Screenwriters World Presents: Mastering the TV Pilot with Jen Grisanti
$399 – $699 Get Tickets
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Screenwriters World Presents: Mastering the TV Pilot with Jen Grisanti
Fri, Aug 12, 2016 at 3:00 PM – New York, NY
$399 – $699 Get Tickets
Event Information
Event Description
There has never been a better time to write a TV series. HBO, Netflix, FX, Amazon Studios and the Big Five (ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and the CW) are actively searching for the next big hit. What does this mean for you? Opportunity! Both produced and unproduced writers can achieve creative and financial success in this lucrative and growing market.
But where do you start? What is the secret to creating an engaging TV Pilot with character and story complexity that will capture an audience and become a series? How do you take your idea from concept to pilot script to winning pitch? Most importantly, whom do you trust to teach you the knowledge required to realize your creative goals?
For over 25 years Jen Grisanti has worked in the studio system, mastering the techniques and craft required to launch a pilot and achieve the coveted trophy – series status. She gained valuable working experience as the VP of Current Programing at CBS Paramount Network Television, Inc. and Head of Current Programs for Aaron Spelling’s company, Spelling Television, Inc. During her tenure Jen worked with producers and writers on the execution of shows such as: Medium, Numbers, NCIS, Girlfriends, Charmed, Seventh Heaven, Melrose Place, 90210 and many more.
Jen’s expertise and mentorship has resulted in over seventy-five writers staffed on television shows, forty have sold pilots and five that went to series.
Join us at the Mastering the TV Pilot two-day intensive where you will learn how to develop and pitch your concept or already started TV Pilot. It kicks off on Friday afternoon with a panel discussion featuring working TV professionals who will share an insiders view of the TV industry. On Saturday Jen will teach you, in a focused and collaborative workshop environment, the essential knowledge you need to become a working TV writer. This full day of instruction and hands-on work-shopping culminates in a cocktail mixer celebration collocated with the Writer’s Digest Conference.
Now is the time for you to take your idea for a TV Pilot to the next level and make your dreams of being a working television writer come true. Seating is limited to ensure your access to Jen Grisanti – so don’t delay.
SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY
- 3:00pm – 4:30pm Breaking into the Writers Room (Panel Discussion)
SATURDAY
- 9:00am – 12:00pm Telling and Selling Your Story (Seminar)
- 12:00pm – 1:00pm Lunch Break
- 1:00pm – 3:00pm Writing Loglines for Your Life and Filling out the Pilot Worksheet with Your Story Points (Workshop)
- 3:00pm – 4:00pm Emotional Fuel – How to Elevate Your Story (Seminar)
- 4:00pm – 5:30pm Pitching Your TV Pilot Story (Workshop)
- 6:00pm – 7:30pm Networking and Cocktail Mixer
SPONSORS:
Final Draft
Final Draft® is the number-one selling screenwriting application in the world. Final Draft automatically paginates and formats your script to industry standards, allowing writers to focus on what they do best – writing scripts. Used by such industry giants as J.J. Abrams, James Cameron and Aaron Sorkin, Final Draft software is the professional’s choice and the entertainment industry standard. In addition to its flagship software product, Final Draft offers the annual Big Break™ Contest – a screenwriting competition that launches careers, and awards over $80,000 in cash and prizes. Final Draft also offers the Reader® and Writer® apps for iPhone and iPad. To learn more about Final Draft visit: www.finaldraft.com
The Writers Store
Since 1982 The Writers Store has solved a key problem that many writing enthusiasts face – where to learn the craft of screenwriting and acquire the relevant tools used by professional screenwriters. Our journey began by recognizing the process screenwriters follow, the obstacles and challenges they face and setting out to find solutions to help create success. We continue this mission today through The Writers Store, Screenwriters University and Script Magazine.
Mastering the TV Pilot with Jen Grisanti, Event Schedule
FRIDAY, AUGUST 12
Breaking into the Writers Room, 3 – 4:30 pm
Jen Grisanti will be moderating a panel of top TV writers Debora Cahn (writer/producer of HBO’s Vinyl, NBC’s The West Wing and ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy), Michael Rauch (writer/producer USA’s Royal Pains, CBS’s Love Monkey, ABC’s Beautiful People and CW’s Life is Wild) and Jill Abbinanti (writer/producer of NBC’s Law & Order: Special Victims Unit). Jen will dig deep into the world of writing and what it takes to succeed.
Topics will include:
- What’s the story behind their success
- Were there any specific story points in their own life stories that got them to this point in their careers
- What does it take to succeed in the writers room
- Tips on pitching and selling pilots
- Tips and techniques on how to find your voice as a writer
- How to create memorable characters
- And much more!
Jen will also discuss with each panelist why they write, how they set up the stories they tell, how they utilize their emotional truth, what does the producing part of it all look like, advice that has made a difference in their careers and more. Followed by a Q&A with the writers.
The intention of the panel is to have a raw discussion about how it all comes together and what the career of a working writer looks like.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 13
Telling & Selling Your Story, 9 am – 12 pm In this first session you will learn how to develop strong concepts for your story, while exploring what is working in TV today and why it’s working. You will learn about how to draw from your emotional truth to come up with a pilot concept that sets you apart from other writers. You will explore how to create complex, memorable characters with goals and wants. Jen will explain her pitching formula and how you can utilize it to sell your own concept. Additionally, you will come out of the seminar with some key structural concepts to apply to your script, including ways to set up the rest of your series and increase the chances of your script being purchased.
Writing Loglines for Your Life & Filling out the Pilot Worksheet with Your Story Points, 1 – 3 pm In this workshop you will learn a formula that will help you write log lines for your life, log lines for your characters, and log lines for your story arcs. This session will also feature Jen’s Pilot Worksheet, designed to make sure that your pilot has the complexity, structure, and key elements that can help make it a hit.
Emotional Fuel: How to Elevate Your Story, 3 – 4 pm Emotion is what connects you to your audience. In this seminar Jen will discuss how to utilize the emotional fuel of your character and build an internal arc. You’ll learn how to use your character’s internal desire to escalate the stakes of your pilot in both an internal and an external way.
Pitching Your TV Pilot Story, 4 – 5:30 pm In this workshop you will have the chance to pitch your pilot concept using Jen’s pilot pitching formula. You will also receive feedback on how to strengthen your pitch to increase your chances of making the sale.
Networking & Cocktail Mixer, 6 – 7:30 pm At the end of your full day of instruction and work-shopping, enjoy a cocktail at this celebratory mixer! The mixer will include attendees of the Writer’s Digest Conference.
FAQs
How many attendees are included in the Writing Partner Seminar Admission ticket?
The Writing Partner ticket is for two attendees, who will both have full benefits and access during the event.
Are there ID requirements or an age limit to enter the event?
Mastering the TV Pilot is open to all attendees 16 and over. A valid ID will be required to receive your seminar badge.
What can/can’t I bring to the event?
No recording devices may be used during the seminar to record any portion of the lecture, workshop.
Where can I contact the organizer with any questions?
Please contact The Writers Store at 800.272.8927 or email us at customer-service@writersstore.com.
When Friday, August 12, 2016 at 3:00 PM – Saturday, August 13, 2016 at 6:00 PM (EDT) – Add to Calendar Where New York Hilton Midtown – 1335 6th Ave, New York, NY 10019 – View Map Tags New York, NY Events Seminar Film & Media