Building a TV Series Episode 1: Writing a Pilot 

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Breaking Bad is the best pilot ever made! It builds masterfully on the likability of Walter White. So that when later in the series Walter White does incredibly disgusting things, we still don't stop watching the series, because our likeability for him is locked in since the pilot.

I just need someone to explain this to me as if I'm 4 years old

Oh God just as I was struggling with how to write my TV series you come from heaven with godly timing to the rescue. Thank you!!! I'm eager to watch the next episodes of this series.

I just started writing a pilot! Very convenient that this graced my feed.

Dang. My mentor just told me that I need a pilot in my portfolio. This is dope timing.

This video was uploaded just at the right moment. I was just about to start writing a pilot. Thanks Tyler! Your videos are always helpful! :)

PERFECT TIMING I literally was just looking for a vid like this

They did an interview with the creator of breaking bad and he said that had he known about this other show called Weeds which is a similar premise, he wouldn’t have pitched his series.

Plenty of my script and TV professors set this show as an example of good directing, witting, audiovisual language, and everything that involves a well done work.

I am considering writing my first TV series and started the research into what this will entail. This was most helpful Tyler; excellent clarity in a nice easy style. Many thanks!

Excellent work as always! As a mere movie enthusiast, who has no intention for writing/directing, these kind of videos are really interesting to watch, makes me appreciate what goes on behind the scenes etc. Thank you!

Just what l need. Won't happen but I'm working on a t.v. concept. Im trying to map out the entire series.this way I can plan ahead of time without the clock ticking,the series finale and make it better. The concept dovetails perfectly with a philosophical premise. Freewill vs determinism, what it means to be a human being- the law of personal identity. The law OF identity etc.

OH MY GOD THANK YOU! I've been trying to write a story for a television show for a while now, but never found many good videos, and they were usually only on the pilot. You're a lifesaver

I've watched all your videos so far. Each one is very helpful, and I can't wait to see more of them. Thank You, Tyler!

Yes finally! The videos on series! Thank You!!!

Is there also a chance that you can go further into different types of shows? For example difference of seasonal or episodical writing? And different running time? Differences between writing of 20 to 50 minutes per episode, like different number of acts? Thanks!

You are a lifesaver. you released this at the right moment that i needed

Always exciting when you upload a new video!

Great, this is exactly that I was praying for to be done on your channel! Thank you!

Finally!!! your making a guide for series

been waiting for this

Thank God!!! You finally ventured TV script!!!!!

can you also make a video on season finales?

I'd love to see a break down of the Stranger Things pilot. It has more of an ensemble with Joyce, Hopper, the boys: Mike, Lucas & Justin, Eleven, etc. I'm still unsure of who's the main protagonist.

I NEEDED THIS RIGHT NOW THANK YOU TYLER

Tyler, I've been watching your videos for a while now, and I'd like to tell you how much you help me with my writing! I subscribed to your second channel now and I'm hoping to learn more about how I can create consistently. Thank you so much, I'm going to watch all your videos! Love from brazil :)

The way you explain is really appreciating. Love from India Brother

I was just about to start a pilot. This was an amazing guide. Thanks bruh.

Screenwriting made so easy, thanks brodie!💯

I just finished the first draft of my pilot. This really helps a lot. Thanks Tyler.

Thank you so much Tyler for this!!! I just finished writing the pilot and trying to figure out the logline.

Awesome, pilot is always the most exciting episode

I'm so glad you put this out ✨🤗✨

wow I just got assigned to write a pilot for class and this pops up.. a gift

Thanks Tyler!

And here I was thinking you'd forgotten. This will be so helpful, thanks!

Thank you so very much for also teaching us TV writing! I am more of a TV writer than a movie one

THANK YOU, TYLER! I was a good writer before, with your knowledge, I know in my heart I will be a great writer. Thank YOU!

Yoooooo the timing for the video was perfect. Yesterday I rewatched another channel's video about breaking bad having the perfect pilot 😂

Hey Tyler. Great video! Can you make a video explaining how to tackle the second draft of a completed feature length script? Love your videos

Thanks man i learn a lot from this great video

I finished my first draft of my second screenplay and could use a few videos for tips on rewrites/second drafts!

Thank god I was able to find something that can help me while working on a tv series script but in a better and less stress way. Needed this sm. Tysm! (Subscriber :D)

This was very good

I suggest you to study plot of attack on titan, it's some of the most innovative & groundbreaking storytelling in current TV shows.

So hyped for this series!!! Thank you. Do you have discord channel?

Brilliant video.

Awesome. My next project was to start writing a com drama.

great video!

Thanks

Thank you

Thanks for this, I’m making a tv series with google assistants and it’s called google mean girls! Because I wanted it to be more original and more of a comedy and dramatic show mixed together.

Hey i love your work it's very direct and precise. Can you do a review of the arrow tv series, from it's pilot to the character's growth throughout the season.

Hey Tyler, Is it okay if you can make a video on how to Subvert Expectations? Thank You🙏🏿

Tyler! your timing a g a i n !

finally you kept your word! I would want your opinion interms of comparison with movies and tv series. For example how harmon story circle gets used in here and ion movies. etc.

Thank you for this I’m writing a tv pilot currently

I think I'd be great to this

I’m writing a comedy show called, “Bexley Kids” and this really helped.

I have an idea for a tv show. I'm not being smug but i really feel like this would be a great series. I need to write this even if it doesn't make money. I just wanna get this idea out.

You should do a mini-series related video in the future

Great information. The Breaking Bad Universe could teach a university Master Class on screenwriting.

Thank you now I know how to write a sonic show in the future😊

thank you so much!!! i was struggling to make a script of a first episode of my gacha series, this helped a lot! you’re a godsend!

Using the "The Office" as an example of a not interesting concept isn't accurate. The video doesn't point out that it's about the day-to-day lives of office workers -- as a mockumentary. The faux-documentary aspect is the hook. So using this to illustrate this point doesn't actually work.

Where is the link you mention to where one can write 5, 10, 15 pages a day consistently...? Thanks... great channel... subbed and sharing wildly...

Yes😊😊😊

Cool!. 🤟🏼

Is there any videos on how to layout a pilots teaser or how to make an effective teaser?

Beyond screenwriting, your youtube videos should be used as a framework blueprint to teach other youtubers how to make enjoyable, powerful, succinct "How To" craft vids

The best pilots were for the original Star Trek. The first one was unaired except in the two-part clip episode The Court-Martial. The second, Where No Man Has Gone Before, aired as the third episode of the original Star Trek.

Hmmm.. I wonder if this rules don't also apply to the first chapter of a book. Like.. how is a show different? Viewing the first chapter as a pilot and forcing yourself to bring visual details into it will bring your "show don't tell" to the next level. It literaly forces you to fokus on the most important details and visuals and symbolism and information without to much exposition and it will condence the material. And then we also have the internal dialogue in the book which will strongen the chatakters even more. What do you think?

EXCELLENT Video Question: I have heard the that Final Cut Pro is the best format to use... Is this still true?

Think you I need like those vedeos

I realize this video was released over a year ago, but I have a question. I have an idea/concept for a tv series, but the idea extends from beginning to end. You mention that normally writing a tv series is done by multiple people, so would it be best in my case to change the idea from say an 8 episode series, to a screenplay for a movie?

would if your making a animated show?

I don’t know if you takes requests. But if you do. Could You Please Upload a Video Talking about ‘How To Make A Proper Final Season’ for this series of yours, I know you probably are but just in case.

Can you write a script like you did in the video from 1 year ago?

Hey man I like your videos but have you written a screenplay that has been adapted and made a successful show or movie? Im not trying to be a bummer but if you aren't a successful writer how can you be so confident about things in videos like this?

Does this formatting work with a procedural script/story?

finna make a story

I was literally thinking about breaking bad today

What about writing a comedy? Do the same rules apply or is it different for drama?

Man why am I watching this, it's late and im not even an adult yet

Great content and I really have followed you for my entire road to success. Hiba Khan - Content specialist at Writer Inn

He sounds exactly like dirty medicine page’s guy He too explains medical things in a crisp well structured manner with the exact same voice

If I want to make an animation TV show, can I write it and plan the characters and chose the animation style but send it to Netflix (for example) to make it into an actual tv show because that’s what I’m thinking of doing.

what are the ACTS in an episode?

I sometimes get confused about how long could one section of the story circle be? Like how long can i make the "Adapts to the unfamiliar situation" in the story before it gets too much.

Am I the only one watching this and for a skit based on the flash and ngl I wasn't expecting to see it here

Anyone who wants to see one of the best pilots in the history of TV and analyze it, can see Twin Peaks.

Easy: make the character fly an airplane.

Alan Dupree anyone? Who has read the breaking bad pilot episode script for their homework?

I watch all ur videos and u definitely know what ur talking about and are very informative. But i have a question and I don’t mean to be disrespectful at all. Have you had any scripts bought or made? If all this stuff is true what have you written? Why should we listen? Just curious i know u kno ur stuff and i mean do disrespect just curious.

Breaking Bad!!!! :D

What is a pilot

i have a question, do you have to be over 18 to do the call?

We also desperately need a video essay on Better Call Saul. I think it has way better character and dialogue writing than Breaking Bad, which is a huge feat to pull off.

An idea can’t be good or bad. It’s based off of other subjective views and how each individual person thinks about the idea. Storytelling is subjective since every single opinion is different