How To Write Your TV Procedural Pilot Script

Learn From An Executive Who Helped Reboot HAWAII FIVE-0, MAGNUM P.I., and MACGYVER

“Case-of-the-week” shows, also known as “procedurals”, are extremely popular with today’s networks. If you’re a fan of the WILL TRENT, LAW & ORDER, CSI, NCIS, or CHICAGO franchises, or the CW’s DC universe, then you’re a fan of procedurals. Even streamers have gotten in on the action, picking up Fox’s genre procedural LUCIFER after the broadcast network canceled the series. And as the streaming services launch their AVOD platforms procedurals are going to be in higher demand than ever in the coming years.

These shows feature a main central plot line every week that only lasts for that singular episode. While many of these shows have story threads that last the length of the season, the key element of any procedural is for a new viewer to be able to drop in on any episode and watch a story from beginning to end. 

The great thing about procedurals for writers is that they make for stronger writing samples in your portfolio and can work with many different genres to show off your writing chops. In this exclusive on-demand Stage 32 class, you’ll find out exactly how to write a great procedural pilot to either sell or help you get staffed in a writers’ room.

Showing you how great procedurals are done is accomplished TV Development Executive Chris Hazenbush. Chris has helped develop and sell pilots to ABC, CBS, and NBC, and most recently, was the Director of Development at AfterPortsmouth Productions, the company behind THIS IS US. Chris's latest project, THE NEVER GAME starring Justin Hartley, was recently greenlit for series at CBS and will premiere in 2023.

Chris previously worked on the development team for the reboots of HAWAII FIVE-0, MAGNUM P.I., and MACGYVER, which have amassed millions of viewers throughout their series’ runs.

Over four on-demand sessions, you’ll cover the crucial elements you need when crafting a procedural series and pilot script, the structure and act breaks needed, how to develop your characters’ season arcs within the format, and more.

By the end of this class, you’ll have developed your own procedural show to add to your writing portfolio by learning how these shows get made through the eyes of a top-notch development executive. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn from one of the people behind some of CBS and NBC’s biggest procedural series.

WEEK 1: Introductions and Top-Level Overview of Procedural Series

This week, we will discuss a top-level overview of the procedural series to give us a contextual foundation for the rest of the class.

Topics that will be covered:

• Brief history/overview of procedural series
• Getting started: Outlining the key elements of your show before writing
• Genre/unique premise
• Timeliness
• Types of hero/team structures
• Deciding on a compelling story engine
• Setting, tone, themes, and POV
• Creating compelling and memorable characters

Q&A with Chris

Assignment to discuss in Week 2: Write a short concept paragraph to share with the class

WEEK 2: Pilot Structure

Part 1: World-Building and Character

This week we will continue to drill down into what Networks and Studio execs look for and note most often when developing procedural projects.

Topics that will be covered:

• Essential procedural pilot format
• Entryway into your pilot story (aka the “why here/why now?”)
• World-building and “rules” of the universe
• Essential Character Elements
• Use of supporting characters
• Using devices such as flashbacks, narration, or dream sequences

Part 2: Character Mapping - Analysis of Character

We will explore and implement a method used to draw out the character's tone, mood, motivations, and questions of characters in a story.

Topics that will be covered:

• Creating a character’s motivations
• Shaping character’s public identity
• Tying supporting characters to the main storyline
• Setting character themes; setting, dialogue, and introductory descriptions

Q&A with Chris

Assignment: Write 1-3 short character bios (1-2 paragraphs each) to share as if you were writing them for a pitch doc or bible

WEEK 3: Pilot Structure Part II - Story Breaking and Character Specifics

Whether you use notecards, dry-erase boards, or your laptop, breaking a story is an important part of the pilot writing process.

Topics that will be covered:

• Teasers/cold opens
• A/B/C Storylines
• Exposition
• Scene Building
• Building stakes and creating mystery/suspense through Act Outs
• Setting a consistent tone through dialogue and other means
• Incorporating themes and timeliness
• Writing effective tags/Pilot Outs
• Repeatable structure for your pilot in series

Q&A with Chris

Assignment to discuss in Week 4: Building on your series concept and character, draft 3-5 episodic cases (a couple sentences each).

WEEK 4: Beyond the Sale

Congratulations! You sold your idea as a pitch in the room or got staffed on a procedural - now what?

Topics that will be covered:

• Multi-episode/season character arcs
• Types of cases to be solved each week
• The Post-sale development process
• How to Receive and Address Notes
• Class Wrap-Up 

Q&A with Chris

WHAT TO EXPECT:

PLEASE NOTE: The opportunity to learn from an expert in the field in this intensive way is an incredibly unique and valuable opportunity.

• This class is designed for beginner and intermediate students looking to learn how to create and write TV procedural series. This is an in-depth, practical, and detailed class with significantly more content than a standard 90-minute webinar.
• This class consists of four sessions, each roughly two hours in duration.
• PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 class is now available to watch on-demand but we highly encourage you to do any assignments to get the most out of the educational experience.

Q: What is the format of a class?
A: Stage 32 Next Level Classes are typically 90-minute broadcasts that take place online using a designated software program from Stage 32.

Q: Do I have to be located in a specific location?
A: No, you can participate from the comfort of your own home using your personal computer! If you attend a live online webinar, you will be able to communicate directly with your instructor during the class.

Q: What are the system requirements?
A: You will need to meet the following system requirements in order to run the webinar software: Windows 7 or later Mac OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) or later.
If you have Windows XP, Windows Vista and Mac OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion): The webinar software does not support these operating systems. If you are running one of those operating systems, please upgrade now in order to be able to view a live class. Upgrade your Windows computer / Upgrade your Mac computer

Q: What if I cannot attend the live lab class?
A: If you attend a live online class, you will be able to communicate directly with your instructor during the class. If you cannot attend a live class, you will have access to the entire recorded broadcast, including the Q&A. Plus, your instructor will be available via email throughout the lab.

Q: Will I have access to the lab afterward to rewatch?
A: Yes! After the purchase of the lab, you will have on-demand access to the video recording, which you can view as many times as you'd like!