Have you ever wondered ‘How do I become a TV writer?’

Maybe you’re a fan of certain TV shows and have an idea for your own. Or maybe you’d love to be part of a writing staff for your favorite type of series. Being a staff writer— working in “a writer’s room” with the showrunner and plotting the episodes of a TV series — is a highly sought-after job in the entertainment industry and to many writers, it’s “living the dream.”

But is it an impossible dream for you to achieve?

It’s not impossible, and there are many things you can do to achieve this goal. 

Below are 5 Ways To Become a TV Writer:

1. Write a TV Pilot script

You can write a teleplay for “a pilot” (the first episode of a proposed TV series). A teleplay is a document, similar to a screenplay, but it’s formatted specifically for television. There are various templates for different kinds of TV shows in Final Draft (One-Hour Drama, Thirty-Minute Sitcom, etc.). You should read sample TV pilots, many of which are available online, and write in the genre you most enjoy and are most familiar with. For example, if you like gritty crime dramas, write a pilot for a gritty crime drama. 

Regardless of what kind of show you want to write, the pilot ideally introduces all of the major characters and the world of the show (this is referred to as “worldbuilding” in the industry). The pilot should also illustrate exactly what kind of show this proposed series is going to be, and suggest its trajectory (i.e. the overall series arc in addition to the pilot’s specific plot). Also, especially for the purpose of being a writing sample, the pilot should convey the writer’s sensibility and voice.

In the best case scenario, a pilot will be acquired by a production company and developed into a TV series that gets ordered by a network. This was the case for writer Dan Erickson, who was a virtual unknown when he wrote the pilot for Severance. After four years of development with Red Hour Films, the series was ordered by Apple TV+, and Erickson became the showrunner and head writer.

More often, a pilot will work as a writing sample and potential “calling card” (i.e. a writing sample that gets you work). This was the initial scenario for veteran TV writer Matthew Weiner after he wrote his pilot for Mad Men. The script was acclaimed by industry insiders but no one was willing to invest in an existential period drama at the time he wrote it. Showrunner David Chase, however, read the Mad Men pilot and was impressed with Weiner’s writing. This led to Weiner getting a staff writing job on The Sopranos, a series that helped to reshape the TV landscape and eventually would lead to a show like Mad Men becoming a series (with Weiner as the showrunner).

2. Become an Assistant

Arguably the most common way to become a TV writer is to be an assistant first. 

But what kind of assistant exactly? 

Well, there are multiple options for you if you’re interested in this tried and true path to becoming a TV writer.

You can become a production assistant. A production assistant or “PA” is an entry level position in a film or TV production in which you perform miscellaneous tasks that help a production move as smoothly and efficiently as possible. The PA is usually in the classic “gofer” role, and don’t be surprised if you spend most of your days grabbing Diet Coke and lunch for people. Being a PA is about paying your dues and taking your first steps in the business you want to work in. 

One step closer is to become a showrunner’s assistant. Although you’re likely to still be performing lower level tasks, you’ll be doing them specifically for the person who is in charge of the TV show. As such, you’ll be in a great position to learn from the showrunner and possibly make a connection with them. If you make a good impression, it can lead to you becoming a writer on the show.

You can also become a writer’s assistant, which is the person who writes down everything that’s discussed in the show’s writer’s room, among other duties. Not only does this put you right in the middle of the creative process and where you want to be, it’s another chance to make a connection with the right people.  

Perhaps you’re wondering ‘How do I get an entry level position on a TV show?’ Put together a portfolio and go to online portals or job employment websites with regular updates.  

3. Get an Internship or Fellowship

Internships and fellowships are another great path to becoming a TV writer. Many employment sites feature postings for internships, which is another way to get an entry level position on a TV production. Some colleges have programs in which undergrads and graduates can begin an internship for a network or production company. There are also various fellowship programs that enable you to be mentored by an experienced writer. Most of the major networks and studios offer fellowship programs, which you can easily find and apply to via their websites.

4. Win a Screenwriting Contest

Yet another path to becoming a TV writer is to enter and win a screenwriting contest. Final Draft’s Big Break Screenwriting Contest offers various prizes like enrollment in the New York Film Academy’s Fellowship program, a trip to Los Angeles and meetings with several top management companies. If you enter and win in either of the three TV categories (Hour-Long Pilot, Half-Hour Pilot, Diversity), your pilot will be read by managers, and it can possibly lead to you gaining representation. 

A manager can help you further develop and circulate your pilot. As discussed above, your pilot can work as a writing sample and get you staffed on a show and if you have the right management company, the chances of this will greatly increase. This was the case for past Big Break winners like Ben Johnson, Jr. and Greta Heinemann who have gone on to work for Netflix, NBC, Apple and Max.

5. Network

Finally, successful networking can possibly lead to you becoming a TV writer. The White Lotus creator Mike White broke into television writing after years of networking in Los Angeles (his first big gig being a staff writer on Dawson’s Creek). Although these days, you don’t have to live in LA to make connections with industry professionals. Thanks to online fellowships, workshops and social media, there are various ways to meet people who can help you take the necessary steps to becoming a TV writer. Screenwriting contests are also a great networking tool. Even if you merely place in the contest, your pilot might be read by the right person (e.g. a well-connected script reader). The more you put yourself and your writing out there, the more opportunities you’ll create.

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So to summarize, writing a pilot, becoming an assistant, getting an internship or fellowship, winning a screenwriting contest and networking are all ways to become a TV writer. Your dream is definitely achievable, but you have to actively pursue it and the above methods can help you to do just that.