Working Writers Lab: Write a TV Drama Pilot - 8-Week Intensive (January 2017)
Other education that may be of interest to you:
How to Break into Drama TV Writing for Netflix, Amazon, Hulu and Other Streaming Platforms
The big streaming platforms (Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, Disney+, Apple TV) are leading the charge in original programming. The number of new shows being produced has never been higher. However, these platforms have different needs, different expectations and different boundaries and mandates than those of traditional broadcast networks. So how does a creative navigate the big time streaming world? And how does a writer stand out to get staffed or sell a standout drama series? This webinar will explain in comprehensive detail how drama series are pitched, developed, and sold to streaming platforms and what you can do as a writer to position yourself to get noticed. With so many writers vying for an opportunity to sell or be staffed on a show, it’s incredibly important to understand the changing landscape and know the best ways to operate within it. Having a clear sense of how executives at streamers think and what they’re looking for will give you a distinct advantage in adjusting your script to pique their interest or in presenting yourself more effectively to sell your show or get staffed on one of their growing number of series. Spencer Robinson is a literary and talent manager at Art/Work Entertainment who's been in the industry for over twenty years. His clients have been in films with directors Quentin Tarantino, Steven Soderbergh, Clint Eastwood, Gore Verbinski and more. In the TV world, his clients have been regular cast members on shows for Netflix, The CW, Cinemax, CBS, NBC, FX, Starz, Nickelodeon, EPIX, and TBS, to name a few. His writing clients work in both features and television on broadcast, cable, and streaming platforms. He currently has a client writing on two Netflix series, and another client who just sold a show to Amazon. He also reps a writer who currently has a project at Aggregate Films, which has a deal at Netflix. Spencer will use his extensive experience working with writers and selling their shows to streamers to share some of the do’s and don’ts of writing a drama pilot for streaming television and outline how to tailor your script to make the best impression with the executives at these platforms. He will do this by first laying out how the streaming platforms differ from one another and what exactly they're looking for. Not all streaming platforms are created equal and it's imperative you know the difference. From there, Spencer will dive into script structure and formatting, specifically analyzing what you should be considering before you write your pilot. Next, he will tackle staffing and sales, so no matter what your goal whether to be in a writer's room or selling your pilot, you have all the information you need to position yourself correctly and with the best chance of success. Spencer will even get into the difference between streaming platforms and broadcast networks so you can determine where your material might be a best fit. Expect to leave this class with a comprehensive understanding of the shifting industry of streaming television and a toolkit to better excel within it. Like what you heard from Spencer during this webcast? Send your script to Spencer and speak with him for an hour by clicking here. Praise for Spencer's Stage 32 webinar: Spencer was awesome! Super informative and detail driven - providing great insights. Packed so much into a short amount of time which I'm super grateful for! -Eric C. Spencer Robinson has high energy and packs a ton of information in his lecture. Most importantly Spencer gives realistic advice while encouraging writers to move forward fully informed of the terrain. -Oweeda N. Spencer opened my eyes to how the TV world works with broadcast and streaming. What a great crash course! -Ricki L. "Very enlightening. Gave a realistic view of how difficult it is to get a pilot made but was just inspiring enough to give hope. :)" -Clive M.
Stage 32 TV Pitching Lab: Develop Your Pitch Deck + Verbal Pitch
Work one on one with a top literary manager to hone your pitch! His clients have recently sold their shows to Netflix, Amazon and Amblin! Limited spots available Payment plans available - contact edu@stage32.com for details If you’re looking to sell a show or work on a TV show in 2024, you’ll need more than a good pilot script. In fact, most times, producers, networks, streamers and buyers want to see the deck before they request the pilot. Then you have to follow it up with a solid verbal pitch. This is where Spencer comes in. Join our exclusive and interactive private Stage 32 virtual pitching lab led by top literary manager Spencer Robinson of Art/Work Entertainment. If you are looking to sell your show or work in TV in 2024 and beyond, I urge you to take this lab. Not only has Spencer sold dozens of shows, he’s been one of our most popular educators for 10 years. In just 5 sessions (which include 2 class settings on Zoom and 3 one-on-one Zooms with Spencer) you’ll learn how to create a captivating pitch deck and verbal presentation that stands out to buyers. Spencer has an impressive track record - his clients have recently sold TV pilots to platforms like Netflix and Amazon, as well as to production companies like Amblin. In this lab he will offer personalized advice and help you hone your pitch so it shines. This lab covers everything from designing a persuasive pitch deck to mastering your verbal pitch, avoiding common mistakes, and effectively using visuals. You’ll also gain insight into what producers look for and explore various avenues for selling your series. In one-on-one virtual Zoom sessions, Spencer will provide you feedback and coaching to refine your pitch, ensuring you're ready to impress industry buyers. And, this is a private lab and a safe space with like-minded creatives for you to be around. If you can't make a live Zoom class, don't worry! It will be recorded and you can watch it at your convenience, PLUS! You will have access to Spencer the entire duration of the lab and you'll have a dedicated lounge to stay in touch with your fellow class mates to ask questions to. Praise for Spencer's Previous Stage 32 Labs: "Spencer will get those who are ready on their way to a kickass first draft that you can send for coverage, which is what I did. 2 Considers and I'm in rewrites now to move that needle. This was my first ever TV pilot!" - Erika N. (now signed to Fineprint Literary Management after crafting her pilot with Spencer) "I cannot speak highly enough of Spencer Robinson. His lab was absolutely life-changing for me. Spencer's knowledge of the scriptwriting process and his first-hand insights into the industry were invaluable. Spencer has an uncanny ability to pinpoint issues with your script, and his notes really helped to elevate the story and characters of my TV Pilot. He is thoughtful, empathetic and understands the challenge of being a writer." --Emma S. "Spencer will get those who are ready on their way to a kickass first draft that you can send for coverage, which is what I did. 2 Considers, and I'm in rewrites now to move that needle. This was my first ever TV pilot!" -- Erika N. "Had a great time learning and progressing my knowledge of the craft of writing and working directly with a mentor who is a professional in the industry. Spencer was fantastic to be taught by! Thank you!" -- Natalie A. "Spencer's teaching style is the best! His patience and easygoing approach is ideal and unique to him. Kudos to Stage 32 and to Spencer!" -- Armando O.
How to Break Into TV Writing: Get Repped, Get Staffed, Get Sold
Learn From A Top Literary Manager Whose Clients Work With Netflix, FX, CBS, NBC And More And Receive Exclusive Handouts + THE STRANGER THINGS Pitch Deck Are you looking to be staffed on your favorite TV show or sell your original TV project? If so, it's important that you understand the overall TV landscape, how you fit in, and where to begin. With so many fresh shows emerging on television networks and all the streaming platforms, writers' rooms are looking to staff up and more original ideas are getting bought. The opportunity to start a career in TV writing is more attainable than ever. Literary manager Spencer Robinson can help you get there. Spencer is literary manager at one of the top management companies Art/Work Entertainment who has been selling and staffing his clients on the industry's leading series for years, including shows on Amazon, HBO Max and with Jason Bateman's production company Aggregate. He's also had clients work for Netflix, The CW, Cinemax, CBS, NBC, FX, Starz, Nickelodeon, EPIX, and TBS, to name a few. Spencer is one of the most sought-after literary managers in the business for nearly two decades and is one of Stage 32's most popular and in-demand educators. In this 3-session on-demand class, Spencer will go in-depth on the steps you should be taking to find work as a writer in TV. Whether you're interested in selling your own TV show or film, or if you want to join a writers' room, there are specific steps you need to be taking aside from simply writing well, and Spencer will break it all down for you. Spencer will provide you with the proper approach when it comes to talking with reps, managers, agents, attorneys, showrunners and execs. What’s more, he’ll share his powerful pitching knowledge for writers looking to sell their show idea or screenplay. You’ll leave this four week class understanding what it takes to write on assignment, what kinds of written tools you should have prepared prior to meetings, and the general etiquette you should come to the table with so you can land a job as a writer in the industry. Plus! Spencer will provide exclusive and helpful downloads and resources you can use when working on your own projects including: The real STRANGER THINGS pitch deck The real ADVENTURE TIME pitch deck PRAISE FOR SPENCER'S TEACHNINGS: "I had a great time learning and progressing my knowledge of the craft of writing and working directly with a mentor who is a professional in the industry. Spencer was fantastic to be taught by! Thank you!" - Natalie A. "Spencer tells it like it is - he doesn't beat around the bush. He gave me practical, solid, actionable advice. It opened my eyes and I can see how it can help me shorten my path to break in." - Wally M. "Spencer was amazing!" - Summer K. "Spencer's teaching style is the best! His patience and easygoing approach is ideal and unique to him. Kudos to Stage 32 and to Spencer!" - Armando O.
How To Bring Your Film Or TV Pitch To The Current Market
Learn the best way to organize, prepare and pitch your film or television project to buyers in today's market with top literary manager Spencer Robinson of Art/Work Entertainment! PLUS! You'll receive an exclusive FEATURE DEALS list to help you navigate buyers in today’s market. We all have that film or television series that we know needs to be on the screen. Your project is fresh, exciting, and will resonate with millions of people. But how do you get your project out there? What do you even present to decision makers to move the needle forward on your project? Apart from actually getting the meeting with buyers, producers, and investors, you need to know what to pitch and when is the best time to do it. Sometimes your entire script should be written, whereas other times you should only come into a meeting with a concept. How do you know what the best way to move forward is? We’re here to help. In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, you will learn how to best prepare and plan your film or television series pitch to maximize your chances of getting it through to production. You will learn everything from how and when to pitch your film and/or television series, what materials you need to pitch your project, how to get your pitch meeting, and how to use your pitching materials effectively to entice your audience. Teaching you everything you need to know to successfully take your project out to the market is Spencer Robinson, a literary and talent manager at Art/Work Entertainment who's been in the industry for over 20 years. He represents writers, actors, producers, and also a full book publishing company. Spencer’s writer clients have been on the writing staff of shows for Netflix, Amazon, Max, HBO, Comedy Central, and many more. He’s also sold clients’ features to studios as well as brought in financing for independent projects. Spencer’s actor clients have been in films with directors Quentin Tarantino, Steven Soderbergh, Clint Eastwood, Gore Verbinski, Jeff Nichols, and more. In the TV world, his clients have been regular cast members on shows for Netflix, HBO MAX, Amazon, Disney+, HULU, The CW, NBC, FX, Starz, Nickelodeon, EPIX, and more. Spencer’s clients have also recurred on series for Peacock, Netflix, Freeform, TNT, AMC, Showtime and many more. Successfully bringing your project to market to get a deal requires a great deal of finesse and industry knowledge. You have to understand how the system works and what decision makers are looking for in a pitch. You will walk away from this webinar with the knowledge and skills to do just that, and put yourself in the best position possible to get your project made! PLUS! You’ll receive an exclusive FEATURE DEALS list to help you navigate buyers in today’s market. Praise For Spencer's Stage 32 Teaching "I thoroughly enjoyed Spencer's teaching style. Not only is he conscientious and thorough, but he really cares about all his students. I recommend taking any course he is offering, you won't regret it!" -- Nathan M. "Spencer Robinson's "Writing Descriptions" webinar filled in a whole lot of blanks for me and shone a light on most of the newbie mistakes I have been making when writing/formatting my screenplays. A valuable lesson! Thank you Spencer, and Stage 32." -- Margaret A. "This webinar was very informative! Spencer Robinson presented the material clearly. He was also very generous with his knowledge about the business." --Carmen R.
How to Capture the Attention of a Showrunner or Manager with your TV Writing Samples
The global television industry is poised to create more opportunity in writers' rooms for more writers than currently exist. And literary managers will be looking for new talent and voices to sign. But to take a seat at the table, you need a solid portfolio brimming with strong writing samples. Showrunners and managers are looking for a portfolio that demonstrates your ability to tell a story in a specific voice. There’s no time like the present to prep a portfolio with hot samples, cool writing, and even cooler storylines. Showrunners need examples from you to make decisions on who to bring in the room. As an unrepresented writer, you have to demonstrate to them that you’re the one. And to do this, a series of writing samples, known as a portfolio, is a surefire way to show off your ability. You need to convince showrunners to bring you on board. If your writing samples lack luster or you don’t know where your story is headed in future seasons, conversations with managers or showrunners could be short lived. You could miss out on opportunities because your script wasn’t up to par, or your original idea wasn’t original at all. Let's make sure that never happens. Spencer Robinson is a literary and talent manager at Art/Work Entertainment who's been in the industry for over twenty years. His clients have been in films with directors Quentin Tarantino, Steven Soderbergh, Clint Eastwood, Gore Verbinski and more. In the TV world, his clients have been regular cast members on shows for Netflix, The CW, Cinemax, CBS, NBC, FX, Starz, Nickelodeon, EPIX, and TBS, to name a few. His writing clients work in both features and television on broadcast, cable, and streaming platforms. He currently has a client writing on two Netflix series, and another client who just sold a show to Amazon. He also reps a writer who currently has a project at Aggregate Films, which has a deal at Netflix. In this exclusive Stage 32 on-demand webinar, Spencer will dive deep into the kinds of TV samples writer’s should have ready, as well as exactly what managers and showrunners are looking for as they read through them. He will talk about the kinds of scripts your portfolio needs so that you shine like the crazy diamond you are. Certain elements of your script should stand out. Take useful notes as Spencer talks about these elements and helps attendees better understand the importance of solid and saleable characters. And then sit back and take in the golden nuggets he delivers on what managers and showrunners look for in a writer. If you dream of being in a writer’s room, this webinar was made for you. Praise for Spencer's Previous Stage 32 Webinar "Spencer was awesome! Super informative and detail driven - providing great insights. Packed so much into a short amount of time which I'm super grateful for!" -Eric C. "Spencer Robinson has high energy and packs a ton of information in his lecture. Most importantly Spencer gives realistic advice while encouraging writers to move forward fully informed of the terrain." -Oweeda N. "Spencer opened my eyes to how the TV world works with broadcast and streaming. What a great crash course!" -Ricki L.
What a Talent Manager Looks for in An Actor
Finding the right manager is as important as honing your craft as an actor. Your manager is an essential teammate for helping you find opportunities, get you in rooms to audition and guide your career as an artist. But, how do you know if you're representation-ready and how do you know what to expect (or what questions to ask) when you're given the opportunity to be repped? With so many actors vying for the chance to work in film, TV and digital it's harder than ever to stand out.. Assuring that you are bringing your "A" game to every audition and situation, understanding what you can do to improve, and knowing which auditions are right for you are key components toward becoming an actor who works time and time again. Attracting and securing the right manager can help you do just that. Whether you're on the search for your first manager or stuck in a manager/talent relationship that you don't think is best for your career, it's important to know what steps you can take to assure that you secure representation that works in your best interest and as a vital member of your team. Spencer Robinson has been a leading talent manager of actors for almost 2 decades. His clients have been in films directed by Quentin Tarantino, Steven Soderbergh, Clint Eastwood, Gore Verbinski, and more. In the TV world, his clients have been regular cast members on shows for Netflix, The CW, Cinemax, CBS, NBC, FX, Starz, Nickelodeon, EPIX, TBS and more. Spencer’s clients have also recurred on series for Freeform, TNT, AMC, Showtime and many more. He reps everyone from actors who are just starting out to acting veterans with 30+ years of credits. He also represents many multi-hyphenates who are both writers and performers and understands what makes a successful talent-manager relationship. Spencer will teach you everything you need to know about securing meaningful representation. He'll cover how to identify the right manager for your career, how to approach that manager, what questions to ask, how to grow your relationship and how you can, as a team, form a plan for a long career in the business. You'll learn about the do's and don'ts of blind submissions, how to stand out in the sea of requests a manager gets daily, and how to best impress potential representation. Spencer will also provide tips on the audition process including selecting the right auditions and understanding which roles are best suited for you so that you're not wasting time, energy and your passion on dead ends. This is a blueprint for you to take control of your acting career and to help you sustain a career in the business. Praise for Spencer's Stage 32 Webinar: "I highly recommend taking a course with Spencer. He is one of the most knowledgeable and informed people I've met. His enthusiasm for artists made me feel at ease. Spencer's ability to relate with artists made the material instantly click with me. I will not hesitate to enroll in another course with Stage 32 and Spencer." - Devin H. "I loved everything about this webinar! Spencer was so helpful with everything. I was able to apply everything he said directly to my career. It was definitely a great experience and can’t wait to keep improving with everything I learned. Thank you Spencer and Stage 32!" - Krista C.
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