | Chris Reed | $515 — or $113 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Screenwriting | |
| Screenwriting 3 | 3/23 | Tue | 6:00pm | Chris Reed | $560 — or $122 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Screenwriting | |
| Screenwriting 3 | 5/4 | Tue | 6:00pm | Chris Reed | $560 — or $122 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Screenwriting | |
| Screenwriting 101 | 5/8 | Sat | 10:30am | Chris Reed | $99 | Online | Limited Spots | Screenwriting | |
| Screenwriting 1 | 5/15 | Sat | 10:30am | Chris Reed | $515 — or $113 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Screenwriting | |
| Screenwriting 3 | 6/15 | Tue | 6:00pm | Chris Reed | $560 — or $122 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Screenwriting | |
| Screenwriting 2 | 7/19 | Mon | 6:00pm | Chris Reed | $515 — or $113 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Screenwriting |
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 200 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 application 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). Our TV Pitching class is also taught by a Disney program Mentor/Development Executive who has input into who gets into the program.
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, 241 students have published short fiction pieces and 914 students have published essays, 60 in the NY Times.
| Name | Start Date | Day Of Week | Time | Teacher | Cost | Location | Inventory | Categories | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short Story 1 | 11/1 | Sun | 10:00am | Katherine Taylor | $460 — or $102 / week for 5 weeks | Online | 1 Spot Left | Short Story | |
| NY Times Worthy Personal Essay 101 | 11/2 | Mon | 5:30pm | Brett Paesel | $99 | Online | 1 Spot Left | Personal Essay | |
| Humor Writing | 11/9 | Mon | 5:00pm | Rebecca Saltzman | $460 — or $102 / week for 5 weeks | Online | 1 Spot Left | Short Story | |
| NY Times Worthy Personal Essay | 11/15 | Sun | 2:00pm | Brett Paesel | $460 — or $102 / week for 5 weeks | Online | 1 Spot Left | Personal Essay | |
| NY Times Worthy Personal Essay | 11/16 | Mon | 5:30pm | Brett Paesel | $460 — or $102 / week for 5 weeks | Online | 2 Spots Left | Personal Essay | |
| Humor Writing | 1/11 | Mon | 5:00pm | Rebecca Saltzman | $460 — or $102 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Short Story | |
| Short Story 1 | 1/24 | Sun | 10:00am | Katherine Taylor | $460 — or $102 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Short Story | |
| NY Times Worthy Personal Essay 101 | 2/1 | Mon | 5:30pm | Brett Paesel | $99 | Online | Limited Spots | Personal Essay | |
| NY Times Worthy Personal Essay | 2/8 | Mon | 5:30pm | Brett Paesel | $460 — or $102 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Personal Essay | |
| NY Times Worthy Personal Essay | 2/21 | Sun | 2:00pm | Brett Paesel | $460 — or $102 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Personal Essay | |
| Humor Writing | 2/22 | Mon | 5:00pm | Rebecca Saltzman | $460 — or $102 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Short Story | |
| Short Story 1 | 3/21 | Sun | 10:00am | Katherine Taylor | $460 — or $102 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Short Story | |
| Humor Writing | 5/3 | Mon | 5:00pm | Rebecca Saltzman | $460 — or $102 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Short Story | |
| Short Story 1 | 5/16 | Sun | 10:00am | Katherine Taylor | $460 — or $102 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Short Story |
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, 55 students have published books.
| Name | Start Date | Day Of Week | Time | Teacher | Cost | Location | Inventory | Categories | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| How To Hook A Literary Agent | 11/7 | Sat | 10:00am | Roma Panganiban | $275 — or $148 / week for 2 weeks | Online | 1 Spot Left | Publishing | |
| Novel 101 | 11/8 | Sun | 10:30am | Gretchen McNeil | $95 | Online | 2 Spots Left | Novel | |
| Memoir 3 | 11/8 | Sun | 10:30am | Erika Schickel | $515 — or $113 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Join Waitlist | Memoir | |
| Novel 1 | 11/15 | Sun | 10:30am | Gretchen McNeil | $460 — or $102 / week for 5 weeks | Online | 3 Spots Left | Novel | |
| Novel 2 | 11/18 | Wed | 5:00pm | Gretchen McNeil | $475 — or $105 / week for 5 weeks | Online | 1 Spot Left | Novel | |
| Memoir 101 | 12/2 | Wed | 5:00pm | Erika Schickel | $120 | Online | Limited Spots | Memoir | |
| Memoir 2 | 12/8 | Tue | 5:00pm | Erika Schickel | $495 — or $109 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Memoir | |
| Memoir 1 | 12/9 | Wed | 5:00pm | Erika Schickel | $485 — or $107 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Memoir | |
| How To Hook A Literary Agent | 1/9 | Sat | 10:30am | Karly Dizon | $275 — or $148 / week for 2 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Publishing | |
| Memoir 101 | 1/9 | Sat | 10:00am | Erika Schickel | $120 | Online | Limited Spots | Memoir | |
| Book Proposal 1 | 1/20 | Wed | 5:00pm | Rachel Kambury | $485 — or $79 / week for 7 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Book Proposal | |
| Novel 2 | 1/20 | Wed | 5:00pm | Gretchen McNeil | $475 — or $105 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Novel | |
| Novel 2 | 1/23 | Sat | 2:30pm | Gretchen McNeil | $475 — or $105 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Novel | |
| Memoir 3 | 1/31 | Sun | 10:00am | Erika Schickel | $515 — or $113 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Memoir | |
| Novel 101 | 2/2 | Tue | 5:00pm | Gretchen McNeil | $95 | Online | Limited Spots | Novel | |
| Memoir 1 | 2/6 | Sat | 10:00am | Erika Schickel | $485 — or $107 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Memoir | |
| Novel 1 | 2/9 | Tue | 5:00pm | Gretchen McNeil | $460 — or $102 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Novel | |
| Memoir 1 | 2/17 | Wed | 5:00pm | Erika Schickel | $485 — or $107 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Memoir | |
| Memoir 3 | 2/22 | Mon | 5:00pm | Erika Schickel | $515 — or $113 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Memoir | |
| Memoir 2 | 2/23 | Tue | 5:00pm | Erika Schickel | $495 — or $109 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Memoir | |
| Novel 2 | 3/6 | Sat | 2:30pm | Gretchen McNeil | $475 — or $105 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Novel | |
| Novel 2 | 3/10 | Wed | 5:00pm | Gretchen McNeil | $475 — or $105 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Novel | |
| Memoir 101 | 3/27 | Sat | 5:00pm | Erika Schickel | $120 | Online | Limited Spots | Memoir | |
| Novel 2 | 5/5 | Wed | 5:00pm | Gretchen McNeil | $475 — or $105 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Novel | |
| Novel 101 | 5/11 | Tue | 5:00pm | Gretchen McNeil | $95 | Online | Limited Spots | Novel | |
| Novel 2 | 5/15 | Sat | 2:30pm | Gretchen McNeil | $475 — or $105 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Novel | |
| Novel 1 | 5/25 | Tue | 5:00pm | Gretchen McNeil | $460 — or $102 / week for 5 weeks | Online | Limited Spots | Novel |
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.