MOT 2190 Writing the TV Spec

3 Hours

Prerequisites: MOT 2110

A study of the techniques for writing hour-long drama and half-hour comedy scripts for television is central to the art of crafting screenplays for that medium. After an introduction and overview of television formats, students will study three current series, watch all of their episodes. They will then analyze the season and series arc, the characters, and their voices. From that, they will develop a story for an episode, and write (on speculation) a “spec” teleplay for an hour-long and/or half-hour comedy scripts. The classroom will be run like a writer’s rooms for a professional television series, with each student taking turns running the room.