Episodes

Alex and Nick answer your TV writing questions about character arcs and animated script length, and discuss the latest TV writing news involving the All-Rise writers' room mutiny and the WarnerMedia restructure. Plus, we talk with director Charles Mruz about his new board-game documentary Gamemaster, and tease an upcoming Paper Team mixer. Content Mixer Tease and Shout-Outs (00:35) TV Writing Questions: Character arcs and animated script length (05:31) Gamemaster documentary with director C...

Alex and Nick catch up with their 2019 Paper Team Mentee Paul Chang, staff writer on the upcoming animated Disney TV comedy The Curse of Molly McGee. We discuss what he's been up to over the past year, including how his first full season in a writers' room went, the importance of building relationships, how COVID has had an impact for him professionally, lessons learned from the mentorship, and much more. Plus, we reveal an update about our 2020 Paper Team Mentorship. Links Paul Chang on Twi...

Alex and Nick discuss the current trend of diminishing episode orders and shorter seasons, and how that affects the size of writers' rooms, opportunities for emerging writers, and other worrying consequences for television writing. Why are TV season orders shrinking from twenty-two episodes down to as few as three? How does this affect professional opportunities for writers, both emerging and established? What does it mean for the TV business and distribution models? What are some of the long-t...

Alex and Nick feature their next Paper Tease session by giving feedback on four more of your original TV pilot teasers. Paper Tease Entries "Dad’s the Word" by Peter C. Hayward "Earthrise, Earthset" by Zac Kostyrka "Cuba Libre" by Stephen Nolly "Out for Blood" by Jack Fuhrmann If you enjoy Paper Team, please consider supporting us on Patreon at paperteam.co/patreon! :) Want to get feedback on the teaser of your TV pilot in an upcoming Paper Tease session? Find all the information you need at...

Alex and Nick talk about the big picture of your TV pilot script and its scope, from what the first episode should capture, to what it can leave out. What defines the scope of your TV pilot? What are ways of deciding when the pilot should start and when it should end? How do you tell a satisfying episodic story while also setting up a longer-tail series? What are common mistakes people make when deciding on the scope of their pilot story? Why shouldn't you "save it for later"? The Paper Team h...

Alex and Nick answer your TV writing questions about reference letters, international writing programs, spec script timelines, and title page fonts. Plus, we take a look at the latest business news, notably the new WGA 2020 MBA and success stories of past guests. Content Shout-Outs and Updates (00:32) TV Writing Questions: Reference letters, international writing programs, spec script timeline, and title page fonts (04:36) TV Writing News: 2020 WGA MBA, past guests' overall deals, and serie...

Alex and Nick look at the latest debate about TV staffing versus TV selling, and discuss pros and cons of each. Is it a false dichotomy or should you prioritize one over the other? The Paper Team weighs in. Content 1 - Why "TV Staffing versus TV Selling"? (00:26) 2 - Appeal and Advantages of TV Staffing (18:07) 3 - Appeal and Advantages of TV Selling (35:22) Links Terri Kopp's Twitter thread on "to staff or not to staff" TV Writing Incubators and the Evolution of Access (PT125) If you enj...

Alex and Nick invite the Chairs of the WGAW Committee of Black Writers, Michelle Amor (Playin' for Love, Of Boys and Men, The Honorable), Hilliard Guess (Deadly Class, We Got Issues, Ticker), and Bianca Sams (Charmed, The Originals, Training Day), to have an in-depth discussion about systematic racism and injustice in the entertainment industry towards Black writers, representation in and out of the writers' room, plus various ways TV writers and professionals of all levels can be part of the so...

Alex and Nick return to Paper Tease by giving feedback on four of your original TV pilot teasers. - Paper Tease Entries "Devotion" by JB June "The Border" by Vance Tucker "Where Blood Lies" by Byron Qiao "Nobody, Nobody" by Koby Agyeman -

Alex and Nick bring back their "Inside the TV Writing Program" series – a deep dive into what goes on inside every major TV writing program from the decision makers themselves. - Our sixth part takes a look at the revamped Nickelodeon Animation Writin...

Alex and Nick return to Paper Team by answering your TV writing questions about outdated scripts, voice-over in shows, and pilot pitching. Plus, we discuss some TV business updates following COVID, including production changes, WGA demands, and new OTTs.

Alex and Nick discuss how the current pandemic has affected them and the industry both personally and professionally, plus share helpful resources and advice on adapting.

Alex and Nick virtually sit down with the decision makers behind the major TV writing programs to get updates on what they're changing (or keeping) in 2020. - From spec writing samples to new deadlines, we talk shop with Jeanne Mau,

Alex and Nick answer your TV writing questions about episodic versus serialization, actor schedules, and fellowship specs. Plus, we look at some TV business news tied to the coronavirus and the upcoming WGA-MBA negotiations.

Alex and Nick invite James Hamilton, writer on The Amazing World of Gumball, UniKitty!, and head-writer on an unannounced animated show for Netflix, to discuss working in UK animation, developing stories around someone else's visuals,

Alex and Nick have a new Paper Tease session where they give feedback on five of your TV pilot teasers.

Alex and Nick invite Mike Scully, executive producer, co-creator, co-showrunner of FOX's Duncanville, long-time writer/showrunner of The Simpsons, and writer/producer on Parks and Recreation/The Carmichael Show/Everybody Loves Raymond,

Alex and Nick share tips and tricks all about handling the TV writing industry. From managing contacts and representation, to juggling projects and dealing with staffing and writers' room red flags, we look at problems you may have and how to solve them.

Alex and Nick answer your TV writing questions about character names, fellowship specs, Paper Tease limits, and choosing representation based on packaging. Plus, we look at some TV writing news, including Netflix removing titles and HBO Max productions.

Alex and Nick have their first Paper Tease session of 2020 and give feedback on five of your TV pilot teasers. Paper Tease Entries "It Gets Better" by Nathaniel Nauert "American Roulette" by Michael Hager "Reissued" by Adam Moerder "Chrysalis" by Dan Benamor "Candy Is Awesome" by Steve Kimura If you enjoy Paper Team, please consider supporting us on Patreon at paperteam.co/patreon! :) Want to get feedback on the teaser of your TV pilot in an upcoming Paper Tease session? Find all the informa...

Alex and Nick take an honest and practical look at what you should be expecting and asking for as an assistant in a TV writers' room or entertainment industry desk. From our real personal stories and tips negotiating your rate/benefits, to finding value from your job even when things get dire, this is a jam-packed episode you don't want to miss, all about knowing and fighting for your worth as an assistant in Hollywood. What should you expect from a support staff position in terms of salary an...

Alex is back with fellow writer Evelyn Yves to answer your TV writing questions about using life experiences, communicating with your reps, finding assistant gigs, getting started on staffing, and being critical of your own ideas. Plus, we look at some of the latest TV writing news about FYC scripts and big data in Hollywood. Reminder We're having our second mixer this week! Join us Friday, January 31 at Village Idiot on Melrose. The event starts at 7:30PM. More information available at http:...

Alex is joined by Evelyn Yves, writer on Katy Keene, to discuss ways of finding your place in the writers' room, from pitching yourself in a showrunner's meeting and prep work beforehand, to handling the first few weeks pitching in the writers' room and figuring out your own skillset to contribute. Reminder We're having our second mixer this month! Join us Friday, January 31 at Village Idiot on Melrose. The event starts at 7:30PM. More information available at http://paperteam.co/mixermelrose ...

Alex and Nick answer the dreaded "tell us about yourself" question, including going over how to craft a compelling personal pitch for general meetings, showrunner meetings, or the #WGAStaffingBoost, using actual examples and actionable steps. Plus, we announce the date and location of our upcoming January mixer. Announcement We're having our second mixer this month! Join us Friday, January 31 at Village Idiot on Melrose. The event starts at 7:30PM. More information available at http://paperte...