Paper Team

Alex and Nick look at the latest debate about TV staffing versus TV selling, and discuss pros and cons of each. Is it a false dichotomy or should you prioritize one over the other? The Paper Team weighs in.

Content

1 - Why "TV Staffing versus TV Selling"? (00:26)

2 - Appeal and Advantages of TV Staffing (18:07)

3 - Appeal and Advantages of TV Selling (35:22)

Links

Terri Kopp's Twitter thread on "to staff or not to staff"

TV Writing Incubators and the Evolution of Access (PT125)

If you enjoy Paper Team, 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: [email protected]

Alex and Nick invite the Chairs of the WGAW Committee of Black Writers, Michelle Amor (Playin' for Love, Of Boys and Men, The Honorable), Hilliard Guess (Deadly Class, We Got Issues, Ticker), and Bianca Sams (Charmed, The Originals, Training Day), to have an in-depth discussion about systematic racism and injustice in the entertainment industry towards Black writers, representation in and out of the writers' room, plus various ways TV writers and professionals of all levels can be part of the solution.

NOTE: We recorded this episode remotely so please excuse some minor audio glitches.

Links

Open Letter by the WGAW Committee of Black Writers (PDF)

WGA Inclusion Report 2020 (PDF)

WGAW Committee of Black Writers on Facebook

Michelle Amor on Twitter

Hilliard Guess on Twitter

Bianca Sams on Twitter

If you enjoy Paper Team, 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: [email protected]

Alex and Nick return to Paper Tease by giving feedback on four of your original TV pilot teasers.

Paper Tease Entries

"Devotion" by JB June

"The Border" by Vance Tucker

"Where Blood Lies" by Byron Qiao

"Nobody, Nobody" by Koby Agyeman

If you enjoy Paper Team, please consider supporting us on Patreon at paperteam.co/patreon! :)

Want to get feedback on the teaser of your TV pilot in an upcoming Paper Tease session? Find all the information you need at http://paperteam.co/teaser

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: [email protected]

Alex and Nick bring back 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 sixth part takes a look at the revamped Nickelodeon Animation Writing Program, with Katherine Wells, who heads it as the Manager of Creative Talent Development and Outreach.

We discuss everything about it, from their brand new application and selection process, to how they adapt the program's content to the industry, and what comes after.

Content

About the Nickelodeon Animation Writing Program (00:48)

1 - The application process (02:25)

2 - The selection process (16:00)

3 - The program (25:46)

4 - After the program and final advice (35:49)

Links

Nickelodeon Animation Writing Program

Nickelodeon Writing Program on Facebook

Nickelodeon Writing Program on Twitter

If you enjoy Paper Team, 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: [email protected]

Alex and Nick return to Paper Team by answering your TV writing questions about outdated scripts, voice-over in shows, and pilot pitching.

Plus, we discuss some of the TV business updates following COVID, including production changes, WGA demands, and new OTTs.

NOTE: This episode was recorded before the current George Floyd protests. We'll be covering TV writing through the prism of representation and police brutality in upcoming episodes.

Content

Podcast Updates and Shout-outs (01:21)

TV Writing Questions: Outdated scripts, voice-over, pilot pitching (06:31)

TV Writing News: COVID consultants, new-writer discounts, Quibi, HBO Max, fall schedules (23:43)

Links

Peter C. Hayward's "Paper Team takeaways" thread

"Wanted in Hollywood: COVID-19 consultants to help keep sets safe" - Reuters

"WGA Calls For Elimination Of New-Writer Discounts And Training Program Rates" - Deadline

"Quibi cites pandemic, protests for drop in rankings. Others cite lack of hits." - Los Angeles Times

"HBO Max's Quiet Launch" - The Motley Fool

If you enjoy Paper Team, 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: [email protected]

Alex and Nick discuss how the current pandemic has affected them and the industry both personally and professionally, plus share helpful resources and advice on adapting.

Content

1 - The Professional Side (00:41)

2 - The Personal Side (29:28)

Links

Official California COVID-19 Resources

Resources for Film and TV Employees Impacted By the COVID-19 Industry Shutdown - Google Docs

"Emergency Funds for Freelancers, Creatives Losing Income During Coronavirus" - KQED

Relief Fund for Hollywood Support Staff

Actors Fund - COVID-19 Relief

Supplemental Income for Writers (PT35)

Miro

Staying Productive During Hiatus (PT126)

If you enjoy Paper Team, 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: [email protected]

Alex and Nick virtually sit down with the decision makers behind the major TV writing programs to get updates on what they're changing (or keeping) in 2020.

From spec writing samples to new deadlines, we talk shop with Jeanne Mau, who supervises the CBS Writers Mentoring Program, Grace Moss, running the NBC Writers on the Verge Program, and Rebecca Windsor, director of the Warner Bros. Television Writers' Workshop.

Content

The CBS Writers Mentoring Program in 2020 (00:58)

The NBC Writers on the Verge Program in 2020 (08:27)

The Warner Bros. Television Writers' Workshop in 2020 (24:26)

Links

CBS Writers Mentoring Program

CBS Entertainment Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) on Twitter

CBS Writers Mentoring Program ft. Jeanne Mau – Inside the TV Writing Programs (PT131)

NBC Writers on the Verge Program

NBCU Talent Programs on Twitter

NBC Writers on the Verge ft. Karen Horne – Inside the TV Writing Programs (PT132)

Warner Bros. Television Writers' Workshop

WB TV Workshops on Twitter

Warner Bros. Television Writers’ Workshop ft. Rebecca Windsor – Inside the TV Writing Programs (PT133)

If you enjoy Paper Team, 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: [email protected]

Alex and Nick answer your TV writing questions about episodic versus serialization, actor schedules, and fellowship specs.

Plus, we look at some TV business news tied to the coronavirus and the upcoming WGA-MBA negotiations.

NOTE: This episode was recorded before the current "shelter in place" orders.

Get the latest updates and resources about COVID-19 in California at https://covid19.ca.gov. Stay home, stay safe.

Content

Announcements and Shout-outs (00:51)

TV Writing Questions: Episodic v. serialized, actor schedules, fellowship specs (05:12)

TV Writing News: WGA-MBA negotiations and coronavirus (17:24)

Links

Javi's Twitter thread on serialization

The Art of the TV Episode (PT20)

Writing Episodic vs. Serialized TV (PT95)

Jeffrey's Twitter thread on scheduling

"WGA And AMPTP Set Date To Start Contract Talks" - Deadline

"SXSW 2020 canceled" - USA Today

"TV Academy Bans Audience Interaction With Talent at FYC Panels" - Variety

If you enjoy Paper Team, 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: [email protected]

Alex and Nick invite James Hamilton, writer on The Amazing World of Gumball, UniKitty!, and head-writer on an unannounced animated show for Netflix, to discuss working in UK animation, developing stories around someone else's visuals, and being head-writer on a series.

How do you get freelance animation writing work while living overseas? Why did performing live sketch comedy help break in to TV writing? What are the differences between the industry in the UK and US? How does a head writer build their team and foster a creative environment in the room? What are some tips on developing and pitching your own original projects?

Content

UK animation and developing animated stories with James Hamilton (00:34)

Final advice, resources, and next week on (37:16)

Links

James Hamilton on Twitter

The Amazing World of Gumball

UniKitty!

Casual Violence UK

Sam Willis (AKA The Boy With Tape On His Face)

The Pajama Men

Resource

"Create Your Own Universe" - The Brothers McLeod

If you enjoy Paper Team, 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: [email protected]

Alex and Nick have a new Paper Tease session where they give feedback on five of your TV pilot teasers.

Paper Tease Entries

"The Barcode Diaries" by Alissa Rivas

"Nudge" by David Crosman

"Uncommon Grounds" by Mitch Bechtold

"The Squire" by Vivek Choudry

"Strange, CA" by Ben Warner

If you enjoy Paper Team, please consider supporting us on Patreon at paperteam.co/patreon! :)

Want to get feedback on the teaser of your TV pilot in an upcoming Paper Tease session? Find all the information you need at http://paperteam.co/teaser

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: [email protected]