The Essentials elements of TV Writing
Subject is not scheduled Not scheduled
Code | Completion | Credits | Range | Language Instruction | Semester |
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300MTW2 | Z | 1 | 1/D | English | winter |
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MASTER CLASS ? THE ESSENTIALS ELELMENTS OF TV WRITING
This master class will cover ?The Essential Elements of TV Writing?. Subjects covered
will include original series development, writing spec scripts vs. pilots, how to build a
writing portfolio, one hour and half hour show structure, mixing A, B and C stories,
thematic linking of stories, the role of central conflict, character missions, story outcomes
and what makes a great episode of television.
Clips will be shown from Mad Men, 30 Rock, Seinfeld, United States of Tara, Law and Order.
This master class is designed for TV writers, producers, executives, screenwriters,
playwrights and journalists, seeking a more in-depth understanding of American TV
series.
Alan Kingsberg
ADKingsberg@aol.com
CURRICULAUM VITAE
EDUCATION
M.F.A. Graduate Film School, New York University, 1984
B.S. (magna cum laude), University of Pennsylvania, 1978
ACADEMIC POSITIONS
?Columbia University, School of the Arts (1999- present)
Adjunct Professor ? Created the popular TV Writing Workshop. Student scripts have won national contests and film festivals, including multiple first prizes at the Austin Film Festival and the Humanitas Award. Students have gone on to write and produce for 30 Rock, Weeds, New Girl, Smash, Last Man Standing, Law and Order, Californication, Vegas, Onion News Network and Conan O?Brien, many getting their first jobs with scripts written in my Advanced TV Writing Workshop.
?New York University, Tisch School of the Arts, GFTV (1994-1995)
Taught screenwriting and directing to first year MFA students.
SELECTED TELEVISION CREDITS
?NICKELODEON?S WINX CLUB Writer. Season 4 and 5. Current.
?LAW AND ORDER:
?CRIMINAL INTENT Writer. Season 7. 2008.
?DINOSAUR KING Supervising Producer - Showrunner, Animated series, 26 episodes. 4 Kids Entertainment. Aired on The CW, 2008-2009.
?CHAOTIC Writer. Animated series. 13 Episodes. 4Kids Entertainment. Aired on The CW, CartoonNetwork. 2008
?WINX CLUB Supervising Producer - Showrunner, Animated Series, 3 seasons, 78 Episodes, 4Kids Entertainment. Aired on Fox. 2005-08.
?POKEMON CHRONICLES Supervising Producer - Showrunner, Anime Series, 22 Episodes. 4 Kids Entertainment. Aired on Cartoon Network. 2005.
?SHAMAN KING Supervising Producer - Showrunner, Anime Series, 3 seasons, 64 Episodes. 4Kids Entertainment. Aired on Fox. 2003-04.
?CUBIX Supervising Producer - Showrunner ? animated series. 2 seasons. 4 Kids Entertainment. Aired on Kid?s WB, *BAFTA Nomination* for best new children?s series. 2001-02.
?ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK? Writer. Live action prime time Nickelodeon Series. 3 Seasons.
?OUT OF THE BOX Writer. Half hour pre-school series. The Disney Channel.
?DOUG Writer. Animated Nickelodeon series.
?THE NEW GHOSTWRITER
?MYSTERIES Writer. Live Action half hour series. Produced by CTW. Aired on CBS.
?BUY ME THAT Writer. HBO Special about Food Advertising to Kids. *CableACE Award*.
?WAY COOL Supervising Producer. Showrunner. Sketch comedy series. Scholastic Productions. Syndicated by Group W.
?TOMMY SLEDGE P.I. Producer - Showrunner. Daily comedy show. HBO's The Comedy Channel.
?POOL SHARKS Writer - Director. MONSTERS SERIES. Half Hour suspense/horror anthology show. Laurel Entertainment; Nationally syndicated.
?THE MONSTER BED Writer. Animated Weekend Special. Produced by Marvel Entertainment. Aired on ABC.
?NICK AT NITE'S NATIONAL TV COMEDY TEST Director. Nickelodeon prime time comedy special starring Rich Hall.
?ALMOST PARTNERS Writer-Director. One hour film for PBS series
?WONDERWORKS. Detective story starring Paul Sorvino.
?SHINING TIME STATION Writer. Half Hour live action PBS Series with Ringo Starr.
?A WISH FOR A VAMPIRE Writer. Two part ABC Weekend Special. Highgate Pictures.
?MINORS Writer-Director * STUDENT ACADEMY AWARD * best narrative film. Aired on HBO, Showtime.
SELECTED SCREENPLAYS
?THE LOVE STUDY Original Feature Screenplay, Allegra Films. Eve Silverman, Producer. Current.
?WORLD'S GREATEST MERCENARY SOLDIER Universal Pictures. Renfield Productions, JoeDante and Mike Finnell, Producers. 1995
?ALEXANDER'S VAMPIRE Walt Disney Studios. Jane Startz, Producer. 1992
AWARDS AND HONORS
BAFTA NOMINATION ? CUBIX, best new children?s series. 2002.
ACE AWARD ? ?Buy Me That?, Best Educational Children?s special. 1996
STUDENT ACADEMY AWARD ? ?Minors? - Best Narrative Student Film, 1984.
?Minors? also won a Cine Golden Eagle, The Nissan Focus Award, The Australian
National Award, numerous others.
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- No schedule has been prepared for this course
- The subject is a part of the following study plans:
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- Animation - Master (optional subject)
- Documentary Film - Master (faculty subject, optional subject)
- Documentary Film - Bachelor (optional subject)
- Animation - Master (faculty subject, optional subject)
- Scriptwriting and Dramaturgy - Bachelor (optional subject)
- Scriptwriting and Dramaturgy - Master (faculty subject, optional subject)
- Film Directing - Bachelor (optional subject)
- Film Directing - Master (faculty subject, optional subject)
- Cinematography - Bachelor (optional subject)
- Cinematography - Master (faculty subject, optional subject)
- Production - Bachelor (optional subject)
- Production - Master (faculty subject, optional subject)
- Audiovisual Studies - Bachelor (optional subject)
- Editing - Bachelor (optional subject)
- Editing - Master (faculty subject, optional subject)
- Sound Design - Bachelor (optional subject)
- Sound Design - Master (faculty subject, optional subject)
- Photography CZ - Bachelor (optional subject)
- Photography CZ - Master (faculty subject, optional subject)
- Audiovisual Studies - Master (faculty subject, optional subject)
- Restoring of Photogrphy (optional subject)