Within TV writing, there are very successful writers who sell shows often. Maybe they go on to run those shows.
There are also plenty of TV writers who only staff on shows, meaning they are one of the 6-18 writers in the writers' room who are not the showrunner.
Then there are writers who bounce back and forth between the two.
So, if you're a new person starting out, which path should you pursue?
A few people have asked me this question, and I think it underlines a misunderstanding of the career.
Because the answer is...
In the world of TV writing, you should be trying to do anything and everything
Let's start with what you need to get started - that's two pilot script samples. Those are wholly original TV show scripts that you can use as your calling card.
Once you have those, and you're confident that they're good, you're off to the races.
These can be used for staffing opportunities. But they can also be used to pitch your TV show.
Now, pitches also require a whole presentation, describing the world, characters, tone, and story arc. But at least now you have a base to start from.
Many of the pitches I've done have been for shows that I never wrote a script for.
When asked to, however, I could very easily, because the pitches have to be so well thought-out that the first episode is basically entirely conceived.
All the paths intertwine
All that to say, every step you make within the world of TV writing puts you on a path that will intersect with all the other paths within TV.
If you get staffed on a show quickly, you may rise the ranks. As you do, you'll start to meet with the executives on your show. They will want to hear from you and see if you have any ideas worth pitching them.
Likewise, if you have a sample script for staffing and you get lucky enough to get it in front of the right person, it could propel you into a script sale.
Think of your TV writing career as malleable
Don't feel entrenched into one path. Stay open to new possibilities and paths. The industry is constantly changing.
Being stuck on one sole outcome closes you off to amazing opportunities that could be right under your nose.
