• Pilot Intensive

    Mike Benner's Pilot Intensive

    Over eight weeks, I will help take you from a logline to a first draft that you can start rewriting on your own. We’ll discuss the elements that make up a good pilot, what makes for compelling characters, and much more. More info below.

    SEE CLASSES
  • Consults

    Consults

    Have a new pilot idea you’re working on but can’t commit to eight weeks? I'm available for one-on-one help as well. Whether you just want help breaking your story, in-depth notes before tackling a second draft, or anything in between. Consults start at $150 for a first session of 2 hours, and we’ll work out a rate if you'd like to set followups. Email and let me know what you’re looking for.

    E-MAIL ME

TEACHER: Mike Benner
CLASS SIZE: 4-5 writers
WHERE: Online, via Zoom
LENGTH: 8 weeks, 3-hour classes
PRICE: $500 (single writer) or $625 (for a writing team on the same script)

No matter your experience level, writing a pilot is hard. Over eight weeks, I will help take you from a logline to a first draft that you can start rewriting on your own. We’ll discuss the elements that make up a good pilot, what makes for compelling characters, the difference between a setting and an interesting setting, and much more. You’ll take your idea from a beat sheet to an outline to a script, which we will read together act by act. All along the way, I and your fellow classmates will serve as a mini writer’s room, offering valuable notes and pitches, helping develop your pilot in ways you might haven’t thought of otherwise.

This class has an intensive weekly schedule, designed for writers with professional experience. It is not recommended for first-time writers.

WHAT KIND OF PILOT CAN I WRITE?
I specialize mostly in half-hour comedy, but I have experience teaching all sorts of writing, from 12-minute animation to half-hour sitcoms to hour-long dramas. I believe storytelling is storytelling, so feel free to bring any type of idea you want, whether it’s a straightforward multicam family sitcom or a musical sci-fi fantasy satire. Do note that the class is geared towards half-hours, however, so if your pilot is an hour-long, you might feel rushed through the last portion of class when we actually put your working draft on its feet and read pages aloud.

DO TAKE THIS CLASS IF:

  • You are a comedian, improviser, or performer looking to write a pilot

  • You have professional writing experience but have never written a TV pilot

  • You’re a working TV or film writer looking to sharpen your skills or just have an excuse to finish a new sample

DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS IF:

  • You have no writing experience

  • You don’t enjoy receiving notes and/or pitches from other writers

  • You are a jerk

WHY THE HELL SHOULD I LISTEN TO YOU?
You don’t have to. I’m just another working class TV and film writer, trying to make a living in an increasingly difficult industry. But I have sold four pilots, been hired to develop many others, staffed on Emmy Award-winning TV shows, had a movie made, and worked as a showrunner. On top of that, I’ve written countless pilots and feel that I’ve strengthened that muscle to the point where the veins are sticking out and it looks all gross and weird. But if you need some other writers to vouch for me, try these folks!

  • “Mike Benner is everything that you want in a writer and a teacher. His teaching style reflects his character: attentive and kind. Benner fosters creativity and encourages students to develop unique voices while also teaching tips and tricks to master the basic structure of writing for television. I have felt extremely grateful to know Benner throughout the years. I took Benner’s TV Writing class after moving to LA, hoping to learn more about the craft. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I have ever made. The pilot that I wrote in Benner’s class was the same one that I sold and eventually became an animated series for Netflix!”

    Echo Wu (creator, Jentry Chau vs. The Underworld)

  • “Despite the fact he’s an evil Philly fan, whenever I’m stuck with a script or pitch doc, Benner is one of the first people I turn to. Not only does he give insight on things like character, story, and tone, but Benner is never trying to make my script HIS idea. His notes have always helped me execute my vision but more efficiently, more clearly, and a whole lot fucking funnier.”

    Edgar Momplaisir (writer, black-ish, Everybody Still Hates Chris, Star Trek: Lower Decks) 

  • “Mike’s a seasoned showrunner who brings a wealth of industry expertise and knowledge about craft. He fostered a fun and supportive environment where everyone was encouraged to share their ideas about each other's scripts. His thoughtful notes pushed me to sharpen scenes and go deeper with all of my characters, resulting in a much funnier and richer script. I came to class with a seedling of an idea and Mike helped me leave with a fully realized pilot.”

    Talia Gonzalez (writer, Hawaii Five-0, iZombie, Teen Wolf)

  • "Mike Benner possess one of those special minds that can simplify the gargantuan task of writing a script down to its most concise nature. He’s able to take complex ideas and boil them down to what matters and what doesn’t, leaving behind space to actually be funny, creative, and heartfelt in his works. I WISH I had that ability. And now that he’s teaching it I'm truly jealous of every single one of his students. You’re all extremely lucky."

    Garrick Bernard (writer, Rick & Morty, Solar Opposites, Marvel’s Armor Wars)