Websites & Blogs for TV Writers

TV Scripts & Bibles – The mother lode for anyone who needs (or just wants) to read TV scripts. Not only are there episodes of current shows, there are unaired pilots from *serious* writers. This is the first place to look when you’re getting ready to spec a show and want to see what their specific formatting looks like.

TV Development Info • The Futon Critic – This site is *crucial* during staffing season – I was able to track pilot orders, who’s producing, etc. this year and it helped target potential employers. It also allows you to stay current on what’s going on – and this is never a bad thing when you’re doing general meetings.

Complications Ensue – Alex Epstein tore through Hollywood in the 90s before moving north to Montreal, where he’s an A-list TV and feature writer for the robust Canadian market. His insights are incredibly valuable, he’s very responsive to questions, and amazingly prolific.

JohnAugust.com – John August’s resumé is ridiculous – he’s written films like “Big Fish” & “Go” but also has experience creating TV shows. That he makes himself available to answer fan’s questions is a gift that every writer should enjoy while he’s feeling generous.

Jane Espenson – One of the best sites for TV writers has been dormant for a while now. Which isn’t to say the plethora of info Jane’s left behind isn’t worth it’s weight in gold. I’ve read almost every post – and learned tons in the process.

This Is Your Pilot Speaking – Margaux Froley is an up-and-coming TV writer whose most recent credit is Staff Writing on “Privileged”. She also was one of the winners at the Warner Brothers Television Workshop, so read her stuff carefully…she knows what she’s talking about.

Kung Fu Monkey – John Rogers created and runs “Leverage”. His posts about staffing are the mother lode for folks going through that process, but he also answers fan’s questions about structure, character, and all that good stuff.

Sutter Ink – Kurt Sutter wrote ridiculously-brilliant episodes of “The Shield” before creating “Sons of Anarchy”. No man needs more of an introduction than that. His blog covers writing and also general info about the business aspect of TV writing.

Breaking It Down @ Boring Future Generations – My favorite section of Boring Future Generations is the Breaking It Down area, where the blog’s writer – you guessed it! – breaks down episodes of different shows. This is great if you’re starting out and need to see what type of info you should be stripping out when studying a show before beginning a spec. Essential reading and highly recommended.

Hollywood Writers’ Office Assistants Social (HWAS) – Aimed at people who are staffing for the first time, this cool little site has lots of interesting interviews with folks who don’t usually get interviewed – but have the answers folks on the path can definitely use.

“Burn Notice” Blog – No longer live (the last update was in 2007), “Burn Notice” creator Matt Nix wrote a number of pieces chronicling the creation and execution of the show. Great stuff about staffing and the dynamics between staff writers.

“Brothers & Sisters” Writer’s Assistant Blog – This blog offers insight into what goes on behind the scenes at a network one-hour.

A couple of other cool blogs I have in my RSS feeds include: Running With My Eyes Closed, Boring Future Generations, & What It’s Like.