- 04
Developing the Concept
Show titles, story bibles, tone, structure - Shonda walks you through how to take your idea and turn it into a fully-fleshed out concept.
- 05
Researching Your Story
Effective research can make your story come to life. Using case studies from Scandal and Grey's Anatomy, Shonda discusses her techniques and method for conducting research for her stories.
- 06
Creating Memorable Characters Part 1
Meredith Grey, Olivia Pope, Cristina Yang - Shonda has created some of the most memorable characters to grace television. In this chapter, Shonda breaks down how she approaches the character development process.
- 07
Creating Memorable Characters Part 2
Shonda shares her techniques on how to effectively develop and evolve your characters when writing your stories, including when and how to kill off characters.
- 08
Pitching Your Show
You can't make a TV show without pitching it first. Shonda shares how she originally pitched Grey's Anatomy to network executives, and her top tips for how to deliver an effective pitch.
- 09
Writing a Script: Structure
Shonda breaks down the five acts of television, and what needs to be accomplished in each one to tell an effective story in a one-hour drama.
- 10
Writing a Script: Process
You have your premise, your characters, and research. Now it's time to write your script. Shonda talks about her own process for preparing to write a script, including how to create beat sheets and outlines.
- 11
Writing a Script: Effective Habits
Writer's block? No time? Shonda breaks through the myths of writing, and details how exactly she gets her writing done.
- 12
Writing a Script: The Pilot
When it comes to television, the pilot is everything. Shonda discusses the key ingredients to what makes a great pilot, including discussing her alternative opening scenes for the show Scandal.
- 13
Writing Authentic Dialogue
Shonda shares her tips on how to write realistic and engaging dialogue for your characters.
- 14
Case Study: Grey's Anatomy Pilot Pt. 1
Shonda breaks down the Grey's Anatomy pilot act-by-act and shares why she made certain story decisions.
- 15
Case Study: Grey's Anatomy Pilot Pt. 2
Shonda continues to break down the Grey's Anatomy pilot act-by-act.
- 16
Case Study: Scandal Pilot Act One
Shonda breaks down the first act of the Scandal pilot, revealing why she structured the opening scene the way she did.
- 17
Case Study: Scandal Pilot Act Two
Shonda discusses act two of the Scandal pilot and the introduction of Olivia's White House storyline.
- 18
Case Study: Scandal Pilot Act Three
Shonda discusses act three of the Scandal pilot and how to balance various story lines in a single episode.
- 19
Case Study: Scandal Pilot Act Four
Shonda discusses act four of the Scandal pilot and the importance of quickening the pace of your action.
- 20
Case Study: Scandal Pilot Act Five
Shonda discusses the final act of the Scandal pilot, and reveals how she set up the pilot for an entire season of episodes.
- 21
Editing Your Script
You've written the first draft - now comes the task of editing your script. Shonda reveals her own editing process, and provides tips on the best things to cut in a script.
- 22
Beyond the Pilot: Writing a Series
Shonda has never had a TV show last for less than six seasons. In this chapter, Shonda discusses what keeps people watching a show beyond the pilot.
- 23
Scandal Case Study: "It's Handled"
In this case study, Shonda discusses how the scene between Olivia and Rowan Pope in the season three premiere of Scandal cleverly uses dialogue to reveal who the characters are, and the importance of the scene in the show's story.
- 24
Breaking into the Industry
Shonda reveals her top tips for networking, working entry-level jobs, and her thoughts on film school.
- 25
Working in a Writers’ Room
Shonda discusses what she looks for in writers when staffing her shows, and how her own writers' rooms are structured.
- 26
Working in TV Production
Shonda talks about how a writer can best adapt to the fast-paced world of television production, and important lessons she has learned in over a decade of producing TV.
- 27
Showrunning
Becoming and being a showrunner is exciting, but it comes with immense responsibilities. Shonda talks through how she learned to become an effective showrunner.
- 28
Life of a Writer
Writing is not just a profession, it is a way of life. Shonda discusses the issue of "work/life balance" and the physical and mental habits to survive a writer's life.
- 29
Shonda's Journey
Learn how Shonda went from being a Dartmouth and USC graduate, to the queen of Thursday night.
