For people who have experienced this. Is it better to write for TV shows or movies?

Question

I'm really considering a career in writing scrpits and making movies. Which one was better?

Answer 1

Movies are a long shot.....its all about who you know in Hollywood.

Start with some shows that you enjoy now (some sitcoms or sketch comedies maybe?)...write a few shows in a 22 minute format (1 page is usually a minute) and make sure you research the standard script format for TV (so some exec won't throw it away).

Copyright your material (or atleast mail a copy to yourself UNOPENED forever) and once you receive them, send your copies to the executives of the shows you may be interested in writing for. If someone really likes it, you will get paid for it and try to parlay that in to an actual gig. Anyone you speak to within the industry- keep their names and begin building a list of contacts you can engage from time to time.

Go to a book store and look at the listings in the back of a publication called the "Hollywood Reporter". They have lists of agents, current films being casted, people looking for material, etc.

I have the same ambitions. Let's do lunch babe in H-Town!!! :)

Good luck to you!!

Answer 2

IT all depends on what you want to write and how hard you put forth ur effort. Making a movie you have to have every detail and try to come up with a climax so it will be best for viewers. Tv Shows are hard because you have to make sure that everything you write makes sense to the next or the previous show. Remember with movies ppl usually only watch them twice but with tv shows people tune into it and get more involved its all the matter to how you feel and what you want to write weather it is a tv show or a movie. You could also do both. Write a show then bring in a movie in the middle of it :) Just like they did with the x-files.

Answer 3

I would have to divide it into two categories...Comedy and Drama. FAVORITE COMEDIES OF ALL TIME 1. I Love Lucy 2. The Andy Griffith Show 3. The Dick Van Dyke Show 4. All In The Family 5. Taxi 6. Cheers 7. The Honeymooners 8. The Odd Couple 9. The Mary Tyler Moore Show 10. The Office FAVORITE DRAMAS OF ALL TIME 1. Columbo 2. The Twlight Zone 3. Mission: Impossible 4. Alfred Hitchcock Presents 5. Perry Mason 6. The Waltons 7. Hill Street Blues 8. St. Elsewhere 9. Gunsmoke 10. LA Law

Answer 4

Well if you get a TV show, you have steady work, although movie writting is paid better. I guess it all evens out in the end.

Answer 5

If you're only going to write, check these first:

http://www.keepwriting.com/

http://www.copyright.gov/

Secondly, you need to make a living. It's a tough field like any art. It may sound mercenary but, you do need to make a buck. Be real careful. Go for a screenplay. First. Then you can degenerate into someone who writes for television.

Answer 6

make more working for tv

Answer 7

more in TV and its steadier