Save the Cat! Writes for TV

"TV is all about Character! Think about Character first! Character! Character! Character!" Create multi-dimensional characters.

"TV is all about Character! Think about Character first! Character! Character! Character!" Create multi-dimensional characters. Develop characters with flaws, wants, and needs that drive the story. Give them broken compasses - internal beliefs that guide their decisions, often leading to conflict. Craft a transformation map for each character, showing how they might change over the course of the series. Build a rooting resume. Make your characters relatable and worth investing in: Give them underdog qualities Show them caring about others Demonstrate their struggles and failures Highlight their unique talents or skills Reveal vulnerabilities and secret pain

"Most original ideas are two cool things merged for the first time. It's that peanut butter and chocolate mix that tastes great together." Create a compelling world. Choose a setting or situation that offers rich storytelling potential. This could be: A unique workplace or profession A specific historical period A fantastical realm A subculture or lifestyle Select a franchise type. Determine the overall structure of your show: Trapped Together: Characters forced to interact regularly Blank of the Week: New case/problem each episode (Wo)Man with a Plan: Long-term goal or mission Dude with a Season-Long Problem: Ongoing challenge to overcome Whydunit: Mystery to be solved I'm No Fool: Underestimated character proves their worth

"If you're taking a general meeting, or going to a film festival, or planning to be trapped in an elevator with an A-List producer or director, you GOTTA KNOW!" Develop clear Story DNA. Define the core elements of your pilot: Hero: Who is the main character? Goal: What do they want to achieve? Obstacle: What's standing in their way? Stakes: What happens if they fail? Write a strong logline. Summarize your pilot in one sentence using this format: After (CATALYST), (HERO) must overcome (OBSTACLE) to achieve (GOAL) or else (STAKES). Choose a Save the Cat! genre. Select the storytelling pattern that best fits your pilot: Buddy Love Dude with a Problem Fool Triumphant Golden Fleece Institutionalized Monster in the House Rites of Passage Out of the Bottle Superhero Whydunit

"Save the Cat! drags that story out of you in the same way a conference room full of expensive TV writers does." Follow the 15-beat structure. Adapt the Save the Cat! beat sheet for TV: Opening Image Theme Stated Set-Up Catalyst Debate Break into 2 B Story Fun & Games Midpoint Bad Guys Close In All Is Lost Dark Night of the Soul Break into 3 Finale Final Image Adjust for TV format. Be flexible with beat placement and length to accommodate act breaks and runtime constraints. Focus on hitting the key story moments while maintaining proper pacing…