Paper Team

Alex and Nick go off the beaten path to discuss the influence of the television medium on both cultures and people. We take a look at a few interesting case studies that have affected us personally, and the world we live in. Which television stories have had a major impact on our lives? What about representation, international exports, and other cultures? Why is television much more than just an "idiot box"? From The Simpsons to Star Trek, diversity to social relevance, Paper Team takes a look at a few interesting case studies illustrating television's impact. This episode is by no means an exhaustive discussion on the subject (people have done entire PhDs on it), merely a conversation starter through specific examples and themes. SHOWNOTES Content 1 - What is the most influential TV show of all time? (00:55) 2 - A few words on diversity and representation on TV (15:03) 3 - Exports, adaptations, and the influence of international shows (25:24) 4 - TV's social and personal impact (35:02) Takeaway and next week's topic (46:50) Links Bush v. Simpsons (Video) Kodos and Kang's Two-Party System (Video) Homer owns the Denver Broncos (Video) The Simpsons' Movie References (Video) Irish Unification of 2024 NASA's Science of Star Trek Nichelle Nichols reflects on MLK Encounter Lucille Ball & Star Trek Homosexuality portrayal in Star Trek Dawson's Creek at ATX (The Writers Panel) Les Miroirs Obscurs - Martin Winckler "Indians on TV" (1x04 - Master of None) NBC's SeeSo Le bureau Psychology for Screenwriters - William Indick "Other Things You Could Be Doing" (2x12 - You're the Worst) "The Body" (5x16 - Buffy the Vampire Slayer) "Mother Simpson" (7x08 - The Simpsons) "Ecotone" (5x09 - Six Feet Under) Special thanks to Jason J. Cohn for helping us edit this episode. If you enjoyed the episode (and others), please consider leaving us an iTunes review at paperteam.co/itunes! :) You can find Paper Team on Twitter: Alex - @TVCalling Nick - @_njwatson If you have any questions, comments or feedback, you can e-mail us: [email protected]

Alex goes on the road at SDCC 2016 with Maggie Herman, assistant to the Executive Producer/Line Producer on the Amazon series Bosch, to discuss every TV writer's favorite topic: budgeting. How much does an hour of television cost? And how do scripts get broken down into money? It's a double Paper Team first, as we welcome our very first guest-star, and have our very first "On the Road" episode while Alex drives up from San Diego Comic-Con 2016 with Maggie (and another surprise guest). What is the real cost of an hour of TV? What is the process of breaking scripts into producible selection of scenes? Why would anyone want to become a line producer? What was Maggie's favorite cosplay of the con? All these questions and many more are answered in this special edition of Paper Team. NOTE: I (Alex) recorded this podcast while literally on the road (riding shotgun in Maggie's car). There should be minimal background noise after the post-production work done since I fixed it in post--but just in case, prepare your ears. SHOWNOTES Content 1 - How was Comic-Con 2016? (02:23) 2 - Everything you wanted to know about line producing, budgeting for television, and breaking down scripts into money (04:53) 3 - What Titus Welliver smells like and how amazing his crew gift was (58:19) Links Bosch - Available exclusively on Amazon Maggie Herman's Twitter Chelsea Crane's Twitter Transmetropolitan - Warren Ellis & Darick Robertson Sorkinisms - A Supercut (Video) Maggie Herman posing for the podcast Maggie's fancy post-it-notes scheduling board for production If you enjoyed this episode (and others), please consider leaving us an iTunes review at paperteam.co/itunes! :) You can find Paper Team on Twitter: Alex - @TVCalling Nick - @_njwatson If you have any questions, comments or feedback, you can e-mail us: [email protected]

Alex and Nick talk about everything you need to know on how to get a television production assistant job, and what to do (and what not to do) so you excel at it. What are the different kinds of TV PAs (on-set PA, office PA, post PA, writers' PA)? What does each job entail? How do you actually get a sweet PA gig? And, more importantly, what should you be doing to make a great impression and make the best of that professional opportunity? The Paper Team brews a fresh pot of coffee while answering these questions and more... SHOWNOTES Content 1 - The different TV Production Assistant jobs (00:30) 2 - Getting a PA job (15:56) 3 - What to do and what no to do on the job (21:18) 4 - How to go above and beyond (28:15) 5 - Opportunities to seize while being a PA (32:21) 6 - Keeping the ball rolling after the show wraps (37:27) Takeaways and Resources (40:00) Links Below the Line listings Production Weekly eFax "Attitude!" - The Birth of Poochie in The Simpsons (Video) Resources Needle Girl Haystack World The Anonymous Production Assistant's Blog If you enjoyed this episode (and others), please consider leaving us an iTunes review at paperteam.co/itunes! :) You can find Paper Team on Twitter: Alex - @TVCalling Nick - @_njwatson If you have any questions, comments or feedback, you can e-mail us: [email protected]

Alex and Nick discuss how you can build a "reading onion" to get constant feedback over the course of your TV writing, and how to deal with the notes you'll be getting. Who should you get comments from? What do the layers of the "onion" stand for? Which notes should you be ignoring and which ones should you address? The Paper Team has a few macro thoughts on the issue... SHOWNOTES Content 1 - Who: Different people for different notes (00:37) 2 - When: The "reading onion" and its first layer (11:47) 3 - Outline: The second layer of the "onion" (15:15) 4 - Rough Draft: The third layer of the "onion" (18:29) 5 - Real Draft: the fourth layer of the "onion" (21:25) 6 - Macro v. Micro notes (23:09) 7 - What: Specific notes you should be getting and asking for (30:08) 8 - How: Reacting to notes and addressing them (39:51) Takeaways and Resources (45:06) Links Writing Jane the Virgin Resources A Martian Wouldn't Say That! - Compiled by Leonard Stern & Diane Robison TV Network Notes (Twitter) If you enjoyed this episode (and others), please consider leaving us an iTunes review at paperteam.co/itunes! :) You can find Paper Team on Twitter: Alex - @TVCalling Nick - @_njwatson If you have any questions, comments or feedback, you can e-mail us: [email protected]

Alex and Nick discuss the reasons why you would want to follow up with someone, how long you should wait before you do, and what you should be saying in that follow-up message. SHOWNOTES Content 1 - The Objective: Why you are following up (00:34) 2 - The Timing: When you should follow up (05:56) 3 - The Approach: How you should follow up (18:08) 4 - The Ask: What you will be saying (20:35) Takeaways and Resources (27:26) Original timing reference sheet (by Hubspot)

NEW: Get the episode cheat sheet on our Patreon! Alex and Nick dig into why it's important to maintain a consistent TV writing routine, and how you can mimic the same process from TV writers' rooms into your own home. It's all about working through each individual (but vital) step of television writing, including inception, pitching, outlining, drafting and rewriting. SHOWNOTES Content 1 - Why you need to have a TV writing routine (00:27) 2 - Breaking down the TV writers' room process (04:12) 3 - Inception (05:12) 4 - Background Processing (20:29) 5 - Pitching (21:44) 6 - Outlining (26:07) 7 - Drafting (36:48) 8 - Feedback and Rewriting (44:48) Takeaways and Resources (53:37) Links Revenge and The Count of Monte Cristo Master Class with Evan Daugherty (Snow White and the Huntsman) Patent Trolling Wikipedia's Random Feature Anuario Luis Herrera Solís Apple Notes Google Keep Moleskine Notebook The Man Who Makes Sense of Lost (Gregg Nations) Interview with Bryan Cogman Scrivener Index cards in Final Draft The TV Writer's Workbook - Ellen Sandler Alien shooting script John Swartzwelder Resources Creative Spark with Dustin Lance Black (Video) Inside the Breaking Bad writers' room (Article) Vince Gilligan on breaking a story in a writer's room (Video) If you enjoyed this episode (and others), please leave us an iTunes review and/or rating at paperteam.co/itunes! :) You can find Paper Team on Twitter: Alex - @TVCalling Nick - @_njwatson If you have any questions, comments or feedback, you can e-mail us: [email protected]

Alex and Nick discuss the point of networking, why (aspiring) television writers should network, and how to do it when you don't know anyone or are socially anxious. SHOWNOTES Content 1 - Networking is about why you're meeting people, not who you should meet (00:25) 2 - Mixers and One-on-ones: the two ways you'll be networking (08:12) 3 - What to talk about and how to behave in a networking situation (12:22) 4 - Learn what you can offer them instead of what they can give you (19:50) Takeaways and Resources (28:54) Links Ben Franklin Effect Announcing your plans makes you less motivated to accomplish them “When Intentions Go Public: Does Social Reality Widen the Intention-Behavior Gap?” (PDF) Resources Facebook Make Your Contacts Count - Anne Baber & Lynne Waymon FullContact If you enjoyed this episode (and others), please leave us an iTunes review and/or rating at paperteam.co/itunes! :) You can find Paper Team on Twitter: Alex - @TVCalling Nick - @_njwatson If you have any questions, comments or feedback, you can e-mail us: [email protected]

Alex and Nick discuss the differences and implications between writing a television spec episode and a television spec pilot. Which script should you choose to write as your next sample? Whether it's your first teleplay, you want to apply to the fellowships, or you're trying to build a portfolio to get representation, the Paper Team has got you covered. SHOWNOTES Content 1 - Defining what "spec script" and "spec pilot" mean (00:28) 2 - The goals of writing a TV spec script or a spec pilot (02:33) 3 - Why and how spec scripts and pilots are read (10:13) 4 - Deciding what your next writing sample should be (17:13) Takeaways and Resources (29:40) Links What is the difference between a "spec script" and a "spec pilot"? Star Trek: Terran Stargate SG-1 - "The Other Guys" Resources Writing the TV Drama Series - Pamela Douglas The TV Writer's Workbook - Ellen Sandler TV Calling's TV Spec Course mentioned in the episode is almost ready. Be prepared by taking our free PDF Spec Test! If you enjoyed this episode (and others), please leave us an iTunes review and/or rating at paperteam.co/itunes! :) You can find Paper Team on Twitter: Alex - @TVCalling Nick - @_njwatson If you have any questions, comments or feedback, you can e-mail us: [email protected]

Alex and Nick discuss tips and advice on making new TV and other industry contacts in Los Angeles. How do you create connections for yourself before setting foot in Hollywood? How do you use ones you may already have? And where do you start when you don't know anyone in this strange city? The Paper Team tackles the subject and much more. SHOWNOTES Content 1 - Making connections before getting to LA (00:40) 2 - Don't lose sight of the connections you already have (07:29) 3 - What to do when you don't know anyone (14:24) 4 - Creating your own adventures (41:04) Takeaways and Resources (44:31) Links JHRTS International Screenwriters Association Tracking-Board.com TrackingB Jen Grisanti's Friday Night Drinks The Black List Events Nerdist Writers Panel Austin Film Festival San Diego Comic-Con WonderCon (Anaheim/Los Angeles) Jeffrey Lieber's Twitter Javier Grillo-Marxuach's Twitter Jose Molina's Twitter reddit's Screenwriting subreddit Resources Meetup.com LA TV Writers Group - Yahoo LA TV Writers Group - Facebook Hollywood Game Plan - Carole Kirschner If you enjoyed this episode (and others), please leave us an iTunes review and/or rating at paperteam.co/itunes! :) You can find Paper Team on Twitter: Alex - @TVCalling Nick - @_njwatson If you have any questions, comments or feedback, you can e-mail us: [email protected]

On today's episode of Paper Team, Alex and Nick discuss one of the most important decisions before you can become a fully-fledged TV writer: choosing whether to write for comedy (half-hour) or drama (one-hour). SHOWNOTES Content 1 - Defining comedy and drama in television (01:02) 2 - What you are going to be doing as a comedy or drama writer (18:44) 3 - How to figure out if you are more suited for comedy or drama (23:21) Takeaways and Resources(37:56) Links Alan Yang on breaking stories Jane Espenson on writing comedy and drama for TV Resources The Simpsons - "Treehouse of Horror V" - Available on DVD Six Feet Under - "Everyone's Waiting" (Series Finale) - Available on DVD If you enjoyed this episode (and others), please leave us an iTunes review and/or rating at paperteam.co/itunes! :) You can find Paper Team on Twitter: Alex - @TVCalling Nick - @_njwatson If you have any questions, comments or feedback, you can e-mail us: [email protected]

NEW: Get the episode cheat sheet on our Patreon! In the inaugural episode of Paper Team, Alex and Nick discuss the very first step to becoming a TV writer: moving to Los Angeles. This is not only about knowing why you need to be here, by also why you want to be here. Why did we both literally cross oceans and continents to live in LA? What can you do to prepare your nascent TV writing career before you step on a plane? And why do you need to know the town (and get a car)? Let's dig in... SHOWNOTES Content 1 - About Paper Team (00:17) 2 - Why television? (03:40) 3 - Why are we in Los Angeles? (07:23) 4 - What you need to do before stepping on a plane (14:27) 5 - Getting set up once you arrive in LA (24:32) Takeaways and Resources (31:53) Links Paris - Six-Part Mini-Series From France NCIS: LA showrunner Shane Brennan to reboot Australian TV La Fémis Launches New TV Centered Training Program Jeffrey Lieber's Twitter Academy Nicholl Fellowships Austin Film Festival SNL's The Californians Resources Small Screen, Big Picture - Chad Gervich This Business of Television - Howard Blumenthal The Hollywood Assistants Handbook - Peter Nowalk & Hillary Stamm If you enjoyed this episode (and others), please leave us an iTunes review and/or rating at paperteam.co/itunes! :) What is Paper Team all about? This is a podcast about television writing and becoming a TV writer. It is for people like us--working their way into the business from the ground up--who aspire to be TV writers (whether drama or comedy). It is also for everyone interested in the television industry and everything around it. We'll be alternating every episode between two threads vital to being a successful TV writer: the business side, and the writing side. On the industry end, we'll be discussing things like meeting people, networking, finding work, being an assistant, and the television business itself. On the writing front, we'll be tackling anything related to our craft. Writing TV pilots, TV specs, taking notes, structure, theme, working in a writers' room, in a writing team, and so much more. Our first few episodes aim to give you a basic step-by-step guide to getting yourself established in LA, armed with a basic understanding of TV writing, and giving you the tools needed to start your journey to the writers' room. You can find Paper Team on Twitter: Alex - @TVCalling Nick - @_njwatson If you have any questions, comments or feedback, you can e-mail us: [email protected]