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Your generosity funds scholarships and free programs, allowing more teen and adult writers to participate in creative writing workshops at our new center in the Seaport, in neighborhoods around Boston, and online.

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Write

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Xujun Eberlein's photo

Instructor Spotlight

Xujun Eberlein Xujun is the instructor for GrubStreet's Memoir Incubator Program.

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  • Workshop
  • Online: Zoom
  • Adult (18+)
  • 10 Weeks

Writing for TV: How to Develop a Series, and Write the Pilot and Bible

No Longer Enrolling

  • $635.00 Non-Member
  • $610.00 Member

Class Description

In this hands-on class writers will learn the craft and process of developing a serialized, limited, or anthology TV series while writing the first draft of an original pilot.
We’ll dive deep into craft topics such as structure, character, dialogue, world-building and formatting as we read/watch and analyze several award-winning pilots including (but not limited to) American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace, Black Mirror, Breaking Bad, Mozart in the Jungle, and Orange is the New Black. Additional craft readings will include excerpts from Inside Story: The Power of the Transformational Arc by Dara Marks, Save the Cat by Blake Snyder, and The Writers Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers by Christopher Vogler.
We’ll also look at the the process of TV writing, the ‘how to’, the ‘where do I even begin’, to ensure that writers have the tools they need to develop future projects on their own. Toward this goal we’ll begin by crafting loglines (series, first season, pilot and sample episodes) to hone and vet concepts. We’ll then move on to developing the series’ ‘bible’ to flesh out the themes, characters and world, as well as a one-page synopsis for the first season. Finally we’ll be ready to craft a pilot beatsheet and outline, and write the opening beats.
We’ll end the class with a discussion on the art of offering and accepting craft-based feedback, and revision strategies for the second draft.
Students can expect to leave the class with a series bible, season synopsis, detailed pilot beatsheet and outline, and at least act one of their television pilot.
Please note: Class does not meet Monday, February 17th.

Scholarship Information

Thanks to the excellent literary citizenship of our donors, scholarships are available for all GrubStreet classes. To apply, click the gray "APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP" button. In order to be considered for a scholarship, you must complete your application at least one week before the start date of a class. Please await our scholarship committee's decision before registering for the class. We cannot hold spots in classes, so the sooner you apply, the better. Scholarships cannot be applied retroactively.

For more more detailed information about GrubStreet scholarships, including how to contribute to scholarship funds for other students, click here.

Scholarships Format/Location

Thanks to the excellent literary citizenship of our donors, scholarships are available for all GrubStreet classes. To apply, click the gray "APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP" button. In order to be considered for a scholarship, you must complete your application at least one week before the start date of a class. Please await our scholarship committee's decision before registering for the class. We cannot hold spots in classes, so the sooner you apply, the better. Scholarships cannot be applied retroactively.

For more detailed information about GrubStreet scholarships, including how to contribute to scholarship funds for other students, click here.

This class will take place using Zoom videoconferencing. About 15 minutes before your class is scheduled to begin, you'll receive an email from your instructor with a link to join the class meeting!

Zoom Participation:

Students are not required to turn their camera on, but are encouraged to participate any way they feel comfortable through functions such as the live chat, emoji reactions, and unmuting the microphone. Learn more about using Zoom here.

Zoom Accessibility:

We ask that instructors enable closed captioning and send a transcript of the session after class. You can also enable closed captioning at any time during the meeting. If your instructor forgets to send the transcript, just send ’em an email!