Fundamentals of the TV Series Bible

Every television show has an engine; the consistent heartbeat of story that brings the narrative pieces together to make a series run smoothly, episode to episode and season to season.

But what does that mean practically for writers? How do you build an engine so it works flawlessly? And then, how do you pitch it on the page so simply that anyone from another writer to a producer to an executive can understand it clearly?

That’s what this class is about.

The TV bible is the script for your series pitch. Bibles range in size and shape, but one thing is the same. It will be the answer to this question:

How does your TV show work?

You’re going to learn how to define and execute the different pieces of narrative engine for a television series. And while that may sound academic and kinda daunting, after this class, you’ll walk away with simple, practical, and effective tools to use to break down existing shows, and to write the Bible script for your own.

Get ready to work with Merridith Allen, an instructor who has helped hundreds artists craft their show ideas—from emerging writers to staff writers, producers, and feature writers breaking into TV.

After this class, you’ll be next on the list!

Writing for Comics: Finding an Artist and Comic Distribution

Recently nominated by the Chicago Reader as the best comic book writer in Chicago, comic writer and founder of Avina Comics John Aviña will demonstrate how to find an artist, spot common scams, how to be a good collaborator with an illustrator, and also share best ways to distribute your work once your project is complete, whether that be in traditional publishing or as an independent comic creator.

The following topics will be discussed:

This session is a wonderful compliment to John's first "Writing for Comics" Symposium available on-demand.

How to Determine the Best Medium for Your Story

It's never been more important to a writer's survival to learn to create in other mediums.

You know the basics of storytelling. You’ve mastered the art of imbuing the Who with specific needs and desires. You’re expert at the art of structuring the What with conflict and reversals. You’re old hat at using verisimilitude to fill out the Where and interrogating the spectrum of ethics for the Why. 

But what about the How? 

Author, comic writer and screenwriter Joshua Corin will help you determine what medium is the best fit for your story? Is it a play? A screenplay? A TV show? If it’s best told using narrative prose, should it be a short story? A novel? Somewhere in between? 

We'll go over the specific strengths and weaknesses of each medium, using successful (and less-than-successful) examples to highlight the importance of marrying the right content to the right form, as well as the additions and sacrifices required for adapting a story from one medium to another. 

This presentation will cover:

*Send proof of purchase to symposium@pipelineartists.com for a copy of the presentation slideshow.

How to Build Pitch Decks for Development and Inspiration

How to create a stunning deck to inspire, to help sell your feature or TV series, or to aid in financing your project.

Pitch decks are useful for more than just pitching your script. Many writers create them for story inspiration—to set the tone, help them develop characters, or create an outline. Creating a formal pitch deck can help, even in the early stages of writing!

And, of course, they're good for their original purpose ... pitching your vision.

As a screenwriter and graphic artist, Maya Zivkovich will focus on tips to help you create a stunning pitch deck worthy of any producer's consideration.

Some say pitch decks or series bibles are some of the hardest things you’ll ever write. But, with the right tools, guidance and a dash of inspiration, you can easily build a kick-ass pitch deck & series bible.

Maya will walk you through the importance of this document and break down the different components needed for your deck to truly stand out from the rest. No design experience necessary—you’ll get plenty of her best tips and tricks from her many years and expertise as a graphic artist (and no, you do NOT need to use A.I. ...)

By the end of the presentation, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge, tools, templates, and the motivation to get you on your way to creating your very own deck. 

The presentation will cover:  

*includes worksheets/templates for participants

What attendees have said ...

"Most detailed lecture on pitch decks and show bibles. Really like the Q&A and found that many questions were also my questions."

"I really appreciated that the presentation was long enough to cover all of the content and have a robust Q&A session, and that Maya provided templates for us to use so that we can implement the knowledge she shared with us. I feel confident that I can create a decent first pitch deck when the time comes!"

"The topic was covered thoroughly and the talk was full of great information and practical tips. The presenter spoke well and had clearly taken the time to organize her material in a clear and natural way. She also took the time to answer all of the participants' questions, even though that meant staying a bit over the talk's allotted time. Definitely got my money's worth on this one."

Writing for Comics

In this session with comic writer and founder of Avina Comics, John Aviña, you will learn how to tell stories in a sequential manner, and write for not only your audience but also for an artist.

John will cover panel layouts, budgeting space for dialogue and telling a character arc across one issue. The goal is to get you on your keyboard and ready to take your idea from a thought to a completed comic.

  1. Introduction to sequential storytelling:
    • Taking a look at Familiar Dungeons
    • Pacing a page
    • Design
  2. Scripting:
    • Looking at Familiar Dungeons Script
    • Laying out a page
    • Description
    • Dialogue
  3. Completing a narrative:
    • Looking at Familiar Dungeons arc
    • How many pages should your comic be?
    • Does it tell a full story?

What attendees have said ...

"John gave me an idea of how the business end of the Comics industry works. His information and examples are appreciated."

"I learned so much and feel more confident in what I am doing after coming here today."

"Unique solid content from someone genuinely willing to share a lot practical, high-value information."

"Señor Aviña presented the ideas clearly and with good examples."

Writing Great Dialogue

Writing believable, compelling dialogue is one of the hardest parts of constructing fictional narrative.

In this session, you’ll learn:

There will be hands-on exercises and tools to create and shape snappy dialogue that will engage your audience.

What attendees had to say ...

"Great organization for a sound approach to the art of dialogue."

"It was inspiring. I particularly remember the sound of silence. That it can be full of stuff. And ways to check your dialogue to not be boring."

"Julia and Jeanne were very responsive to all questions and provided a different slant on writing dialogue."

Concept is King: Elevating Story Concepts

Marketable stories need elevated concepts.

We're all told the logline is important. But what makes the logline so crucial is the concept the logline contains. It’s the easily communicable concept that gets producers and executives excited. Why? Because they know they can more easily sell that concept to their bosses and eventually the audience.

But what makes a good concept? And how do you make sure you fulfill its promise on the page?

In this symposium, veteran screenwriter and teacher Tom Vaughan defines concept and shows how to exploit it in your narrative projects.

This session will offer a whole new insight in what is meant by commercial viability.

The presentation will cover:

What attendees have said ...

"Picked up some useful writers tricks. And strengthened my conviction in keeping concept front and center."

"Great stuff! Tom definitely knows his stuff.  I'm familiar with nearly everything he discussed, as I'm a veteran screenwriter myself, but it was nice to hear it from someone else! "

"I loved everything about this! It's something I can take with me in every screenplay I write in the future."

"I loved the concise information that I can put to good use."

"I learned aspects that I can apply to the screenplays I have already written in order to improve them."

"Fantastic talk. I loved the whole thing. Tom is extremely knowledgeable and conveys his thoughts/teachings clearly. Overall, one of the best talks I have attended."

"Probably one of the best classes I have taken. Immediate ACTIONABLE instruction."

"Concept is King; Elevating Story Concepts has already impacted the way I'm thinking about my next screenplay. I'm confident that following the information Tom shared will help ensure my story ideas are marketable, attractive to other industry professionals, and worth spending the necessary time and effort on a story idea before I put in all the work. I wish I had understood these concepts more fully before writing my first screenplay, but I will incorporate this knowledge into every story idea I test out from the moment going forward. As an industry Reader, I can appreciate how Tom has put into words what often goes wrong in a story, and understanding how much impact the story's concept has on it's overall success is a powerful tool. I can't say enough about how helpful this event has been in terms of how I will relay feedback to other writers and how I will approach my own writing from this point on."

Indie Filmmaking Crash Course, Part 2: Navigating Post-Production

In Part Two, we delve into post-production essentials that can elevate your film to new heights. From the intricate art of editing and sound design to the transformative power of music and color grading, this symposium offers a comprehensive exploration of the creative elements that shape the final product.

Discover strategies for navigating film festivals, understanding distribution channels, and mastering marketing tactics to ensure your film reaches its intended audience.

Gain valuable insights into selling and self-releasing films, and learn how to seamlessly transition from one project to the next in the ever-evolving landscape of independent filmmaking.

Topics Covered:

Indie Filmmaking Crash Course, Part 1: From Script to Screen

In this symposium, we delve into critical aspects of independent filmmaking, guiding you through the transition from script to production, engaging with investors, crafting pitch decks, managing rewrites, networking, casting, budgeting, and scouting locations.

Discover the intricacies of SAG regulations, contracts, and administrative processes, as well as the importance of physical and mental health during the filmmaking journey. Uncover the secrets of routines, habits, and creative processes that contribute to successful filmmaking endeavors.

Gain insights into the Hollywood landscape, the art of communication, and the significance of setting the right energy on set.

And explore the dynamics of relationships, crew chemistry, and handling unforeseen challenges, empowering you to navigate the unpredictable journey of indie filmmaking with confidence and finesse.

Topics Covered:

The State of Hollywood: A 2025 Primer for Film & TV Writers

They told you after the strikes: “survive til ’25.”

Question is, what can you do to ensure 2025 is your most productive year as a film or TV writer?

Breaking in, staying in, and building a career has never been easy. To take meaningful strides toward becoming a professional screenwriter, you have to cut out the fluff, avoid the distractions, and pay attention to the ever-changing realities of Hollywood and the business.

Screenwriting career coach Lee Jessup brings a new Symposium, exclusively for film and TV writers—both new/emerging and semi-established—focusing on the current state of the industry, the hard truths rarely discussed (yet every writer has to confront), and exploring all that is required to move your writing—and your career—forward.

What Attendees Have Said ...

"Very thorough and informative. I found encouragement even with such a tough business to break into. Lee taught me things I didn't know."

"Lee shared an incredible breadth of knowledge. So generous!"

"This webinar was outstanding. I feel more prepared, organized and informed than I have in years. Lee Jessup is extraordinarily knowledgeable and generous. I hope this is an offering at the beginning of each year. As a result of our time together I've set my goals for 2025 and have amazing scripts to read that Lee graciously shared with attendees. Also, I love Jeanne's facilitation style and her support in helping me get registered was above and beyond."

"All the practical knowledge yet served up without any negativity, which is normally the case with these kind of industry chats. She inspired me to keep up the hope."

"It was great to hear hopeful news for the industry from someone so deeply entrenched in it. I also appreciated the candid talk on how to approach managers."

"Lee is so knowledgeable and so giving! She provided insight on things I didn't even know I needed to know. She was also very detailed in her explanations and responses."