Screenwriting : TV Commercial script. by Isaiah Deshaun Harrison

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...

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.

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.

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