Selling Your Script to Television

Aiming to sell your script only to television, with little interest in motion pictures, it can help to understand the TV writing industry and its differences from film. There are multiple types of shows you can write for, including sitcoms, episodic dramas, soap operas, movies of the week, or, in recent years reality series. Often television writers won’t pitch one spec script to a single show they like, but a portfolio of scripts for the type of show they aim for, such as sitcoms. Also, you likely will not be able to submit a script for a specific show you wish to work on. More on that below. But in scriptwriting, and trying to sell your script, understand the area’s nuances.

Plagiarism charges, and sometimes lawsuits, are rather prevalent in the highly competitive television market. That’s why, for example, if you desire to write for Grey’s Anatomy, be prepared to also submit scripts to House or ER, or all of them. Write a similar type of script for all three, explain that in your query letter, and you can showcase your writing skills while keeping producers happy. And to sell a script for television, you should focus on contacting a production company, or an agent.

Targeting Production Companies in Selling a Script for TV

Overall, you should target the type of show or particular show or shows that you want to write for, and watch as many episodes as possible, and pay attention. Know the show’s main themes, its key characters, and what viewers expect from these characters in those situations. Lastly, watch the opening and closing credits. These provide valuable clues as to who precisely to submit your script to. Getting your art piece in the right hands is very important when selling a script for television.

Selling a script for television, you soulc contact a great service such as True Stories 4 Hollywood who has an inside track to get your story in front of producers or you could contact a production company directly. A shows credits should provide the production company, producer, or story editor. From there you can try to locate phone numbers or addresses, whether in the phone book, online, or sources such as Hollywood Creative Directory, Hollywood Literary Sales Directory, Hollywood Reporter Bluebook, or Pacific Coast Studio Directory. Some provide information about multiple production companies and their desires, others actually provide names and additional information. There should be plenty of resources available to work from in selling your script for television.

Agencies and Selling Your Script for the Tube

You could also contact an agent who represents the shows writers. Again, pay attention to the show’s credits and you can discover names of writers or story editors. From there, call the Writer’s Guild, West, ask to speak with the agency department, and ask which agency represents the writers or story editors you found in the credits. There also are directories to assist, such as the Annual Agency Guide, or the Guide to Literary Agents. Other resources that are always of value when selling a script are industry publications such as The Hollywood Reporter and Daily Variety. Both publish television production information, and you can stay abreast of trends and developing news in the television show industry.

Lastly there is how precisely to contact them. The query letter is a typical place to begin. Don’t send a spec script unless someone requests it. A query letter is a good format to explain why you want to write for their show, and ask if they are interested in new writers. Be sure to convey that you are familiar with the show and are excited to participate in its production. You can offer to submit a spec script, and of course briefly outline your qualifications. Don’t use too many words about yourself, or ask for advice or input. Briefly explain your idea, and see where that takes you toward selling a script for television.