Develop original TV pilots and learn how to navigate the contemporary entertainment marketplace

This track offers two specializations, Introduction to TV Writing and Intermediate TV Writing for One-Hour Drama/Dramedy.

Students at the introductory level write a series document, pilot outline, and the first act of the pilot script. Intermediate Drama/Dramedy level students outline and write the first draft of an original pilot, and develop the series outline as a pitch document. In small workshops, students at all levels meet twice a week to discuss ideas, break stories, and give feedback and notes on each other’s work. All tracks offer nine units of UCLA credit. Please note that students of all specializations are expected to spend a minimum of 25 hours-per-week writing outside of class meetings.

Two Specializations:

Introduction to TV Writing: The Introduction to TV Writing specialization is designed for students with little to no previous experience in writing for television. Students are introduced to the pilot format, covering style and content as well as the principles behind network needs and how pilots are chosen across broadcast, cable and digital platforms. Students write a series document, pilot outline, and the first act of the pilot script.

Courses:

• Film and Television 104 – Film and Television Symposium (1 unit)
• Film and Television 131 – Introduction to TV Writing (8 units)

Intermediate TV Writing – One-Hour Drama/Half-Hour Dramedy: This course is designed for students with some writing experience who are interested in writing for the one-hour drama format (Pose, Chernobyl, The Good Doctor, Succession, Fargo, WATCHMEN), half-hour drama format (Homecoming), half-hour dramedy formats (Glow, Fleabag, Atlanta), covering style and content as well as the principles behind network needs and how pilots are chosen across broadcast, cable and digital platforms. Students outline and write the first draft of an original pilot, and develop the series outline as a pitch document. Students in the Drama/Dramedy track should not expect this to be a polished first draft, but will leave with the feedback and tools to further revise this into a fully-realized pilot for their portfolios and careers. Open to works in progress and rewrites.

Courses:

• Film and Television 104 – Film and Television Symposium (1 unit)
• Film and Television 133B – “Intermediate TV Writing – Drama/Dramedy” (8 units)

Symposium

In the exclusive Summer Institute Symposium, students from all TV Writing levels meet and listen to some of Hollywood’s most accomplished professionals. High-wattage guests have included Eric Heisserer (writer, Arrival); Steven Canals (creator and EP of Pose on FX); Jeff King (Executive Producer of The Umbrella Academy on Netflix); Agents from CAA, ICM, Paradigm, and UTA; Simon Kinberg (Writer/Producer, Deadpool, X-Men: Apocalypse, The Martian); Zak Penn (Writer, Ready Player One); and many others.

Hollywood and the Industry

A networking mixer for students and alumni takes place on the last night of the program and the film projects from the film production tracks are shown.

Professional Development Symposium

As part of the FTV 131/133B curriculum, guest lecturers with established careers in television lead professional development workshops for students from all TV Writing levels. These workshops explore topics such as How to Pitch and Demystifying the Script Coverage Process. 

Demystifying the Script Coverage Process:
Script coverage is ubiquitous in the industry. A writer’s screenplays and teleplays will undergo coverage whether submitted to management companies, agencies, production companies, or studios. A main job duty of interns and assistants will be writing script coverage. Understanding and writing excellent coverage not only provides an important career skill, it allows a writer to put themselves in the shoes of the reader to aid in their writing. This workshop will introduce the basics of script analysis and the different formats of coverage reports, discuss industry uses of coverage, and familiarize students with the roles that most utilize this skill (Script Reader, Story Editor, Development Exec).

How to Pitch:
In this workshop, students will get the inside scoop of how projects are pitched and sold in Hollywood taught by a seasoned industry professional. With an eye toward the final pitch panels at the end of the session, students will learn what goes into a pitch, the elements that make it compelling, how to apply it to their own material in a way that will keep their listeners on the edge of their seats.

Pitch Panels

As a culmination of the TV Writing program, students have the opportunity to pitch their own TV show idea to a panel of accomplished industry professionals. The panel allows students to practice their pitching skills, building off of what they learned in the How to Pitch Weekend Workshop. At the end of the pitch, the panelists give feedback to each student, drawing on their extensive insight and experience in pitching and development.

Application deadline:
June 1, 2023 (Session A); July 20, 2023 (Session C)

Enrollment deadline:
June 15, 2023 (Session A); August 1, 2023 (Session C)

The program has application requirements for admission. Eligible applicants who submit all requirements successfully and timely, will be reviewed and notified via email of an admission decision within 3 weeks. Early application is strongly encouraged.

Applicants are required to provide the following during the online registration process:

Requirements for Introduction to TV Writing  

Students with little to no previous experience in writing for television are welcome to apply. As part of the application, students must submit:

• A short personal statement and three log lines (1-2 sentences each) for three original story ideas.

Requirements for Intermediate TV Writing

The Intermediate TV Writing specialization is open to aspiring writers (18+) who have already completed a college level introductory screenwriting course. As part of the application, students must submit:

• A short personal statement.
• Three log lines (1-2 sentences each) for three original story ideas.
• A 2-3 page original scene (screenplay format).
• A 2-5 page scene that demonstrates creativity and a strong original voice (screenplay format), based on the following writing prompt: “Write a break-up scene between two people (e.g., partners, best friends, bandmates, etc.).” Keep in mind the visual storytelling and dialogue of the scene.

Requirements for International Students

• Proof of English proficiency – Citizens from non-English speaking countries ONLY (Citizens of the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Singapore, and Canada are exempt from English Proficiency requirements):
  • TOEFL – Minimum score of 79 (iBT) or 550 (PBT); IELTS – 6.5 or higher;
  • iTEP – 5 or higher;
  • CEFR/CAE/CPE – Level C1- Grades A, B, and C;
  • International Baccalaureate (IB) – IB students may submit a transcript or verification of enrollment from their school; OR
  • Proof of completion in English as a language course

Students will receive a letter grade upon completion. See University Credit, Grades and Transcripts for more information about academic credit.

International students may enroll in the Film and Television Summer Institute – TV Writing. International students enrolling in in-person sessions of this program may qualify for an F-1 visa.

Online Courses: International students who enroll in courses and programs that are offered exclusively online are expected to participate from where they are without traveling to UCLA. International students enrolling in the virtual section of the Film and Television Summer Institute – TV Writing (Introductory) in Session C would not qualify for an F-1 visa.

More information for international students attending Summer Sessions can be found here.