Recently we spoke with Jen Grisanti, acclaimed Story/Career Consultant at Jen Grisanti Consultancy, Inc., who is coming to Australia to speak at the 2013 Television Writers Studio along with Glen Mazzara and other esteemed television industry types.
Jen Grisanti, a Writing Instructor for Writers on the Verge at NBC, a former studio executive, a blogger for The Huffington Post and author of a number of TV Writing books, now wholly dedicates her career to helping talented writers break into the industry. Twenty years ago, Grisanti started her career as an assistant to Aaron Spelling, who served as her sensei for over a decade. She quickly climbed the highly competitive ranks and eventually ran Current Programs at Spelling Television Inc., covering all of Spelling’s shows including Beverly Hills, 90210,
Melrose Place and Charmed. In 2004, Grisanti was promoted to Vice President of Current Programs at CBS/Paramount where she covered numerous shows including Medium, Numbers, NCIS, 4400 and Girlfriends.
And now, she’s here to help you:
Pedestrian: What would you say was a defining moment that led you to a career in television?
Jen: The defining moment that led me to a career in television was when I got a job for Aaron Spelling and he became my mentor for the next 12 ½ years.
During the first six months on the job, I gave Mr. Spelling a treatment that I had written for a show. He saw my passion. He encouraged me to write. This began a daily routine where I’d read the scripts that came into the office and we’d go over story notes. He taught me how to make a script great. My love for giving development notes on story led me to climb the ladder as a studio executive. It wasn’t until I began to write my books that my passion for writing was truly realized.
Pedestrian: Did you always want to work in the television industry?
Jen: I always knew that I wanted to work in the television or film business. Story was my love from the time I was a child. I would get lost in shows like The Brady Bunch, The Partridge Family and The Hardy Boys. Even though I come from a family of professionals, my father is a doctor, my mother and sister are both lawyers and my brother is a dentist, I did always know that the entertainment business was the direction that I wanted to go. When I watched the first year of Beverly Hills, 90210 and then got an interview with Aaron Spelling, I knew that this was the direction for me.
Pedestrian: What do you consider your most valuable tool for being successful in the industry?
Jen: I would say that my most valuable tool for being successful in this industry is my knowledge of story mixed with my people skills. I helped to cover and staff over 15 time primetime shows during my career as a studio executive including Beverly Hills, 90210, Melrose Place, Charmed, Medium, The 4400, NCIS and Numbers. As a Current Programming Executive, I got to see my notes made on up to five shows a week, every week. I had the blessing of working with and learning from Aaron Spelling about how story works. My most valuable tool is my knowledge of story but my ability to connect with people is what brings it all together.
Pedestrian: What are your thoughts on the difference between the Australian and American television industries?
Jen: I love to see that there are so many of my favorite TV shows in the top 30 highest rated shows in Australia. I love that we are universally brought together by our love for story.
In the Australian market, I’d say that there are many similarities with the US market. There is a love for character-driven shows and serialized drama as well as procedural shows that also have a strong element of character. I do love the way that many of the characters are portrayed in the Australian shows. There is a strong truth that is revealed. I applaud the work that is being done.
Pedestrian: Is experience over here (in Australia) valued over there (in the US)? Or do you think young people here need to move overseas to truly find international success?
Jen: I’ve worked with many Australian writers, actors and directors during my career. I would say that in the US, we fully value the talent from the Australian market. Many artists have worked in both arenas and done it very successfully.
I feel that to find international success, an artist should be covered in different areas of the globe. If an artist has an interest in having a career in the U.S., it certainly is beneficial to move to the US. Although, the world is getting smaller and I know that we seek out talent there as well.
Pedestrian: What are your top three tips for young people wanting to get their TV show made?
Jen: I plan to share and elaborate on these and many more of my tips at The 2013 Television Writers Studio, Creating the Future of Award Winning Australian Television
Melbourne February 23 – 25 | Sydney February 28 – March 2, but basically:
1. Write a strong and marketable script that shows your voice.
2. Build your network of relationships.
3. Know how to tell and sell your story.
Pedestrian: What are your top three tips for young people wanting to work within the television industry in the US?
Jen:
1. Be Strategic. Know where you want to go and build your writing portfolio in a way that supports your goal.
2. Build Heat. Enter writing competitions and writing programs. Go to entertainment events where you can build your network of contacts.
3. Believe and take action. If you believe that you are a good writer then, you will understand that there is a mutual benefit in getting your work out there.
Pedestrian: How do you see television evolving in the next 5 years?
Jen: I see television moving even more outside of the box. I see bigger risks being taken creatively to push the envelope. I see shows going deeper into complex characters. I see stronger messages being explored. I see story evolving in a way that reflects more of what is going on in the world. I see the idea of moving to a higher consciousness in the stories that we tell. I see television growing in ways that we never imagined.
Jen Grisanti will be speaking as part of an upcoming screenwriter’s workshop The 2013 Television Writers Studio presented by Epiphany International Artists and featuring Glen Mazzara, Ellen Sandler, EP of ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’, Carole Kirschner, Director of WGA Showrunner Training Program and former VP of Television at Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment and Steve Kaplan, comedy consultant for writers at HBO, Disney, Screen Australia, NBC, Paramount and Dreamworks as well as Australian guest speakers Tony Ayres (ABC ‘The Slap’), Adam Zwar (ABC Lowdown/Wilfred) and Claudia Karvan (writer/producer of Love My Way and Spirited).
MELBOURNE
When: February 23 – 25, 9am – 6.15pm | evening sessions commence 7.00pm
Where: RMIT Storey Hall and The Wheeler Centre
SYDNEY
When: February 28 – March 2, 9am – 6.15pm | evening sessions commence 7.00pm
Where: Hoyts @ Fox and AFTRS Studios
Details: www.epiphany.com.au
