What’s Included
12 1/2 Hours of Workshop Time
Five 2 1/2 hour class sessions, each one filled with Jill Chamberlain’s unique lectures, skill-building exercises, group discussions, and individual story consultation.
Beat Sheet Notes and Feedback
Get feedback on your TV pilot’s “nutshell” and your outline/beat sheet from Jill Chamberlain and your fellow classmates.
Worksheets
Handouts of key story concepts and professional teleplay examples make convenient references in and outside the workshop.
TV Episode Analysis
Each week the class analyzes a television episode assigned for outside viewing and deconstructs its underlying structure.
Syllabus
The TV Writing – 5 Week Program was developed for the writer who just wants to learn how to structure and outline their pilot. (If you are looking for a more comprehensive program, please see our TV Writing – 10 Week Program). All levels are welcome. The class meets in the same Zoom cohort as the full 10 week program, only this class group ends at 5 weeks (there is also an option to add class 6-10 of the full workshop if you decide to continue). 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 Jill will cover the following material.
Week 1
The Nutshell Technique and Story Structure
Week 2
Review of Students’ Story Nutshells
First round reviews of your initial story nutshell by Jill and the class.
Week 3
Plot Development: One-Hour Dramas
Week 4
Plot Development: Half-Hour Sitcoms
You’ll learn the structures employed by half-hour sitcoms (both network and cable/streaming).
Week 5
Character Development
Learn the secrets to creating compelling characters and how to orchestrate your whole cast.