Inside the Writers’ Room Tell All – Secrets, Successes, and Lots of Snacks
Hosted by Kate Sargeant
$49
On Demand Webinar - For immediate download. Unlimited access for 1 year.
Start Learning
Projects:
Hosted by Kate Sargeant
$49
On Demand Webinar - For immediate download. Unlimited access for 1 year.
Webinar hosted by: Kate Sargeant
TV Writer (CASTLE, NCIS: NEW ORLEANS, BLINDSPOT)
Kate Sargeant is an accomplished television writer with especially deep experience in network procedural dramas, working on over 100 episodes of network TV on shows like CASTLE, CSI: CYBER, NCIS: NOLA and BLINDSPOT. Most recently, Kate served as a Supervising Producer on a one-hour drama for TBS entitled OBLITERATED. Kate started her career as an actress at the age of eleven, starring as “Emily” in the cult classic film 3 NINJAS, directed by Jon Turteltaub. In addition, Kate created two original comedy series. The first one she wrote, directed, and produced called YOU CAN’T DO THAT ON THE INTERNET about our obsession with social media. The second series,VIRTUALLY SINGLE, is currently streaming on YouTube and is about a newly divorced single mom dipping her toe in the treacherous online dating pool for the first time in a decade. Full Bio »
Webinar Summary
Have you ever wanted the inside scoop on what it’s really like to work in a TV writers’ room? Get full access through the eyes of a working television writer with over a decade of experience on some of your favorite TV franchises.
Most writers experience initiation by fire when joining their first writers’ room.
Since there’s no manual or list of rules to follow, navigating your way through your role can feel like a minefield.
You might be afraid of talking too much and upsetting the room or too scared to speak up and be shut down.
It’s not just about getting the staffing job, it’s about putting yourself in the best position to be a part of the team, impress the right people, and most importantly, keep your job.
Stage 32 is here to give you an insider look at the inner workings of a television writers’ room in this exclusive webinar, hosted by CASTLE, CSI CYBER, and NCIS NOLA scribe Kate Sargeant.
Kate has over 12 years of experience, working on some of the most recognizable television franchises, and was most recently staffed on the upcoming series OBLITERATED from the creator of COBRA KAI. she is here to share her mistakes and triumphs so that you can avoid her pitfalls and become a valuable staff writer.
From breaking the story through the final mix and everything in between, Kate has you covered as she walks you through:
- What you’ll see on your first day
- The differences between working on a new show and an established one
- Navigating meetings
- What are the unwritten rules of the writers’ room
- Understanding how rooms break the story together
- The day-to-day writing process
- Learning how to take notes and handle rewrites
- Who the major players are
- What are the most common pitfalls
Kate wants to unlock the secrets of these exclusive jobs as she provides the nuts and bolts of what your future will become when you’re staffed.
Instead of entering the room scared that one wrong move will end your dream, why not set yourself up for success?
What You'll Learn
Getting Staffed
- The difference between Pilots and Existing Shows
- Navigating So. Many. Meetings.
- How to nail the Final Showrunner Meeting
You Got the Job – Now What?
- How to prepare before day one
- Understanding the hierarchy of the room
- Pitch! Pitch! Pitch!
- Breaking story – when to talk and when to listen
- Be a Problem Solver never a Negative Nancy
- Do your homework
- Get your ideas on the board but know when to let them go
- Lead effectively when it’s your episode
- Fixing story problems in the room – Solutions make you the MVP!
- Pitching the final board to the Showrunner
You’re Off the Board - Time to Write
- Breaking down the writing process – Story Arena, Outline, Script
- Solving logic issues and story holes on your own
- Think like a producer
- Getting notes and how to execute them
- Don’t take rewrites personally
Prep, Production, and Post
- You are the proxy for the Showrunner
- Know your script inside and out
- Collaborating with the team
- Befriending the director
- Rewriting in the van and on set
- Understanding your role on set
- Navigating Actor concerns/line pitches
- The Director’s Cut is in! Now the hard work begins
- Post - time to rewrite your episode again!
- Celebrate your wins but learn from your losses
Q&A with Kate
About Your Instructor
Kate Sargeant
FAQs
Q: How do I watch my webinar live?
A: If you received a confirmation that your webinar is on Go to Webinar, you will receive an email from Go to Webinar with further instructions for participating in the live webinar. You can also access your webinar link in your purchase history located under settings in the top right-hand corner of your Stage 32 profile.
If you received a confirmation that your webinar is on Zoom, you will receive a separate email from Zoom with further instructions for participating in the live webinar. Your login link will not be in your Stage 32 profile. If you did not receive your link via Zoom please email support@stage32.com.
Q: How do I watch my webinar on demand?
A: You will be able to watch your webinar on demand as many times as you’d like inside your Stage 32 profile. The recording is processed and posted between 24-48 hours after the webinar concludes. You can follow the instructions below.
YOU MUST HAVE A STAGE 32 PROFILE TO WATCH YOUR VIDEO – STAGE 32 IS FREE TO JOIN
If You Already Have a Stage 32 Profile:
- Log into your Stage 32 profile
- Click "Settings" in the top right-hand corner (gear icon)
- Click "Purchase History"
- Choose this webinar and click the link to view
- Go to www.stage32.com
- Create a profile using the SAME email address you used to sign up for this webinar. The email addresses must match in order to watch the webinar.
- Once you have your profile set up, you can view the webinar by clicking "Settings" in the top right hand corner (gear icon)
- Click "Purchase History"
- Choose this webinar and click the link to view
Q: What is the format of a webinar?
A: Stage 32 Next Level Webinars are typically 90-minute educational broadcasts that take place online using a designated software program from Stage 32. Your webinar will be taught by a working industry professional with in-depth teaching on a topic. If you are able to attend live you will be able to ask your Stage 32 Educator questions during Q&A.
Q: What are the system requirements to watch my webinar live?
A: You will need to meet the following system requirements in order to run the webinar software: Windows 7 or later Mac OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) or later.
If you have Windows XP, Windows Vista and Mac OS X 10.9 (Mountain Lion): The webinar software does not support these operating systems. If you are running one of those operating systems, please upgrade now in order to be able to view a live webinar. Upgrade your Windows computer / Upgrade your Mac computer.
Q: What if I cannot attend the live webinar?
A: If you cannot attend a live webinar or purchase an on demand webinar, you will have access to the entire recorded broadcast, including the Q&A.
Q: Will I have access to the webinar afterward to re-watch?
A: Yes! Like all Stage 32 education, after the purchase of a live or on demand webinar, you will have on-demand access to the recording.
Q: How do I get a copy of the handouts provided?
A: If the webinar you take included handouts you can find them as downloads underneath your on demand video. You must be logged into your Stage 32 profile to view the video and get the handouts by clicking settings in the top right hand corner, then clicking purchase history.
Q: What if I need accessibility and accommodations?
A: Email support@stage32.com to request accommodations.
Thanks for your loyalty to Stage 32 Education. We value having you in the Stage 32 community.
If you have any further questions, we are always happy to help. Please contact Stage 32 support at support@stage32.com.
Testimonials
"There was a lot of great information given as to what to expect when staffed in a writers room." -Louisa B.
"The webinar was great! I really enjoyed the way everything was organized and laid out. I do wish there was a little more time for the Q&A session as my questions didn't get answered. But overall it was excellent and very helpful." -Kathleen A.
"I had to leave the seminar before it was done so am very happy its recorded for later access. I was very impressed with Kate and her seminar. I thought she was an absolute powerhouse and came forward with an awesome structure and insightful information." -Sharon P.
Relevant Tags
Share with friends:
Questions?
Other education that may be of interest to you:
How to Break Story and Pitch to Your Showrunner in a TV Mock Writer's Room
Payment plans available - contact edu@stage32.com for details Limited Class Size - Only 3 Spots Remain Find out what it's like to work in a real TV writers' room, guided by a professional television writer who's staffed on BLINDSPOT, CASTLE, CSI: CYBER, NCIS: NOLA, and the TBS one-hour series, OBLITERATED. TV writers create pilots by themselves or with a partner, but when it's time to build a writers' room or be staffed on a TV show in the writers' room, you need to know how to write with an entire team. Wouldn't it be great if you could learn exactly what it's like to be in a professional TV writers' before you get staffed? Start preparing to work in a real writer's room today in this immersive, eight-week virtual workshop with a professional television writer who has over a decade of experience. This mock TV drama writers’ room is hosted exclusively through Stage 32. You’ll learn how to be a collaborative member of a writers’ room, how to be creatively flexible, how to effectively pitch to the room, and how to properly defend your ideas. And you’ll do all of this in a supportive space, building connections with other writers, all under the expert guidance of world-class TV writer Kate Sargeant. Kate is an accomplished television writer who has worked on over 100 episodes of network TV shows including CASTLE, SCI: CYBER, NCIS: NOLA, and BLINDSPOT. Most recently, Kate served as a supervising producer on OBLITERATED, a one-hour drama for TBS. Over eight weeks, Kate will guide you and a handful of other passionate and driven writers in an interactive forum through the process of breaking an episode of BLINDSPOT, including A, B, and C storylines. She’ll show you how to get your ideas on the board, how the different roles in the room work together, and you'll work to break the story of an actual episode. You'll also get to pitch your own episode idea to Kate who will act as the showrunner. Through Kate’s lessons and guidance in the mock TV writers’ room, you will gain direct, practical, and invaluable real-world experience that you can apply to your television writing career.
How to Transition from Acting to Writing by Using the Superpowers You Already Have
Whether it’s penning a feature screenplay or finding a staff position on a TV series, many actors have found new and continued success by venturing into writing. And there’s a good reason why. Transitioning from one part of the industry to another can feel daunting. But if you’re an actor, you’re not starting from scratch – you are pivoting. And in order to do so you need to recognize your strengths, utilize your previous acting experience, and build on your established relationships. Most importantly, as an actor, you already have inherent superpowers that will help you excel as a writer. Actors are storytellers so it makes sense that at some point they may want to write their own stories. But will you be taken seriously? Can you move from being in front of the camera to behind the computer screen successfully? You absolutely can. And you don’t have to give up acting in order to do so. Ultimately, you will be able to write, pitch, and produce better because of your previous experience. So let’s hone those skills and get you ready to make that pivot! After starting out her career as an actress, most notably starring as Emily in the cult classic 3 NINJAS, directed by Jon Turteltaub, Kate Sargeant has become an accomplished television writer, working on over 100 episodes of network TV on shows like CASTLE, CSI: CYBER, NCIS: NEW ORLEANS and BLINDSPOT. She has also written, directed, and produced a few of her passion projects including three short films: CHANGING LANES, FACING LIFE, and ANOTHER FOREIGN CONCEPT. In addition, Kate launched an original comedic series that she wrote, directed, and produced called YOU CAN’T DO THAT ON THE INTERNET about our obsession with social media. Most recently Kate served as a Supervising Producer on a one-hour drama for Sony entitled OBLITERATED. Kate just launched a new half-hour comedy series on YouTube entitled VIRTUALLY SINGLE, which she created, wrote, produced, and stars in. Kate has successfully navigated the pivot from acting to writing and is excited to share what she’s learned during this transition. Exclusively for Stage 32, Kate will teach you how you can make the jump from acting to writing, not by starting over, but by using the superpowers you’ve already developed as an actor to take the next step. She’ll explain her own story and how she made the jump herself before explaining how you can do the same. She’ll discuss what it really means to become a writer and will then show you the superpowers you have as an actor that you might not realize that can help you with every element of writing, from dialogue writing to pitching. She’ll discuss specific challenges you’re going to need to face as an actor and will give you tools and strategies to take the first steps towards writing. She’ll finally reveal how you can use your writing to boost your acting career. If you’ve always wanted to write but have never been sure how to make the leap, Kate will give you the tools and inspiration you’ve been looking for
Breaking Story for 1 Hour Network Procedural TV Dramas + Interactive Mock Writers' Room (Feb 2023)
Payment plans available - contact edu@stage32.com for details This Lab Is Limited To 10 Spots - Reserve Your Spot Now Experience what it's like to work in a television writers' room while learning from a professional television staff writer. It's hard enough to break an original story on your own, but how do the professionals do it as a group in a writers' room on an idea someone else created? Getting to work in a writers' room is the dream for many, but once you're in, the hard work is just beginning. This interactive lab shows you exactly how a writers' room operates by putting you in a mock room to create an episode from scratch as a team. What is it really like to work in a writers' room? What are the different roles in a writers' room? When should you speak up versus listen? What's the best way to pitch your ideas? It can be intimidating to enter a writers' room, and you want to have some knowledge to enter confidently. That's where professional screenwriter Kate Sargeant and her exclusive Stage 32 course have you covered. Kate has staffed in numerous rooms, including CASTLE, CSI CYBER, NCIS NOLA, BLINDSPOT, and more. In this six-week course, you'll work with the instructor and a handful of similarly ambitious and creative writers to break an episode of the network procedural THE ROOKIE: FEDS, including the A, B, and C-story, using a virtual whiteboard. You'll work step-by-step through the process for the most in-depth experience as you work through the episode story as a group together, pitching ideas and learning to communicate with one another. This format gives you invaluable direct, practical, and real-world experience to assist your long-term television career. You'll have access to Kate during the six weeks in class and outside of class via email for any questions you may have. You'll also have the opportunity to develop a genuine working relationship with your classmates, networking with writers with similar goals to your own that can extend beyond class time. Whether you want to write one-hour procedural or serialized television, the ability to write on a close-ended episodic series is an incredible skill that will benefit you throughout your career. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to see what it's like to work in a writers' room from a professional writer whose been there!
Breaking Story for 1 Hour Network Procedural TV Dramas + Interactive Mock Writers' Room (Jan-Feb 2022)
Payments plans available - contact edu@stage32.com for more information. 4 of 10 Spots Remain It's hard enough to break an original story on your own, but how do the professionals do it as a group on an idea they didn't create? Working in a writers' room is the dream for many, but once you're in, the work is just beginning. This webinar shows you exactly how a writers' room operates by putting you in a mock room to try and create an episode from scratch as a team. Do you wonder what it's really like to work in a writers' room? When should you speak up versus listen? What are the different roles in a writers' room? Whether you want to write one-hour procedural or serialized television, the ability to write a close-ended episodic is an incredible skill that will benefit you throughout your career. It can be intimidating to enter a writers' room, and you want to have some knowledge to enter confidently. That's where Kate Sargeant and her exclusive Stage 32 course have you covered. In this eight-week course, you'll work with the instructor and a handful of similarly ambitious and creative writers to break an episode of the network procedural CASTLE, including the A, B, and C-story, using a virtual whiteboard. You'll work step-by-step through the process for the most in-depth experience as you work from pitch through a draft as a group together, pitching ideas and learning to communicate with one another. This format gives you invaluable direct, practical, and real-world experience to assist your long-term television career. Running your mock writers' room is professional screenwriter Kate Sargeant, who has staffed in numerous rooms, including CASTLE, CSI CYBER, NCIS NOLA, BLINDSPOT, and more. She's also directed the short films CHANGING LANES, FACING LIFE, and YOU CAN'T DO THAT ON THE INTERNET, as well as the streaming series VIRTUALLY SINGLE. You'll have access to Kate during the eight weeks in class and outside of class via email for any questions you may have. You'll also have the opportunity to develop a genuine working relationship with your classmates, networking with writers with similar goals to your own that can extend beyond class time. "Working with Kate was unlike any other! She's so fun and personable and gives the best advice." - Noella J.
The Pitch Tank with Special Guest Anna Henry
This week the Writers' Room welcomes in Development Executive Anna Henry into the Pitch Tank! Anna began her 20-year career as a development executive at Nickelodeon, working on the development and production of animated television series, pilots and features. Anna has been a script consultant and screenwriting instructor, as well as building her own slate as an independent producer. Her clients have worked on hit television series on all major networks, such as "THE DEUCE", "POWER", "IN CONTEMPT", "TOMMY", "HUNG", "CHICAGO FIRE", "FEAR THE WALKING DEAD", "THIS IS US", and "THE FLASH". Her clients have worked on shows at virtually every broadcast, cable and streaming television network, and have set up projects at Amazon, Starz, HBO, Sony, Fox, EOne, ITV America, OddLot Entertainment, Corus, and others. Anna enjoys having a close collaboration with writers in refining scripts, expanding their range of material, and finding the best home for each project, which is why she was an incredible guest!
Your Guide To Fearless Film Festival Networking
Networking at a film festival or industry event. For some people, just the idea strikes fear in the heart. Who do you talk to first? How do you start the conversation? Holy crap, business cards?! Do I need business cards? I'm sure you have been at industry events before where you're all fired up to go, then once you get there you stand in the corner talking only to the people you know. So, how do you break that cycle? You've probably heard things like "you have to know someone to get ahead in this business" and thought to yourself "OK, but how do I get to the point where I know that mysterious 'someone?' " The answer comes back to networking. And though that word conjures up images of smarmy frat boys in suits swilling cocktails and collecting business cards, it's really about overcoming the initial awkwardness between strangers and turning those strangers into new friends. It happens slowly, organically, naturally. But if you're smart about it and go in with a plan, you can make it happen more often and more reliably – without feeling the need for a hot shower afterward. Stage 32 is proud to bring in industry veteran, Christopher Holland, who for over a decade has worked with over 200 film festivals, including Sundance, Austin, AFI, Atlanta and more. Chris is teaching exclusively for Stage 32 Your Guide To Fearless Film Festival Networking. This webinar will ease your anxiety about making professional connections in the festival environment, or any type of creative industry event. This webinar goes beyond simply breaking the ice. You will learn specific tools & get examples on how to go into an industry networking event knowing what you want and knowing how to get it. You will receive practical advice you can use for your career no matter what level you are at. Plus, this webinar will be available for you to reference time and time again as you get ready for any festival! Register now!
Register / Log In
