The TV spec of the season
Veteran TV writer Ken Levine, whose blog was recently added to the list on the right-hand side, has a post up about which TV shows would be best to spec this season.
For readers unfamiliar with how TV staffing works, here’s the rundown.
Writers hoping to get staffed on a given show (or frankly, any show — it’s a tough business), write sample scripts of shows currently on the air. So, if you’re looking to get a job writing on a show like CSI, you’d write a sample (spec) episode of a one-hour crime drama. You wouldn’t necessarily write a CSI, but rather a newer show that people like. Maybe Numbers. Or Numb3rs.
God, I hate what Se7en hath wrought.
The goal is to write an episode of a show that most everyone likes, but isn’t sick of yet. Ken suggests “My Name is Earl.” For me, the choice would have to be “The Office.” My assistant Chad and his writing partner, who hope to staff on a sitcom this year, wrote a terrific Office spec that should serve them well.
Sadly, I’ve read two or three spec episodes of “D.C.,” the failed drama I created at WB. For a brief time, it was considered a good spec because of the challenging structure (five main characters, at work and at home) and opportunity for comedy.
Trust me: write a show that lasts more than seven episodes.
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December 12th, 2005 at 10:05 pm
Didn’t Elaine (from Seinfeld) write an episode of Murphy Brown once?
And Kramer was an actor on the show for a brief period, if memory serves me correctly.
December 13th, 2005 at 9:05 am
Yup. I always think of that episode of Seinfeld when I read about how the process actually works. “Elaine wrote a spec Murphy Brown FOR Murphy Brown? That’s not how you’re supposed to do it.”
December 13th, 2005 at 6:11 pm
When I did the Warner Brothers Sitcom Writers Workshop in ‘98, there was a trend for specing the “lost” I Love Lucy, MASH or Mary Tyler Moore. I always thought this was a great idea, but then there’s the feeling that you’re not demonstrating your ability to write in a “contemporary” voice. It’s important people know all the big fun you can have with fat guys and pretty wives. It must have been something writing sitcom before they generally started sucking.
December 14th, 2005 at 1:50 am
I´m not really an aspiring writer, but every now and then I write some lines for fun. What I really like is to read scripts - but so far I just couldn´t find any screenplays of TV-shows. Does anyone have written episodes of CSI, The OC or any sitcom? I really don´t know where to look for that.
Cheers - Mac
December 14th, 2005 at 8:46 am
This is probably a really obvious question, but is it best to avoid writing spec scripts for shows steeped in mythology (i.e. XFiles) or with a strong ongoing storyline? For example, one might love PRISON BREAK and dream of being a writer on that show (and its pretty hot right now)… but it seems like writing an episode of that would be folly, since by the time its read the characters and/or plot-lines could be ancient history…
Charlie
P.S. Was just turned on to this blog today… what a fantastic resource for a fledgling writer like myself. Currently working on rewrites for a “b-movie” that is scheduled to go into production in late January, and have been blogging about it. Now not only do I have a quality of screenwriting to aspire to (”Big Fish” is one of my favorite movies EVER), but I have a guide to quality blogging on the topic. Kudos…
December 19th, 2005 at 11:35 am
While this is a great post, it would be helpful to also hear a bit about how one gets their spec script turned into a writing position.
April 2nd, 2006 at 2:48 am
To all readers of this blog site, if you like reading your fave TV show Transcripts a good website is http://www.twiztv.com it does not have everything and the scripts are from american shows (as i have learned). If you have any tv transcript sites for me please email me on evil(underscore)nerd(underscore)04@yahoo.com.au and please identify ur self and ur message in the subject box. thank you