Writing a Successful TV Series: How to Pitch and Develop Projects for Television and Online Streaming (With the Story-Type Method)

In Writing a Successful TV Series, screenwriter and industry expert Oberg shares career-boosting secrets for the modern series maker

Would you like to learn how to create an irresistible bible, a compelling pilot, unforgettable characters and addictive storylines that audiences around the world will want to watch week after week once they’re hooked on the first episode? If so, you’ve come to the right place!

Based on the groundbreaking approach introduced in Screenwriting Unchained and shown in action in The Screenwriter’s Troubleshooter, this third volume in the Story-Type Method® collection explores the crucial distinction between conventional series formats and the actual story structure lying underneath. Throughout, Oberg explains in a clear, conversational style how we can use the same dramatic tools to design series, seasons, episodes, storylines and sequences, and why modern series narratives are not just about teasers and cliffhangers.

Writing a Successful TV Series provides a goldmine of actionable information to anyone involved in the series development process (writers, directors, producers, showrunners, story editors, development execs), irrespective of their level of experience. As in his previous books, Oberg puts a strong emphasis on each project reaching the widest possible audience, both at home and abroad, without following prescriptive and outdated rules.

Using examples and case studies from successful series such as Stranger Things, Killing Eve, Breaking Bad, Sex Education, Occupied, The Walking Dead, Fleabag, Big Little Lies, Happy Valley and many others, Oberg reveals in this practical guide the flexible yet powerful tools and techniques needed to conquer this fast-evolving medium, focusing particularly on getting your bible and pilot commissioned. A companion online course dives further into detailed case studies and hands-on project work to help you master series design at season level.

So if you’re eager to find out how mini-series, procedurals and serials are really designed in order to make it to the Writers’ Room and not only survive it but thrive and shine in it, look no further!

About the Author:

Emmanuel Oberg is a screenwriter, bestselling author and creative consultant with more than twenty-five years of experience in the Film and TV industry. After selling a first screenplay to Warner Bros, he has been commissioned as a writer by StudioCanal, Working Title / Universal, Gold Circle and Film4. He has also designed internationally acclaimed advanced development workshops and modules on thriller, comedy, animation and TV Series, all based on the Story-Type Method. He delivers them with passion to storytellers around the world, in-person or online, through a series of interactive courses and hybrid events. Emmanuel lives in the UK with his wife and their two daughters.

What Readers Say:

"A must read when looking for information related to the development of streamers and serialised television series."

"FOR WRITERS INTERESTED IN THE STREAMING SERIES, you will enjoy this book!"

"Leads you through a step-by-step method to getting the most from your TV show ideas."

"A must-read for anyone who wants to write a successful TV Series and more!"

Emmanuel Oberg is a screenwriter, creative consultant and bestselling author with more than twenty-five years of experience in the Film and TV industry. After selling a first screenplay to Warner Bros, he has been commissioned as a writer by StudioCanal, Working Title / Universal, Gold Circle and Film4. He has also designed internationally acclaimed advanced  development workshops and modules on thriller, comedy, animation and TV Series, all based on the Story-Type Method. He delivers them with passion to storytellers around the world, in-person or online, through a series of popular interactive courses and hybrid events. Emmanuel lives in the UK with his wife and their two daughters.