Television Writing 1.2.2 Quiz

To be considered a "hit," a commercial network show must...

...be in the top 25 of the weekly Nielsen rankings.

As a TV writer, why is it important to read scripts?

A. You need to see how the show lays out on the page. B. To build an instinctive understanding of how a particular show tells its stories.

According to Write to TV, there are two kinds of writers in series television. What are they?

Comedy writers and drama writers

As a new writer, what is the only 100% foolproof way to ensure that your ideas will never be stolen?

Don't put your ideas out there (...which essentially also guarantees you won't ever become a writer.)

True or False: writing a spec script for Friends would be a good idea today.

False

Approximately how long does a hit show need to be on the air before it potentially becomes too old to spec?

Five years

Why is it important to do a breakdown & comparison between several scripts?

If your spec script follows the patterns you uncover, it will read like an actual episode of the show.

What happens when/if a writer sends an unsolicited spec script to that same show? (E.g., the writer has written a Modern Family spec, and manages to get it to the Modern Family writing staff)

It will likely come back to the writer with a note from the studio's legal department explaining that they don't accept unsolicited scripts.

If you want to write for series television where do you need to live?

Los Angeles

If your spec script lands you an initial meeting with a show's producer(s), you MUST:

Research the show in question, as well as its producers. Watch many episodes of the show. Instill sufficient faith in the producer(s) that you can deliver a great script on time.

What is the real basis of successful series television?

Story structure

Why is it important to analyze/compare at least three different scripts for a show you'd like to write/spec?

Studying three examples will reveal patterns.

What is the most significant way a TV spec script differs from a spec screenplay?

TV specs aren't written with the expectation of the script being purchased.

TV is currently enjoying a new golden age. What has been the most significant catalyst for this?

Technology allowing viewer to watch what they want whenever (and wherever) they want.

Why do series creators hope their series will last for at least 100 episodes?

That's how many episodes are needed for a show to be eligible to be sold into syndication for big money.

What are "television sweeps?"

The periods that networks use to set their advertising rates.

"With the help of the writers and producers, you will take the seeds of your original pitch and you will start to make definitive decisions about what actually happens in the story."

This process is known as BREAKING THE STORY.

At least how many writing samples (i.e. spec scripts) will agents generally want to see before signing a new writer?

Two

You're a freelance writer and going over your sitcom story with the show's staff, getting their notes. One of the staff writers hollers out a funny joke that is perfect for your story. You should:

Use that joke in your script. Staff writers' jobs are to contribute to the show as a whole.

Which of the following statements about TV spec scripts is false?

Writers get paid good money for writing TV spec scripts.