TV Writing On Demand: Creating Great Content in the Digital Era

by Neil Landau

TV Writing On Demand: Creating Great Content in the Digital Era takes a deep dive into writing for today’s audiences, against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving TV ecosystem. Amazon, Hulu and Netflix were just the beginning. The proliferation of everything digital has led to an ever-expanding array of the most authentic and engaging programming that we’ve ever seen. No longer is there a distinction between broadcast, cable and streaming. It’s all content. Regardless of what new platforms and channels will emerge in the coming years, for creators and writers, the future of entertainment has never looked brighter.

This book goes beyond an analysis of what makes great programming work. It is a master course in the creation of entertainment that does more than meet the standards of modern audiences—it challenges their expectations. Among other essentials, readers will discover how to:

Satisfy the binge viewer: analysis of the new genres, trends and how to make smart initial decisions for strong, sustainable story. Plus, learn from the rebel who reinvented an entire format.

Develop iconic characters: how to foster audience alignment and allegiance, from empathy and dialogue to throwing characters off their game, all through the lens of authenticity and relatability.

Create a lasting, meaningful career in the evolving TV marketplace: how to overcome trips, traps and tropes, the pros and cons of I.P.; use the Show Bible as a sales tool and make the most of the plethora of new opportunities out there.

A companion website offers additional content including script excerpts, show bible samples, interviews with television content creators, and more.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

332 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2018

About the author

Neil Landau is a screenwriter whose TV and film credits include "Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead", "Melrose Place", "Doogie Howser, M.D.", "The Magnificent Seven" and "Twice in a Lifetime". He has developed feature films for Fox, Disney, Universal and Columbia Pictures, and TV pilots for Warner Bros., Touchstone, Lifetime and CBS. He works internationally as a script consultant and teaches at UCLA's School of Film, TV and Digital Media. "101 Things I Learned in Film School" is his first book."

Reviews

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

So refreshing to read an up-to-date TV writing guide! Most of them are still living in the 90s at the latest and pointing to Everybody Loves Raymond and Cheers as examples, which can still teach plenty, but we're past network formula so this guide is valuable for NOW.

Love that it refers to Insecure, Crazy Ex Girlfriend, Mr. Robot and Ryan Murphy. It analyzes TV shows and current TV landscape and the end is jam-packed with both practical and analytical insights. I like Landau's tone and emphasis and it's easy to read. Best yet, Landau only talks about himself in terms of a mistake he made, and spares us those annoying, indulgent passages where guidebook authors analyze their own writing and how it worked. I recommend it for TV watchers and aspiring TV writers! Practical, readable, and CURRENT!

[Chris Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is everything I was hoping it would be when I pre-ordered it, an overview of writing for television that feels up to date with the paradigm shift that's occurred in the past five years with the advent of streaming services and shows optimized for binge-watching.

[Nora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Covers different tv formats and offers a nice guide through tv-pilot writing traps. Not too deep.