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We are presenting this podcast as an introduction to our upcoming TV Story Weekend May 5 through May 7 in Chicago. If you don't yet know about Story Weekend, you absolutely must check it out - a two-day event with Lee Jessup, Jen Grisanti and Corey Mandel, giving specific insight and an intensive on all aspects of the TV writing process, business, and how to write a pilot that sells. See more here.

An award-winning playwright and screenwriter, Corey Mandell has written projects for Ridley Scott, Wolfgang Petersen, Harrison Ford, Meg Ryan, Julia Roberts, John Travolta, Warner Brothers, Universal, 20th Century Fox, Fox 2000, Fox Family, Working Title, Paramount, Live Planet, Beacon Films, Touchstone, Trilogy, Radiant, Kopelson Entertainment and Walt Disney Pictures. Through his vast experience working as a writer in the business, Corey has amassed an exceptionally successful consulting service and business over the past ten years. In this interview with Corey, we discuss how the TV industry is changing, but more so on a creative and expectation level where writing is concerned. It's illuminating in that Corey stresses that the industry isn't wanting to same old same old anymore. They're tired of the basic structure and beats, and audiences want new, they want different, they want unique.

We dive in to how to approach creating the most unique story, but we really just scratch the surface. In order to get more from Corey (and Max Timm with the ISA), you can check out Corey's website at coreymandell.net, or attend the ISA's TV Weekend event May 5 - May 7 in Chicago. Corey will be leading a seminar and discussion on pitching to the TV industry and getting the most out of your TV projects. It's a can't-miss event.