Alex and Nick announce that they’re taking a break from Paper Team. From new content to COVID fatigue, we go over all the reasons behind our decision in this episode. Plus, we discuss the future of the podcast and our Patreon campaign. Links Survivor: Hollywood – Emotional and Practical Realities of TV Writing (PT209) COVID-19 and Hollywood: How We…

Alex and Nick answer your TV writing questions about the usefulness of being an assistant, limited access for lower-level writers, and supporting yourself financially. Plus, we discuss the latest TV writing news, including the Paramount+ presentation and a series finale’s oral history. Content Review shout-out (00:32) TV Writing Questions: Usefulne…

Alex and Nick follow up on past Paper Tease entrants to see what has happened with their scripts and their careers since their work appeared on Paper Team. Links Paper Tease: Hooked On A Story – July Session (PT180) Paper Tease Reveals – November Session (PT158) Paper Tease Returns – September Session (PT151) Paper Scraps Monthly VI – Mentorship An…

Alex and Nick discuss the realities of sustaining a career as a TV writer, from financial and mental hardships, to professional and personal burnout. What does “breaking in” really mean? What are the practical and emotional realities of being a TV writer? What are strategies we’ve found helpful for our own well-being? Why is taking care of your men…

Alex and Nick answer your TV writing questions about ideal writing conditions, writing essentials, and predatory representation contracts. Plus, we discuss the latest news, including the WGA/WME agreement, and problematic behaviors in our industry. Content TV Writing Questions: Ideal writing conditions and predatory contracts (00:32) TV Writing New…

Alex and Nick take a look at the outlining process in television writing. Whether you’re working on your own TV sample scripts, or asked to deliver outlines in a writers’ room, we dig into everything you should watch out for. Why is outlining a critical step in television? How do we approach outlines? Have there been times we’ve decided not to outl…

Alex and Nick conclude the 2020 Paper Team Mentorship with mentee Ben Warner, and his drama pilot THE PIRATE KING. Final step of the process: strategizing on what to do with your new pilot script, from using this sample to attract representation, to using it as a TV staffing or selling tool, and much more. Content 2020 Mentorship Recap and “The Pir…

Alex and Nick answer your TV writing questions about pitching with a script, and pivoting towards a screenwriting career. Plus, we discuss the latest news, including productions halting in LA, and pilot season during a pandemic. Content Editor Goodbye and Shout-Outs (00:31) TV Writing Questions: Pitching with a script, pivoting towards a screenwrit…

Alex and Nick continue the 2020 Paper Team Mentorship with mentee Ben Warner, and the revised draft of his drama pilot THE PIRATE KING. Step five of the process: revising the first draft of the original pilot. We share our thoughts on Ben’s revised draft. Content 2020 Mentorship recap (00:00:45) Discussion of “The Pirate King” revised draft (00:02:…

Alex and Nick discuss tips and strategies on how to deal with work-life balance in the television industry now that it has moved to a remote model. How has “work-from-home” had an impact on the industry? What are strategies we’ve worked on to manage both remote work and life? What are some resources for time and productivity while creating healthy …

Alex and Nick celebrate the end of 2020 by taking a look back at the year for Paper Team and TV writing, plus celebrating our fans and announcing our 2021 plans for the podcast.What were the most popular and discussed episodes of Paper Team in 2020? Did we hit our 2020 goals for the podcast? What were our favorite shows, movies, music, books of the…

Alex and Nick pursue the 2020 Paper Team Mentorship with mentee Ben Warner and the first draft of his drama pilot THE PIRATE KING.Step four of the process: writing a first complete draft of the original pilot.We address a polarizing email and discuss Ben's first draft.ContentMentorship recap and new audience feedback (00:00:43)Discussion of "The Pi…

Alex and Nick celebrate the two-hundredth episode of Paper Team with a livestream event featuring several of our past guests, including TV writers, producers, and showrunners from a wide array of shows.In this first-of-its-kind live and interactive special, we cover all major TV writing topics, from building a competitive TV portfolio and managing …

Alex and Nick discuss television writing threads about showrunner credit, rewrite/punchup process, and industry inspirations.Plus, we discuss the latest television news, including production returning to California and the ongoing WGA/CAA battle.ReminderWe're having our 200th Paper Team episode event STREAMED LIVE this Saturday, December 5 at 2PM P…

Alex and Nick continue the 2020 Paper Team Mentorship with mentee Ben Warner and the beat sheet of his drama pilot THE PIRATE KING.Step three of the process: a detailed outline of the pilot episode, with every act broken down scene-by-scene.We answer some feedback and discuss our thoughts on Ben's outline.ReminderWe're having our 200th Paper Team e…

Alex and Nick bust ten common myths about the television business, from those about breaking into the industry and getting staffed, to writing samples and the value of representation.ReminderWe're having our 200th Paper Team episode event STREAMED LIVE! We'll be talking TV writing and celebrating this podcast with some incredible guests. So mark yo…

Alex and Nick discuss the process of giving notes and feedback on scripts, including story, structure, characters, world, prose, dialogue, and format.From what we look for in the writing on a granular level to the psychology behind articulating great notes, learn actionable advice on how to properly dissect a television pilot, a spec episode, or an…

Alex and Nick bust ten common myths about the craft of television writing, from pilot ideas and script feedback, to first drafts and episode content.ReminderWe're having our 200th Paper Team episode event STREAMED LIVE! We'll be talking TV writing and celebrating this podcast with some incredible guests. So mark your calendars for Saturday, Decembe…

Alex and Nick answer your television writing questions about meeting people willing to read you, navigating similar ideas, and codifying writing partnerships.Plus, we make a big announcement about our upcoming live 200th Paper Team episode, and discuss the latest television news, including the continuing WGA/agency fight.AnnouncementWe're having ou…

Alex and Nick continue the 2020 Paper Team Mentorship with mentee Ben Warner and the beat sheet of his drama pilot THE PIRATE KING.Step two of the process: a beat sheet of the pilot episode, including general acts and story arcs.We hear Ben's pilot episode and share our thoughts live.ContentQuick recap and listeners' thoughts on the first 2020 ment…

Alex and Nick invite Shannon Houston, writer on the HBO series Lovecraft Country and co-host of the Lovecraft Country Radio podcast, to discuss writing Lovecraftian horror, representation in genre, and producing a companion podcast for a popular series.How does Lovecraft Country strike a balance with its tone and format each week? What kind of rule…

Alex and Nick answer your TV writing questions about non-adult animation, reverse-engineering shows, and cultural references.Plus, we reveal details of our online virtual mixer and discuss the latest TV news, including broadcast comedies under threat, productions resuming, and controversial release schedules.ReminderWe're having our first online vi…

Alex and Nick begin the 2020 Paper Team Mentorship with winner and mentee Ben Warner, with his new drama pilot THE PIRATE KING.Step one of the process: a basic overview of the series and pilot, with premise, characters, themes, and arcs.We hear for the first time Ben's pitch and share our thoughts live.The 2020 mentorship begins...ContentAbout the …

Alex and Nick give feedback on five of your teasers on this year's final Paper Tease session.Plus, we reveal the winner of our new 2020 Paper Team Mentorship!Paper Tease Entries"There Goes the Neighbourhood" by Tobias Tobbell"Hench" by Kwame Lewis"Rift Jumpers" by José David Ernand"The Lot" by Travis Brashears"America’s Strangest Syndromes" by Anna…

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.ContentMix…

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 profession…

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 …

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 FuhrmannIf you enjoy Paper Team, please consider supporting us on Patreon at paperteam…

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 se…

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.ContentShout-Outs and Updates (00:32)TV Writing Questions: Reference letters, internatio…

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.Content1 - Why "TV Staffing versus TV Selling"? (00:26)2 - Appeal and Advantages of TV Staffing (18:07)3 - Appeal and Advantages of TV Selling (…

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 tow…

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 AgyemanIf you enjoy Paper Team, please consider supporting us on Patreon at paperteam.co/patreon! :)Want to get feedback on the …

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 Writing Program, with Katherine Wells, who heads it as the Manager of Creative Talent Development and Outrea…

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 of the TV business updates following COVID, including production changes, WGA demands, and new OTTs.NOTE: This episode was recorded before the current George Floyd protests. We'll be coverin…

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.Content1 - The Professional Side (00:41)2 - The Personal Side (29:28)LinksOfficial California COVID-19 ResourcesResources for Film and TV Employees Impacted By the COVID-19 Industr…

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, who supervises the CBS Writers Mentoring Program, Grace Moss, running the NBC Writers on the Verge Program, and Rebecca …

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.NOTE: This episode was recorded before the current "shelter in place" orders.Get the latest updates and resources about COVID-1…

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, and being head-writer on a series.How do you get freelance animation writing work while living overseas? Why did pe…

Alex and Nick have a new Paper Tease session where they give feedback on five of your TV pilot teasers.Paper Tease Entries"The Barcode Diaries" by Alissa Rivas"Nudge" by David Crosman"Uncommon Grounds" by Mitch Bechtold"The Squire" by Vivek Choudry"Strange, CA" by Ben WarnerIf you enjoy Paper Team, please consider supporting us on Patreon at papert…

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, to learn all about his writing process and running a comedy room.From staffing a writers' room and reading samples…

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 common problems you may have and how to solve them.How can you get to know working writers/showrunners? How should you maintain relationship…

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 of the latest TV writing news, including Netflix removing titles, Disney dropping Fox names, and HBO Max productions.ContentPost-Mixer and Shout-outs (00:32)Audience Questio…

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 KimuraIf you enjoy Paper Team, please consider supporting us on Patre…

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…

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.ReminderWe're having our…

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.ReminderWe're having our second mixer this month! J…

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.AnnouncementWe're having our second mi…

Alex and Nick celebrate the end of 2019 by taking a look back at the last year of the decade, both for Paper Team and TV writing news, plus answering more of your questions, celebrating our fans, and announcing our 2020 plans for the podcast.When and how can you include holidays in your scripts? What were the most popular and discussed episodes of …

Alex and Nick are joined by Jordan VanDina, writer on the new Animaniacs TV show, the upcoming movie The Binge with Vince Vaughn, and creator/writer of Weekend Scripts, to discuss generating scripts that will go viral, leveraging online success to get work, plus the importance of having a pasta pass in your arsenal.How do you go about promoting stu…