I'm here to tell you there are NO RULES in this business for getting work. In fact, I think I know more people in the business who have gotten a job working as actors, writers, and comedians who basically wrote their own rules.
So I have put together 10 tips for getting a hired writing for Late Night TV by NOT following the rules.
Where some people see failure, I see amazing opportunity!
I mean what a perfect time to self-produce a show that has that edge.
If I was new writer trying to break in, not only would I be writing and submitting packets every three to six months, I would be collaborating and self-producing a 5 min. edgy variety/talk show just like the Daily Show with the same type of enthusiasm and gusto that was ever-present at that show.
A writer interested in writing for Late Night TV, should be paying close attention to the movements that happen behind the scenes just like a market investor eyes the NYSE or the NASDAQ.
Because turning $11k into $200k over a period of 11 years is a sweet investment, but a job writing in Late Night TV can turn $0 into $200k in a year, because that's the minimum salary for a staff writer working in Late Night.
So a writer should be paying close attention to the Late Night TV market, because drama is happening big time over at CBS.
This could be the most important 9-minute comedy lesson of your life.
In the next 9 minutes you're going to learn a lot! I mean a ton! I'm calling this article my 9-minute Comedy Mastermind Session.
When it comes to comedy writing and theory, my argument always focuses on structure.
"Structure is king!" I'll usually say.
Getting to the point and getting the laugh with a strong point of view while saying something that actually means something is crucial but structure is where the laugh occurs, not just...
The Late Night TV industry has totally exploded. When I was first writing for Late Night, there were 2 shows. Now there's 9 Late Night style shows and that's not even including Samantha Bee's "Full Frontal" on TBS and Chelsea Handler on "Chelsea" on Netflix. With Hulu, Amazon and YouTube whispering about producing new streaming shows.
Good comedy content is in high demand and continuing to grow.
Problem is, the talent pool of good comedy writers is seriously thin. The next 5 years is going to be a boom period for good comedy writers. If you've thought about writing for Late Night TV, what you do in the next 6 months can have a huge impact on the rest of your life!
