A step-by-step guide to create a professional-quality, structurally sound first draft of a TV comedy pilot that expresses your unique vision and creative voice.

Including 9 LIVE SESSIONS with Julia to keep you motivated and get your questions answered every step of the way 🧚‍♀️

For screenwriters of any experience level who want to create an outstanding half-hour pilot sample to share with their networks for staffing or selling.

This course takes you from…

Not knowing where to start ➡️ finished draft
Throwing spaghetti against the wall ➡️ an intentional, conscious process to go from idea to script
Guesswork about how to write a door-opening half-hour sample pilot ➡️ clarity about what makes a reader say "YES"

Why I made this course...

In 2019, I had THE GREATEST assistant job in Hollywood. I was a development assistant for a group of producers with an overall deal at a studio to make half-hour television comedy. Besides the scheduling and emailing and ordering lunch, my job was to read the scripts of every writer who wanted to meet with them - their samples.

I had that job for four years. I read SO. MANY. SAMPLES. I got a pretty good sense of the quality of pilots being submitted to producers, what made the good ones good, and what made the meh ones meh. So by the time I gave my bosses MY sample - hoping they could help me get an agent, or get staffed on an existing show - they liked it so much they wanted to produce it.

Two different studios wanted it. One of the studios bought that one script for almost five times my yearly assistant salary. The studio attached a huge TV star to play the lead and sold it to a network. The pandemic shut down all production, so the network paid me to write the second episode of my show.

The show didn’t go, but - I got WGA health insurance. The next year I sold another pilot to a different network. A major production company took on the feature script I had written YEARS prior. I got another job writing another feature for the big company that delivers the packages. My career had started.

That’s what a great sample script can do.

Fast forward to the 2023 WGA strike - my savings were dwindling and luckily, I got the opportunity to teach pilot writing classes at the UCB Training Center. I developed a curriculum based on the actual process of developing a TV show, selling and writing that pilot. I spent a year teaching 8-week pilot writing classes - I've now taught almost 100 students - and I honed a process to help anyone who wants to write the first episode of the show that they think should be on TV.

I don’t teach arbitrary rules about story structure; characters; and page count.

I teach you WHY television pilots are structured the way they are, and HOW to use that structure to communicate with a reader or viewer.

tell me more...

"Julia’s syllabus and clear expectations week-to-week are a godsend for creatives who crave structure and deadlines. She created a fool-proof system to work out the kinks before writing dialogue -- saving me months (if not years??) of toil, desperate patchwork, and wrong turns. I was able to write my pilot draft (and actually enjoy it) immediately after completing the Detailed Outline class because the story-crafting work was already strong. If you have a TV show idea you love- take Julia’s class before anything else!!!!"

-Playwright / Actor / Musician

What is Julia's process?

One big mistake most writers make when writing a sample pilot is that they don't first develop the TV show.

When I first started teaching pilot writing classes, I was surprised by how little the writers knew about the world, characters, and future of the show by the time they started writing the first half-hour of it.

What makes a reader say "WOW, my boss has to read this THIS WEEKEND," is when the entire TV show - all its seasons and many, many episodes - is readily apparent in the script for the first episode.

How do you do this? You don't start by writing. You don't even start by outlining. You start by developing.

The process I teach mimics the actual process of developing a TV show, pitching it to producers, studios, and networks, selling it, getting commenced, and writing the pilot. (Which I've actually done - that whole process - twice. Parts of the process many more times!)

First I teach you how to watch TV like a TV writer - and we think broadly about your vision for your show. (And I show you exactly how to put that vision into a one-sheet.) By the time your one-sheet is ready, you have a lot of clarity about what you want this show to be, and it becomes very easy to start making decisions about what goes into the first episode.

Next I teach you all about three-act structure and how TV writers use that structure to convey information to a reader about their show as a whole. Then I show you exactly how to make a story area document, which is where you decide what is going to happen in your pilot - making sure it contains everything that feels vital about your idea.

From there, I teach you how to make a detailed outline - basically your script without the dialog! You plan out every single scene you're going to write, and make sure the story works so you won't get lost in the maze of story, logic, and stakes once you go to draft.

When you follow my process, your first draft is close to your final draft. My students are not going back to the drawing board about tone, character, world, and story. You're ready to start punching up jokes and finessing dialog, clarifying action lines so that your characters leap off the page.

sound good?

50% off presale

"No shade, but I have an MFA in screenwriting from Columbia and I learned more about pilot writing from Julia in just a few HOURS than I did in my TV writing class at school (that cost me bazillions of dollars in student loans). She is legit brilliant at this, so nurturing to all of us no matter the genre or style of pilot. I was hesitant at first to spend MORE money learning about writing after going to film school, but the truth is that I was spinning my wheels without structure, writing is hard even for the most seasoned writers, and a brilliant teacher is a gift worth grabbing if you need clarity or a boost for any reason. Thanks Julia, you rock."

-Writer/Director

The course

Module 1 - Welcome

(preview now for free!)

Course overview and clarifying intentions/goals
Practical tips for a functional writing practice
How To Watch TV / TV Show DNA (signature lecture)
Guidance if you don't have an idea
Guidance on seeking and receiving feedback
How to figure out if you have a multicam on your hands 👀👀👀

Module 2 - One-Sheet

Develop your TV show - make a bunch of decisions that will guide how you bring your vision to the page

Module 3 - Story For TV

Julia's lectures thoroughly explaining how to use three-act structure to communicate with your viewer/reader, including examples from real TV pilots

Module 4 - Story Area

How to create a story area document; applying act structure to your vision, including B and C stories if necessary

Module 5 - Detailed Outline

How to craft a detailed outline that's basically the script without the dialog! Create your own guidebook so a functional, workable draft will just flow out.

Module 6 - Draft

Draft your pilot act by act (!!!)

Plus...

Video of Julia taking HERSELF through each step of this process with an original pilot idea - see every piece of the puzzle in action.
"Plug and play" option - the SIMPLEST, step-by-step process to GUARANTEE you get a solid finished draft. Make fewer decisions. Get a pilot under your belt.
9 live online sessions June 23rd - August 18th to keep you on track, troubleshoot, and get your questions answered!

The 9 Live Sessions

This course includes 9 live online sessions with Julia, designed to motivate you, keep you moving through the course, and have your process witnessed by the group. You will be able to bring any questions that come up about your script and your process.

If you can't attend live, you can submit questions ahead of time and watch the recording!

I. Development

Week 1 - June 23rd, 6:30pm PT - TV Show DNA
Week 2 - June 30th, 6:30pm PT - One-sheet
Week 3 - July 7th, 6:30pm PT - Revised one-sheet

II. Pilot Story

Week 4 - July 14th, 6:30pm PT - Story area
Week 5 - July 21st, 6:30pm PT - Detailed outline
Week 6 - July 28th, 6:30pm PT - Revised detailed outline

III. First Draft

Week 7 - August 4th, 6:30pm PT - Act one
Week 8 - August 11th, 6:30pm PT - Act two
Week 9 - August 18th, 6:30pm PT - Act three

50% off presale!

Writer/Director

"Julia's class was a lifeline to me. I can say wholeheartedly I have truly never felt so safe or supported as a writer. By the end of her class, I had a full draft of a new TV Pilot. It's no surprise because I felt held and supported throughout the process from outlining to draft. Julia's gentle but extremely knowledgeable and advanced notes led to me finding the best version of my story."

Actress/Writer

"Julia is an incredible writing coach. Not only is she an excellent resource for structure and logic, but her approach is balanced with a gift for deep character work. She really meets you where you are and helps you to expand your personal voice, instilling confidence and meaning into the process. Whatever stage you are in with your project, Julia will illuminate the path and enrich the journey!"

Standup/Writer

Taking Julia's class was the best thing I did for my writing. She is an incredibly thoughtful, inspiring and supportive teacher. Any roadblocks I ran into, she had a brilliant, insightful solution. I learned so much from her and the group dynamic she fosters. Can't recommend taking her class enough!

This is for you if...

You want a first draft of a new half-hour pilot sample you can't wait to share with your network by the end of the summer (!!!)

You're ready to hone your own taste and take control of your process and material

You're seeking deadlines, group momentum, and accountability

This is not for you if...

Your next project is a one-hour sample or a feature

You will be unable to move forward without Julia "signing off on" your work at every step (if so, check out 1:1 coaching!)

Actor/Writer

"Let me start out by saying: Julia is amazing! I came to her by way of a pilot writing course being offered by UCB. I had absolutely no writing experience. Only an idea about a personal life experience I had been wanting to write but failed in prior attempts.

Julia helped lay out a structure and set DEADLINES for writing a half hour Comedy/Dramedy.

Armed with the FREE version of WriterDuet, passion and a willingness to LISTEN; what followed over the course of three and half months was a life-changing experience that helped me find the writer in me that had been waiting to break out!

Julia challenged, encouraged and pushed me to be better on every pass of my pilot. She always pointed the strengths of my writing but also let me know the areas in my game I can sharpen without being discouraging.

I think that's her super power! Her ability to guide without ego and hold you accountable in order to bring the best out of you.

I am so proud of the work I was able to accomplish with her guiding me the whole way.

If you're trying to learn how to write a pilot the right way... Julia is the pro who can get you across the finish line. Just be ready to work!"

Here's what's included...

Lifetime access to Your Amazing Half-Hour Sample workshop to create a professional-quality half-hour pilot sample that expresses your unique vision and voice
"Plug and Play" option - foolproof, failsafe, guaranteed functional pilot draft!
Live walkthrough of Julia developing, outlining, and writing an original pilot
9 weekly live Q+A calls, 6:30pm PT 6/23-8/11 - submit question ahead of time and watch recording if you can't attend live
20% off 1:1 coaching with Julia through September 2025
Access to contest for FREE pilot draft uplevel session

You'll walk away with...

An easy-to-work with, close-to-done first draft of a pilot
A repeatable process to write another one!
Accountability, momentum, and maybe new friends??? I don't know!!

50% off presale

Writer

"Not everyone who can “do” can teach, but dear God, can this woman teach. I wish I’d found her 15 years ago; it would’ve saved me a lot of heartache. Julia is an intuitive and prepared teacher. She is fully present in the class and has always spent time living in the world of our scripts beforehand. Her notes and guidance are super specific to each project, and she freely shares her insights, wisdom, and ideas. She isn't stingy or self-indulgent with her thoughts. There’s literally no ego—she just wants you to succeed! (I’ve had some teachers say they didn’t want to give specific advice without receiving a writer’s credit. Let’s be honest, when I sell something, I will be begging Julia to write on it, and she can have all the credits she wants!)

On top of her preparedness, she is straight-up talented. I’m in awe of the warp speeds at which her brain moves, always thinking of fresh perspectives and multiple angles. She’s direct while being kind and open-minded. Sometimes she’ll say, “Take that note or don’t, but I’d take it.” Other times she will say, “Nope, I take that back. Thank you for defending your choice. Here’s how to make that choice stronger…” (Excuse the paraphrased quotes, but you get the idea.) Her willingness to engage in constructive dialogue is truly inspiring.

Julia's classes are structured in a way that provides just the right amount of guidance, allowing for freedom and creativity within a safe and supportive environment. She ensures that every participant feels heard, and I can confidently say that I have become a better writer and thinker because of her class. I saw tremendous growth in my classmates as well. From newbie writers to cynical professionals, anyone could benefit from Julia’s expertise."

Who am I?

I’m Julia - I’m a Los Angeles-based screenwriter, writing coach, and postpartum doula/lactation educator. I started my career in entertainment as a development assistant for Modern Family star Ty Burrell’s production company before selling my original multicam pilot YOURS, MINE & PAUL’S to 20th Century Fox Television in a competitive situation; it later sold to ABC with Burrell producing and Sarah Hyland attached to star. My next pilot, MARRIED WITH FRIENDS (also a multicam), sold to CBS in the room; I then went on to adapt the Israeli TV series THE STYLIST into a feature film for Amazon Local Originals. I also developed an original single cam pilot, MORE KIDS THAN PARENTS, with Fanfare Productions, and wrote on the scripted audio series THE GOOD LIFE (Broadway Video and Audible).

During the 2023 writers’ strike, I staved off credit card debt (kind of) by teaching pilot writing classes through the Upright Citizens Brigade Training Center, and discovered that not only could I do, I could also teach :) I am now a sought-after screenwriting coach with an in-depth curriculum for three-act structure in half-hour pilots, and after observing my students’ challenges that could not be addressed by understanding how an effective pilot is structured, I developed tools to help screenwriters to overcome procrastination, writer’s block, and career stagnation. My coaching has been described “a magical drug,” “a godsend,” “perceptive as hell” and “legit brilliant.”

After struggling with my own writing practice after the birth of my son, I became passionate about parental wellness and empowering primary parents to share their creative voices with wide audiences, and created the groundbreaking New Parent Pilot Class, an incubator for parents of young children to create outstanding TV writing samples where their parenthood was seen as an asset, not a liability. This led to my training as a postpartum doula, lactation educator, matrescence educator, and parent coach. I am passionate about improving the wellbeing and general happiness levels of newborns and their parents :)

I have performed improv comedy at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade since 2015 and am now in the rotating cast of the theater’s flagship show ASSSSCAT. Julia has taught improv workshops for screenwriters through the Humanitas Foundation and USC School of Cinematic Arts’ Middle Eastern Media Initiative.