Becoming a professional TV writer is impossible.

Yet people do it every single day.

If you want to be one of these people, join me on Saturday May 4, at 10amPT for a live Zoom webinar.

I’m sitting down with a group of top TV writers to walk you through how they got their start, the lessons they have learned, and the actionable takeaways you can bring to your own TV writing career.

Every piece of writing advice on the internet is the same:

• Never give up!

• Write a script that is undeniable!

• It’s all about who you know!

But that doesn’t help if you’re a screenwriter who works day in and day out on your craft and still isn’t making any headway.

The truth is that success in this industry requires a certain type of personality and out-of-the-box thinking.

We will walk you through how to develop these via 1 hour of lecture conversation with top experts.

They'll discuss tactics that you can bring to your job search and techniques you can use to get your screenplay into the right hands.

Questions answered include:

• How do you know if your script is good enough to land you a job?

• How do you get the right kind of feedback on your sample?

• How do you get good work past the barriers to access?

• What does it mean to “create your own heat” and how do you do it?

• Do you need an agent? A manager? An attorney? How do you get one?

• How can you introduce yourself to Showrunners?

• How do you become friends with someone and make them want to hire you?

• Once you get your first break, how do you capitalize on it for long term success?

• What are the most common mistakes that new writers should avoid?

And if you still have questions at the end of all of this, we will hold a 30 minute Q&A session, where attendees can ask anything they want to know from a Showrunner’s perspective about breaking into the business.

Upon leaving this webinar, not only will you have a clear picture of what it takes to get hired to write for TV, but you will have an action plan for writing a sample that will get you hired and for your networking efforts.

Who is this for?

Are you:

• A future Showrunner who wants to know how to start and stay on that path?

• A new Staff Writer who has no idea how to get that first job?

• A repped writer who wonders why it’s still so hard to get hired?

• An unrepped writer who feels like a complete outsider but wants to break in?

• An aspiring TV writer who lives outside Los Angeles?

• A screenwriter who is local to Los Angeles but has trouble making connections?

• A Staff Writer who has worked on a show but is struggling to get your 2nd job?

The information and advice presented by our speakers will address each of these issues to give you specific guidance for how to break out of the plateau that you’re in.

Who will be delivering the answers you seek?

John Altschuler & Dave Krinsky

John and Dave are the Comedy Showrunning team who co-created and were Executive Producers of SILICON VALLEY for HBO. They wrote BLADES OF GLORY and were the EP Showrunners of KING OF THE HILL. They were Executive Producers on BEAVIS AND BUTT-HEAD and are currently running an international TV series.

Jordana Arkin

Jordana was most recently an EP/Co-Creator at Netflix and Co-EP on Disney’s RAVEN’S HOME. She’s an Emmy-nominated, Annie Award winning, upper-level writer who has experience in live action and animation. Jordana has also worked as a Supervising Producer on Netflix’s FULLER HOUSE and MELISSA & JOEY (FREEFORM), a Producer on Mike Judge’s THE GOODE FAMILY (ABC), SONS & DAUGHTERS (ABC) and SIGNIFICANT OTHERS (NBC/Universal). She was the Co-Developer/Co-EP/Head Writer of STAR vs THE FORCES of EVIL and was the EP/Creator of PROJECT MC² for Netflix and Awesomeness TV. 

Michael Jamin

Michael is an Emmy-nominated TV writer and Showrunner. His many credits include KING OF THE HILL, BEAVIS AND BUTT-HEAD, JUST SHOOT ME, WILFRED, MARON, RULES OF ENGAGEMENT, OUT OF PRACTICE, BRICKLEBERRY, and TACOMA FD. He’s the author of A PAPER ORCHESTRA, a collection of humorous personal essays.

Audrey Knox

Audrey is a literary manager at Cartel, with clients in film and television. Her writers have staffed on shows including REASONABLE DOUBT, SINGLE DRUNK FEMALE, GINNY & GEORGIA, P-VALLEY, THE UPSHAWS, GROWN-ISH, NANCY DREW, TOM SWIFT, RAISING DION, and ROBOT CHICKEN. They have written feature films including ALICE, DARLING (Lionsgate), CRUSHED (Tubi), THE SANTA SUMMIT (Hallmark), and the SINGLE BLACK FEMALE franchise (Lifetime). Audrey worked her way up from Receptionist in 2016 to Manager in 2018. She started as a development and casting assistant in reality TV, working for the production company behind the shows ARE YOU THE ONE? and DATING NAKED.

Testimonials

“Jordana was one of the first Showrunners to staff me, and I owe much of my subsequent career to the things she taught me in her writers’ room. She was the first boss I had who broke down the necessary ingredients one needs to tell simple, yet unexpected and engaging stories. And she helped me successfully navigate high-pressure situations by showing me ways to improve the creative and interpersonal issues I was struggling with as an inexperienced writer.”

- Nate Federman (Story Editor on Disney Channels’s BIG CITY GREENS; Story Editor on DreamWorks’ TROLLS: THE BEAT GOES ON)

“Jordana gave me the confidence to believe in myself as a writer, making sure I didn’t communicate to her or others by saying I am ‘trying to become’ a writer and instead stating that I am a writer, even in my aspiring years.

Also, there’s the idea in Hollywood that you only get one shot. Jordana often reminded me that wasn’t always true. So don’t be afraid to reach out to people because maybe they can give advice on your writing instead of thinking everything you send out has to be so perfect and ready and becoming so fearful of your writing that you never send to anyone cause it may never be as ready as you want it.

Lastly, when I had my first showrunner job for an unscripted comedy series, I was feeling uneasy about some of the chaos. I called Jordana and she affirmed my feelings by sharing it was normal how I was feeling and what I was going through. She insisted that no matter what, to keep on going and see the project until the very end of production and distribution, regardless of any drama.”

- Angela Marie Hutchinson (Writer, A CHRISTMAS MOVIE FOR MARY for OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network; Writer/Producer, HOLLYWOOD CHAOS for Peacock; Showrunner, SOMETHING ABOUT LARRAY for Brat TV and Facebook Watch)

“Jordana Arkin, a hilarious comedy writer and teacher at heart, is full of engaging anecdotal advice ranging from navigating TV staffing to surviving the development landscape with a smile. Always fun to chat with!”

- Michael Cobian (Co-Producer on Starz’s POWER BOOK IV: FORCE; Story Editor on Audience/AT&T’s)

“I consider myself very lucky to have worked with Jordana, who showed me how a satisfying episode of television artfully weaves character, emotion and story into one cohesive whole. She also modeled thoughtful and empathetic leadership skills, showing me best practices for how to run a room so that I could get the most out of my own writers when I would go on to assume leadership roles later in my career. Most importantly of all, however, she has been a kind friend who has always given me honest and helpful professional advice as I have tried to carve out my own path through the industry.”

- Mike Yank (Writer, BIG CITY GREENS: THE MOVIE; Story Editor on DAWN OF THE CROODS)

“I met Jordana when I was first starting my writing career, and I am so glad I did. She brings pragmatic optimism and kind honesty to every conversation we have, and I learn something invaluable from her each time we chat, no matter the turns my career has taken since we last spoke. The well-earned wisdom she brings is invaluable, but the kindness with which she shares it makes conversing with her a joy. I am lucky to call her a friend and a mentor.”

- Stuart Friedel (Staff Writer on Disney Jr.’s ALICE’S WONDERLAND BAKERY; Co-EP on HELLO JACK! THE KINDNESS SHOW)

“Jordana was such a delight when we first met. I was a new writer, green with curiosity and desire for the business. What stood out most is her kindness. She also offered great advice like: knowing my value—your agent should be working for you. If you’re not getting what you need, don’t be afraid to find representation that champions you. Also, network—meet people and keep in touch all the time. You never know who will connect you to your next gig. And probably most important, to affirm myself. She said one thing she knows for sure about herself: ‘I can write.’ I always remember that and say it out loud in moments of rejection or failure or a tough turn. I get back to doing what I do best: write. And things always pan out.”

- Crescent Novell (Writer, Unannounced Netflix project; Staff Writer on Marvel and Disney’s MOON GIRL AND DEVIL DINOSAUR)

“Audrey's an integral part of my creative process, and possesses two rare qualities- impeccable taste, and a deep understanding of the TV and Film marketplace. Her guidance at critical moments have elevated my work, and helped my stories resonate with buyers. Scripts Audrey helped me hone consistently receive enthusiastic responses from Producers. Equally important, she's helped me focus on properties that can sell, and spared me from years of writing and re-writing projects that aren't right for the marketplace. Audrey's my creative comrade, and I guess she's yours now too!”

- Zen Freese (Staff Writer, How We Roll)

What you’ll get:

• 60 minutes of lecture content from these Showrunners about how to land a TV writing job.

• 30 minutes of Q&A to ask your questions about the process of breaking in.

• A recording of the lecture to return to for future review (or if you can’t make the scheduled time).

This webinar will be held on Saturday May 4th at 10amPT.

I don’t know when I will be able to get these talented and busy Showrunners back all in one place like this again! So make sure you sign up so you don’t miss this rare opportunity to receive guidance from this experienced group.

How much does it cost?

Screenwriting courses and film school educations can cost thousands of dollars.

Spinning your wheels in a rut with no idea how to break in can cost years of your life.

But for 90 minutes of education from top industry experts on how to break through, all it will cost you is $75 (about the same as what you’d spend on a round of drinks for all of us!)

Don’t fall behind by missing out on this opportunity to be mentored by Showrunners who have done exactly what you want to be doing.

Reserve your spot before tickets sell out.