Anatomy of a Pilot

SCRIPT X 421.5

Learn what goes into a successful TV pilot as you develop your original idea into a concise pitch document.

READ MORE ABOUT THIS COURSE
In Person
Starting at $575.00
As few as 10 weeks
3.0

What you can learn.

  • Watch and dissect recent network and cable pilots
  • Examine character, theme, and structure in successful pilots
  • Identify common structural elements that make pilots resonate with audiences
  • Develop a 3-5 page breakdown of your original pilot, including characters and weekly stories
  • Hear from experienced guest speakers to understand how they found success

About this course:

A new television show has exactly one shot at survival: its pilot episode. If the viewer isn't grabbed in the first hour, they're gone forever. But what is a pilot? How is it different from all other forms of screenwriting? What makes a good one work and a bad one fail? And how can you be sure yours is one of the winners? In this intense, informative and entertaining course, you learn everything you need to know about what goes into a winning pilot. You watch and dissect recent network and cable pilots; examine character, theme and structure; and discuss which pilots best launched their respective series. Emphasis is on identifying the common structural elements of all successful pilots, gaining an understanding of "weekly franchise" versus "series mythology," and crafting long-term character arcs. We also discuss and develop student pilot ideas, help you turn your idea into a concise "pitch document" (a two-to-three-page breakdown of concept, character and weekly story structure), and give you the tools you need to make the big move from pitch document to pilot outline and script. The course features guest speakers who have written, directed and/or produced their own network television pilots.

Fall 2024 Schedule

Date & Time
Details
Format
 
-
Wednesday 7:00PM - 10:00PM PT
Enrollment Closed
See Details
Instructor: Richard Hatem
399749
Fee:
$575.00
In Personformat icon
Location: UCLA
Notes

No meeting November 27.

Enrollment limited to 35 students; early enrollment advised. Visitors not permitted. Internet access required.

This course meets in person at the designated class meeting time and location. Students must be present at the course meeting time as each student’s final grade may include scores for participation. Please inform your instructor if you will miss a class meeting. You are responsible for any class information you missed. We suggest you arrange with a fellow classmate to share their notes when feasible.

Refund Deadline
No refunds after October 16, 2024
Course Requirements
Internet access required to retrieve course materials.
(Optional) INSIDE THE ROOM : WRITING TELEVISION WITH THE PROS AT UCLA EXTENSION WRITERS' PROGRAM by VENIS, LINDA
Schedule
Type
Date
Time
Location
Discussion
Wed Oct 2, 2024
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg. 2238
Discussion
Wed Oct 9, 2024
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg. 2238
Discussion
Wed Oct 16, 2024
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg. 2238
Discussion
Wed Oct 23, 2024
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg. 2238
Discussion
Wed Oct 30, 2024
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg. 2238
Discussion
Wed Nov 6, 2024
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg. 2238
Discussion
Wed Nov 13, 2024
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg. 2238
Discussion
Wed Nov 20, 2024
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg. 2238
Discussion
Wed Dec 4, 2024
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg. 2238
Discussion
Wed Dec 11, 2024
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg. 2238

Winter 2025 Schedule

Date & Time
Details
Format
 
-
Wednesday 7:00PM - 10:00PM PT
Future Offering (Opens November 04, 2024 12:00:00 AM)
See Details
Instructor: Richard Hatem
401105
Fee:
$575.00
In Personformat icon
Location: UCLA
Notes

Enrollment limited to 35 students; early enrollment advised. Visitors not permitted. Internet access required.

This course meets in person at the designated class meeting time and location. Students must be present at the course meeting time as each student’s final grade may include scores for participation. Please inform your instructor if you will miss a class meeting. You are responsible for any class information you missed. We suggest you arrange with a fellow classmate to share their notes when feasible.

Refund Deadline
No refunds after January 22, 2025
Course Requirements
Internet access required to retrieve course materials.
(Optional) INSIDE THE ROOM : WRITING TELEVISION WITH THE PROS AT UCLA EXTENSION WRITERS' PROGRAM by VENIS, LINDA
Schedule
Type
Date
Time
Location
Discussion
Wed Jan 8, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg. 1337
Discussion
Wed Jan 15, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg. 1337
Discussion
Wed Jan 22, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg. 1337
Discussion
Wed Jan 29, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg. 1337
Discussion
Wed Feb 5, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg. 1337
Discussion
Wed Feb 12, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg. 1337
Discussion
Wed Feb 19, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg. 1337
Discussion
Wed Feb 26, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg. 1337
Discussion
Wed Mar 5, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg. 1337
Discussion
Wed Mar 12, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg. 1337

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