I have a reader question... I highly doubt my situation is unique, but I haven't seen it talked about much on the site. My writing partner is also an actress and a role in the script I'm currently working on (and roles in other scripts) was written for her to play. If we were able to sell this, or get meetings about it, how could we handle this? This wouldn't be some indie flick, but a big budget studio film, that's how I see it at least. Thanks!

Given that a lot of the most interesting and possibly highest quality writing is happening on TV, I'd like to see something about writing for 1 hour drama/action TV shows. For example, how to deal with a 4, 5, or 6 act structure and writing with commercial breaks in mind; 6 vs 13 vs 22 episode seasons. Character development for TV. The differences between serial and procedural shows. How to pace a show over a single episode and over a season, and how to setup and interweave the main plot and all the subplots, and when to reveal important character traits. How to write effective teasers and tags. Bibles.

Pliny, I will be interviewing a colleague who spent 8 years producing and writing the TV series JAG. I will bring up these questions for him.

Re: Screenwriter Interviews - Scott Alexander & Larry Karaszewski (Ed Wood, The People vs. Larry Flynt, Man On The Moon, 1408) I met them once, they're great guys and super-talented. It would be fun to have a Q&A with them.

Scott, thank you.

Hi Scott, I've been following GITS for almost 2 yrs I guess, I've been just studying and studying about screenwriting.Its a shame I've not started to write one. (I wrote only small concepts for contests and brainstorm some scenes). Here is my point, I dont know it can be silly and totally selfish... Like 'A story idea each day for 1 month' , Can there be A live screenwriting project which lasts for 3 or 6 months..The whole screenwriting process right from Preping to Page writing..to final draft.

@SK Tagore. You should definitely check out what Scott offers thru Screenwriting Master Class. I'm in the Prep class now and it's fantastic. There's also a Pages class, which I haven't done, and (I believe) a rewrite class. I've always been an outliner, but, because of the work we're doing now in Prep, I'm realizing my outlines weren't thorough enough. One thing I never did before was really dig into my characters before starting to plot (I love plotting, hate digging). Because the class follows a process that starts with character, I've had to do some digging and ended up pleasantly surprised. Also, it's easy to see that, when it comes time to start writing pages, first drafting is going to be easier because of the work put in on the front end. The Prep class has been a great experience. I've taken a few of the shorter classes and those have all been well-worth it, too.

Interesting question, Marc. I'll include it in the next round of reader questions.

Teddy, agreed they would be a great interview. Onto the list they go.

Thanks, Annika, for those comments. Glad you're enjoying the Prep process. I know it's a lot of work, but if it results in a better script, worth it.

SK Tagore, let me elaborate on what Annika has so nicely summed up below. The value of the Prep and Page writing workshops we offer at SMC is not only the process we provide which enables a writer to use a series of writing exercises and assignments to go from concept to outline to first draft to rewrite [or any portion thereof], it also provides a structure within which to do it. Weekly due dates. Group feedback. Regular teleconferences. Participants in our workshops benefit from committing to and working in a structured environment. Then, too, either Tom or I serve as a mentor to help writers along the way. It really is pretty remarkable what goes on in those workshops, so you should check them out here.

Hi Scott, re: Great Characters. I was recently reminded of Archer (Mick Ford) in Scum who (to me) had a greater impact than Carlin (Ray Winstone). He's rebellious, wise and witty and with grander ideals. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=IUargoIyStA