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Film & TV · MS elective · 3 credit hours · 16 sessions

TV Program & Product Dev

This course treats the television show as a “product” that must be developed, packaged, and sold. Students will learn the entire lifecycle of a TV format—from the initial spark of an idea to the creation of a “Show Bible” and the filming of a pilot. The curriculum covers reality TV, game shows, and scripted serials, focusing on format rights, licensing, and audience analysis.

§ 01 By the end you can
  1. Develop original TV formats (Reality, Game Show, Talk Show, Serial)
  2. Create a comprehensive "Show Bible" including character bios and season arcs
  3. Understand the business of "Format Rights" and global syndication
  4. Execute a "Sizzle Reel" or Pilot Teaser to sell the concept
  5. Analyze demographics and programming slots (Prime Time vs. Daytime)
§ 02 Sixteen sessions

The whole semester.

  1. 01The Global TV Market: Formats vs. Original IP
  2. 02Genre Analysis: Reality & Unscripted
  3. 03Genre Analysis: Scripted Series & Sitcoms
  4. 04Developing the Hook & The Logline
  5. 05Creating the "Show Bible"
  6. 06Structure of a Season: Story Arcs
  7. 07Writing the Treatment
  8. 08 · MidtermMidterm Examination
  9. 09Budgeting & Scheduling a Series
  10. 10Casting: Finding the Talent
  11. 11Producing the Pilot Teaser
  12. 12The "Sizzle Reel": Editing for Impact
  13. 13Intellectual Property & Copyright
  14. 14The Pitch: Selling to Networks/Streamers
  15. 15Global Licensing & Franchising
  16. 16Final Project: The Pitch Deck & Pilot

Midterm around session 8. Final project briefed at session 8 or 9 and developed in stages until the juries.

§ 03 Final project

Final Project: The Pitch Deck & Pilot

How it’s judged

Recommended reading
  1. The TV Writer's Workbook by Ellen Sandler
  2. Desperate Networks by Bill Carter
  3. Writing the TV Drama Series by Pamela Douglas
  4. Television Development: How to Get Your Show Greenlit by Bob Levy
  5. Save the Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need by Blake Snyder
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