Selling a TV show is not easy. As a writer with no credits, it’s very unlikely that you will sell a series right now. That being said, staffing (while not easy) is still a very real possibility, and a great way to get your career going while learning how a writers’ room works. The other huge plus of staffing is that, after you’ve been in some rooms, producers and buyers will be more open to you buying from you.
Whenever I talk to a new writer interested in staffing, I generally ask the same questions, so I thought’s I’d put them here just to get the gears turning in everyone’s heads.
1. Can you move to LA (or maybe NY but mostly LA)? If uprooting your life to move is not in the cards for you, don’t write TV. Focus on movies.
2. What is the right show or shows for you to staff on? Which current shows would you kick ass on, and why? If you were talking to a showrunner, would you be able to speak the language of that show, and make them see why you’d be an asset to the room? Make sure your answer is a realistic one. You’re not going to write on a show that is no longer running, or a show where the creator writes every episode.
3. Do you have the right sample for that show? I’ve met writers who’ll tell you the show they think is best for them, but their samples say otherwise. If you want to write on a hard funny, single cam comedy, and all your samples are hourlong procedurals…well you know what your next sample should be.
I would suggest answering these questions for yourself, and always being aware of the new shows that are coming. That way, you and your reps can properly choose which pieces of material to work on next.
As always, happy to answer any questions.
Spencer Robinson, This is great! I can answer all of those questions easily right now, and I agree that we (the writers) should ask ourselves these questions more frequently than once. For the record: 1. Yes! 2 (a). Euphoria. 2 (b). Euphoria, True Detective. 2 (c). Yes! 3. Yes.
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I believe it's unfortunate that virtual writing rooms do not have a stronger presence in the industry.
What if a Co-production with another country is on the table. Could one of the writers be from the other country for cultural relevance?
I was in the room at MTM back in the '60s, went on to NICHOLS and EVENING SHADE. My independent spirit got the best of me though. I've never been back and I don't miss it.
Stephen Barber Just to refer to my post, with this likely being the last season of Euphoria, you're doing that thing where you're looking at an impossible ask.
Kevin Jackson Are you asking if foreign writers are allowed to write on American shows? I don't get the question.
Vikki Harris ok
Hey Spencer Robinson - if a writer sells a series, what best positions them to be included in the writing room for that series (assuming that physical relocation is a given)?
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Darrell Pennington Selling the show best positions the writer to be in the room. That is literally how TV works.
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Spencer Robinson excellent! That's the first positive feedback I have received to that question and I have posed it to at least 15 people. Literally everyone else has said no chance of that happening so I am THRILLED to hear that. Thank you!!!
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Darrell Pennington Then the people who answered you have literally no experience in TV, and shouldn’t be answering.
Spencer Robinson fabulous. It's mostly (actually I guess all) been Stage 32 execs that I have pitched too : ) That's such a relief to hear, so again thank you.
Darrell Pennington I'm very confused. You've talked to execs who work in TV that said it would be hard for a show creator to be a part of the writing of that show? Is that really true?
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Spencer Robinson Yeah, so far, everyone. I forgot that I had talked to a couple of Sony execs outside of Stage 32 who also said the same thing. I've been told that selling the show with a possible EP credit would be all that I would likely enjoy and should not hold out any hope of being included in the writers room for the series as a whole. It's always bummed me out because I essentially have all 3 planned season arcs detailed out. I have written the pilot and 2 additional episodes based on request of a Producer who was interested in the pilot. So thanks for the clarification - I will still hold out hope that if I am lucky enough to see the series produced, I would get a chance to help tell the rest of the story.
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Hello, Spencer Robinson If a baby writer wants to have two strong writing samples in hopes of getting staffed or start querying managers, is it best to write two pilots to show some range or write a pilot and episode 2 to show one can carry the season story arc?
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Joohee Muromcew Never write an additional episode unless you're being paid to buy a buyer of some kind.