Writing the Pilot: The Streaming Series by William Rabkin
This is a terrific book, but I am biased. Bill is my oldest friend, and was my TV writing and producing partner for over twenty years.
The book’s introduction alone, both a revealing history lesson and a perceptive overview on the state of the television industry, is worth the purchase price. The explosion of streaming services has changed the business of television and, with it, the way series are conceptualized and written. It’s not enough to have a good idea, you must understand the underlying forces, both creative and financial, reshaping TV. Luckily, there’s William Rabkin to make sense of it all…and guide you through it. This is essential reading for anyone hoping to break into streaming television…or any television.
An acclaimed screenwriter, showrunner, development executive, international TV consultant, and beloved professor, absolutely nobody is better suited than Bill to guide you through the creative landscape of streaming television today, envision where it’s going tomorrow, and teach you how to shape your series ideas to succeed in this ever-changing business and dramatic medium.
With this book, Bill will be your own personal Yoda, teaching you how to master the Force of streaming television success. This book is an essential manual for creating streaming television series that can succeed, not only in the business as it exists today, but what it’s likely to become tomorrow.
I am old school – happy with network/broadcast TV – don’t stream or even subscribe to cable shows
Odd flex, but good for you. Less competition the better for the rest of us, until the AIs take over.
Got it! I loved his previous book. Streaming is taking over more and more production so this should be great.
Bookmarked for my budget. I have a project, but it is geared toward single episodes. I grew up on those and need to learn this new form. Oh, for world enough and time! 🙂
Loved the first, buying the second!
I liked this book. hehe. He is like the ONLY person who gets Game of Thrones from ppl that talked about it….I’ve heard three others and they don’t know what they’re talking about. I explained it to one of them later. I know more history. His info was educational and surprising. I liked how he was able to see the warning signs, but some others weren’t….it’s like the time that I was the one who could see this guy was dangerous and others thought I didn’t know what I was talking about, but he got sentenced for attempted murder later.
I always thought TV was quality and amazing til I read that it aims to be as interesting as a TV commerical so people don’t get mad. haha but then….the shows I liked tend to win awards.
I gave him the webpage of someone who was trash talking him, but he didn’t care about that person.