The Insider's Guide to Writing for Television [Paperback]

Broken down into three sections, "Breaking In", "Making A Living" and "The Art & Craft of Writing For Television Audiences", THE INSIDER'S GUIDE TO WRITING FOR TELEVISION is a comprehensive guide for newbies and seasoned writers alike. Forthright and easy to read, the book does not blind the reader with formulas, unlike many scriptwriting books. Particularly valuable is the section on how to approach and work with agents - one of the most misunderstood aspects of the business. I also thought the section on commissions and options and whether or not to sign a deal was really illuminating. As a script reader myself I was pleased to see the books focus on audience, schedules and market share - something many spec TV pilots appear to forget all about.

Though the focus is on TV writing, in my opinion screenwriters interested in writing feature films would also benefit from reading it, not only because they too work with agents, but so they can see how the two worlds of TV and Film differ *and* cross over. Recommended.

The Insider's Guide to Writing For Television is exactly that, with insights from and about seasoned and new writers alike as well as input from the points of view of all professionals involved in the industry, from script readers to script editors to producers and agents.

What this book offers is not only a "how to" guide, but an overview of the industry and its processes and above all, and most crucially, how to approach the business side of things.

Julian Friedmann, of top literary and TV agency Blake Friedmann and co-author of the book, offers a unique insight into the realities of the industry and the work involved to get a foot in the door. His chapters on contracts, options and commissions alone are well worth the book price.

This isn't a book which excludes new writers or those without an agent - Julian even offers advice on doing without an agent and the book as a whole tailors for those starting out as well as those who are currently working in the industry. Packed with information, links and advice for all aspects of the industry, it is a must read for anyone interested in writing for TV or film.

With the first half of the book covering the building blocks of industry business, self development and promotion, the second half is written by producer and editor Christopher Walker. Christopher talks us through what it takes to perform to industry requirements, from TV script formats and content to the importance of understanding audiences, genres, scheduling, plot devices and expectations of you as a jobbing writer.

Both sections are comprehensive and extremely informative, preparing you for every aspect of a career in TV writing. Both Julian and Christopher's honesty about the industry makes this a practical and no-nonsense manual, yet their approach is always encouraging and the chapters are well sectioned and narrated so that the information is easy to read and digest. There are also plenty of quotes, insights and advice from active TV writers and producers to help explain the points being covered.

You may find that you feel a little overwhelmed by the complicated nature of the industry and the perceived difficulty of getting a foot in the door, but the knowledge gleaned from this book will arm you with a far better approach than a writer who may not take the time to do their research. Quite frankly, this book is invaluable as a first point of research.

I planned to have this book as my [studious] holiday read, but couldn't help but dip into it early and couldn't stop reading! I devoured it all in a matter of days. It is definitely a book I will refer to again and again, and one which I will recommend to any aspiring TV or feature writer alike. Only YOU can control your career, and this book will help equip you with the knowledge and the mindset to work towards your goals.

A terrific overview of the UK television industry (which is not dissimilar to the US) from the writers' point of view. As with many other writing books it covers the craft of screenwriting but crucially it also includes sections on 'Breaking In' and 'Making a Living' which includes working with agents, script editors, producers and commissioners, as well as an overview of contracts and options. A really thorough, clear, well presented guide for new writers.