How to Write a TV Show Pilot Script That Sells — TV Writing & Development Course: Ep3
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Published 2018-09-04
It’s one thing to dream up ideas all day, it’s another to actually open the blank page and get it done: Here’s how to write a pilot script that sells.
We’ve covered our bases leading up to here by learning about whether an idea has legs, and what some of the key elements that go into a pilot are. Now it’s time to build on that foundation and start fleshing out an actual script.
In this video, we’ll cover the outlining process using a technique developed by South Park creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone. Then we’ll use that solid structure to fill in the blanks.
How are we gonna do this? By analyzing one of the best pilots of all time: Breaking Bad.
With a show that well-written, there’s only room to learn and grow with every minute you spend dissecting and studying.
With the structure provided by Parker and Stone, and the execution done by Vince Gilligan, we’ll walk you through a fool-proof way of outlining and writing your pilot.
Your story will be strong enough to not only get “some heat,” as they say but get you in a room and pitching.
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All Comments (21)
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I started writing a script for a show I'm working on and I originally thought I was doing pretty well. Then I watched this video and realized I had nothing. This really kind of opened my eyes and showed me I've got A LOT of work to do.
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Underrated channel for sure
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Breaking Bad for sure was THE BEST pilot I’ve ever seen. Wasn’t a “hang in there moment at all”. Binged watched proudly lol! Great video!
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Great video, the only thing is you should’ve talked about the four act structure too with a teaser in the start because that’s the actual format in which Breaking Bad’s pilot is written.
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this is the most helpful video ever. i swear
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Are you using the "But/Therefore" story structure for your pilot scripts?
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I started to write a TV show called High School Buddies. It's about three freshmen named Jackie (snarky smartass), Garret (lovable dingus), and Don (who's caring) who live in Gilbert as they get into wacky hijinks throughout the show. They're 15 years old and they live together in a 2 story house. They're also friends with the redhead twins, Aaron (who's a logical genius) and Ozzie (happy dork who has freckles). I wrote the pilot named School Day. It's about their usual day at Gilbert High. I wrote 3 other seasons along with it (And I'm 14 btw).
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this was actually really helpful! the outline i have for my pilot now is much better than it was before!!
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Sorry for doubting this before I watched it but this is really helpful, underrated channel as someone pointed out.
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The walking dead had a great pilot.... Truly a masterpiece
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Easy to understand and straight to the point, great video.
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Please make another video about different structures for different types of episodes other than the pilot. This has helped me do sooooooooo much work with my pilot script I want more.
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TV writing is potentially very lucrative; if you can create a TV show that gets sold (just one!), the income should last you for a decade.
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I love this channel from Tanzania
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Crazy that this is free. So much respect thank u for this resource my dude.
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I'd blackmail my good friend because he'd be just as lost as I was.
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This is a fantastic episode and a prime example of how to start a show.
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One of the best channels on YouTube in this niche
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this was SO eye opening THANK YOU!!!!!!
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Good info .. Hope to learn more about Story Development . and how we can stay on the track without loosing the attention or the main goal .
