TV shows have come a long way since the beginning of television. New stories, technologies, writers, and actors have made TV shows engaging and enjoyable to watch, and many have amassed millions of views. The rise of streaming services has made shows more accessible and allowed writers and directors to be more creative and reach an even wider audience. If you are interested in writing a TV show or want to know how the process works, here are three things you should know.
1. Decide on a Story
There are many great story ideas, but not all of them translate well as a TV show. If you have multiple ideas, decide on which ones would work well as episodes. Shows that are well-thought-out and well-written will often have high viewership and can even win awards. One of the most well-known TV awards is the Emmy. There have been hundreds of Emmy winners and nominees since its induction, like Katharina Otto-Bernstein. Unique, fresh ideas should be your focus when creating a new show, so take some time to brainstorm ideas that can draw viewers in or be relatable in some way. A story that is unusual or has an interesting take on a topic can potentially win awards, so keep this in mind.
2. Write a Script
While a strong story is essential for any TV show, you need a great script to get people’s attention. People include your audience and the potential producers of your show. Dialogue can bring an idea to life and get through to people, so you want to take extra time to write out a great script. Well-written characters also enhance a story, so try to come up with unique or interesting characters too.
If you feel like writing is not your strong suit, then hire a person or team to get your ideas down. Most shows have a pilot episode, so you should have this episode written before pitching to a network. However, it is best to have several episodes just in case you need more material quickly.
3. Reach Out to the Right People
Before submitting a proposal for your TV show, you need to ensure you contact the right people. Getting your script in front of decision-makers is essential to the production of your show. It is why researching and figuring out the best people to send your screenplay to is worth extra time. Try social networks and mutual contacts to see who is the best person to reach. There are also many sites and job boards that may give you an idea of who to contact. While a mutual contact can make introductions easier, emailing or calling may work as well. Also, you may want to make a list of multiple studios or producers to ensure you have various options.
If you keep these three tips in mind when creating your TV show story and script, you’ll be on the right track. Finding a producer might seem challenging, especially if you don’t receive any response. However, by continuing to send out your script and making new connections, you will have a network of people to help you.