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Playwriting & Screenwriting, Screenwriting, Television - Screenwriting
How To Write For Television by Madeline Dimaggio β€” book cover

How To Write For Television

by Madeline Dimaggio, Madeline DiMaggio
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Overview

TV Writing the Right Way!

In this guide for every student of the small screen and every scriptwriter dreaming of breaking into the business, writer-producer Madeline DiMaggio hands you the tools of the trade. With dozens of examples from today's hit shows, as well as perennial classics, DiMaggio walks readers through the scriptwriting process, from learning how to watch TV like a writer to developing your script, pitching it, and eventually sealing the deal. DiMaggio answers the questions on every aspiring television writer's mind, with chapters on:

  • The tools of scriptwriting
  • Hooks that sell
  • Creating the pilot
  • Developing the episode, step by step
  • How to create riveting characters
  • Writing long form and cable movies
  • Adaptations and collaborations
  • Marketing your script

DiMaggio combines her own experience with advice to writers from others in the trade, including agents, producers, animators, and more. This readable, reliable book has been a trusted reference for nearly two decades and is now revised to include the most up-to-date information from today's television climate, from writing for cable, reality, and TV-movie formats to the ever-evolving face of the sitcom. A must-read for anyone aiming to write for TV, How to Write for Television will continue to help budding writers reach their small-screen goals and will prepare them for working in the rapidly changing world of TV.

Synopsis

TV Writing the Right Way!

In this guide for every student of the small screen and every scriptwriter dreaming of breaking into the business, writer-producer Madeline DiMaggio hands you the tools of the trade. With dozens of examples from today's hit shows, as well as perennial classics, DiMaggio walks readers through the scriptwriting process, from learning how to watch TV like a writer to developing your script, pitching it, and eventually sealing the deal. DiMaggio answers the questions on every aspiring television writer's mind, with chapters on:

  • The tools of scriptwriting
  • Hooks that sell
  • Creating the pilot
  • Developing the episode, step by step
  • How to create riveting characters
  • Writing long form and cable movies
  • Adaptations and collaborations
  • Marketing your script
  • DiMaggio combines her own experience with advice to writers from others in the trade, including agents, producers, animators, and more. This readable, reliable book has been a trusted reference for nearly two decades and is now revised to include the most up-to-date information from today's television climate, from writing for cable, reality, and TV-movie formats to the ever-evolving face of the sitcom. A must-read for anyone aiming to write for TV, How to Write for Television will continue to help budding writers reach their small-screen goals and will prepare them for working in the rapidly changing world of TV.

    About the Author, Madeline Dimaggio

    Madeline DiMaggio has written for TV under contract to Paramount Studios and as a TV freelancer. Her work includes over forty hours of produced scripts for successful sitcoms, one-hour dramas, TV pilots (both half hour and one hour), soaps, animation, documentaries, Movies of the Week, cable movies, and films.

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    Book Details

    Published
    December 1, 2008
    Publisher
    Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group
    Pages
    336
    Format
    Paperback
    ISBN
    9781416570455

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