Paper Team

Alex and Nick invite J. Holtham, writer on Marvel's Cloak & Dagger, to discuss breaking into the TV industry later in life, and writing on a comic-based series. What is some important advice for people wanting to pursue TV writing later in life? How can breaking in older help in the writers' room? What is the process of writing for Marvel's Cloak & Dagger? What can writing plays teach you about screenwriting? The Paper Team powers up... SHOWNOTES Content Breaking in older, getting noticed, staffing on Pitch, being a playwright, the first staff writing job, working for Marvel, working on Cloak & Dagger, adapting existing IP, moving to LA, advice for people pursuing writing later in life (00:51) Resources and Next Week On (44:21) Links J. Holtham on Twitter Marvel's Cloak & Dagger on Freeform Screencraft Fellowship PAGE AwardsHumanitas Prize Pitch Ensemble Studio Theatre’s Youngblood Doom Patrol Resources Amy Berg's Twitter thread about being staffed This episode brought to you by Roadmap Writers Use code ROADMAP to get $15 OFF your first Roadmap Writers 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 answer audience questions about television writing and the TV business. Is there a benefit to writing beyond the pilot? Do dramas have an equivalent to comedy "punch-ups"? What does an outline look like? How do you sell a TV concept? Where can you find networking events that TV writers go to? Plus, we look at two new Paper Tease entries. The Paper Team raises their hand... SHOWNOTES Content Paper Tease Session (00:56) 1 - Questions about TV writing (11:22) 2 - Questions about the TV business (20:26) 3 - Questions and comments about the podcast (33:32) Paper Tease Entries "Figments" by Dustin Pinney "Jackie & Marilyn" by Benjamin Morgan Links Pitch Doc One - TV Calling TV Pitching 101: Who, What, and Why (PT13) TV Pitch Documents (PT82) Bringing the TV Writers’ Room Process Home (PT06) From Outline to (First) Draft (PT28) How to Meet People in LA (When You Don’t Know Anyone) (PT03) Putting Yourself Out There (PT75) This episode brought to you by Roadmap Writers Use code ROADMAP to get $15 OFF your first Roadmap Writers 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 discuss everything you need to know about rewriting your TV script. Whether you’re working on a spec or in a writers' room, we look at reasons why you should rewrite and things to watch out for. When should you rewrite? Why are notes a critical part of rewriting? What edits should you do on the page? What if your script still runs too long or too short? Plus, we give feedback on four teasers in our inaugural Paper Tease session! The Paper Team goes back to the page... SHOWNOTES Content Paper Tease Session (00:45) 1 - When to rewrite (29:47) 2 - How to rewrite (35:59) 3 - FAQs about rewriting (50:00) Takeaways and Next Week On (56:24) Paper Tease Entries "Chattahoochee" by Clint Williams "Christian Cross" by James Creviston "Conquer" by Katie Brown "Mythos" by Will McGhee Links From Outline to (First) Draft (PT28) Feedback and Notes: Building Your Reading Onion (PT08) Bringing the TV Writers’ Room Process Home (PT06) TV Dialogue 101 (PT51) This episode brought to you by Roadmap Writers Use code ROADMAP to get $15 OFF your first Roadmap Writers 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 welcome Tom Ruegger, creator of iconic TV series Animaniacs, Tiny Toon Adventures, Pinky & the Brain, and Histeria!, to discuss the process of writing and producing animated television shows. What is the process of generating and selling animated TV series? What makes for a great idea that can be succesful? What are the differences between storyboard-driven and script-driven shows? How was Animaniacs developed? How can you take established characters from franchises and give them a new take? How do you balance educational component and entertainment value? The Paper Team gets wacky... SHOWNOTES Content Getting started in animation, Working for Hanna-Barbera, differences between storyboard-driven and script-driven shows, coming up with ideas for TV shows, selling TV shows, animation versus live-action, developing Animaniacs and Pink & the Brain, using music, reinventing established characters, working on Batman, selling Histeria, and thoughts on the Animaniacs reboot (00:55) Final Advice, Resources, and Next Week On (39:11) Links Tom Ruegger on Twitter Tiny Toon Adventures Animaniacs Pinky & the Brain Histeria! Freakazoids! The 7D Hanna-Barbera Filmation A Pup Named Scooby-Doo The Premiere of Platypus Duck (Video) Sport Billy Yogi Bear Batman: The Animated Series "Hooked on a Ceiling" (1x04 - Animaniacs) "This Pun for Hire" (3x08 - Animaniacs) Resources RhymeZone Urban Dictionary This episode brought to you by Roadmap Writers Use code ROADMAP to get $15 OFF your first Roadmap Writers 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 discuss how to use your characters' perspectives and points-of-view to drive your episode narrative. From unreliable narrators and voice-overs, to POV on the page, see the world through your characters' eyes. What is a point-of-view in the context of a television story? How can you put your audience in the shoes of a character? What are interesting and unique ways of using POV as a narrative device? How can you translate a character's perspective to the page of a script? What are common problems with writing POVs? Plus, a major announcement about the podcast. The Paper Team looks ahead... SHOWNOTES Content Paper Scraps: Paper Tease Announcement (00:45) 1 - Defining Point-of-View and Perspective (03:07) 2 - Interesting TV examples of POV as a narrative device (05:57) 3 - Using point-of-view on the page and common problems (21:53) Takeaways and Next Week On (32:51) Links Paper Tease - TV Script Teaser Competition "Analyzing Great TV Scenes" (PT77) Rashomon "The Ugly Truth" (2x16 - Farscape) "Critical Film Studies" (2x19 - Community) Boomtown Graham Yost The Affair Big Little Lies Peep Show "Nonlinear Storytelling" (PT70) 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 Bob Dearden, writer on the CW's iZombie, to discuss how he worked his way up from assisting Rob Thomas on the Veronica Mars movie to being staffed on a television show. What is the journey of becoming a television writer? How do you work in US TV as a Canadian? What is it like working with Rob Thomas and cowriting for Play it Again Dick? How was the transition to iZombie from writers' assistant to staff writer? How does the writers' room break episodes and arcs? The Paper Team picks a brain... SHOWNOTES Content MFA programs, moving to the US, living in Austin, getting involved with Rob Thomas, experiences on Veronica Mars, experiences on Play it Again Dick, joining iZombie, being staffed, writing for iZombie, fandom (00:27) Resources and Next Week On (57:07) Links Bob Dearden on Twitter iZombie on The CW Rob Thomas Veronica Mars Veronica Mars Movie Play it Again, Dick Party Down Jason Dohring Ryan Hansen CW Seed Ryan Hansen Solves Crimes on Television Search Party Resources "Adventures in the Screen Trade" - William Goldman "Which Lie Did I Tell?" - William Goldman 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 the importance of branding yourself as a TV writer and ways to define why you write what you write. Why should you "brand yourself"? How are you able to drive the conversation about you? How to understand what you can bring to a writers' room? Why is it important to know your strengths and weaknesses in TV? How do you translate your personal story into your writing? What are ways of showcasing yourself online? Plus, an announcement about an announcement. The Paper Team makes its mark... SHOWNOTES Content Paper Scraps: Announcement of an announcement (00:31) 1 - Understanding who you are as a person (02:54) 2 - Understand who you are as a TV writer (11:24) 3 - Putting it all into application (21:49) Takeaways and Resources (28:23) Links "Comedy v. Drama: Declare Your TV Major" (PT02) "Putting Yourself Out There" (PT75) Dunning–Kruger effect $h*! My Dad Says "Six Feet Under’s Alan Ball on grief and dying" - UTNE The Goldbergs Resources "Building a StoryBrand" - Donald Miller 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 three fellows of the network TV writing programs to discuss their experiences applying, being selected, and participating in the curricula. Guests include Andy Mathieson from the 2016 Disney/ABC Writing Program, Jenny Deiker Restivo from the 2018 FOX Writers Lab, and Thomas Reyes from the 2016 Warner Bros. Television Writers' Workshop. What is the selection process of the TV writing programs? What are the interview rounds like? What are the fellowships' requirements? What can you learn in the writing programs? What are some common misconceptions about them? How do you get the most out of the experience? The Paper Team applies themselves... SHOWNOTES Content 1 - Speccing, applying, and the TV writing programs' selection process (00:00:39) 2 - Being in the TV writing programs (00:28:46) 3 - After the TV writing programs (00:48:58) Resources and Next Week On (01:06:20) Links Andy Mathieson on IMDb Jenny Deiker Restivo on Twitter Thomas Reyes on Twitter "TV Writing Fellowships: The Big Six" - TV Calling Disney/ABC TV Writing Program FOX Writers Lab Warner Bros. Television Writers' Workshop Nickelodeon Writing Program Altered Carbon Hard Sun Future Man Victoria The Carmichael Show 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 how to be proactive in the way you write your TV pilot script, and how to keep the reader interested. Why are loglines and titles so important? How can you connect your script to your personal story? How do you set things up in a pilot? What are ways of counteracting reader fatigue? Plus, we take a look at the recent revelations about Amazon Prime Video's internal numbers. The Paper Team turns the page... SHOWNOTES Content Paper Scraps: Amazon Prime Video viewership (00:37) 1 - Meta: Elements around your TV pilot (07:20) 2 - Script: Translating your TV pilot to the page (26:11) Takeaways and Resources (45:49) Links "TV Pilot 101" (PT30) "Amazon's internal numbers on Prime Video, revealed" - Reuters "TV Characters 101" (PT46) "Analyzing Great TV Characters" (PT72) "TV World-Building 101" (PT44) "Tone in TV Writing" (PT60) "Act Breaks" (PT15) "Teasers & Cold Opens" (PT61) "Analyzing Great TV Pilots" (PT54) "Weaving Storylines: A/B/C Stories" (PT53) "Macro Storytelling: Writing Character and Story Arcs in TV" (PT68) "Writing Themes and Values in TV" (PT36) Resources "The Pilot Script Checklist" - Splitsider 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

For the second Paper Team Live event, Alex and Nick head to WonderCon 2018 to host a panel on adapting IPs to television. From books, to comics and movies, it seems that all your favorite TV shows are adaptations of existing properties. But writing a fresh story within well-known worlds poses its own set of challenges. That's why we've invited an all-star panel of TV writers and producers to hear their thoughts on this topic. Panelists include Michael R. Perry (Altered Carbon, The Dead Zone), Ray Utarnachitt (DC's Legends of Tomorrow, Person of Interest), Kai Yu Wu (The Flash, Hannibal), Britta Lundin (Riverdale), and Colleen McAllister (My Little Pony, Littlest Pet Shop). What is the process of adapting something to television? How can writers stay true to established material while putting their own spin on it? Why do certain properties make for great TV? How do writers and producers interact with original creators and rights owners? The Paper Team returns live to room 209... SHOWNOTES Content Paper Team WonderCon 2018 panel on adapting IPs for television (00:41) Next Time On (48:13) Links Colleen McAllister on Twitter Britta Lundin on Twitter Ray Utarnachitt on Twitter Kai Wu on Twitter Michael R. Perry on Twitter My Little Pony: Equestria Girls Littlest Pet Shop Hanazuki: Full of Treasures Riverdale "Ship It" - Britta Lundin DC's Legends of Tomorrow The Flash Supergirl Hannibal Deception Altered Carbon Captain Cold Justice League Action Psych Jughead Jones Richard K. Morgan Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa Bryan Fuller Greg Berlanti Geoff Johns Heat Wave Felicity Smoak The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Marc Guggenheim Laeta Kalogridis "TV Writer vs. Fandom: Writers’ Rooms and Fan Interaction" (PT38)

Alex and Nick discuss the content and formats of successful TV pitch documents, from one-pagers to pitch bibles. How do you effectively communicate the vision of a TV show? What are the different formats of TV pitch documents? What should you include in your pitch? How do you structure a pitch document? What are the burning questions you need to answer? How do you write your pitch in a compelling and unique way? Plus, we talk dramedy script categories. The Paper Team gives their sales pitch... SHOWNOTES Content Paper Scraps: Spec Lists and Script Categories (00:31) 1 - Formats of TV pitch documents (03:41) 2 - Content of a TV pitch document (06:35) 3 - How to best express your pitch: format, structure, and prose (19:40) Takeaways and Resources (33:19) Links Leave a voicemail for Paper Team & TV Calling Sundance Episodic Program "Pitch Doc One" - TV Calling "Meetings 101: Generals and TV Staffing" (PT62) Terra Nova Resources "The Ultimate Sales Letter" - Dan S. Kennedy Special thanks to Evan Schmitt 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 Heather Mason (from SyFy Fangrrls & Amy Poehler's Smart Girls) and LaToya Ferguson (from The A.V. Club & IndieWire) for a lighthearted conversation about the current state of TV criticism in the era of peak content and serialized storytelling. What does TV criticism look like today? What is the process of reviewing a TV show? What can writers learn from critics? When are shows reviewed as a whole as opposed to episodically? How can critics review so much content in the era of peak TV? What are common misconceptions about TV criticism? Plus, a special WonderCon 2018 reminder. The Paper Team rates this episode "A+"... SHOWNOTES Content WonderCon 2018 panel reminder (00:00:33) A casual conversation about TV criticism (00:01:45) Resources and Next Week On (01:14:18) Reminder Paper Team is going to WonderCon 2018! Join our panel "Reimagined for TV: Writing shows based on popular IP" on Sunday, March 25 at 1:00PM in Room 209. Links Heather Mason on Twitter LaToya Ferguson on Twitter The TV Sisters LaToya Ferguson on Tumblr SyFy Fangrrls IGN HelloGiggles Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls The A.V. Club IndieWire Uproxx Television Without Pity "San Junipero" (3x04 - Black Mirror) Scream (TV Show) Teen Wolf (TV Show) Pretty Little Liars Scream Queens The Strain Metacritic Rotten Tomatoes Drop Dead Gorgeous Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 Great News The Vampire Diaries Hannibal (TV Show) Sasha Alexander Greg Beeman Dark Television Critics Association (TCA) Grace and Frankie Electric Dreams Charlie's Angels (2011 TV Show) 666 Park Avenue Dave Annable

Alex and Nick invite Eva Miller, Manager of Development at Canvas Media Studios, to discuss digital content and cross-platform storytelling. What does the digital landscape look like for scripted content? How do stories evolve with the format? What genres are more suited to online formats over traditional linear forms? How can interactivity drive narratives in unique ways? How are digital content or creatives discovered? What is the development process for digital shows? Plus, a special panel announcement. The Paper Team crosses over... SHOWNOTES Content WonderCon 2018 Panel Announcement (00:53) Working at Canvas Media, cross-platform content, evolution of YouTube, nascent platforms, new forms of storytelling, VR/360, interactivity, promoting online content, influencers, finding new projects, budgets, storytelling (01:42) Resources and Next Week On (42:27) Announcement Paper Team is going to WonderCon 2018! Join our panel "Reimagined for TV: Writing shows based on popular IP" on Sunday, March 25 at 1:00PM in Room 209. Links Canvas Media Studios Bernie Su The Lizzie Bennet Diaries Vanity This episode brought to you by Tracking Board's Launch Pad Writing Competitions Use code PAPERTEAM to get $15 OFF when you enter a Launch Pad Competition 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 how to start researching your TV spec script and the show you selected. Which episodes and scripts should you watch and read to prepare? Where should your spec script fit within a show? How do you research the structure, characters and stories? What should you look for in scripts of the show you want to spec? Plus, we answer more voicemails. The Paper Team does some reverse-engineering... SHOWNOTES Content Paper Scraps: Spec script headers (01:11) 1 - Preparing the research (03:51) 2 - Researching the show on a macro level: structure, character, story and theme (13:40) 3 - Researching the show on a micro and macro level: prose, formatting and added sources (34:31) Takeaways and Resources (43:10) Links Send a voicemail to TV Calling & Paper Team Roadmap Writers "TV Spec Script 101" (PT34) "When should your TV spec script be placed?" - TV Calling "Weaving Storylines: A/B/C Stories" (PT53) "Act Breaks" (PT15) Resources WGF Library KCRW's "The Business" WGAW's "3rd & Fairfax" Barry Katz's "Industry Standard" This episode brought to you by: & Tracking Board's Launch Pad Writing Competitions Use code PAPERTEAM to get $15 OFF when you enter a Launch Pad Competition 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 Jona Xiao (Halt and Catch Fire, Being Mary Jane, Gifted) to discuss acting for television, and what writers can learn from actors. What is the casting process like in TV? How are character descriptions influenced by the script? What preparation can actors do before going into production? What makes an interesting character and compelling scenes for an actor? What can TV writers learn from performers? The Paper Team gets set to recur... SHOWNOTES Content Early influences, building a career, getting representation, casting process, diversity, getting cast, actor preparation, drama versus comedy, character descriptions, table reads, production, scripts, character arcs, script revisions, post-production, getting cut in the editing, fan interaction, goals and aspirations (01:06) Resources and Next Week On (43:47) Links Jona Xiao on Twitter Jona Xiao on IMDb Bananatag Sidekick Resources Career ACTivate "The Eight Characters of Comedy" - Scott Sedita This episode brought to you by Tracking Board's Launch Pad Writing Competitions Use code PAPERTEAM to get $15 OFF when you enter a Launch Pad Competition 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