Learn what makes a powerful pilot script sell in Hollywood
Review your pilot script's characters and story engine to ensure it can produced many episodes
Explore the rewriting process and how to know when your script is truly "done"
Walk through essential craft techniques like dialoge, plot, character descriptions, and relationships
About this course:
You’ve completed a draft of your original TV pilot. Now what? Before you take it out into the world, you need to determine if it is truly ready to share and can compete in the competitive marketplace. In this course, you go through a checklist of items necessary to make your script shine. First, you examine if your TV series idea is sellable, with compelling characters and a story engine that has legs. You learn how to approach the rewriting process, the polishing stage and when you know you’re truly done. Craft techniques are also covered including dialogue, plot twists, formatting, character descriptions and relationships. Pitching, the series bible, establishing a writing career, the writer’s room and the business of screenwriting are also discussed, with guest speakers to provide expert insights and tips. By the end of the course, you are equipped with all the knowledge to take the next steps on your pilot draft.
This course is part of a large lecture series and does not include workshopping of student writing. It is ideal for those who wish to gain knowledge in a particular subject area without the concerns of receiving credit. Grades are calculated based on quizzes and exams. These courses cannot be applied to certificate completion at UCLA Extension.
This course is held via video teleconference. Instructors use Zoom to offer live class meetings at the designated class meeting time. 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.
Enrollment limited to 50 students; early enrollment advised. Visitors not permitted. Internet access required.
Refund Deadline
No refunds after January 21, 2025
Course Requirements
Internet access required to retrieve course materials.
Schedule
Type
Date
Time
Location
Online
Tue Jan 7, 2025
6:00PM PT - 7:30PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Tue Jan 14, 2025
6:00PM PT - 7:30PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Tue Jan 21, 2025
6:00PM PT - 7:30PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Tue Jan 28, 2025
6:00PM PT - 7:30PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Tue Feb 4, 2025
6:00PM PT - 7:30PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Tue Feb 11, 2025
6:00PM PT - 7:30PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Tue Feb 18, 2025
6:00PM PT - 7:30PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Tue Feb 25, 2025
6:00PM PT - 7:30PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Tue Mar 4, 2025
6:00PM PT - 7:30PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Tue Mar 11, 2025
6:00PM PT - 7:30PM PT
Remote Classroom
Contact Us
Speak to a student advisor. Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm.
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