Monday, February 19, 2018

What Does A Freelance Television Writer Los Angeles Do?

By Donna Rogers


Television is a medium unlike any other. We turn to it time and again for entertainment and to just pass the time when there seems nothing else to do. But just how does the world of television work and what does a freelance television writer Los Angeles do to contribute to this growing medium?

Many times the thought of how our favorite TV show is created does not cross our minds. However, it takes writers, producers and a cast of characters to make a good TV show. The ideas come from writers. A TV writer creates a script for many different types of television programming. Writing for TV is nothing like writing for film or the stage, it has its own art form.

Often TV writers write in groups that may contain only 4 writers or the group may contain up to 20 other writers. All these writers must collaborate on what to produce. The TV writer does not often write alone. They may be the lead writer for a TV show and may even be the producer. Many times these people are called 'showrunners' because they lead the group regarding the what is produced and they have full creative authority over the show. The writer of television series may also be responsible for rewriting of the script, writing the dialogue and creating plot lines and situations for the characters.

If you wish to become a freelance TV writer, you will not be hired on staff by a station but will be hired on a job to job basis by different stations and production companies. This gives you more career control and you choose the jobs you wish to work on that interest you. You may work for many television shows during your career.

Having to work in groups with other writers can be a source of frustration if you are the type that desires full creative control over what is produced. This scenario does not allow for much personal freedom with your creativity. However, working in groups generates many different ideas and perspectives and this can be good for producing winning television series and shows that would otherwise not come about.

You will need to prepare your portfolio for potential employers and this portfolio will consist of your spec script. A spec script can be an idea for a show that already exists or it can be your own original idea for a pilot TV series. It will showcase your ability to follow the standard format of a television script and showcase your writing and creative abilities.

Writing for TV is no easy task, and any writer who has the creative abilities and talent to produce winning plot lines and memorable characters has a chance to make a rewarding career for themselves writing for television. The key ingredient to becoming a television writer is to just write. It takes lots of practice in the craft of writing and the more writing you do the better you will get.

To begin your writing career as a television writer, you should consider taking some writing courses to hone your skills and your craft. A good scriptwriting course at a local college or university may be ideal. There are also online courses that may suit your busy schedule. Whatever route you take to break into this field, remember that writing is writing and the more you practice and learn all you can, the better you will be.




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