Today ABFF kicked off the Master Class series at the HBO Theatre in New York City with Writing for Television led by knowledgeable television insider Karen Horne, vice president of Programming Talent Development & Inclusion for NBC Entertainment & Universal Television.
The session began with a warm and honest introduction by Horne where she set the tone for what’s necessary to become a good writer in the competitive television industry: “Let me start by saying that the writers I love are writers who can’t not write. You have to have to do it and wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Writing for Television was as thorough as a Master Class could be in a mere two hours. The session covered the qualities that make a good spec script; the fundamentals of writing an original pilot; network vs. cable television; writing programs; pilot, staffing and development seasons; and meetings with showrunners and executives.
Many workshop attendees were aspiring writers looking to develop original content. They were eager to learn exactly what needed to be done so that their
script could be a cut above the rest. “How is your pitch different from what’s already out there?” Horne asked. Then she went on to reveal a few tips for how to develop an original television pilot. Here’s the inside scoop:1. Don’t be afraid to take risks.
2. Make sure readers of your script know the why now.
3. Have a strong trigger incident that leads your character into a dilemma. The answer to this dilemma is often what the series is about.
4. Have a plot goal as well as a series goal.
5. There is always conflict – mainly in the character’s personal and professional life.
6. Know your characters like God knows the world.
Also, be sure you know who your target audience is, as this will determine who you pitch to.
For writers working on television spec scripts, Horne strongly suggests knowing the show you’re writing the spec for and doing your research, making your spec realistic (don’t do anything the show would never do), and avoiding gimmicks, as they can be pretty risky.
Diversity was another topic heavily discussed in the session. Horne is actively working to diversify what viewers see on television and who’s in the writer’s room creating the content. She advised writers with spec scripts to submit to the various network diversity initiatives for writers. NBC Universal currently offers the NBC Writers on the Verge program where Horne seeks out talented writers to attend a 12-week program focused on polishing their writing and readying them for a staff position on a television series.
There was one proactive – not to mention lucky – master class attendee. When Horne asked if anyone in attendance had submitted to the program in the past, Michelle Anglin was the only person in the room who’d done so. Horne took down her contact information and announced that she would make sure she read Michelle’s script personally. Talk about capitalizing on a moment!
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There was little to gain for those looking for a direct path to becoming a television writer -Â there isn’t one. “It’s honestly hard to
get on as a TV writer and there is no one way,” stated Horne. “But building your network is a great start. Don’t write in a bubble. Join writing groups, come to events like ABFF, apply for programs, work on a show if you can, and just keep writing. Write great scripts and have a body of work to represent you.”When asked what she looks for in writers who approach NBC Universal, Horne answered with the following:
1. Write because you can’t not write
2. Have a strong portfolio
3. Know television
4. Have a good sense of humor
5. Network
6. Location, location, location. If you’re going to write for television, you will most likely be writing in Los Angeles. Be willing to relocate.)
When Karen got down to the elements that make a good script, she offered these invaluable tips:
1. Start with a strong trigger incident. A trigger forces a character into a dilemma where a difficult choice has to be made.
2. The goal of the story comes from the choice the character makes when faced with this dilemma.
3. Every pivotal point in the story connects back to the character’s goal. What does your character want?
Key takeaway: If your story doesn’t work, the goal is not clear.
Blackenterprise.com won’t give away all of Horne’s tips, just know that this informative session was a treat for attendees, and that Horne’s insight was very much appreciated.
Okay, okay – just one more tip: Format your scripts! Horne made it very clear that typos and poor formatting is the easiest way to get your script trashed – and quickly. To ensure that your formatting is on point, consider using Final Draft.
For more information on Karen Horne and NBC’s diversity initiatives, be sure to follow her on Twitter @khorne1234. For more information and tips on writing for television, visit www.nbcunitips.com.
For complete coverage of the 2015 American Black Film Festival, visit www.blackenterprise.com/tag/abff/ or follow along on social media using #ABFF2015. For more information on the films, schedules, and activities, download the BE Events app on iTunes or Google Play.