As writers, we’re used to seeing our bylines on articles; after the novelty wears off though, it frequently becomes more about collecting a paycheck than challenging our creativity.
Every so often, an idea, source or trend comes along that seems too big or too interesting to constrain to a single story. Some writers use that moment as a catalyst to segue from general writing to specializing; others, begin writing weekly columns on a single topic; still others manage to turn their knowledge and research into a book.
With authors being paid skimpier advances, and just about everyone with a keyboard declaring themselves a writer, it can be difficult to distinguish oneself from the crowd, much less nurture one’s creativity. For this reason and more, it’s a great time and great idea to explore completely different directions in writing or content production- from scripts to web shorts to television?
It can be daunting to try to figure out just how to shift to a different medium, much less one that can seem so intimidating to outsiders. But TV as we know it doesn’t much resemble the restrictive network driven medium it once was.
People consume entertainment on their computers, phones, tablets and other screens– and they’re not only doing it at home anymore. TV programs come along with us as we travel on the train or wait at the airport or stand on line at the grocery store.
So who is creating all of this new and addictive televised content? It could be you. It should be you. And if you’re planning on attending the ASJA conference on member’s day, I hope you’ll attend my panel on pitching your own TV show. I’m assembling a great panel of network executives who will share their insights which will hopefully inspire you to start figuring out what your next steps might be to bringing your pitch for a TV show to life.
You already know how to create ideas. You know how to research features and find the people to offer substantive quotes and insights to back you up. Intrigued? I thought so. Already have a great idea and want to get a jump start on your pitch? Challenge yourself to come up with a plot or two or simply start polishing up your idea and decide that this is the year you’re going to challenge yourself to try a brand new medium.
You’re off to a good start. And I hope to see you at ASJA on 4/30 at 11:00 am. More details here. Have questions for me before the conference? Feel free to write to me at psstrachel@gmail.com.