TV Writing Workshop
REGISTER NOWLearn Teleplay Writing from the Showrunners’ Secret Weapon
Top television showrunners turn to Jill Chamberlain for her expert advice, and now she offers her knowledge to the public in fun, highly interactive workshops.
What’s Included in the TV Writing Workshop
25 Hours of Workshop
Ten 2 1/2 hour class sessions filled with lectures, exercises, group discussion, and individual story consultation focused on television writing.
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YOUR TV SERIES
Tools & Worksheets
TV EPISODE ANALYSIS
Writer Community
10-Week TV Writing Syllabus
The 10 week TV Writing class covers a comprehensive curriculum developed for seasoned and beginning screenwriters alike — complete beginners to Emmy-winner writers take our classes.
Most of class time will be spent going through students’ stories. In addition, each week there is a focus on mastering a different area of the TV writing craft, and I will cover the following material.
Week 1: The Nutshell Technique and Story Structure
I introduce the Nutshell Technique and the underlying structure of a feature film screenplay. We analyze a film assigned before class to illustrate how it works.I introduce the Nutshell Technique and the underlying structure of successful screenplays, including both teleplays and feature films. We analyze a pre-assigned film to illustrate how the principles work in practice.
Week 2: Review of Students’ Story Nutshells
We review your initial story Nutshell together, with feedback from me and the class. The first round of reviews for your story nutshell begins. I offer feedback alongside the class to help you strengthen the core structure of your pilot or spec script.
Week 3: Plot Development: One-Hour Dramas
We go deeper into structuring your screenplay and cover the eight sequence method for a three act story. Once your Nutshell is approved, you can begin turning in a beat sheet. We take a deeper look at the structure of one-hour television dramas across both network and cable/streaming formats. Once your nutshell has been approved, you can begin turning in your outline.
Week 4: Plot Development: Half-Hour Sitcoms
I cover the fundamentals of building strong, compelling characters for the screen. We examine the structures commonly used in half-hour television comedies, including both traditional network formats and modern streaming approaches.
Week 5: Character Development
We focus on building compelling television characters and learning how to orchestrate an ensemble cast across a series.
Week 6: Writing in Screenplay Format
I go over professional teleplay formatting and the conventions used across different types of television scripts.
Week 7: Review of Scene Assignment
Each writer submits a critical scene from their teleplay. The class conducts cold table reads, and I provide feedback on structure, formatting, dialogue, and scene execution.
Week 8: Catch Up
Additional in-class review time focused on scene assignments, revisions, and story development.
Week 9: Dialogue
We focus on writing natural yet concise dialogue and examine the principles behind strong television scenes and character voice. This is also the final week to submit your teleplay for class critique.
Week 10: The Business of Screenwriting
We discuss the business side of television writing and conclude with final in-class critiques of submitted teleplays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the questions writers ask most often about the workshop, including feedback, time commitment, class structure, recordings, and who the program is designed for.
Alumni Interviews
Read interviews with students and learn more about the writers, projects, and experiences that have come through The Screenplay Workshop.
Join Me in the TV Writing Workshop
AUDITOR OPTION
You follow along with the class and learn the Nutshell Technique by watching each session and working through the material on your own. No writing submissions included.
- Watch all sessions on your own schedule
- Access recordings for one year
- Download worksheets and class materials
- Learn television story structure at your own pace
- No writing submissions or feedback included
$195
Audit access
AUDIT + CONSULTATION OPTION
You learn the Nutshell Technique by watching each session at your own pace, then meet privately with me for a one-hour consultation focused on your pilot, spec script, or story questions.
- Watch all sessions on your own schedule
- Access recordings for one year
- Download worksheets and class materials
- Receive a one-hour private consultation with me
- Bring your pilot, spec, or Nutshell to discuss live
$495
Audit access + private consultation