So.  I have finished writing two pilots (rough 40 pages each) to two different TV series (not sitcoms.)

The both open with a TEASER before everything else begins.  However, I've been doing some research and have seen that in most TV pilot's, the ACTS (ONE, TWO THREE) are all marked out.

I was wondering, is it COMPULSARY to say when your act begins and end?  I've read about the TV format.  I've read places where it says it's okay not to mark out your acts, as long as you open the episode correctly (cold opening, teaser etc.) --

What are your guys' thoughts?  Should the acts be marked out (when they begin/end) or is it okay not to do it?  Thanks for any comments!

-- Curt

I've written a pilot also.  All the info I've seen says it does need the act breaks in there.  Usually, Teaser, Acts 1-4 with 4 really being the wrap up scene(s).  I know some spec TV scripts right now being passed around (not mine of course), and they have the act breaks in them as well.

Hey Mucker

You should have Acts, as they indicate commercial breaks and are also supposed to have a twist or something that will draw the audience back.

Half hour scripts should come in at around 30 pages and should be structured as follows: Teaser - commercial break - Act I - commercial - Act II - commercial - Tag.... or Act III

It also shows off your writing chops.

https://sites.google.com/site/tvwriting/us-comedy/pilot-scripts

http://www.scriptshark.com/media/assets/teleplay.pdf

http://www.scriptfrenzy.org/node/2000004

http://www.movieoutline.com/articles/television-script-format.html

Mark

Writing a TV pilot is really hard for multiple reasons, not the least of which is that you have to tell your story in a confined space of pages / time. And not just in the time-constraints of a show, but in the time constraints of each Act. U.S. major networks have 5 breaks in an hour-long show and obviously, other than the teaser and maybe an epilogue, the acts all have to be of roughly an equal length.

Earlier this week, I read a piece that covered the showrunners from The Good Wife and their lecture Anatomy of a Script at The Writer's Guild in LA. The creators / writers said that, when plotting a story, they determine what the Act breaks are first and then write backwards from there. The writer of the piece noted that sitcom writers work the same way.

I think you need to show the Act breaks.

In your first shot at writing them, it may be best to forget that and to just bang it out. Write the story the best you can and get it onto paper. Then read it back and before you do a re-write, plot out where the breaks should be and structure dialogue and plots points that should keep the viewer glued to your show through the commercial breaks (networks still want / expect viewers to watch the commercials).

I think it's a great thing you've written some other work before you've taken a shot at this. You'll be less intimidated by the limitations and challenges unique to the format.

All I wanted to write was a TV pilot and started out giving that a try. It didn't take long to learn I was in over my head since that was the first script I'd ever written. I should have given up right then but was too stupid...umm, I mean, determined...to have quit. I've learned a lot by reading scripts, writing short scripts and obtaining feedback on them.  

Thanks guys for all the helpful feedback and answers!  I will deffo be doing some more research before rewriting my pilots and posting them here.  I tried writing a pilot once, and it was too hard so I thought now was time to give it ago since I have two solid series ideas.

Thanks guys, all these links are very helpful!

-- Curt

That's a grand idea there Curt hi :D

Mark

Does anybody know how I would include a title-card?  This is how I have it done:



END OF TEASER

TITLE CARD: "SERIES NAME"

And then ACT ONE in bold and underlined on the next page.  Would that be acceptable?

-- Curt

Title card is the first thing you write before Teaser, not after Teaser and you can also write the episode name under it.

Mark

But I've seen shows on TV where they have the cold opening/teaser first, then doing a TITLE CARD or SEQUENCE before commencing with Act One?

-- Curt

Just my 2 cents.
Don't get too hung up on those kind of details.  Tell a good story with really good characters, that is the key.  Make sure your storyline is solid and buildable.

And I've heard that the creator of the series (that would be you) will mostly determine the format.  When you write a spec of an existing epsiode, you have to follow the format THEY use.  Each show is a little different.  Look it up.  So, that's why I said not to really sweat the "small stuff."  Good luck with it!

Thanks Jeremiah, I think the way I have it formatted now is fine, just need to try and shorten one of the pilots down.  I thought I'd work on just one first. :)

-- Curt

I know what your saying Curt, it was just the way I learned.

If you goto the first link I gave you above and scroll through different scripts(preferably) current season. You'll see what worked for them.

You also notice a lot of different variables, e.g all caps or teaser- act one- act two- tag... some end in 37 pages, some 52 pages(usually the all caps double spacing)

My series on here is all caps double spacing and 57 pages, with teaser-act one-act two-tag and nobody had a problem with it in any competition.

so you wont go wrong where you put it,, as long as pilot creates characters, some backstory and a plot to keep the audience coming back, you'll be ok

Mark

I am so excited to post this now!  I think maybe another week working on it and one pilot might be ready to share!

-- Curt

Don't know about TV series other than sitcoms. I've seen people doing this for sitcoms and heard it's the right thing to do. Actually there's one on the site written for Parks and Recreations - it has a teaser.

I didn't do a teaser for mine (Curb Your Enthusiasm), but it did well in one comp nonetheless.

I have another question guys.

I see sometimes, with Final Draft, the title page can be graphics?  Like, I was looking at Soul Shadows on here and saw their title page is like all graphics and stuff, it's hard to explain.   Look here:

http://www.simplyscripts.net/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?b-series/m-1214158067/

All the cover/title pages are really fancy.  Anyone know how to do that?

-- Curtis

I think that's done separately. But you can ask Michael.

I have not got a clue how to do it.  I guess I shold ask Michael then?

-- Curt

I was just wondering if anyone would be wiling to read the Pilot?  I think I have it finalized and finished, and I'm desperate for some constructive criticism.

This is the log-line:

"Chelsey, unemployed and broke in a small town outside Chicago, finally lands herself a job at a local movie theater and finds herself caught up in the lives of her crazy co-workers."

It's about 30 pages.  I'm going for a type of comedy, drama, dramedy with this.

I know it's not for everyone and won't be everyone's taste, but I'd love some feedback.  

I'd be willing to read a short or something around the same page mark in return :)

-- Curt