Television series on premium cable have, in the last decade, featured more sophisticated writing than on network television and in most feature films. These series afford a writer a heightened sense of character, more complex plots, darker subject matter, frequent surprises and non-linear storytelling. In this class we will create and write a series of this nature, organized around the same principles as a professional writer’s room. Students will become the members of the “writing staff” and will write the pilot and bible for the show. Classes will include occasional guest writers/directors/producers, and will focus heavily on writing.
Reading/Writing assignments:
Students will be required to read and view an assigned pilot for a series including such shows as The Sopranos, Breaking Bad and House of Cards. Each session will begin with a discussion of the writing successes/failures of that pilot. In the first weeks, we will formulate the concept of our series, with particular attention to character development. In subsequent weeks we will write, in class and out, the pilot episode and the bible for the first season.
Other information:
Open to Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors only.
