Crafting Your Unforgettable TV Pilot
August–September 2024
Ready to create the next binge-worthy TV show?
Join network TV comedy writer Kerri Doherty for this immersive 6-week Zoom course on crafting an unforgettable TV pilot. Using personalized feedback along with step-by-step instructions, this course will guide you through the essentials of developing a compelling TV series from initial idea to pilot outline. Each week, you’ll dive into key aspects of developing your pilot, complete assignments, and receive custom professional notes along the way to help bring your idea to life.
Writers will be required to attend all 6 meetings, complete homework assignments, and be available for the two included 30-minute one-on-one feedback phone calls with the instructor.
Join network TV comedy writer Kerri Doherty for this immersive 6-week Zoom course on crafting an unforgettable TV pilot. Using personalized feedback along with step-by-step instructions, this course will guide you through the essentials of developing a compelling TV series from initial idea to pilot outline. Each week, you’ll dive into key aspects of developing your pilot, complete assignments, and receive custom professional notes along the way to help bring your idea to life.
Writers will be required to attend all 6 meetings, complete homework assignments, and be available for the two included 30-minute one-on-one feedback phone calls with the instructor.
Week 1: Theme
Understanding the core of your series is crucial before writing your pilot. In week one, we'll define theme, discuss common thematic topics, and explore how to frame theme as a question for your characters to answer throughout your series. You'll also get tips on developing your pilot’s theme based on your personal life experiences.
Week 2: Character
Characters are the heart of any TV series. We'll explore how themes are expressed through characters in both serialized and episodic TV. You'll learn how to create a lead character that can best explore your Main Thematic Questions, along with the essential elements every main character needs. We'll also cover the role of supporting characters.
Week 3: Building Out Your World
This week, we'll delve into the five categories of Story Arenas and Series Engines that define every TV show, allowing you to choose which are best for your pilot. We'll also discuss how to pick the best format for your series and how to elevate your show with genre mash-ups.
Week 4: Premise + Series and Pilot Logline
Learn how to craft compelling loglines that capture the essence of your series and pilot. We'll discuss the elements every logline needs, the importance of "The Why Now," and a checklist of everything your pilot should set up for your series.
Week 5: The Pilot Outline
Outlining is key to a strong pilot. We'll discuss the purpose of an outline, the general structure of TV pilots (30 and 60 minutes), and the rule of "but/therefore." You'll see examples of real TV outlines and learn to keep your outline focused on the story.
Week 6: How to Be a Strong Draft Writer
We'll cover tips and tricks for writing a strong draft, including showing vs. telling, delivering natural exposition, creating distinct character voices, pacing, adding surprises, and why so much of writing is rewriting.
Understanding the core of your series is crucial before writing your pilot. In week one, we'll define theme, discuss common thematic topics, and explore how to frame theme as a question for your characters to answer throughout your series. You'll also get tips on developing your pilot’s theme based on your personal life experiences.
Week 2: Character
Characters are the heart of any TV series. We'll explore how themes are expressed through characters in both serialized and episodic TV. You'll learn how to create a lead character that can best explore your Main Thematic Questions, along with the essential elements every main character needs. We'll also cover the role of supporting characters.
Week 3: Building Out Your World
This week, we'll delve into the five categories of Story Arenas and Series Engines that define every TV show, allowing you to choose which are best for your pilot. We'll also discuss how to pick the best format for your series and how to elevate your show with genre mash-ups.
Week 4: Premise + Series and Pilot Logline
Learn how to craft compelling loglines that capture the essence of your series and pilot. We'll discuss the elements every logline needs, the importance of "The Why Now," and a checklist of everything your pilot should set up for your series.
Week 5: The Pilot Outline
Outlining is key to a strong pilot. We'll discuss the purpose of an outline, the general structure of TV pilots (30 and 60 minutes), and the rule of "but/therefore." You'll see examples of real TV outlines and learn to keep your outline focused on the story.
Week 6: How to Be a Strong Draft Writer
We'll cover tips and tricks for writing a strong draft, including showing vs. telling, delivering natural exposition, creating distinct character voices, pacing, adding surprises, and why so much of writing is rewriting.
Workshops sell out quickly, so applying ASAP is recommended.
Meetings: Classes meet once a week for six weeks, on Sundays from 10am-12pm PT / 1pm-3pm ET, via Zoom.
Schedule: This workshop begins on Sunday, August 25. The 6 class dates are August 25 and September 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29. The two 30-minute one-on-one feedback phone calls will be scheduled with Kerri at times that work best for you.
Cost: $650.
Application: Apply here by EOD August 20. Accepted students will be notified by August 21, and payment is due by August 23 to retain their slot.
Meetings: Classes meet once a week for six weeks, on Sundays from 10am-12pm PT / 1pm-3pm ET, via Zoom.
Schedule: This workshop begins on Sunday, August 25. The 6 class dates are August 25 and September 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29. The two 30-minute one-on-one feedback phone calls will be scheduled with Kerri at times that work best for you.
Cost: $650.
Application: Apply here by EOD August 20. Accepted students will be notified by August 21, and payment is due by August 23 to retain their slot.
Testimonials for Kerri
“I can safely say that Kerri is one of the most funny, collaborative and talented writers I’ve ever met. Her voice is original and her personality electric; it shows in both her writing and presence in the writers’ room. "
— Adam F. Goldberg, Creator/Showrunner, The Goldbergs, The Muppets Mayhem
"Kerri is a very strong draft writer, great with jokes, and a pop-culture encyclopedia."
— Marc Firek, Co-creator/Showrunner, Schooled
"Kerri has been an integral part of my early screenwriting journey. She not only provided support in my writing, but also in my self-confidence. Through her support, I was a finalist for my very first screenwriting competition, Screencraft’s Virtual Pitch. Since then, my work has earned accolades as a finalist and semifinalist in Roadmap Writers Jumpstart Top 50 Pilots, The Coletta Preacely-Garcia Diversity Fellowship, Barnstorm Fest’s The Short List, Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards, and most recently, The Nashville Film Festival. I cannot recommend Kerri enough—she’s caring and remarkable!"
—April Denise Kimble
"Kerri’s feedback on our feature script was thoughtful, well-informed, and most helpful! Constructive and kind, Kerri brings her years of writers' room experience and knowledge to the table when discussing structure, character arcs, and tone in effort to bring out the best in your story. We thoroughly enjoyed her insight and highly recommend her script services. We ourselves will be taking all of our future projects to her during development."
— Renée Felice Smith & Chris Gabriel, Writers/Directors, The Relationtrip
“I can safely say that Kerri is one of the most funny, collaborative and talented writers I’ve ever met. Her voice is original and her personality electric; it shows in both her writing and presence in the writers’ room. "
— Adam F. Goldberg, Creator/Showrunner, The Goldbergs, The Muppets Mayhem
"Kerri is a very strong draft writer, great with jokes, and a pop-culture encyclopedia."
— Marc Firek, Co-creator/Showrunner, Schooled
"Kerri has been an integral part of my early screenwriting journey. She not only provided support in my writing, but also in my self-confidence. Through her support, I was a finalist for my very first screenwriting competition, Screencraft’s Virtual Pitch. Since then, my work has earned accolades as a finalist and semifinalist in Roadmap Writers Jumpstart Top 50 Pilots, The Coletta Preacely-Garcia Diversity Fellowship, Barnstorm Fest’s The Short List, Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards, and most recently, The Nashville Film Festival. I cannot recommend Kerri enough—she’s caring and remarkable!"
—April Denise Kimble
"Kerri’s feedback on our feature script was thoughtful, well-informed, and most helpful! Constructive and kind, Kerri brings her years of writers' room experience and knowledge to the table when discussing structure, character arcs, and tone in effort to bring out the best in your story. We thoroughly enjoyed her insight and highly recommend her script services. We ourselves will be taking all of our future projects to her during development."
— Renée Felice Smith & Chris Gabriel, Writers/Directors, The Relationtrip
Cancellation Policy: Plans change sometimes—that’s totally understandable. If you need to cancel your enrollment after paying, you may do so up to 7 days before the first class of the session, incurring a 50% cancellation fee. No cancellations, credits, or refunds are available 7 days or fewer before the first class of the session, nor once the session has started. No credits or refunds will be issued for any missed classes.
If you can't join this session but want to stay informed about future classes, please join our mailing list here!
Questions? Just contact info@blueprintscreenwritinggroup.com.
Questions? Just contact info@blueprintscreenwritinggroup.com.