Yearlong in TV Writer’s Room
with Andrew Bell
Genres: Writing for Performance
In Person
In Person Intermediate, Advanced
Intermediate, Advanced 30 Sessions
30 Sessions This class meets IN PERSON at Hugo House in Capitol Hill.
In this hands-on workshop course, writers will collaborate in small groups to develop and write a season of an original television series. Towards the end of the course, we’ll revise our pilot scripts, cross our fingers, and submit them to top TV writing competitions. Expect to work closely with fellow students and write both in and out of the classroom.
While primarily a generative/workshop course focused on collaborating to create original television shows, we’ll also engage in close readings and viewings of favorite TV shows, research and discuss the approaches of renowned showrunners, and occasionally explore strategies for developing characters, creating conflict, breaking story, and structuring episodes and seasons.
Expect to leave the course with a network of fellow writers, TV pilots and season arcs (co-written with your peers and submitted to top TV writing festivals), an episode of your own to use as a writing sample, and shows ready to be self-made as web series.
This class is best suited for students with a solid understanding of dramatic writing.
What to expect:
- Generative Writing: students create new work during class or from assignments.
- Workshop: students submit work for critique from the teacher and class.
- Feedback from peers and instructor.
- 2-3 hours of writing and/or reading outside of class.
Students say…
“Andrew is an excellent teacher. I've gotten more out of the two classes I've taken with him than any other film writing classes I've been in.”
“Script writing and TV writing (and/or pitch decks) were completely new to me and it was a great class to step outside my comfort zone – and get myself writing again. Andrew did a great job providing awesome resources and it felt like a very clear roadmap for continuing my interest.”
“I appreciated the care and time that everyone got on their scripts from the class and from Andrew. it was really helpful for my writing. Andrew was always ready with notes and went out of his way to offer office hours and extra time when we'd ask for help. I was happy with the workshop style and learning how to read other people's writing…the most learning I had was from actually sitting down and writing and reading other people's writing”
“I was always grateful for Andrew's insightful, detailed notes on our work. I also appreciated that he was so accessible for questions and assistance outside of class sessions. He fostered a really unique and productive class dynamic. We all got so much writing done!”
Q&A with instructor Andrew Bell:
Who is this class best suited for? How much writing experience do I need to take this class?
This class is best suited for an intermediate writer. Writers should love TV, be curious about the medium, and excited to work closely with other writers (which is what you do in a TV writer's room, after all.) While no previous TV writing experience is necessary, students should have some creative writing experience and be comfortable working with and sharing their work with fellow writers.
What will I learn over the course of this yearlong?
Writers will learn what it takes to be part of a writer's room, while learning the ins and outs of good television writing. We'll study structure, character, story, and dialogue, look at some great examples of effective television writing, and come together to create some really cool projects of our own. Along the way we'll probably learn some important lessons about collaboration and communication.
What's the balance of in-class generative writing, lecture, and workshop?
Towards the beginning of our course, we'll have short lectures, some great class discussions, and even in class readings of published TV scripts. Once we build a solid foundation, we'll break into small groups and most of our class time will be spent working with our classmates to create episodes and series of our own. There may be some time for in-class writing (if a group so chooses), and several weeks will be dedicated to reading and sharing feedback on each group's work with the larger class. But again—mostly we're working with small groups in class to "break story" and create something awesome.
How many times will we workshop in this class?
Small groups will be workshopping their shows CONSTANTLY. As episodes, pitch decks, and outlines are finished, they'll be shared and workshopped with the larger class. Once our shows are completed, and if time permits, we'll transition to a more traditional workshop class where students will be able to share their own individual work for feedback.
How much time outside of class will I need for this class each week?
Writing time outside of class is dependent on the needs of each project and group. That said, students can likely expect to spend 1-3 hours writing, reading, or watching episodes outside of class most weeks.
How much feedback will I receive on my work? Will it be from peers or my instructor?
As we'll be working in small groups so closely, feedback will be happening often and in real time. The instructor will be in constant contact with each group, giving guidance and feedback, then feedback from the entire class and more formal feedback from the instructor will come as landmarks are hit (pitch decks, outlines, completed episodes, etc).
Who will we be reading?
Our class readings will depend on the interests of the class and availability of scripts, but in the past we've read episodes of everything from Breaking Bad, to Blackish, to 30 Rock and The Good Place. We cast a wide net over here in TV land. We'll also be doing close watches of different tv episodes, which again will be guided by the needs and interests of each group.
What will I come out of this yearlong with?
You'll walk away with a "spec script" of an existing tv show all your own, a show bible, pilot, and several episodes of an original show you crafted with several other writers, and (at least) the start of a tv pilot all your own. Each groups’ original pilot episode will be submitted to a top television writing competition. And, of course, writing room experience and sharpened tv writing skills.
Anything else you want your students to know?
This is a new approach to TV writing for Hugo House. Less lectures, more getting your hands dirty with like minded writers and artists. We're gonna do the thing and it's going be a ton of fun. I can't wait to meet a new cohort of writers, hopefully see some familiar faces, and make some amazing new shows together.
Feature film more your style? Check out Yearlong in Feature Film, also with Andrew Bell!
Can't commit to a full year? Check out the 8-week workshop, Writing the Comedy PIlot with Jeff Bender.
Registration Dates:
- August 13: Member registration opens at 10:30 am PT
- August 20: General registration opens at 10:30 am PT
- September 1: Last day of Early Bird discount
This class is not eligible for a member discount. Learn more here »
Payment plans are available for classes with 8+ sessions. Email education@hugohouse.org to inquire about payment plan options.
Andrew Bell
Andrew Bell is an award-winning filmmaker, writer, and educator from the Pacific Northwest. His short film work has played at festivals worldwide and is broadcast internationally on ShortsTV, BloodydisgustingTV, and streaming on CryptTV. He is currently working on his first feature film and doing what he loves most—mentoring young writers, actors, and filmmakers. He holds an MFA from Columbia University.
FAQ
Complete FAQEach class description includes a breakdown of what you can expect in terms of in-class activity, feedback, and homework (if any).
Generative means you’ll be generating new writing, either in class or at home between classes.
Workshop means you’ll be sharing work to be read and critiqued by your instructor and classmates and that you will also be critiquing the work of your peers.
Reading means you’ll be doing close reading of a work with an eye toward craft.
Craft discussion means you’ll be looking at the tools writers use to do that thing they do so well and then trying it out yourself.
Class levels are designed for various stages of the writing journey. Simply self-select the level that sounds best for where you’re at.
Introductory: This is your first creative writing workshop, first writing class since high school, or first foray into a new genre or form. You’re looking to try something new, kickstart your writing, and/or establish yourself in the fundamentals.
Intermediate: You have a strong understanding of writing fundamentals and are eager to deep dive into craft. You’re honing your writerly identity and voice through independent projects. In workshop, you look for constructive feedback and are ready to do writing and reading outside of class.
Advanced: You’ve written a significant body of work and have taken it through several stages of revision. You’re getting ready to publish or are in the early stage of publishing, and you’re interested in refining the skills that will take you to the next level in the literary industry.
All Levels: You are any of the above and are looking to play with new possibilities.
You’ll get your class information, including Zoom link if applicable, three days before the first day of class.
Write With Hugo House is our free monthly write-in program, operated in partnership with the Seattle Public Library. Two take place onsite at SPL locations, one takes place online.
Sliding-scale classes are offered every quarter. Find them in our Class Catalog.
We announce flash sales, early bird periods, and special deals through our e-newsletter; sign up at the bottom of this page.
At this time, we offer payment plans on classes 8 sessions and up. Email education@hugohouse.org with the name of the class you’re interested in to set up a payment plan.
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We charge a 5% nonrefundable administrative fee for all payment plans.
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Extended payment plans up to 8 monthly installments and 16 semi-monthly installments are available upon request.
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We are unable to hold seats for prospective payment plan students. Students will be enrolled once their first installment has been paid.
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If you need to cancel, Hugo House will issue refunds according to its cancellation and transfer policies. Your 5% nonrefundable admin fee will not be refunded.
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If you withdraw from a class after it begins, you will not receive a refund and are still responsible for paying the full course tuition.
Asynchronous classes are perfect for students that need flexibility!
During an asynchronous class, instructors release new lessons once per week. Students then have one week to complete that lesson and any accompanying coursework. You’ll learn as much as you would in a traditional class but with the flexibility to work at the best times for your schedule!
While there are no live sessions, asynchronous classes are still a lively and rigorous experience. Async classes are not static lessons but an adaptable and energetic community space. Be ready to work in a collaborative environment, giving and receiving feedback on your writing, participating in discussions, and growing your writing practice in a way that works best for you.
Asynchronous classes take place through the website Wet Ink. Students receive an invitation to the class and to set up a Wet Ink account on the start date of the class. Each week of the class, a new lesson will be available through the Wet Ink portal. Classes close two weeks after the end date, and students receive an email containing their content from the class when it closes.
Hugo House will only process refund requests that are submitted 5 business days or more before the class start date. To request a refund, log in to your account, go to “My Account,” select the “Orders” tab on the left-hand side, click the appropriate order, and request a refund for your specific class. Administrative fees apply. Please see our full refund policy here.
In general, we do not record classes. However, an exception if a student has specific access needs.
We encourage students to only sign up for classes that fit with their schedule.
We do not tolerate racist, sexist, homophobic, ableist, transphobic or any other oppressive behaviors, regardless of who commits them. Please check out our full community guidelines by clicking here. If an instance of community guidelines are violated and not resolved within the classroom, students may let us know by filling out the student incident report.
If Hugo House needs to cancel a class for any reason, you’ll receive a full refund.
You can apply for a scholarship by clicking the red “Request a Scholarship” text on class pages. The scholarship request text is located at the top of each class page, underneath the “add to cart” button.
Hugo House members get to register early for classes – a full week before they open to the general public!, receive a 10% discount on events and classes, and more. See the full list of membership benefits here!
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If you’re interested in contributing your skills, Hugo House accepts volunteer applications for a variety of roles, including event support, administrative tasks, and more. Learn more on our Volunteer page.
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