FYI: The various steps of this assignment are worth participation points. The FINAL VERSION of this project counts as a 100 pt writing assignment.

 If you keep up with each due date, I will be able to offer you feedback. Revisions are encouraged and expected.

See BELOW for an overview of this assignment and initial due dates, and use the "Categories" section to the right to easily skip to each step/component of the project.


Overview - About this Assignment

In Electronic Media II, you not only produce a television show – you come up with a detailed idea for your own creative television series. 

How many times have you said, “This would make an awesome TV show!” or, when watching a show, “I could totally write that!?” All of these series got their start somewhere… and, many times, they began with the creative vision of a screenwriter and a Series Bible.

Are we talking about a religious text? Well, not exactly, but actually? Sort of…

“A bible for screenwriters is a reference document used for information on a series’ characters, settings, and other elements.” (shamelessly from the Wikipedia entry for Bible (Writing)).

Get creative! Many times, students find it easier to write about something they know a lot about from personal experience. What, for example, might Ms. Shultz write a series about? “The Life and Times of TPS Television,” perhaps? You might also find it fun to write a parody of a show or movie you’ve seen, or an adaptation of a novel you’ve read (“The Great Gatsby” – the miniseries?). For this assignment, you will come up with your own unique idea that could be developed into at least 6 episodes.


Deadlines

DUE            COMPONENT

Fri 1/12           Series Synopsis
Fri 1/19           Visual References
Mon 1/29        Series Outline
Mon 2/12        Character Summaries
Mon 2/26        Pilot Episode Opener
Fri 3/2              Format Page, Creator’s Statement, and Promo Poster - 3 components!

Tues 3/6     SERIES BIBLE DUE proofread, printed, and assembled in the following order:

1. Promo Poster (cover)
2. Format Page
3. Series Synopsis
4. Series Outline
5. Character Summaries 
6. Visual References - Look + Feel
7. Creator’s Statement
8. PILOT EPISODE opener

(last updated 1/8/2018 by Ms. S.)


​Grading

The submission of each Step above will be marked at 10 participation points for being on time (5 if it's late) in the grade book, for 60 participation points.

Your FINAL SERIES BIBLE will be graded on a 100 pt. rubric.

An additional 10 points will be awarded based on your completion of the peer review and reflection activity during the final exam period.


Credits

The following steps of this assignment reference the “Freaks and Geeks” Series Bible from time to time – the writer actually used the document at the following link to sell the series idea!
    http://leethomson.myzen.co.uk/Freaks_and_Geeks/Freaks_and_Geeks_Bible.pdf

If you’re interested, you can watch the series:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WRaiBjSZ2k&list=PLij5nPeKli3X-gahFw1M951qRZdGAl8kF

This entire assignment was adapted from the original guide by Mike Jones. For more information, visit www.mikejones.tv

Series Synopsis – One full page, typed, double-spaced, proofread summary of your idea. This is basically your "pitch" to the production company. Make it count!

First, for an example synopsis, check out the "Freaks and Geeks" series bible, pg. 2-3. I'll be referencing it in the next part of these instructions. FUN FACT! The creator of this series is originally from Michigan!
http://leethomson.myzen.co.uk/Freaks_and_Geeks/Freaks_and_Geeks_Bible.pdf

Now, figure out the basics of a series YOU'd want to see. You don't have to present them in the same way or the same order that Frieg, the creator of "Freaks and Geeks" did,  but it all has to be there.

• Grab our attention! Frieg felt like the existing television shows about high school totally missed the mark. He began his synopsis by listing what he felt like were popular "non-examples," followed by a list of rhetorical questions that implied everything that was wrong with the way teenage life was shown on television.
• What? Once he had our attention, Frieg went on to tell us what high school was REALLY about, introducing us to the major themes of his series in a matter-of-fact tone that matches his topic.
• Who? Who are your main characters? What is/are their main conflict(s)? You've got to let us know the main players - who this series is really about.
• Setting: When/where does the series take place? How is that important to the meaning of the series? Obviously, Frieg's setting is a "typical" high school.
• So, What? Why is your series different than anything else out there – what makes it interesting for viewers and profitable for producers/investors? Put your mouth where the money is...
• Seal the Deal! Like any effective speech, Frieg ends with a stinger: he uses the series title to close his pitch. Think about all of the methods you know for doing this sort of thing - rhetorical question? strong statement? cryptic joke? You name it.

Series Synopsis Grading Criterion:

• Working title of series and screenwriter (your) name at the top
• All items above addressed descriptively
• Typed, one full page (minimum), double-spaced, proofread
• Emailed to shultzl@trentonschools.com by the end of the school day on the due date (attached MS Word document or shared Google Document are acceptable)

​

Visual References - several images that provide a "mood board" and visual guide to the style of your original series, presented in an online format.

To help you develop your idea, it’s time to create a visual gallery of images that inspired the creation of your series. These provide a “mood-board” and visual guide to the style of the show.
​
Ask yourself: What is the visual style of your show? Is it colorful or drab? How will it appear to audiences? How can you capture the feeling you want your audience to get through a selection of images?

Things to include as Visual References might be:

• Similar characters / costume design
• Settings
• Key/important pop culture references
• Other relevant images/elements from other productions/artists

A minimum of 10 pictures is required – these can be retrieved from anywhere on the internet, and must be assembled in one of the following online applications (or similar):

• Pinterest
• Google Presentations
• Prezi
• Webpage

​Your pal Ms. Shultz has written a Series Synopsis, too! Read it here: Gora + Frenz. I also updated the Series Synopsis assignment page with this info.

Afterward, check out the Visual References Board for Gora + Frenz that I made (also see below).

 
Visual References Grading Criterion:

• Working title of series and creator (your) name prominently displayed
• Minimum of 10 images
• Online link emailed to shultzl@trentonschools.com by the end of the school day on the due date.

​

Series Outline – In this step, you will plan out the development of the story, beginning with a series pilot episode, then moving into a season of six episodes.
 
First, you’ll need to figure out what this season is about. As you’ve learned in your English Language Arts classes, good stories tend to follow the same conventions/rules. The story of the first season of your series should follow the familiar diagram below:

















Begin by identifying some of the major plot points. For the next step, you’ll need to break that story down into seven detailed mini-stories. It may help you to start by using the Story Map graphic organizer, located at the bottom of this post – click here to view and print it.


Now, when you’re ready, write a paragraph for each episode – these are called Episode Storylines.
The Episode Storylines provide a focused summary of the major plot arcs for each episode showing both the storyline within each episode and how each episode contributes to any over-arching story line across the series. Each episode should follow an interior story arc, and fit into the story arc of the six episode season.

Obviously, this is going to take some time.

How will you introduce your viewers to the show? The main characters? The conflict? This information will go into an additional episode, meant to air before the entire series. This episode is called the pilot.

Type out the plot for the pilot and each of the six episodes, leading the viewer through the first exciting season of your show.

Series Synopsis Grading Criterion:

• Outline includes stories for pilot AND six episodes (seven total)
• Every episode has a title with a one-paragraph plot explanation
• All episodes work together to form a complete story over the course of one season
• Bonus points awarded for future season story arcs
• Emailed to shultzl@trentonschools.com by the end of the school day on the due date (attached MS Word document or shared Google Document are acceptable)

 
EXAMPLE by L. Shultz*

Series Outline: Gora + Frenz
 
The First Day of High School (Pilot Episode) – We meet Gora and her best friends from middle school, Hannah and Emmie, all freshman cheerleaders. Varsity cheerleader and junior Ashli is introduced, loudly drawing attention to Gora’s new mask. As the accident over the summer is briefly mentioned, Gora’s middle school friend and crush, Zane, shows concern but is then whisked away by the ego-boosting coos of Ashli, interested in the prospect and clout of dating an older woman. Life at Taft High School is off to a rocky start, but Gora is grateful for the support of Hannah and Emmie. It is unclear with whom the Snapchat story has been shared with, but it is clear that the audience of these posts does not attend Taft High School.
 
Season 1: Freshman year
Episode 1 – Homecoming
Episode 2 – Halloween
Episode 3 – Deck the Halls
Episode 4 – Valentine’s Day Rager
Episode 5 – Spring Fever
Episode 6 – School’s Out for Summer
 
Homecoming (Episode 1) – Everyone at Taft is excited about the big game against Stapleton. Emmie lands a date with a pimply sophomore at the last minute, so Gora plans to go stag with Hannah. The game is a smashing success, with JV athletic savant Zane getting brought up and gaining Varsity field time while Gora and Ashli vie for his attention from the sidelines during the game. Hannah hits it off with a new guy, Nester, at the dance. While Gora sits alone watching Zane dancing with Ashli, Gora contemplates her friendships, for the first time acknowledging the absent, unnamed, mystery friend that is the (assumed) audience of Gora’s Snapchat stories.


*Note: This is the outline for ONLY the first two episodes. See Ms. Shultz’s complete series outline (pilot AND six episodes) for “Gora + Frenz” hanging on the white board in the TV studio.

Character Summaries - If you look at the Series Bible for “Freaks and Geeks,” you’ll notice that the character summaries run from pages 4 through 24! Wow, that’s a lot!

For our purposes, you’ll only need to write the following:

• Main Character Summaries – describe each of the main characters mentioned in your Series Outline with one detailed PARAGRAPH apiece.

Ms. Shultz's Example:

• High-school freshman Gora Snappy seems to have it all: the grades, the looks, spunk, charisma, charm, tenacity, and a healthy dose of rebelliousness. Addicted to her phone and an enthusiastic cheerleader, you’d think she’s an All-American teen. Unfortunately, a traumatic event in middle school caused Gora to become a zombie, and the challenges she faces on a daily basis are her mostly-unseen burden to bear.  Adding to the self-consciousness Gora feels as a teenage girl, she goes through every day wearing a government-mandated face mask that prevents her from eating her peers.

AND

• Minor Character Descriptions – describe each recurring minor character mentioned in your Series Outline with one or two SENTENCES apiece.
  

Ms. Shultz's Example:

• Tara Cinnamon – Neil Cinnamon’s younger sister. A freshman and a total tomboy. Barely seen in Season 1, she becomes close friends with Gora Snappy by the time the girls are Seniors.

Please note – “apiece” means FOR EACH.


Character Summaries Grading Criterion:

• Section headings: Main Characters, Minor Characters
• Each character mentioned in the synopsis and/or series outline is described as either a major or minor character, per the guidelines above
• Characters correspond directly with those mentioned in Series Outline
• Typed, double-spaced, proofread
• Emailed to shultzl@trentonschools.com by the end of the school day on the due date (attached MS Word document or shared Google Document are acceptable)

Pilot Episode Opener- Now that you’ve sorted out some basics, you're ready to start making your series a real possibility! It's time to begin writing the pilot episode... in other words, now that  you know what bread and butter you want to use, it's time to make some toast.
 
 
First, read the article, “Take Me To Your Pilot: 3 Rules for Writing a Successful TV Pilot.”
 
The article is originally from writersdigest.com.

• Click the link in the article title above to read the article online,

OR

• Print and read a pdf archive of the article, embedded at the bottom of this post.

​
 
Next, you’ll want to get a feel for the first few minutes of a pilot script. Browse through several screenplays for the pilot episodes for what would become a successful series.

• A good place to start is this article from Good in a Room, “TV Pilot Scripts: 10 Most Wanted.” This article contains links to the pilot episodes of some of the most popular series on TV, including “Breaking Bad,” "The Office," "Lost," and "The Sopranos." 

            http://goodinaroom.com/blog/tv-pilot-scripts/
​

• For a more extensive library, browse OVER 13 YEARS of unique pilot scripts at: https://sites.google.com/site/tvwriting/us-drama/pilot-scripts

Now, return to your Series Outline and investigate the first few sentences of your Pilot Episode plot line. Following the standard screenplay format you used for your Bailey / Elliott scenes, you will write the first 2-3 pages of your pilot episode. If you figure that the accepted standard is that 1 pg. = 1 min., I’m asking you to write the first 2-3 minutes of your own TV series.

Type out the first few pages of your pilot episode.

Show me what you’ve got!

Again, this will take some time. 

​

STUCK ALREADY?

You’ve already done SO much of the work! Remember these?

• Who? – Character Summaries
• What? – Series Synopsis
• When and Where? – Series Outline

… and your Visual References can help you remember the tone, look, and feel you wanted to go for. OH AND BY THE WAY… feel free to revise any prior steps as you go along. J

​
​
Pilot Episode Grading Criterion:

• Scene Headings (INT/EXT etc.)
• Action and dialogue is formatted correctly
• Typed, proofread
• 2-3 pages in length
• Corresponds with the pilot’s plot description from the Series Outline
• Emailed to shultzl@trentonschools.com by the end of the school day on the due date (attached MS Word document or shared Google Document are acceptable)