Writing the 60-minute spec pilot

Tom Benedek has some thoughts for those of you interested in writing TV:

The original TV pilot script vs. the spec feature. Spielberg just bought a one hour spec pilot that people in the business were flipping over. This used to only happen with feature scripts But now spec pilot scripts have come of age and are in the game to stay.

Everybody wins with this. Markets widen as these lines blur. Now a word from your sponsor: My one week original TV pilot script intensive starts next week. There is a lot of fascinating and perhaps essential material to learn there. I believe it helps to be fluent in both areas TV and feature writing. Soon, a theatrical feature script may immediately serve as the pilot for a series — going from big screen to smaller screen in weeks or months. Stories are stories. The hunger for filmed entertainment only grows. Important to acknowledge: Film scripts are not exactly like TV scripts in certain specific ways. As the synergy between the mediums heighten, home screens get bigger, TV shows may be more like movies. People settle in for the best episodes as if they are watching a great movie. Understanding film structure may help you to write a great TV episode. Still, the pilot script is different from a feature script in many ways. Understanding those differences is crucial. So please consider joining the class. It starts Monday at Screenwritingmasterclass.com

ONE VERY SAD NOTE: The class includes interviews with a group of wonderful show runners. Very sadly, earlier this year, one of the “stars” of the class — Henry Bromell passed away suddenly.

Henry stood for story, character, great television. He was an incisive and witty person who brought it all to his writing. His last job was as a showrunner on Homeland. Before that, he had worked on Northern Exposure, Homicide, I’ll Fly Away, many other excellent TV shows. I had known Henry for quite a while. Our kids went to the same elementary school. My brother, Peter, was his agent for many years. For the interview, we sat in his amazing wall-lined office in Santa Monica and talked way longer than the planned interview time. Wonderful guy. Writer’s writer. Henry inspired me greatly that day. He will be missed. Thanks again, Henry.

For more information about Tom’s class, Writing the 60-Minute Spec Pilot, go here.

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