I got this question recently:
“I wrote an episode for a television show I like, and have ideas for more. I’ve read your posts on TV writing, but they seem to be mostly about developing a series. What I’m wondering is how I might best go about approaching the producers/creators of the show to ask them if they’re interested in reading my episodes. When I’m done writing and I send them a query letter, would a few sentences per episode be sufficient? Or longer?”
It might be wise to take a step back and understand why it’s a good idea to write spec scripts for existing shows. What you’re trying to do is create a cache of high quality specs that you can use as writing samples. So if you’re going to write a bunch of t.v. specs you should write them based on a variety of different shows. What you’re really hoping for is to submit these specs to agents and managers who will represent you and submit them as writing samples to similar shows to get you staffed on one of those shows. So it’s important to be able to show you can write for many different, although similar, shows.
While it is possible to sell spec scripts to existing shows, it’s very difficult for a variety of reasons. Often times the people running television shows simply have egos that are too large to accept scripts from outsiders. In addition, there are often lots of subtle things that an outside writer simply would never understand about the show like long term story and character arcs.
To answer your question, though, in most cases the actual production company that produces a show will be listed in the Hollywood Creative Directory or on IMDB Pro. Look them up, find the name of the show runner or head writer, and submit a query letter to them. If you have completed scripts for many episodes you might as well pitch a log line for each episode as you never know which one might interest them. Again, I want to emphasize that this is going to be a real uphill battle!
Next, I would break out the Hollywood Creative Directory agents and managers edition and start submitting query letters to them, too, as this is really your best shot at becoming a television writer.
Good luck!
One of the biggest problems that I have found in Hollywood over the past 25 years has been the theft of ideas. I have submitted numerous scripts which were rejected, and then seen them done over and over again. I have seen three versions of my original “Navy Seals” script, and seen one of my scripts turned into “24”, even to the point of using the same character names!! It might be interesting to see how you address this problem.
I just saw Brannon Braga’s name on “Terra Nova” last night. Good to see a fellow Canton, Ohio boy do well.
I’m very skeptical of people who think their ideas have been stolen. It’s rarely the case. If someone does steal your material and it’s registered with the library of congress it should be easy to prove so in court and reap huge rewards, which is why theft is so rare. Find a good lawyer and go after them if you really believe that you have been ripped off.
I wrote a post on the subject which you can read here:
http://www.sellingyourscreenplay.com/writing-your-screenplay/i-think-someone-stole-my-story-idea/