In the Writer's Room

Yesterday was a very exciting day at work. It was the first time I actually got to observe the writer's room.

In the writer's office, the writers room is where all the magic happens. Its where the story ideas come together and everything is fleshed out.

I spent a few good hours in the morning, just getting to sit on the couch and watch the writers work. It was pretty amazing to watch. There's no way to teach this...to learn this. This is one of those things you have to see to understand. That's why this position is such a great opportunity for me.

So picture it. You're a television writer. It's your job to sit around and discuss what happens on the episodes of a television show. Pretty amazing job if you ask me. Of course I could talk television all day.

Yesterday, the writers were working on breaking the story for the next to the last episode of the season. There are so many things that you don't even think of that they take into account. They discuss why characters would do the actions they do, how to make the scenes tense enough, how to break up the acts. While they do that, they basically create an outline of the story on one of the many dry erase boards the office has. Then after the episode is pitched to everyone from the executive producers to network executives, the writer of the episode takes that outline and creates the script. Writing for television is a very collaborative effort. The television show I am working on has about twelve writers on staff. Some of these writers are partnered with another person on staff, creating there writing team.

Getting to watch a television story get created was amazing. There is so much more to the process than I ever could have realized. I can't wait to make the most of this opportunity.