TV DRAMA 3

Question	Answer
RESIDUALS	Additional payments to writers and other talent when a show reruns.
REWRITE	A significant revision of a script that may include re-structuring and creating new characters and scenes.
SCENE	The smallest dramatic building block, usually a step of the action, or a beat, with complete dramatic structure. In production, it is sometimes defined as the action in a single time and place.
SCENE HEADING	SEE SLUG LINE
SEASON	A television season encompasses the months a show airs. Though the traditional network season runs September to May, cable and other outlets have different schedules.
SECOND DRAFT	A script that has been rewritten after receiving notes from a producer.
SERIAL	A series whose stories continue across many episodes in which the main cast develops over time.
SHOOTING SCRIPT	The final draft which goes into production.
SHORT ORDER	A PICK-UP that continues to airing less than a full season, sometimes only a few episodes of a new show.
SHOWRUNNER	The top EXECUTIVE PRODUCER in charge of a series, the one who determines the course of a show and supervises all aspects.
SLUG LINE	Some screenwriting software uses the term SCENE HEADING. In a script, INT. or EXT. is followed by the location of a scene, and time.
SPEC SCRIPT	A speculated screenplay written as a sample or in the hope of being sold. Beginners may write a spec of an existing series to demonstrate their skill.
SPRINGBOARD	A situation in a show that provokes action; aspects of a FRANCHISE that provide premises for episodes. Example: In a medical drama, the arrival of a new patient creates a springboard for a story.
STAFF WRITER	The first rung in the ladder of a writing staff, usually a beginner; also called ''baby writer.''
STEP DEAL	A writing contract which provides ''cut offs'' after each step of writing. For example, if a writer's outline doesn't work for the show, he may be cut off, not hired to proceed to the first draft.
STORY EDITOR	A member of a series writing staff above STAFF WRITER and below PRODUCER who writes and rewrites episodes.
SUPERVISING PRODUCER	A high-level writer-producer who may run the writing room.
SYNDICATION	The system of selling television series as packages to groups of stations and foreign markets after a network run is complete, usually requiring at least 88 episodes. A lucrative process that follows a show's first-run broadcast.
TEASER	Also called PROLOGUE and COLD OPENING. Dramatic material before titles that may or may not be related to the story in the episode which follows, but often does provide a HOOK or inciting incident.
TELEPLAY	Screenplay written for television.
TRADES	Daily or weekly newspapers that cover the entertainment industry, mainly 'Variety' and 'The Hollywood Reporter.'
TREATMENT	A narrative of the film, technically the entire script in prose without dialogue, but often abridged to a short summary.
WEBISODES	Episodes made for Web or Internet distribution. They may be auxiliary episodes of existing shows or original productions.
WRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA	The professional union that represents screenwriters. It has two branches, West (in Los Angeles) and East (in New York City), as well as affiliates in other countries.

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	Created by lanni.nguyen over 10 years ago