How To Become a Working TV Writer
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Webinar hosted by: Charlie Charbonneau
TV Writer/Producer (CW's The Vampire Diaries, The Originals and The Secret Circle)
Charlie Charbonneau is an accomplished television writer and producer whose credits include the 1-hour dramas The Secret Circle, The Vampire Diaries, and its spin-off The Originals. Born in Las Vegas but raised in the sleepy horse track town of Saratoga Springs in Upstate New York, he moved to California at 17 where he earned degrees in Screenwriting and Spanish from University of Southern California. A born self-starter and anxious to learn the business from the ground up, Charlie quickly continued his Hollywood education as an assistant at The William Morris Agency. There, his work garnered him an intimate and expansive knowledge of the entertainment business and a litany of agents, attorneys, and talent with whom he proceeded to construct his writing career. He cut his TV teeth by assisting and then writing and producing for the likes of writer and Executive Producer Kevin Williamson (Scream, I Know What You did Last Summer, Dawson’s Creek, FOX’s The Following) and Julie Plec (The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, Containment), eventually earning the title of Executive Story Editor on The Originals. During a time when Network TV saw gradually decreasing ratings, over 3 million viewers from all over the world tuned in live for his episodes week-to-week. In production on its 7th season, The Vampire Diaries can still frequently be found among the most downloaded episodes on iTunes as well as the most watched series on Netflix. Full Bio »
Webinar Summary
Do you see yourself writing for a television show?
543 shows were broadcast last year and thousands were picked up for development. Now, more than ever, is the golden age of television and it’s your opportunity to be able to be staffed on a television show as a writer.
But, how do you get there?
We’re not going to lie, it’s difficult, but it’s not impossible if you understand the path it takes. In this Stage 32 Next Level Webinar you’ll learn how to make it happen by learning what type of education you need, how to stack the deck in your favor, how to get your scripts in order and how to seize your opportunity.
By learning from Charlie Charbonneau, who’s worked in three television writers' rooms, you’ll be armed with what you need to know in order to break into your first writers' room.
No matter your background or level of experience, you will come away with a deeper understanding of the obstacles and the many surprising solutions to getting and keeping a spot at that table in the television writers’ room.
"I'm grateful for how generous he was with his knowledge and time. He was awesome." - Joanne L.
"This was by far one of the better webinars I've attended on Stage 32. The information was relevant (which was of upmost importance) and Charlie was an enjoyable presenter." - Matthew M.
"Charlie was outstanding. He was organized, helpful and extremely insightful." - Kimberly E.
What You'll Learn
Why It’s so difficult to become a Staffed TV Writer
- Stakes for a show-runner of having the perfect writing staff
- Numbers game: Budget constraints, job availability. Writing Staff sizes for Network vs. Cable vs. Streaming.
- Levels: Understanding the hierarchy of a writing staff
- Specificity Requirements — are you the right person for the gig?
- Contacts: Who you need to know and why
Preparation: Stack the deck in your favor
- How to Stay sharp and always be prepared for opportunities
- Should You Go to Film School? Take Extension Classes? Grad School?
- To be a TV Writer, you need to be in LA. Find out why.
- Mentors: You need one! What makes a good one and how you can get one.
- Benefits of working at a Talent and Lit Agency
Get Your Material In Order — Tips for generating the right material and getting it read by the right people
- Knowing the Market and Combining It with Your Unique Skills
- Original Pilot or Spec of an Existing show — is one better? Do I need both?
- Who Should Read Your Work And When
- Examples of good writing contests and why you should enter them
- Create supplemental content web series, short films
- Infuse Your Life Experience Into Your Work
Seize The Opportunity: The Different Paths To The Writers Room
1. Work In A Writers Office
- What Jobs Are Available and The Duties and Benefits Of Each — PA, Script Coordinator, EP assistant, Research assistant, Writer’s Assistant
- How To Get A Job At A Writers Office
- Which Jobs Lead To Staff Writing Positions
- Tips To Survive And Stand Out In the Writers Office As An Assistant
2. Studio Workshops and Diversity Programs
- Examples
- How To Get In
- The Benefits and Getting Staffed
3. Work With An Agent or Manager
- Agents vs. Managers: What’s The Difference For TV?
- Getting Your Material To The Right People
- Ways To Get An Agent
- The business of representation, advice on negotiating with YOUR agents
A Case Study — Charlie Charbonneau’s Arc, from Day-Dreamer to Staffed Writer
- Education
- Agency experience
- Material
- How He got the Important Players to Pay Attention
- Friends, Foes, and Politics
- Getting Staffed, Seizing the Moment, Taking your Shot, Preparing to Miss
Plus, Q&A with Charlie!
About Your Instructor
Charlie Charbonneau
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Testimonials
"I'm grateful for how generous he was with his knowledge and time. He was awesome." - Joanne L.
"This was by far one of the better webinars I've attended on Stage 32. The information was relevant (which was of upmost importance) and Charlie was an enjoyable presenter." - Matthew M.
"I think he managed to balance the 'luck' part of this business with the 'talent,' and what we need to do." - Kerry F.
"Charlie was outstanding. He was organized, helpful and extremely insightful." - Kimberly E.
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So You Want To Be A TV Writer? An Inside Look - Part 2
Part 2 you're not going to want to miss! Ever wondered what daily life is like for a TV Writer? Looking for ways to manage and maximize your schedule to output great, useful material without losing your mind? Wondering how the hell you’re supposed to write when you’ve got a full-time job? Tune in for this exclusive 2-Part Stage 32 Next Level Webinar taught by TV Writer/Producer Charlie Charbonneau (CW shows: The Secret Circle, The Vampire Diaries, and its spin-off The Originals) to hear about life and work of TV writers, on AND off the clock. You'll gain insight that will help you succeed in finding your next assignment and how to excel in the position. In Part 2 the followup to So You Want To Be A TV Writer? An Inside Look - Part 1, Charlie will unpack all the ups, downs, problems, and pleasures that come in the daily life of a working TV writer. Hear insider advice and information about writers room etiquette, climbing the title ladder, taking notes, rolling with the punches when your material doesn’t impress the powers that be, and making sure you get paid. He’ll even discuss the best way to interact with those hot-shot actors in your show. As usual, get ready for some horror stories from the trenches! PRAISE FOR CHARLIE'S TEACHINGS: "The pitching webinar was fantastic. Every I was dotted every T crossed. It helped me to really understand the process than to be afraid of it. I still have lots more work and practicing to do, but it was great. Thank you." - Mindy G "Very informative!" - Carisia S. "I liked his down to Earth manner." - Margo T. "Great real life examples - much appreciated!" - Paul B. "Charlie put a lot of heart in his presentation... that's everything!" - Matthew R.
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So You Want To Be A TV Writer? An Inside Look - Part 1
Ever wondered what daily life is like for a TV Writer? Looking for ways to manage and maximize your schedule to output great, useful material without losing your mind? Wondering how the hell you’re supposed to write when you’ve got a full-time job? Tune in for this exclusive 2-Part Stage 32 Next Level Webinar taught by TV Writer/Producer Charlie Charbonneau (CW shows: The Secret Circle, The Vampire Diaries, and its spin-off The Originals) to hear about life and work of TV writers, on AND off the clock. You'll gain insight that will help you succeed in finding your next assignment and how to excel in the position! In Part 1, attendees will learn what life is like when TV writers are between jobs or trying to get that first job. Join Charlie as he discusses ways to manage your own writing schedule, find out how to decide which projects to focus on, and get some tips to stay relevant and visible to the big players and decision makers when you’re not employed. He’ll even lay out some strategy to position yourself for the highly coveted freelance script, whether you’re an assistant or a working writer between gigs. In Part 2, Charlie will unpack all the ups, downs, problems, and pleasures that come in the daily life of a working TV writer. Hear insider advice and information about writers room etiquette, climbing the title ladder, taking notes, rolling with the punches when your material doesn’t impress the powers that be, and making sure you get paid. He’ll even discuss the best way to interact with those hot-shot actors in your show. As usual, get ready for some horror stories from the trenches! PRAISE FOR CHARLIE'S TEACHINGS: "The pitching webinar was fantastic. Every I was dotted every T crossed. It helped me to really understand the process than to be afraid of it. I still have lots more work and practicing to do, but it was great. Thank you." - Mindy G "Very informative!" - Carisia S. "I liked his down to Earth manner." - Margo T. "Great real life examples - much appreciated!" - Paul B. "Charlie put a lot of heart in his presentation... that's everything!" - Matthew R.
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Do you suffer from writer’s block? Do you ever get stuck on a scene — at odds with how to proceed, what your character should do or say — for hours, days, sometimes weeks? Do you ever read a scene and think, something’s just not working? Join the illustrious club of every writer ever. Luckily, this very common problem has a simple solution. In this webinar, you will dig down to the building blocks of excellent scene work, those elements which are fundamental to establishing character, advancing plot, capturing tone, and planting memorable moments. By using iconic scenes from landmark film and TV and by citing examples from his 5+ years of TV writing and producing experience, Charlie will offer an array of tools and skills that will harden any writer against the obstacles and pitfalls that come with attacking any scene. Perhaps more importantly, participants will come away with some vital ways to overcome the feared writer’s block that plagues us all.
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