The ultimate insider' s guide to writing and pitching winning television scripts

Written by two TV veterans who have written and produced some of the most popular programs of the last ten years, Successful Television Writing is the ultimate insider' s guide for anyone who' s ever watched television and thought, I could do that While their narrative is breezy and conversational and liberally spiced with telling anecdotes about life in the television industry, Goldberg and Rabk never lose sight of what aspiring writers need to know. Readers get a gold mine of advice and guidance on all aspects of writing for television. Among other things, they learn the crucial elements of good television script writing, including the teaser, the four-act breakdown, episode-ending tags, and others that keep viewers tuned in week after week. They also get insider tips on what producers are really looking for and how to pitch ideas to them, as well as tips on how to sell a proposal, deal with last-minute revisions, and even land a full-time writing gig.

Lee Goldberg and William Rabkin (both of Los Angeles, CA) have written and produced a number of hit shows, including Baywatch, Spencer: For Hire, A& E' s Nero Wolfe movies, Sliders, and others. Their executive producing credits include the long-running Diagnosis Murder and Martial Law.

"...Never dull, Successful Television Writing is a pleasure to read. This one goes to the top of my pile..." (The Write Stuff, February 2004)

— Howard Gordon, Executive Producer, 24 and The X-Files

The industry speaks out about SUCCESSFUL TELEVISION WRITING

"Where was this book when I was starting out? A fantastic, fun, informative guide to breaking into?and more importantly, staying in?the TV writing game from the guys who taught me how to play it."

—Terence Winter, Coexecutive Producer, The Sopranos

"Goldberg and Rabkin write not only with clarity and wit but also with the authority gleaned from their years of slogging through Hollywood?s trenches. Here is a must-read for new writers and established practitioners whose imagination could use a booster shot."

—Professor Richard Walter, Screenwriting Chairman, UCLA Department of Film and TV

"Not since William Goldman?s Adventures in the Screen Trade has there been a book this revealing, funny, and informative about The Industry. Reading this book is like having a good, long lunch with your two best friends in the TV business."

—Janet Evanovich

"With sharp wit and painful honesty, Goldberg and Rabkin offer the truest account yet of working in the TV business. Accept no substitutes!"

—Jeffrey B. Hodes and Nastaran Dibai, Coexecutive Producers, Third Rock from the Sun

"Should be required reading for all aspiring television writers."

—Howard Gordon, Executive Producer, 24 and The X-Files

LEE GOLDBERG and WILLIAM RABKIN are veteran "showrunners" whose executive producing credits include the long-running drama Diagnosis Murderand the action-adventure hit Martial Law. Their writing and producing credits also include SeaQuest 2032, Spenser: For Hire, Hunter, Baywatch, Sliders, The Cosby Mysteries, Monk, and Nero Wolfe, to name a few. Both are former journalists who covered the television industry for Newsweek, American Film, the San Francisco Chronicle, and the Los Angeles Times Syndicate, among others. In addition, Rabkin has directed episodes of Diagnosis Murderand has taught a popular television writing course at UCLA. Goldberg is also a mystery novelist (Beyond the Beyond, My Gun Has Bullets) and the author of a definitive book on television series development (Unsold TV Pilots). He has taught writing seminars in Seattle, Miami, Denver, and Edmonton, Canada.

Acknowledgments.

Introduction: So You Want to Write for Television.

Chapter 1. Basic Preparation.

Chapter 2. What is a TV Series.

Chapter 3. The Four Act Structure.

Chapter 4. Telling a TV Story.

Chapter 5. The Spec Script.

Chapter 6. What to Spec?

Chapter 7. The Name is Morris, William Morris.

Chapter 8. The Pitch.

Chapter 9. How to Read the Producer's Mind.

Chapter 10. What to Pitch.

Chapter 11. You've Got the Assignment, Now What?

Chapter 12. Your First Assignment.

Chapter 13. We've Got a Few Notes.

Chapter 14. Am I There Yet?

Chapter 15. Becoming Rob Petrie.

Chapter 16. Rewrites.

Chapter 17. Your Really Great Idea For a Show.

Chapter 18. I'm a Professional Writer, and I've Got the Card to Prove It.

Afterword.

Appendices.

A.  Plotting a Mystery: How We Wrote Diagnosis Murder.

B.  Diagnosis Murder Writers' Guidelines.

C.  Martial Law Writers' Guidelines.

D.  Martial La Pitch/Leave-Behind.

E.  Martial Law Beat Sheet.

F.  seaQuest 2032 Pitch/Leave-Behind.

G.  seaQuest 2032 Beat Sheet.

H.  Diagnosis Murder Beat Sheet.

I.  Diagnosis Murder Beat Sheet.