by Jordan Imiola
Shonda Rhimes is a creative genius and a huge inspiration to many of us writers growing in the industry. My ultimate goal in ten years is be the Shonda Rhimes of TV Comedy. Showrunning and being the creator of several hit TV shows including many cult classics. That's the dream. So I took her Master Class to learn from the best and it's so worth the money. I recommend it to anyone who can afford it. but if you want to glance, here's some of the best advice I learned from her.
- Write shows you want to watch
- When pitching, make sure to paint a picture, but not too specific a picture.
- Make your pitch is market-friendly.
- Get a group together to pitch together.
- Try to step into drama knowing what your ending is going to be.
- For brainstorming 5 acts, divide the paper into 5 sections.
- Use themes to shape your episodes
- Treat the creative process like a muscle (Muscles have muscle memory). Work that muscle every day.
- Find the ritual that helps you write.
- Write to a schedule and Deadline.
- Don't allow for your own excuses
- Say all your dialogue out loud.
- In a pilot, create a character who guides the audience into this new world.
- Think what the Worst Case Scenario is for your character and do that.
- Pilots - The Opening and Ending Scenes are Key.
- Don't write cliches. If you've seen it before then it's cliche.
- Make things as interesting as possible.
- If you think in Act Breaks, it allows you to think something BIG.
- Build it in character.
- Make sure your characters talk like they know each other.
- Characters hold onto secrets.
- Don't fill your scripts with too much stage direction. Let the actors do more.
- Trust your gut.
- Your last moment should be surprising, but organic.
- Keep the dialogue sparse as possible.
- Make sure each scene resonates.
- Say the script out loud and feel it.
- Cut things that don't forward plot.
- It's important not to tell anyone about the script. You will then get true feedback.
- A note often means whatever you did isn't clear. Make sure they understand it.
- Know everyone is trying to make your writing better.
- Know when your script is cooked.
- Any staff writers that seem entitled, get rid of them.
- You want to have a great attitude.
- Build a network of your peers.
- Walk a very professional line.
- Your pitches should center around your characters.
- TV writing is a race against time.
- Choose actors that spark something in your imagination.
- Delegate and empower the people you work with.
- Stop reading emails except for once a day at the same time.
- Give time to yourself. (the work will always be there)
- You can't call yourself a writer unless you write every day.
- A Work/Life Balance does not exist.
- Enjoy your accomplishments. Celebrate your accomplishments.
- Own your swagger. It's not bragging if you can back it up.
Shonda Rhimes is a creative genius and a huge inspiration to many of us writers growing in the industry. My ultimate goal in ten years is be the Shonda Rhimes of TV Comedy. Showrunning and being the creator of several hit TV shows including many cult classics. That's the dream. So I took her Master Class to learn from the best and it's so worth the money. I recommend it to anyone who can afford it. but if you want to glance, here's some of the best advice I learned from her.
- Write shows you want to watch
- When pitching, make sure to paint a picture, but not too specific a picture.
- Make your pitch is market-friendly.
- Get a group together to pitch together.
- Try to step into drama knowing what your ending is going to be.
- For brainstorming 5 acts, divide the paper into 5 sections.
- Use themes to shape your episodes
- Treat the creative process like a muscle (Muscles have muscle memory). Work that muscle every day.
- Find the ritual that helps you write.
- Write to a schedule and Deadline.
- Don't allow for your own excuses
- Say all your dialogue out loud.
- In a pilot, create a character who guides the audience into this new world.
- Think what the Worst Case Scenario is for your character and do that.
- Pilots - The Opening and Ending Scenes are Key.
- Don't write cliches. If you've seen it before then it's cliche.
- Make things as interesting as possible.
- If you think in Act Breaks, it allows you to think something BIG.
- Build it in character.
- Make sure your characters talk like they know each other.
- Characters hold onto secrets.
- Don't fill your scripts with too much stage direction. Let the actors do more.
- Trust your gut.
- Your last moment should be surprising, but organic.
- Keep the dialogue sparse as possible.
- Make sure each scene resonates.
- Say the script out loud and feel it.
- Cut things that don't forward plot.
- It's important not to tell anyone about the script. You will then get true feedback.
- A note often means whatever you did isn't clear. Make sure they understand it.
- Know everyone is trying to make your writing better.
- Know when your script is cooked.
- Any staff writers that seem entitled, get rid of them.
- You want to have a great attitude.
- Build a network of your peers.
- Walk a very professional line.
- Your pitches should center around your characters.
- TV writing is a race against time.
- Choose actors that spark something in your imagination.
- Delegate and empower the people you work with.
- Stop reading emails except for once a day at the same time.
- Give time to yourself. (the work will always be there)
- You can't call yourself a writer unless you write every day.
- A Work/Life Balance does not exist.
- Enjoy your accomplishments. Celebrate your accomplishments.
- Own your swagger. It's not bragging if you can back it up.
RSS Feed