Write to TV: Out of Your Head and onto the Screen [Paperback]

Martie Cook (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 29, 2006 | ISBN-10: 0240808762 | ISBN-13: 978-0240808765 | Edition: 1

Learn to craft smart, original scripts and teleplays for a variety of television formats, including comedy, animation, drama, movies of the week, pilots, reality television, TV news magazine, and children's programming. Using the tools the author provides: checklists, sample outlines and treatments for each format, sample script pages, war stories from writers and executives, and a sample query letter to introduce finished script pages to agents, you'll avoid common pitfalls and come across as an industry veteran. Benefit from the experience of pros: 45 luminaries contribute their experience and wisdom, including Jay Leno, Mike Wallace, Norman Lear, Paul Haggis, writers for "Grey's Anaatomy," "Desperate Housewives," and more!

With twenty-five years of industry experience as a television writer and producer, Martie Cook teaches you not only how to hone your craft but also how to break into the industry. Guiding you through the often confusing television hierarchy, Write to TV offers practical advice on important issues such as how to get an agent, how to write a query letter, how to network, even how to "do lunch". By learning how to craft smart scripts for a variety of television formats and how to get your foot in the door and keep it there, this invaluable book will help you get that big idea out of your head, onto the page, and then to the top of the heap.

Learn how to craft smart scripts for a variety of television formats and break into the business through:
* Examples: In addition to examples of common pitfalls, book includes sample outlines for various formats.
* Industry wisdom: Benefit from the advice of an experienced writer. But you don't have to take her word for it--the book is filled with advice, stories, and examples from people currently working in the TV industry.
* Practical advice: Business section offers practical advice on important issues like getting an agent, how to write a query letter, and how to network your way into a job.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for Write to TV

"Martie Cook imparts a tremendous amount of knowledge in a way that is both easy to understand and entertaining. It is like having a mentor in book form." - Christopher Crowe, writer, The Last of the Mohicans

"I think this is about the best book on writing for television out there. I hope it sells like crazy because television will be better for it." -Peter Dunne, Emmy and Peabody Award-Winning Television Producer (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, JAG), Writer (Melrose Place, Dallas, Knots Landing), and Book Author (Emotional Structure - Quill Driver Books)

"In her new book Write To TV, Martie Cook gives the fledgling writer an insider's view of the TV industry and breaking into the writing game. Using her wit, candor and years of hard-won experience, Martie reports back from the TV trenches and breaks down everything it takes to make it as a writer. We learn the secrets of a winning spec, how to find an agent and what to expect when you do finally land that first big job. It's all here. She even covers what your script cover should look like. And it's all in a fun, personal, practical guide. Where was this book when I was starting out?"
--Manny Basanese, Writer/Producer The Steve Harvey Show and The Wayans Brothers

"Write to TV is a must read for anyone even thinking of becoming a TV Writer." -Walter Klenhard, writer/director, numerous movies of the week.

"Martie has done a terrific job in laying out a practical, nuts-and-bolts approach to TV writing. She got it exactly right. Any aspiring writer should read this book before diving into the cold, show business waters. As an added bonus it can also be used as a flotation device."
--Marc Warren, Executive Producer, Full House, Even Stevens and That's So Raven

"Martie Cook has put together a wonderful resource for anyone interested in writing for television. It's thorough, filled with great anecdotes and helpful tips and covers the whole spectrum of TV writing. I am always looking for up-to-date resources for my students - finally, there is one book that has it all! Teaching writing is no easy task, but Martie Cook has figured out a way to guide readers through the process and still make it fun. The information gathered here is invaluable to anyone looking to enter the industry - it's even helpful for those of us who have been in the industry for years!"
--Pam Wheaton Shorr, Lecturer, Department of Film and Television, Boston University

"Finally, a practical approach to the business of TV Writing, seamlessly mixed with the art of writing. A critical tool for anyone who wants to succeed as a television writer." - Alan Barnette, Executive Producer, Faith of My Fathers

"Write to TV takes you inside the minds of writers, producers and network suits in this brutally honest book. A 'must read' for anyone who has the dream of making it in Hollywood. I wish I had read this book 20 years ago!"
--Glenn Meehan, VP of Development, 44 BLUE PRODUCTIONS

"'Write to TV' is chock-full of invaluable tips and personal stories, plus practical advice from the best in the TV writing business."
--Anne Zeiser, Director of National Strategic Marketing, WGBH/PBS

"At last, someone who has 'been there & done that' has written a serious and informed guide about the world of television writing. Martie Cook's Write to TV is a nuts and bolts guide that is absorbing, lively and concise. Offering everything from behind the scenes basics, to writing for different television formats, to how to get an agent, this truly great book accomplishes the triple task of being informative, entertaining and well-written."
-- Jean Stawarz, Associate Professor of Screenwriting at Emerson College, writer, Pow Wow Highway

Book Description

Helps the burgeoning number of fledgling TV writers and couch potatoes with secret writing ambitions become the writers they've dreamed of and successfully navigate the mysterious world of television production.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Focal Press; 1 edition (December 29, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0240808762
• ISBN-13: 978-0240808765
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #703,486 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars TV Writer/Professor Lets You Pick Her Brain, January 10, 2007

By 

Matthew E. Kaplan "Screenwriter" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Write to TV: Out of Your Head and onto the Screen (Paperback)

This book gives you what you need in order to make it in the TV world and it's a great, easy read. I kept wanting to turn the page, just like a TV script, to get to the next section. I've read many books about writing scripts, but this one is going on the reference shelf, right next to my copy of The Elements of Style. It's that special.

What is so perfect about this book, is not only is the information well organized, but it's from someone who has been there. She worked hard to break into the TV industry and her journey resembles the one I am currently going through. It's nice to know that I'm not alone and that someone from the East Coast, with no prior contacts, can make it as a TV writer. I always trust people who actually made it over "Gurus" who teach, but can't do.

If you're serious about being a TV writer, pick this book up. It's a "TV Writing Class" in book form.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Write to TV" cuts right to the chase on how to launch your TV writing career, March 9, 2007

By 

Martin Gostanian "TV devotee" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Write to TV: Out of Your Head and onto the Screen (Paperback)

I have read scores of books on screenwriting, but this one really stands out. With up-to-date savvy and down-to-earth clarity, Cook's book thoroughly covers all of the essentials you'd expect in a TV writing book: story, character, plot development, narrative structure, dialogue and formatting. What makes this book refreshingly different from the rest is that there is a wealth of advice and insight from TV writers on hugely successful shows such as "Grey's Anatomy" and "Desperate Housewives." So, you get lots of different viewpoints from creative pros at the top of their game. I also found Cook's guidance for breaking into the business, getting an agent, persevering, and eventually landing that first staff job to be immensely helpful, practical and encouraging. If you have any ambitions of writing for TV and doing it well, then the first step is to get this book now! One of the best investments I've ever made to put my TV writing career on a truly promising path.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply the best book on writing for television!, May 17, 2009

By 

D. E. FRANCIS (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Write to TV: Out of Your Head and onto the Screen (Paperback)

If you want to write for television and get only one book, let this be the book! I feel that it is the best nuts and bolts book out there to help you on the right path. It is the place to start. Read this before writing anything and you will save yourself tremendous amounts of time and aggravation. Tips on writing for sitcoms, drama, miniseries, movies of the week, plus others are all included. Besides the author's own words, experiences and ideas, the book is peppered with pearls of wisdom from the industry greats. It is like having your own personal mentor at your elbow with suggestions and cautions every step of the way and well worth the price! You will be happy you purchased it. Good luck on your writing!