I wrote a script for some TV commercials? Is there anyone on here that can help me with TV commercial writing and how I can sell it?
Screenwriting : TV Commercial script. by Isaiah Deshaun Harrison
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I'd never heard someone looking for "spec TV commercials"...I've done it once, through but it was also kinda commissioned through a contest on a assigned subject...good luck, but don't waste time trying to sell such stuff. Better use it as a proof of concept if you ever venture into TV jobs...
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I spent 35 years writing, producing and directing TV commercials. Must have done 10,000+. including some for big, national advertisers. I was never approached by anyone with a spec commercial. You really have two avenues. 1) learn by doing. Which means getting attached as a production assistant with a TV production company. That's the best way to learn the technical end of the business. 2) get hired as a copywriter at an advertising agency. Then you'll learn the mechanics of TV commercial writing; like "How many words fit comfortably in 30 seconds?" Winging it on your own might be too tough a road to travel.
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FYI: I started out as a junior copywriter in my 20s. I would go to every TV production session I could. I'd watch and ask questions to the sound people, the lighting people, assistant directors and camera operators even the craft people, I learned how to budget a shoot because how much you have to spend dictates how elaborate or simple the actual commercial can be. By my early 30s I could handle all facets totally on my own.
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I did an internship at a top agency and big clients hire agencies; all in-house.
However, I guess you can go door to door to local businesses and ask them if they need a commercial for Instagram or TicTok
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What Michael said. Or you can watch a ton of concept spots on agency sites like Hungry Man, Humble, Tool of North America, Gifted Youth etc. Watch what people are doing currently.
A concept spot is applicable to any product or service. It's a commercial idea that is funny because the idea is funny. You can swap out any brand or product in the spot because the product or brand is not the point. Those tend to be the best, most shareable spots. Ones that are "off brand" and funny.
An older classic example would be the "Ship my Pants" spot from Kmart. Those are funny spots you can do on your own about anything. Make a reel of those and you'll be in good shape as a copywriter. They are difficult to come up with though. Sort of the high concept logline approach to commercials.
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Hey, Isaiah Deshaun Harrison. I like to pick companies and write commercials for their products (like the Pringles commercial I attached). I use the scripts as writing samples when I apply for commercial writing jobs.
I've never sold an original commercial, but I've worked with producers on commercials for companies. My best advice is to build relationships/network with professionals who make commercials. Here are blogs about networking: www.stage32.com/blog/tags/networking-41