Paper Team

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: [email protected]

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: [email protected]

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: [email protected]

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: [email protected]

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: [email protected]

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: [email protected]

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: [email protected]

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: [email protected]

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: [email protected]

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: [email protected]