Chapter 1: The Spark of Inspiration

In 2022, after much contemplation and planning, the moment had arrived for me to dive into my inaugural script. The timing was perfect: I had recently retired, providing me ample time; my creative space, my studio, was ready; and with several articles completed and waiting to be shared, my mind was free to explore new ventures.

Whether it was a New Year’s resolution or simply a coincidental writing goal, I dedicated January to preparing for screenwriting. Throughout the month, I immersed myself in training resources, absorbing every article, tweet, and video related to the craft of screenwriting. Simultaneously, I began outlining ideas for my first story. It was an exceptionally fruitful month.

As February rolled in, I shifted my focus to fleshing out the narrative. With the material flowing naturally, I set a goal of crafting eight episodes, each approximately 40 minutes long. I embraced the idea of generating more content than necessary, allowing me to refine the strongest storylines and subplots later.

Was it an ambitious endeavor? Absolutely! The motivation behind this monumental task stemmed from the fact that it was my first script. While I had collaborated on a few short scripts in high school drama class nearly 40 years ago, that hardly counts as recent experience.

Given that I hadn’t written a script professionally, I questioned my ability to commit to an entire series based solely on a pilot, which seems to be the industry standard. However, reflecting on my extensive blogging experience, I realized that my writing efforts equated to roughly four or five novels. I felt confident that I had the stamina to tackle a scripted series—perhaps even multiple series.

Additionally, my public sector career had provided me with the experience of producing thousands of pages of diverse written content for various audiences, giving me a sense of versatility in my writing.

The screenwriting process was unlike anything I had experienced before. As I crafted my first script, I noticed my thought process shifting; I had to focus on dialogue to propel the action forward, rather than relying on first or third-person narration. It felt as if my brain was protesting, “What are you doing to us?”

Recognizing the distinct nature of scripting compared to blog posts or corporate reports, I understood that I needed to engage in a comprehensive scriptwriting exercise to build my skills and instincts, proving to myself that I could indeed accomplish this task. One pilot or movie script wouldn’t suffice; I needed the encouragement to push forward, complete with training wheels.

Having at least one completed series under my belt—regardless of whether it ever saw the light of day—gave me the confidence to continue writing within this genre and to promote myself as a screenwriter.

Perhaps it stems from a fear of letting others down (or disappointing myself), but I was hesitant to pitch an idea, secure funding, and then find myself overwhelmed.

Yes, it required considerable effort and energy, but I discovered that with each page I wrote, my enthusiasm rejuvenated as I watched my artistic vision come to life. Moreover, I learned so much from every writing session, all while consulting various training materials and behind-the-scenes insights into TV and movie development. I viewed this as my personal scriptwriting boot camp, and I relished every moment!

With a fully fleshed-out series rather than merely a pilot episode, I felt better equipped to defend my work, having carefully considered every word, action, and scene, from major plotlines to minor details.

My aim is not perfection, but rather a strong sense of completion, allowing enough polish for me to feel satisfied before moving on to my next project. The first story I embarked on is just one of many ideas that have been simmering in my mind for years, eager to be expressed on paper. Whether this project receives a green light or serves merely as a warm-up, I’m content either way.

Could I have chosen a less ambitious writing goal? Certainly. However, committing to eight episodes validated my instincts, confirming that screenwriting was indeed the next logical step for me.

Despite being early in this exciting journey, I have already found it immensely fulfilling. Witnessing my creativity flourish in a new direction, breathing life into a fresh universe of characters, all while utilizing insights from seasoned screenwriters, fills me with joy.

Thank you sincerely for taking the time to read about my experience!

Have a wonderful day,

André

Chapter 2: Learning the Craft

As I ventured deeper into the world of screenwriting, I came across valuable resources that helped refine my skills.

Building a TV Series Episode 1: Writing a Pilot - YouTube

This video offers insights on writing a pilot episode, covering essential elements that make a compelling opening for a TV series.

In addition, I found another helpful guide that provided a structured approach to scriptwriting.

How to Write a TV Pilot Script From Scratch: The Ultimate 8-Step Master Plan - YouTube

This video outlines an effective eight-step plan for writing a TV pilot script, offering practical advice for aspiring screenwriters.