Every Story is the Same - YouTube

How Do You Edit an Animated Film? on Vimeo

Pilot Script Checklist

How to Ask for Advice Over Email

Locking Pages

The art of storytelling | Pixar in a Box | Partner content | Khan Academy

All sitcoms use the same plot structure formula.

How to Become a Good Storyteller

Go Into The Story

Screenwriter and author John August

No Film School

5 Reasons a Writer Should Take an Acting Class | Save the Cat!®

The Thirty-Six Dramatic Situations - Wikipedia

The 100 Jokes That Shaped Modern Comedy -- Vulture

The Mind of Marc Andreessen - The New Yorker

How scientists make people laugh to study humor | ideas.ted.com

12 Overlooked Innovators Who Helped Invent the Modern World

Why You Will Fail

Cracking the Sitcom Code - Atlantic Mobile

https://medium.com/@natsuokin/what-i-learned-from-the-maya-design-principle-beb9ce522975

How Drive Was Written

If you’ve made it this far, I respect your commitment! Unfortunately, I'm out of links so respect for your commitment is all I have left besides my schmuck advice.

So here goes: pick your favorite show and write and rewrite what at least two of your friends agree would be the best episode of that show. Then write and rewrite what at least two of your friends agree would be the best episodes of your next two favorite shows.

Then start writing original pilots - it’s easier/fun to write characters inspired by the unusual/terrible people in your life as they’re already fully-formed and no one else is writing about your nana.

Also, never stop reading pilot scripts (classic show pilots, current show pilots, shows that have been ordered to pilot pilots, any pilots - they’re all online).

Meanwhile, take any job you can get that’s even remotely near a show (talent agency assistant was my start - UTA had a joblist online, this might be the current iteration), screw up as little as possible, and use this initial job to get a new job slightly closer to a show.

Then repeat until you’re actually working on a show (production assistant, director’s assistant, producer’s assistant, actor’s assistant, anything). Be indispensable, learn, and work your way up to writers assistant (your ascent will likely span multiple shows due to a million things that you have no control over).

Type fast, type well, have an encyclopedic knowledge about all aspects of the show (characters, episodes, production statuses, network and studio execs, anything), anticipate problems in scripts and production, and, when you see an opening (if you’re lucky enough to be in a writers room that allows writers assistants to pitch), pitch until they beg you to stop.

Also, film your stuff and put it out there in the world (I definitely didn’t do this enough).

Most importantly, the entire time, be kind/helpful, network, mentor, and try not to get caught up in the million things that you have no control over. Good luck! There’s no better place on earth than a writers room.

If you want notes on your script, I’m game but coverage is work so I do charge a fee.

And, one last thing, telling your ad agency to freelance me also helps. Thanks!