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Having created and run the CBS Diversity Institute Writers Mentoring Program for the past 16 years, I’ve reviewed almost a thousand applications. The best ones stand out and shine and the others kind of limp along.
I'm going to share some tips how to make yours shine....THREAD
I'm going to share some tips how to make yours shine....THREAD
For the CBS Program, we have – and always will – require a spec and an original piece of writing; a pilot, short story or one act play. We also ask for a letter of interest. Other programs are looking for a spec only, a pilot only or two pilots. One thing for sure however is that
Every program is eager to read your letter of interest/personal essay. That really is key, so make sure you treat that with time and care.
If you’re submitting a pilot, make it something only you can write. Write what you know, from your unique life experience, but make sure it’s universal in its appeal. A plot that can tell me a writer is probably a newbie is when
..you write a script about a man/woman who is either successful (or a failure) in a glamorous business in NY or L.A. and either they are forced to move back to their family’s home because they are not succeeding in the big city, or something happens to their family in the South
..Midwest and they’re forced to move home and end up helping run the family business. Just saying, seen this a 100 times. Better to try something more original. This is the perfect place to show us how you successfully executed that unique and original idea you've been working on
If you’re submitting a spec: Make sure it’s a show that isn’t so new it could get cancelled any time and isn’t so old that every story has been told. A sweet spot is a show that’s in its second season. Choose a show that you ADORE. That you’ve watched every episode and love...
A show that you know you can capture the tone and voice of the characters. Then come up with an original and exciting premise. An incident that reveals something new about our main characters. You can use an outside character as the inciting incident, but focus on the leads.
If you’re submitting both a pilot and a spec: make sure they’re both in a similar genre. Don’t write a sitcom pilot & a horror spec. If you write dramas, it’s okay to write a serialized character drama original and a drama procedural spec. Don’t confuse the reader. Focus.
We at the Programs want to help you get staffed, but we need to know what genre to staff you in.
Also, don’t fool yourself. The letter of interest/personal essay is the final writing sample. This isn’t a five paragraph college essay. It should be an exciting narrative. Start off with a personal story from your life that'll grab the reader emotionally. Put us in the story.
Then give a chronological narrative of how you got to where you are as a writer, include what you’ve had to overcome to get there and what your goal is. Let us know you love television but don’t spend too much time on that, since if you didn’t love it, you wouldn’t be applying.
Be sure to answer whatever specific question/prompt the application asks. One thing we’re looking for at CBS is what your unique voice can add to a writers room.
Important: Make sure you follow all the instructions carefully. I can’t tell you the number of times we’ve had to disqualify someone because they didn’t follow the directions on the submission instructions. It’s heartbreaking. Be thorough. Be smart.
And...Goodluck! Feel free to ask me questions. I'm combing through some now.
