211 episodes
Paper Team Alex Freedman & Nick Watson
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- TV & Film
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4.9 • 112 Ratings
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Paper Team is a weekly podcast about television writing, becoming a TV writer, and everything in between. Hosted by Alex Freedman (@TVCalling) and Nick Watson (@_njwatson), every episode alternates between topics on the screenwriting craft (pilots, specs, story, character, etc.), and discussions about the TV business itself (breaking in, representation, networking, staffing, etc.). This is a podcast for anyone working their way into the entertainment industry, and everyone passionate about television.
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Paper Pause (PT212)
Alex and Nick announce that they're taking a break from Paper Team. From new content to COVID fatigue, we go over all the reasons behind our decision in this episode.
Plus, we discuss the future of the podcast and our Patreon campaign.
Links
Survivor: Hollywood – Emotional and Practical Realities of TV Writing (PT209)
COVID-19 and Hollywood: How We Adapt (PT177)
You can find Paper Team on Twitter:
Alex - @TVCalling
Nick - @_njwatson
For any questions, comments or feedback, you can e-mail us: ask@paperteam.co -
TV Access, Financial Support, and Finale History – Paper Scraps Monthly (PT211)
Alex and Nick answer your TV writing questions about the usefulness of being an assistant, limited access for lower-level writers, and supporting yourself financially.
Plus, we discuss the latest TV writing news, including the Paramount+ presentation and a series finale's oral history.
Content
Review shout-out (00:32)
TV Writing Questions: Usefulness of being an assistant, supporting yourself financially, and limited access for lower-levels (01:18)
TV Writing News: Paramount+ presentation, revivals, and the oral history of Lost's series finale (22:25)
Links
Dunbar's number
James Hamilton's Twitter thread on supporting yourself financially
Michelle Denise Jackson's Twitter thread on diminishing lower-level access
TV Writing Incubators and the Evolution of Access (PT125)
Less TV, Less Opportunity (PT186)
WGAw's 2020 Inclusion Report (PDF)
"ViacomCBS Bets on Big-Tent Strategy for Streaming Growth With Paramount Plus" - Variety
"Avatar: The Last Airbender To Expand With Launch Of Avatar Studios" - Deadline
"The Oral History of Lost's Series finale" - Vulture
If you enjoy Paper Team, please consider supporting us on Patreon at paperteam.co/patreon! :)
You can find Paper Team on Twitter:
Alex - @TVCalling
Nick - @_njwatson
For any questions, comments or feedback, you can e-mail us: ask@paperteam.co -
Paper Tease Revisited (PT210)
Alex and Nick follow up on past Paper Tease entrants to see what has happened with their scripts and their careers since their work appeared on Paper Team.
Links
Paper Tease: Hooked On A Story – July Session (PT180)
Paper Tease Reveals – November Session (PT158)
Paper Tease Returns – September Session (PT151)
Paper Scraps Monthly VI – Mentorship Announcement, November Paper Tease, Overall Deals & Executives (PT113)
Paper Tease: Microcosms – August Session (PT185)
Paper Tease: Context For Your Text – September Session (PT189)
Paper Scraps Monthly – March Paper Tease and Mentorship Winner (PT127)
Paper Tease Returns – September Session (PT151)
Survivor: Hollywood – Emotional and Practical Realities of TV Writing (PT209)
WyldCats Table Read – Paper Team Live (PT162)
Paper Scraps Monthly – February Paper Tease and Syndication News (PT123)
Paper Tease Returns – September Session (PT151)
Paper Tease: Clash of the Tightens – March Session (PT173)
If you enjoy Paper Team, please consider supporting us on Patreon at paperteam.co/patreon! :)
You can find Paper Team on Twitter:
Alex - @TVCalling
Nick - @_njwatson
For any questions, comments or feedback, you can e-mail us: ask@paperteam.co -
Survivor: Hollywood – Emotional and Practical Realities of TV Writing (PT209)
Alex and Nick discuss the realities of sustaining a career as a TV writer, from financial and mental hardships, to professional and personal burnout.
What does "breaking in" really mean? What are the practical and emotional realities of being a TV writer? What are strategies we've found helpful for our own well-being? Why is taking care of your mental health so important for your work? How does social and professional burnout manifest? When should you quit the industry? How do you outwit, outplay, and outlast in the entertainment industry?
It's time for Survivor: Hollywood.
Content
1 - Realities of sustaining a TV writing career (00:01:31)
2 - Taking care of your mental health (00:30:23)
Resources and Next Week On (00:59:45)
Links
Julia Yorks' Twitter thread on career momentum
Finding Stability as a Nascent TV Writer ft. Julia Yorks (PT120)
Managing Finances as an Assistant & Staff Writer ft. Kiyong Kim (PT16)
Brittani Nichols' Twitter thread on TV writer pay disparity
Positive Mindset and Resilience in the Writers' Room ft. Rochée Jeffrey & April Shih (PT161)
Resources
WGA Career Longevity Committee
Mental Health Resources for Angelenos
"Happier in Hollywood" podcast
If you enjoy Paper Team, please consider supporting us on Patreon at paperteam.co/patreon! :)
You can find Paper Team on Twitter:
Alex - @TVCalling
Nick - @_njwatson
For any questions, comments or feedback, you can e-mail us: ask@paperteam.co -
TV Writing Conditions and WGA Win – Paper Scraps Monthly (PT208)
Alex and Nick answer your TV writing questions about ideal writing conditions, writing essentials, and predatory representation contracts.
Plus, we discuss the latest news, including the WGA/WME agreement, and problematic behaviors in our industry.
Content
TV Writing Questions: Ideal writing conditions and predatory contracts (00:32)
TV Writing News: WGA/WME Agreement, problematic behaviors, and a new OTT (21:14)
Links
WGA Agreement with WME
"Gina Carano fired from ‘Mandalorian’ after social media posts" - PBS News Hour
"More Voices Speak Out Against Joss Whedon's Conduct" - Deadline
"ViacomCBS' Paramount+ Campaign During Super Bowl" - AdWeek
"Frasier Revival Eyed at Paramount+" - TV Line
If you enjoy Paper Team, please consider supporting us on Patreon at paperteam.co/patreon! :)
You can find Paper Team on Twitter:
Alex - @TVCalling
Nick - @_njwatson
For any questions, comments or feedback, you can e-mail us: ask@paperteam.co -
TV Outlines: At Home and in the Writers’ Room (PT207)
Alex and Nick take a look at the outlining process in television writing. Whether you’re working on your own TV sample scripts, or asked to deliver outlines in a writers' room, we dig into everything you should watch out for.
Why is outlining a critical step in television? How do we approach outlines? Have there been times we've decided not to outline? How early in the process do we outline? How do outlines differ between your own work and what is expected in a writers' room? Why has there been a push against outlines by some showrunners?
Content
1 - Outlines in your own work: TV samples, specs, pilots (00:28)
2 - Outlines in a professional environment: TV writers' rooms and pushback (19:21)
Links
From Outline to (First) Draft (PT28)
Twitter thread on TV outlines
If you enjoy Paper Team, please consider supporting us on Patreon at paperteam.co/patreon! :)
You can find Paper Team on Twitter:
Alex - @TVCalling
Nick - @_njwatson
For any questions, comments or feedback, you can e-mail us: ask@paperteam.co
Customer Reviews
The BEST podcast for TV screenwriters!
If you want to be a screenwriter for television in Los Angeles, this is what you should be listening to. Alex and Nick give you all the information you need in a podcast that is fun to listen to.
I know what you are thinking. And, sure, you can listen to John and Craig if you want to write features.
But THIS is THE podcast for your TV screenwriting needs. I’ve listened to a bunch. Like, a BUNCH. Go try the others. Hey, why not. But when your life gets busy and you don’t have time for them all, this is the one you will go to first.
A truly comprehensive guide to TV writing
The hosts are fun, thoughtful and clearly genuinely good people. If Alex and Nick were buddy cops on an old TV show, Alex would be the driver. He’d say things like “Crime is all about motive, Nick. We need to milk this evidence for all its juice!” Whereas Nick would smile politely and mutter: “Just drive, Alex. For the love of god, stop mixing metaphors and drive. ” I appreciate both these guys so much I just became a supporter on Patreon.
I’m uncomfortably excited about this podcast
Nick and Alex provide vocab and context that makes this some of the most actionable advice for TV writing. High bingability and replay value.