Tougher than Screenwriting

Screenwriters may quibble at this, but the facts will bear me out: writing for TV is more difficult than screenwriting.

Why? In order to write for TV, you must know everything a screenwriter knows, plus: 1. How to write for five (or six) act outs; 2) consistency from episode to episode is crucial; 3) over the course of a season you'll write the equivelent of 6 movies (for 13 one-hour episodes) or 11 movies (if you get the full 22 -episode order) while screenwriters labor over their measley two-hour script for months or years.

However, in TV, the writer has far more power, and often makes more money than in film. A screenwriter is disposable, a schmuck. A TV writer is often also a producer, involved in casting, editing, and every other aspect of the work. Sure, you still have to answer to the studio and network, but because you run the show or are there day in, day out, you have far more control over the final product than a screenwriter.

And I've heard TV writers say, jokingly, but with meaning: "I can't do movies. I can't afford the pay cut."

TV writing is tough. But it's also very rewarding.