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Developing a TV Pilot

At a Glance

  • In-person writing seminar
  • Cracks the code on development – Defines the building blocks you need to create a successful original TV pilot
  • Exposes the myths surrounding pilots and their development

Click here to read an article on the course from The Huffington Post.

An original pilot is the spec of choice in today’s television marketplace. While the thought of creating an original TV show may strike terror in your heart, the good news is... you don’t have to face it alone! 

Whether your idea for a pilot is one hour, half hour, or even a three-minute webisode, Emmy-nominated expert Ellen Sandler can help you navigate the rocky waters of development. She will show you what you need to create a strong foundation for a professional level original pilot.

Ellen has developed and written pilots for all the major networks and has consulted on dozens more. She’s not only knowledgeable, she’s honest and she shares her career experiences and development techniques with you in this lively, inspiring seminar which covers:

A FEATURE IS A SCRIPT – A PILOT IS A SERIES

  • How different is a pilot from a feature?
  • Adapting a feature script to series pilot

CRACKING THE CODE – WHAT’S A PILOT & WHAT’S A MYTH

  • The 1 Key You Must Have to Create a Pilot
  • The 2 Essential Elements that Make a Series 
  • The 3 Pillars of Any Pilot
  • The 4 Support Beams of Your Pilot
  • The 5 Building Blocks of Story
  • The X Factor that Sets You Apart

Using clips from pilots of on-air shows, Ellen shows concrete examples to illustrate the principles discussed in the seminar, and even provides tips on how to use your pilot to advance your career.

Only have a glimmer of an idea? Not to worry – the class will help you develop your idea into a series and set you on the path to successfully writing your pilot script. Just see what student Jenifer Yeuroukis had to say about her experience with Ellen:

"Well, for someone who went into class not expecting to have to have a pilot idea already in hand, thanks to your class, I was able to take my sketch of an idea and realize that I had two shows rolled into one. It's a rare gift to be able to teach your craft and not just lecture about it."

You can read Ellen’s article Top 10 Reasons to Write a Pilot by clicking here.

Where: The Writers Store, 3510 W. Magnolia Blvd. Burbank, CA 91505

Product Details

  • Date available: 06/13/2013
  • Publication date: 09/10/2012
  • Return policy: This item is not eligible for return.

Return Policy

Your satisfaction is our top priority. If you are not satisfied with your purchase, please return the item(s) for an exchange or refund within 30 days from the purchase date, unless otherwise noted on the product page.

Ship the item(s) to The Writers Store via a traceable and insured method. You will be responsible for return shipping fees.

Please include a completed Return Form with your shipment. Refunds take up to one week to process once we have received the item(s).

Software returns must be deactivated and uninstalled from your computer before a refund may be issued. Please contact the software manufacturer if you need assistance uninstalling or deactivating your software.

The following items are not returnable: Hollywood Creative Directories, DVDs (opened), and Gift Certificates.

Meet the Author: Ellen Sandler

Ellen Sandler was nominated for an Emmy as a Co-Executive Producer of Everybody Loves Raymond. She has created over 20 pilots for ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox Family, Oxygen and the Disney Channel and has consulted internationally on pilots for the ABC Australia; the CBC Canada; Media Marketing, Dubai; and MediaCorp, Singapore. A writer/producer on more than a dozen prime time TV shows, she is the author of The TV Writer’s Workbook (Bantam/Dell).

Ellen is also a playwright and director. Her most recent theatrical project was her adaptation of N.Y. Times food writer Mimi Sheraton’s book, The Bialy Eaters, which st...