Hello, at the risk of exposing my naivety, during a recent Consultation I learned something I would like to share because it affected my screenwriting enormously. First, I need to preface that I have three episodic screenplays completed, ( meaning ready for presentation), and two features. I have not sold anything to date. The Consultation was for a pilot of a seven episode series. I learned that if my pilot was accepted and purchased that the company would take the pilot and create a Writers Room that would write the remaining episodes. They would not be interested or even ask to see my episodes. I was told this is special true after the Writers Strike. Now writing a series is much less appealing, and I will probably write features only and put my series on the shelf until I have more clout. In conclusion, I’m still learning in an ever changing industry.
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"I learned that if my pilot was accepted and purchased that the company would take the pilot and create a Writers Room that would write the remaining episodes. They would not be interested or even ask to see my episodes." That's right, Jason Lawrence Bell. A writer only needs a pilot script, but a lot of times a company will want a series bible with the pilot.
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That's crazy!
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I will share my experience. First, I wanted to write a TV series, so I did the pilot and Bible series of my story with the goal of writing all episodes. I did some consulting, and the producer told me that! So, I changed and wrote a feature because I wanted and needed to write all about it. Now, I am pitching the feature, but if they ask the pilot, I have it. Good luck Jason!
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Great insights! It's valuable to understand the industry realities and adapt. Thanks for sharing your journey Jason Lawrence Bell
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Great to know Jason Lawrence Bell