Paper Team

Alex and Nick return to their "Inside the TV Writing Program" series – a deep dive into what goes on inside every major TV writing program from the decision makers themselves. Our fifth part takes a look at the Fox Writers Lab, with Moira Griffin, who oversees the program as Executive Director of Production and Creative Labs for 21st Century Fox. We discuss everything, from the latest update about the program and its application process, to what they focus on in scripts, loglines, and what comes after. Content About the Fox Writers Lab (00:43) 1 - The application process (06:41) 2 - The selection process (23:27) 3 - The program (31:10) 4 - After the program and final advice (41:33) Links Fox Writers Lab Fox Directors Lab Moira Griffin on Twitter If you enjoyed this episode and others, please consider supporting us on Patreon at paperteam.co/patreon! :) Special thanks to Alex Switzky for helping us edit this episode. You can find Paper Team on Twitter: Alex - @TVCalling Nick - @_njwatson For any questions, comments or feedback, you can e-mail us: ask@paperteam.co

Alex and Nick answer audience questions about similar premises, quality of dialogue, and cultural experiences. Plus, we catch up on some of the TV writing news from the past few weeks, including a discussion on staffing opportunities, Netflix and Disney. Content Shout-outs (00:24) Audience Questions: Similar ideas, quality of dialogue, cultural experience, animation (02:46) TV Writing News: Staffing opportunities, Netflix and Disney (20:29) Links "To Live & Dialogue in LA" podcast Inspiration vs. Stealing in TV Writing (PT58) TV Dialogue 101 (PT51) Writing Samples and Preparing for TV Staffing ft. Liz Alper & Kai Wu (PT119) "Feeling the Churn: Why Netflix Cancels Shows After A Couple Of Seasons" - Deadline "Disney+ to Launch in November" - Variety If you enjoyed this episode and others, please consider supporting us on Patreon at paperteam.co/patreon! :) Special thanks to Alex Switzky for helping us edit this episode. You can find Paper Team on Twitter: Alex - @TVCalling Nick - @_njwatson For any questions, comments or feedback, you can e-mail us: ask@paperteam.co

Alex and Nick invite Ning Zhou, story editor on Ozark, to discuss how she worked her way up through the assistant ranks and into the fabled writers' room. What is the process of writing for Ozark? How do you transition into the writers' room? How can you nail that assistant interview? What are ways of being a valuable showrunner's assistant and writers' assistant? Why is it important for the support staff to make their career goals clear? Why is communication so important in television? The Paper Team moves up the Ozark writers room... Content Earning Your Way Into the Writers' Room with Ning Zhou (00:32) Final Advice, Resources, and Next Week On (47:08) Links Ning Zhou on IMDb Ozark on Netflix Damages Bloodline Resources "Bird by Bird" - Anne Lamott If you enjoyed this episode and others, please consider supporting us on Patreon at paperteam.co/patreon! :) Special thanks to Alex Switzky for helping us edit this episode. You can find Paper Team on Twitter: Alex - @TVCalling Nick - @_njwatson For any questions, comments or feedback, you can e-mail us: ask@paperteam.co

Alex and Nick continue their Paper Team Mentorship with winner Paul Chang, and his comedy pilot MID-DEATH CRISIS. Step two: a beat sheet of the pilot episode, including general acts and story arcs. We hear about the pilot episode, and discuss our thoughts live. Content Quick recap and listeners' thoughts on the first mentorship episode (00:30) "Mid-Death Crisis" – Beat sheet (06:41) Discussion of the beat sheet (08:30) Links "Mid-Death Crisis" beat sheet Paper Team Mentorship I – "Mid-Death Crisis" Overview (PT128) Paper Team Mentorship I - Paul's Update Bringing the TV Writers' Room Process Home (PT06) Paul Chang on Twitter If you enjoyed this episode and others, please consider supporting us on Patreon at paperteam.co/patreon! :) Special thanks to Alex Switzky for helping us edit this episode. You can find Paper Team on Twitter: Alex - @TVCalling Nick - @_njwatson For any questions, comments or feedback, you can e-mail us: ask@paperteam.co

Alex and Nick expand their "Inside the TV Writing Program" series – a deep dive into what goes on inside every major TV writing program from the decision makers themselves. The fourth part is all about the Warner Bros. Television Writers' Workshop, with Rebecca Windsor, director of the program. We cover everything, from what they want in the application and selection process, to how they adapt the workshop to fit the evolving industry. Content About the Warner Bros. Television Writers' Workshop (00:50) 1 - The application process (03:43) 2 - The selection process (18:08) 3 - The program (31:54) 4 - After the program and final advice (45:44) Links Warner Bros. Television Writers' Workshop Warner Bros. Television Directors' Workshop WB TV Workshops on Facebook WB TV Workshops on Twitter If you enjoyed this episode and others, please consider supporting us on Patreon at paperteam.co/patreon! :) Special thanks to Alex Switzky for helping us edit this episode. You can find Paper Team on Twitter: Alex - @TVCalling Nick - @_njwatson For any questions, comments or feedback, you can e-mail us: ask@paperteam.co

Alex and Nick pursue their "Inside the TV Writing Program" series – a deep dive into what goes on inside every major TV writing program from the decision makers themselves. Part three centers on the NBC Writers on the Verge Program, with its director Karen Horne, Senior Vice President of Programming Talent Development & Inclusion for NBC Entertainment and Universal Television Studios. Everything is discussed, from what they look for in spec scripts and essay questions, to the importance of the interview process and how the program has evolved over the years. Content About the NBC Writers on the Verge program (00:49) 1 - The application process (02:28) 2 - The selection process (13:07) 3 - The program (23:05) 4 - After the program and final advice (33:49) Links NBC Writers on the Verge Program NBC Diverse Staff Writer Initiative NBCUniversal Late Night Writers Workshop NBC Emerging Director Program NBC Female Forward NBC Alternative Director Program StandUp NBC NBCUNI TIPS on Facebook NBC WOTV on Facebook Karen Horne on Twitter If you enjoyed this episode and others, please consider supporting us on Patreon at paperteam.co/patreon! :) Special thanks to Alex Switzky for helping us edit this episode. You can find Paper Team on Twitter: Alex - @TVCalling Nick - @_njwatson For any questions, comments or feedback, you can e-mail us: ask@paperteam.co

Alex and Nick continue their "Inside the TV Writing Program" series – a deep dive into what goes on inside every major TV writing program from the decision makers themselves. Our second part focuses on the CBS Writers Mentoring Program, with its supervisor Jeanne Mau, Senior Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion at CBS. We go over everything, from the importance of the letter of interest and scripts, to the interview process and how the program helps its writers navigate a room. Content About the CBS Writers Mentoring program (00:42) 1 - The application process (03:48) 2 - The selection process (13:40) 3 - The program (21:11) 4 - After the program and final advice (29:55) Links CBS Writers Mentoring Program CBS Directing Initiative CBS Sketch Comedy Showcase CBS Diversity Website CBS Entertainment Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) on Twitter CBS EDI on Instagram If you enjoyed this episode and others, please consider supporting us on Patreon at paperteam.co/patreon! :) Special thanks to Alex Switzky for helping us edit this episode. You can find Paper Team on Twitter: Alex - @TVCalling Nick - @_njwatson For any questions, comments or feedback, you can e-mail us: ask@paperteam.co

Alex and Nick begin their "Inside the TV Writing Program" series - a deep dive into what goes on inside every major TV writing program from the decision makers themselves. Our first part is all about the Disney ABC Writing Program (now known as the Walt Disney Television Writing Program), with Kristi Shuton, who oversees the Disney writing program as Manager of Creative Talent Development & Inclusion at the Disney ABC Television Group. All the ins-and-outs are covered, from the application and selection process, to the content of the Disney writers program and what comes after. Content About the Disney ABC Writing program (00:48) 1 - The application process (04:02) 2 - The selection process (18:16) 3 - The program (31:25) 4 - After the program and final advice (40:10) NOTE: Since the recording, the Disney ABC Program application has been updated to two original samples (instead of one original and one spec). Links The Walt Disney Television Writing Program (FKA Disney ABC Writing Program) Disney ABC CTDI (Creative Talent Development & Inclusion) on Facebook Disney ABC CTDI on Instagram The Disney ABC Directing Program If you enjoyed this episode and others, please consider supporting us on Patreon at paperteam.co/patreon! :) Special thanks to Alex Switzky for helping us edit this episode. You can find Paper Team on Twitter: Alex - @TVCalling Nick - @_njwatson For any questions, comments or feedback, you can e-mail us: ask@paperteam.co

Alex and Nick host an insightful panel at WonderCon 2019 about comics and television writing. From Batgirl and Doom Patrol to Watchmen and Y: The Last Man, an ever-expanding number of comic-based TV shows have graced our screen, but how do you translate one visual format to another? To discuss the topic, we are joined by an all-star cast of writers, including Marc Bernardin (Castle Rock, Treadstone), Julie & Shawna Benson (Batgirl and the Birds of Prey, The 100), Christopher Monfette (Hellraiser, 12 Monkeys), J. Holtham (Cloak & Dagger, Pitch), and Samantha Levenshus (Nightflyers, Neon Future). Why do comics make for great television? What is the process of writing a comic-book series as opposed to a TV show? How do you adapt a comic to TV, while staying true to the original material? What lessons can be learned from writing TV and comics to bring into the other medium? How can you go about interacting with the key holders of the comics? What is a "shared love space"? The Paper Team goes live in room 207... Links Marc Bernardin on Twitter Shawna Benson on Twitter Julie Benson on Twitter J. Holtham on Twitter Samantha Levenshus on Twitter Christopher Monfette on Twitter Castle Rock on Hulu Treadstone Carnival Row Marc Bernardin on Comixology The 100 on The CW Wu Assasins on Netflix Batgirl and the Birds of Prey Cloak & Dagger on Freeform Jessica Jones on Netflix Nightflyers on Syfy Neon Future 12 Monkeys on Syfy 9-1-1 on Fox Hellraiser Seduth This episode brought to you by Script PipelineSubmit by May 1st to the 2019 Script Pipeline contest for a reduced entry fee If you enjoyed this episode (and others), please consider leaving us an iTunes review at paperteam.co/itunes! :) You can find Paper Team on Twitter: Alex - @TVCalling Nick - @_njwatson If you have any questions, comments or feedback, you can e-mail us: ask@paperteam.co

Alex and Nick start the Paper Team Mentorship with winner Paul Chang, and his new comedy pilot MID-DEATH CRISIS. Step one: a basic series overview with premise, characters, themes and arcs. We hear for the first time Paul's pitch, and share our thoughts live. The mentorship begins... Content About the PT Mentorship and Paul (01:07) "Mid-Death Crisis" - Basic series overview (08:07) Discussion of the basic series overview (14:59) Links Paul Chang on Twitter "Mid-Death Crisis" basic series overview document This episode brought to you by Script PipelineSubmit by May 1st to the 2019 Script Pipeline contest for a reduced entry fee Special thanks to Alex Switzky for helping us edit this episode. If you enjoyed this episode (and others), please consider leaving us an iTunes review at paperteam.co/itunes! :) You can find Paper Team on Twitter: Alex - @TVCalling Nick - @_njwatson If you have any questions, comments or feedback, you can e-mail us: ask@paperteam.co

Alex and Nick give feedback on eight more teasers in the final Paper Tease session for a while. Plus, we finally reveal the winner of our upcoming Paper Team Mentorship. The Paper Team goes in... Content March Paper Tease Session (01:07) Paper Scraps: Quick word about the WGA/agency negotiations (53:21) Paper Tease Entries "Ash & Bone" by Dean Benamor "D.O.A." by Tom Andrade "Finding Satoshi" by Shruti Saran "Monsters Don't Kill" by Anthony Decimus "Two Timing" by Megan Kingsbury "Super" by Michel Lichand "Vigilante" by Christina Arango Downling "White Rose" by Matt Michael Melvin Special thanks to Alex Switzky for helping us edit this episode. If you enjoyed this episode (and others), please consider leaving us an iTunes review at paperteam.co/itunes! :) You can find Paper Team on Twitter: Alex - @TVCalling Nick - @_njwatson If you have any questions, comments or feedback, you can e-mail us: ask@paperteam.co

Alex and Nick discuss ways of surviving your hiatus and staying productive during the off season. Why is being active all year long important? How do you look for a next job? How do you keep in touch during a hiatus? Why are hobbies and social interactions vital? How can you keep yourself healthy and financially stable? Plus, we make three major Paper Team announcements about what is coming up. The Paper Team doesn't wait... Content Announcements: WonderCon 2019, TV writing programs, final Paper Tease (00:23) 1 - Why staying active during a hiatus is important (04:02) 2 - Being productive in your writing (08:22) 3 - The importance of hobbies (12:10) 4 - Social interactions (15:24) 5 - Fitness and health (17:34) 6 - Money and finances (20:36) Final advice and next Week On (23:38) Links Details of Paper Team at WonderCon 2019 "The TV Writer’s Mindset: Dealing With Procrastination, Blank Page, and the Muse" (PT17) "Managing Finances as an Assistant & Staff Writer" (PT16) "Supplemental Income for Writers" (PT35) Special thanks to Alex Switzky for helping us edit this episode. If you enjoyed this episode (and others), please consider leaving us an iTunes review at paperteam.co/itunes! :) You can find Paper Team on Twitter: Alex - @TVCalling Nick - @_njwatson If you have any questions, comments or feedback, you can e-mail us: ask@paperteam.co

Alex and Nick have a candid discussion about the emergence of TV writing incubators, and the current state of access in the television industry for up-and-coming writers. What are TV writing incubators? What do those programs mean for our industry? Is every facet of TV writing going to be turned into a competition? How have TV writing opportunities changed for new writers? What are ways of improving the situation? The Paper Team takes a chance... Links Imagine Impact Rideback TV Incubator Sundance Episodic Program Special thanks to Alex Switzky for helping us edit this episode. If you enjoyed this episode (and others), please consider leaving us an iTunes review at paperteam.co/itunes! :) You can find Paper Team on Twitter: Alex - @TVCalling Nick - @_njwatson If you have any questions, comments or feedback, you can e-mail us: ask@paperteam.co

Alex and Nick invite Gretchen Enders, writer on TV series (Queen America, Grace and Frankie, Take My Wife, Gortimer Gibbon's Life on Normal Street) and audio originals (Bedtime Stories for Cynics, This Sounds Serious), to discuss working and pitching shows across formats. How do you blend your voice within an established show? How do you find stability as a TV writer between seasons? What is good advice when taking a general meeting? How were the rooms of Queen America, Grace and Frankie, Take My Wife, and Gortimer Gibbons? How does writing radio plays compare with writing for television? What should you keep in mind when pitching and selling shows? What was it like winning a WGA award? The Paper Team intently listens... SHOWNOTES Content Writing and Pitching Across Formats with Gretchen Enders (00:34) Final Advice, Resources, and Next Week On (44:12) Links Gretchen Enders on Instagram Queen America on Facebook Grace and Frankie on Netflix Gortimer Gibbon's Life on Normal Street on Amazon Take My Wife "Directing TV Comedy ft. Alethea Jones" (PT118) "Room to Dream" - David Lynch & Kristine McKenna Northern Exposure Level Up "Gortimer, Ranger and Mel vs. The Endless Night" (2x13 - Gortimer Gibbon's Life on Normal Street) Aminta Goyel Shauna McGarry Nick Offerman's Bedtime Stories for Cynics This Sounds Serious Patriot Resource "The Hollywood Standard" - Christopher Riley Special thanks to Alex Switzky for helping us edit this episode. If you enjoyed this episode (and others), please consider leaving us an iTunes review at paperteam.co/itunes! :) You can find Paper Team on Twitter: Alex - @TVCalling Nick - @_njwatson If you have any questions, comments or feedback, you can e-mail us: ask@paperteam.co

Alex and Nick give feedback on five Paper Tease entries and take a look at some TV writing news, including Twitter threads on staffing and articles about the syndication of iconic shows. The Paper Team licenses itself... SHOWNOTES Content Paper Tease Session (00:24) Paper Scraps: Law & Order, The Simpsons, The Critic and Twitter threads (28:16) Paper Tease Entries "Motel Verse" by Dallas Rico "Inept" by Matty Mendez "Rogue Galaxy" by J.R. Curry "Diabolical" by Renier Murillo "Evangelist" by Seth Yergin Links "Why Isn’t Law & Order Streaming Anywhere?" - Vulture "What Will Happen to The Simpsons as Disney Takes Over Fox?" - Variety "It Didn’t Stink, So Why Did The Critic Fail to Become a Hit Show?" - Consequence of Sound Gloria Calderón Kellett's Twitter thread about staffing Gloria Calderón Kellett's Twitter thread about pilots Doctor Who's latest scripts (BBC Digital Library) Special thanks to Alex Switzky for helping us edit this episode. If you enjoyed this episode (and others), please consider leaving us an iTunes review at paperteam.co/itunes! :) You can find Paper Team on Twitter: Alex - @TVCalling Nick - @_njwatson If you have any questions, comments or feedback, you can e-mail us: ask@paperteam.co