Two Days in TV Land: Writing & Pitching Series Television

Book

An immersive two-day workshop in the art and craft of creating and pitching series television, from American TV writer, Hal Cantor.

Course Info

Date:

7th & 8th February 2026

Times:

10:00 – 16:00

Duration:

2 Days

Fee:

450

Capacity:

8 Participants

What to expect:

We are living in a Renaissance of unparalleled quality in series television. The revolution is being televised and streamed around the world. TWO DAYS IN TV LAND is your ticket in.

Got an idea that you want to develop? Are you curious about how television is created, pitched and sold? What are the key components to great television? Why are serialized series so popular? What is a television pilot and why are they so challenging to write? Class concludes with student’s pitching an original concept, the feedback of which will help them in future development.

SATURDAY

TV LAND: A look at the current landscape of TV and Streaming
TV vs. Film Storytelling
Why is narrative television so compelling?
TV Formats / Types
What’s happening in comedy?
Pitching Television: A Deep Dive
What are the key elements to a successful pitch?
Pitch Tips and Tricks

SUNDAY

Character. Character. Character. The three most important words in television.
What exactly is a TV pilot? What must a pilot accomplish?
What is the world of the pilot and why is it so important?
What are the types of pilot storytelling?
The Inside Story: Participants act as studio heads as Hal pitches a project.
Participant pitches (with feedback!)
The American process of selling a TV series
Q&A: The Business.

Tutor

Hal Cantor

Screenwriter

Hal Cantor

Screenwriter

HAL CANTOR writes television, film, and theater. His half-hour comedy, TO HAL & BACK, which he wrote and performed, was optioned by SONY PICTURES TELEVISION. Prior to this, his drama pilot, MOUTHPIECE, was bought by FOX TELEVISION STUDIOS. He wrote THE LAKE EFFECT, a one-hour drama pilot for SHOWTIME, developed with Emmy-winning director Scott Winant, with whom he is developing a new drama. Hal also sold the drama pilot, TWILIGHT, to SONY PICTURES TELEVISION. In features, he developed a comedy with John Davis Productions.

In non-fiction, he wrote on GREAT ESCAPES with MORGAN FREEMAN; THE UNxPLAINED with WILLIAM SHATNER, both for HISTORY CHANNEL; and FUSION channel’s acclaimed special, THE NAKED TRUTH: DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS, which broke The Panama Papers story.

Hal’s had multiple plays produced. His one-man show, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING ANXIOUS, debuted at London’s Camden Fringe. The play was honored with an ENCORE PRODUCER’S AWARD at Hollywood Fringe in Los Angeles, and recently completed a successful run at NYC Fringe, where it was recognized as SOLO SHOW OF THE YEAR by the Young-Howze 2025 Theater Awards. CUBICLES, which he wrote & directed in Los Angeles, garnered 7 Valley Theater League nominations including Best Play, Best Writing and Best Director. He’s currently adapting his play, THE BONUS ROUND, into a musical with composer, Bobby Cronin.

Hal teaches television around the world: LONDON FILM SCHOOL: COVENT GARDEN; NEW YORK FILM ACADEMY; RAINDANCE: BERLIN; MET FILM SCHOOL: LONDON/BERLIN; aFILM INTERNATIONAL (BARCELONA); NORTHWEST FILM CENTER (PORTLAND).

Hal is a member of the Writers Guild of America and The Dramatists Guild.

He divides his time between Los Angeles, London & South Florida.

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