Course Description

Learn the story tools that will guide you on how to write a TV pilot that sells.

Instructor Title

Jen Grisanti

International speaker Jen Grisanti is an acclaimed Story/Career Consultant at Jen Grisanti Consultancy Inc., Writing Instructor for Writers on the Verge at NBC, a former 12-year studio executive, including VP of Current Programming at CBS/Paramount, blogger for The Huffington Post and author of the books, Story Line: Finding Gold In Your Life Story and TV Writing Tool Kit: How To Write a Script That Sells and her new book, Change Your Story, Change Your Life: A Path To Your Success. Grisanti started her career in 1992 as an assistant to Aaron Spelling, who served as her mentor for 12 years, and she quickly climbed the ranks and eventually ran Current Programs at Spelling Television Inc., covering all of Spelling’s shows including Beverly Hills, 90210, Melrose Place and Charmed. In 2004, Grisanti was promoted to Vice President of Current Programs at CBS/Paramount where she covered numerous shows, including Medium, Numbers, NCIS, 4400 and Girlfriends. In January 2008, Grisanti launched Jen Grisanti Consultancy Inc., a highly successful consulting firm dedicated to helping talented writers break into the industry. Drawing on her experience as a studio executive where she gave daily notes to executive producers/showrunners, Grisanti personally guides writers to shape their material, hone their pitches and focus their careers. Since launching the consulting firm, Grisanti has worked with over 900 writers specializing in television, features and novels. Due to her expertise and mentorship, seventy-five of her writers have staffed on television shows and forty-four have sold pilots, five that that went to series. Grisanti has taught classes for the “Change Your Story, Change Your Life” Writing/Yoga Retreat with Alta Retreats in Nicaragua, Rocaberti Writing Retreat in Spain,Toronto Screenwriting Conference, TV Writers Summit (in LA, London and Israel), The TV Writers Studio (in Australia), Story Expo, The Big Island Film Festival, Chicago Screenwriters Network, Scriptwriters Network , Screenwriting Expo, the Great American Pitchfest, the Writers Store, the Northwestern Screenwriter’s Guild in Seattle, and the Alameda’s Writer’s Group. In addition, she has served on panels for the WGA, iTVFest, UFVA, PGA and The Writer’s Bootcamp, telling her story to inspire others. Grisanti attended USC where she received a B.A. in Communications.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Chapter One

    • Video Seminar: Telling And Selling Your TV Pilot - Chapter One

  • 2

    Chapter 2:

    • Chapter2HowToWriteATVPilotThatSellszoom_1

  • 3

    Chapter 3

    • Chapter3HowToWriteATVPilotThatSellszoom_1

  • 4

    Chapter 4

    • Chapter4HowToWriteATVPilotThatSellszoom_2

  • 5

    Chapter 5:

    • Chapter5HowToWriteATVPilotThatSellszoom_0

  • 6

    Chapter 6:

    • Chapter6HowToWriteATVPilotThatSellszoom_0

  • 7

    Chapter 7: FLEABAG & SILICON VALLEY

    • Fleabag Pilot Clip

    • FLEABAG Breakdown

    • SILICON VALLEY Clip

    • SILICON VALLEY Breakdown

  • 8

    Chapter 8: BLINDSPOT & RIVER

    • BLINDSPOT Clip

    • BLINDSPOT Breakdown

    • RIVER Clip

    • RIVER Breakdown

  • 9

    Chapter 9: ATLANTA & JESSICA JONES

    • ATLANTA Clip

    • ATLANTA - Write Your Own Breakdown

    • JessicaJonesVideoBreakdownzoom_2

    • JESSICA JONES - Write Your Own Breakdown

  • 10

    Chapter 10: Handouts,Video Pitch Lesson & Film Courage Interview Link

    • CREATING YOUR CONCEPT - QUESTIONS TO ASK

    • Handout - Series Trigger & Dilemma and Pilot Triggers & Dilemmas

    • Pitch Document Formula

    • Bible Formula

    • Pilot Worksheet

    • PITCH FORMULA FOR A TV PILOT

    • Video Lesson: How To PItch Your TV Pilot

    • Act Breaks

    • Character Worksheet

    • Character Dynamics Worksheet - Questions To Consider

    • Film Courage Interview Links

    • Resources & Writer Proposals Links

    • Pitching Tips From Working Writers

    • Storywise Podcast Tips

    • Story Tips - JGCI

    • BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

  • 11

    Chapter 11: Bonus Video & Text Breakdowns

    • NIGHT MANAGER/AMC

    • NIGHT MANAGER Breakdown

    • MARCELLA/NETFLIX

    • MARCELLA - Write Your Own Breakdown After Watching The Video

    • MARCELLA - Write Your Own Breakdown After Watching The Video

    • MR. ROBOT - Text Breakdown

    • MIDNIGHT TEXAS (NBC) - Text Breakdown

    • TAKEN (NBC) - Text Breakdown

    • THE GOOD PLACE (NBC) - Text Breakdown

  • 12

    Chapter 12: Answering Your Questions

    • What Is Your Struggle With Writing The TV Pilot? - Answering Some of Your Questions

Reviews

5 star rating

Amazing value

Pamela Karan

This course is so helpful and thorough. I have a much clearer grasp on character and story for the pilot and series. Thank you Jen!

This course is so helpful and thorough. I have a much clearer grasp on character and story for the pilot and series. Thank you Jen!

Read Less
5 star rating

Jen is a genius

Matt Ritter

Honestly, I've been struggling with my writing for years before I met Jen, it's still hard but now I feel like I have a better toolset to attack pilot script...

Read More

Honestly, I've been struggling with my writing for years before I met Jen, it's still hard but now I feel like I have a better toolset to attack pilot scripts. She has a depth of experience and she really cares. Everyone I know that has worked with her all say the same thing. We're all grateful Jen has helped us move our writing careers forward! I can't wait to work with her again. Matt

Read Less
5 star rating

Storywise: Telling and Selling The TV Pilot

Danney Hamilton

I have to tell you, I was planning on pitching my script in October of this year. I ran across Jen speaking about the TV pilot. I stopped and listened. All I...

Read More

I have to tell you, I was planning on pitching my script in October of this year. I ran across Jen speaking about the TV pilot. I stopped and listened. All I have to say is Jen is a genius. I didn't think of asking the questions Jen posed. I've been studying the art of the TV pilot for some time now and I thought I was very sound in principle. Jen poked all kinds of holes in my thinking. For that, THANK YOU very much Jen! My work has significantly improved. My characters have serious depth now. I'll be ready in a few months to really make a solid pitch!

Read Less
5 star rating

I never looked forward to rewrites until I met Jen Grisanti.

Joe Wood

Jen, I can't thank you enough for everything I've learned from you: your books, your library of podcasts, the Storywise seminars, and this most recent stu...

Read More

Jen, I can't thank you enough for everything I've learned from you: your books, your library of podcasts, the Storywise seminars, and this most recent study of pilots - what a terrific course! The value of "sitting down with you" to watch and analyze the shows that I already watch has been another great learning experience. Thank you for making my writing stronger. Joe Wood

Read Less
  • $247.00

    $247.00Telling And Selling Your TV Pilot AND Telling the INTERNAL Story

    Buy Now
  • $97.00

    $97.00Telling The Internal Story

    Buy Now