Just saw an interesting statistic in Response mag, they say that scriptwriters get from $2K to $8200 per 60-second spot they write,
according to 2005 industry figures.

So that's another possible venue some of you may want to explore, eg copywriting/script writing for tv spots.


Ken

Thanks Ken!

I've been kicking this around for a while, but haven't found much in how to go about making this happen.

Perhaps the tvwriterguy can give us some input on this.

Sure, I could simply contact someone that creates TV spots, but I wouldn't like to go at it with an "empty gun".

One more thing -
I have been paying very close to these ads and I really don't see much difference from these and doing on-line ads I've already done, so it probably wouldn't take much of a learning curve.

Steve,

I know NOTHING about breaking into commercials. I wrote promos for some shows on the WB and ABC before (Who Want to be a Millionaire and the Wayne Brady Show... those were mine). And as an actor I've done a couple commercials (Oatmeal Raisin Crisp... that was mine). But never been able to break into writing em.

I've applied to a couple on guru.com and craigslist, but never heard back. I think the world of commericials doesn't want to deal with entertainment folk if they don't have to. Once I get some kind of name for myself as a copywriter I think I'll have a better shot.

Sidebar: I actually applied for a gig working fulltime for a big insurance company, to write and produce their commercials and training videos (I thought it would be fun for a while). After them courting me for a month and us negotiating a pretty decent deal, they backed off at the last minute. The response was, "The fact that you come from an entertainment background instead of a marketing background, just scared us, so we went with a copywriter."

So... if anyone gets a gig writing a commercial and you want to partner with someone... call me!!!

I've had considerable experience writing TV spots. Worked for a company that provided creative services to eye doctors nationwide, and I wrote (as well as produced and directed) :30s and :60s for LASIK and cataract surgeons.

TV spots are a blast--you just have to think visually when you're writing. Plus, it helps if you can be there when the shoot is happening as well as in the editing room when it's all being put together...sometimes other people don't see the vision the way you do, and you need to keep them on track.

But man, when it comes together and becomes reality...THAT'S cool.

My reel isn't bad--won a few local Addy awards with it. Need to get it online, I guess...especially with those fees Ken was quoting up there.

The closest I've ever come to doing "media" type stuff was when I worked in a music studio a few years ago.

I'll have to say thet the studio/editing work is probably the best part.