Episodes

Alex and Nick discuss the value of paying for screenwriting education. From graduate school to extension classes and books, we take a look at whether or not they're worth your time or money to learn about TV writing. What is the point of film school for television? Which extra classes are worth paying for? What are some of the best books on the subject? The Paper Team opens their textbook... SHOWNOTES Content 1 - A special e-mail and our own TV writing education (0:32) 2 - Is film school ...

Alex and Nick invite Chris Corbett (Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries) to discuss the current state of Australian TV and the differences in their writers room. How can writers break into the Australian industry? How does this experience translate to America?

Alex and Nick tackle how to get into a TV writing mindset and actually finish that script. We talk about the psychological side of writing and practical ways of dealing with procrastination, deadlines, and the muse. How do you beat the blank page? How do you deal with procrastination? How do you stay accountable with your work? The Paper Team starts the clock... SHOWNOTES Content 1 - Approaching writing or the myth of "the muse" (00:38) 2 - Time-management and procrastination (06:45) 3 -...

Alex and Nick invite Kiyong Kim to talk about everyone's favorite subject: money. We discuss all the basics about how to start a budget, investing, and managing your income when you're working in the entertainment industry as an assistant, aspiring TV writer, and staff writer. Why should you learn how to manage your money? Where to begin when you don't know anything about budgeting? What are some ways to invest and use efficiently every amount of money you make? The Paper Team diversifies its...

Alex and Nick discuss the goal and narrative impact of act breaks, also known as the structural core of every TV episode ever. Why do shows have act breaks? What are the differences in comedy and drama? What impact has the inflation of breaks had on TV?

Alex and Nick welcome Francesca Butler and Kelly Lynne D'Angelo to discuss diversity in television, both on screen and in the writers' room. What has been their experience in TV? What are they thoughts on diversity staffing and writing programs?

Alex and Nick discuss the basics of television pitching. From cold pitch to general meetings and official "sales pitch", we go over the three major contexts. What is the goal of TV pitching? What needs to be included? Is paying for it worth it?

Alex and Nick are joined by comedy writer Kelly Lynne D'Angelo to discuss being in a TV writing team (with Nick). What are the benefits or drawbacks of one? What is their creative process? Plus, we finally explain what a paper team is!

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...

Alex goes on the road at SDCC 2016 with Maggie Herman, assistant to the EP/Line Producer on Amazon's BOSCH, to discuss every writer's favorite topic: budgeting. How much does an hour of television cost? And how do scripts get broken down into money?

Alex and Nick talk about the different kinds of television production assistants (on-set PAs, office PAs, post PAs and writers' PAs), what each job entails, how to get them, what you can do to be an awesome PA and make the best of that opportunity.

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 laye...

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)

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 home, by breaking each step: inception, pitching, outlining, drafting and rewriting.

Alex & Nick discuss the differences between writing a TV spec episode and a spec pilot. Which one should you pick as your next script? Whether it's your first teleplay or you're trying to build a portfolio, the Paper Team has got you covered.

Alex & Nick discuss the differences between writing a TV spec episode and a spec pilot. Which one should you pick as your next script? Whether it's your first teleplay or you're trying to build a portfolio, the Paper Team has got you covered.

Alex & Nick discuss tips on making contacts in LA. How do you create connections before arriving in Hollywood? And where to start when you don't know anyone?

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 ...

In the inaugural episode of Paper Team, Alex and Nick discuss the first step to becoming a TV writer: moving to Los Angeles. Why did we both cross oceans to live there? What can you do to prepare your writing career before you step on a plane?