This book takes a deep dive into writing for today’s audiences, against the backdrop of a constantly evolving TV ecosystem.
The aim of this 2nd edition is to go beyond an analysis of what makes exceptionally compelling episodic TV series work. It is a master course in the creation of entertainment that does more than meet the standards of modern audiences—it challenges their expectations.
The book will help readers to discover how to satisfy the satiated viewer, by analyzing the new hybrid genres, trends and how to make smart initial decisions for a strong, sustainable story. It will also cover the development of iconic characters that foster empathy and entice viewers to bond with characters and generate the sensation that their problems are mutual.
Finally, the book will also take a deep dive into creating a lasting, meaningful career in the TV marketplace, by overcoming trips, traps and tropes, the pros and cons of I.P., the use of pitch documents, pitch decks, and show “bibles” as proof-of-concept in the marketplace.
This will be an essential resource for student and professional writers and is supplemented with a companion website offering additional content including script excerpts, pitch document/deck/show bible samples, scene analysis and templates, plus useful writing exercises to break new ground and to mine new territory.
FOREWORD
PART ONE: NEW TRENDS, FRESH SPINS
Chapter 1: The Slow Burn, Season-Long Mystery vs. The Durability of the Case-of-the-Week ProceduralChapter 2: Blurring the Lines: Redefining Genre and Tone in the Dramedy
Chapter 3: Trust Me: The Confidence Games of
Grifters, Swindlers, Imposters, Charlatans, Gas-lighters, and Snitches
Chapter 4: Dystopias, Alternate Realities, and Magic Realism
Chapter 5: Coming of Age in a New Age: From Frozen and Conformist to Fluid and Authentic
Chapter 6: Reimagining the Workplace Sitcom as a Hybrid Genre
Chapter 7: The New American Frontier
PART TWO: ART AND CRAFT
Chapter 8: Episodic Story Structures, circa 2024
Chapter 9: Story Tentacles and the Role of Time
Chapter 10: Caught Between Two Wrongs: Moral Dilemmas, Triangulation, Limitation, and the Double Bind
Chapter 11: The Art of Dialogue
Chapter 12: Empathetic Character Development: Digging Deeper
Chapter 13: Make the Body Count Count: Reframing the Narrative on Gun Violence in Episodic Television
Chapter 14: Trips, Traps, Tropes and Rookie Mistakes To Avoid
BONUS CONTENT: Examples of Planning Documents: Beat Sheets, Outlines, Pitch Docs and Decks
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
CONTRIBUTORS’ BIOS
AUTHOR BIO
INDEX
Biography
Neil Landau is an award-winning screenwriter, creative producer, author, and professor of Screenwriting in the MFA in Film, Television & Digital Media Program at the University of Georgia. His screen credits include the teen comedy Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead (1991) and the 2024 remake; Melrose Place, The Magnificent Seven, Doogie Howser, M.D., The Secret World of Alex Mack, Twice in a Lifetime, MTV's Undressed.
Praise for the First Edition
"This is like a masterclass in the art of creating television—both now and for whatever 'television' may become. Visionary, insightful and timely."
—Issa Rae, Golden Globe-nominated Writer/Producer/Actress: Insecure, The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl"I'm a longtime fan of Landau! His decades of experience and genuine love of the form shine in TV Writing On Demand. The definitive guide to writing for modern audiences."
—Damon Lindelof, Emmy Award-winning Writer/Producer: Lost, The Leftovers
