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What does it take to be good at what you do?

• Practice! I started out working in television as a script coordinator and assistant to the producer. I saw what each writing stage required—from the initial story concept for an episode of TV, to the detailed outline, to the first draft, to all the production drafts necessary to accommodate notes from the network, producers, directors and sometimes actors. I had a front-row seat to what successful writers and showrunners were doing to write and produce scripts, and I absorbed as much as I could to put into practice when I moved up the ladder and took on more writing and producing responsibilities. The more time spent writing, re-writing and observing the reality of what happens to your script on set and in post, the better you get.

• Professionalism! It’s vital to deliver your work on time, to communicate effectively, to be respectful and open-minded and to accept feedback with grace and good humour. This job requires a unique blend of creative, managerial and business skills that can only be gained through years of experience as a writer and story editor on a variety of TV series.

• Passion! You must love creating story and character. And you must love writing and re-writing! Every series is unique, and every season of TV comes with its own challenges. You must be flexible and adaptable to last-minute changes, while remaining committed to the core vision you have for the show. You must have the ability to complete a variety of tasks daily, for months on end—sometimes simultaneously. Ultimately, you need the energy and drive to keep making the best show possible within the parameters of time and budget.

• A love for creative collaboration! Writing for television is not a solo endeavour. It requires a genuine love for working with others, being generous with your ideas and being open to exploring other people’s perspectives.

What is your advice to students and fellow UVic alumni who are interested your career path?

Read, read, read screenplays! You can find so many online now. Study the styles of different writers. Deconstruct the format and figure out how successful scripts work. Watch shows similar in tone and format to what you want to write and study the structure.

Write, write, write screenplays! To attract an agent or to entice a producer or writer to recommend you to a showrunner for a writers’ room, you will need outstanding samples that show you understand the genre. Try your hand at one-hour dramas, half-hour comedies and animation scripts. You will want samples that are appropriate for whatever series might be hiring. New one-hour light, comedic procedural starting up? You will need an original script that demonstrates you know how to write that!

After university, I highly recommend applying to the Pacific Screenwriting Program in Vancouver or the Canadian Film Centre in Toronto for specific training in television writing. Both places have a scripted series lab that gives participants the experience of being in a writers’ room, helping a seasoned showrunner develop their project.

If you are serious about writing for TV, start building your network early. Connect with working screenwriters and ask them out for coffee. Most are very happy to get out from behind their computers and meet passionate emerging writers to answer a few questions over a latte.

Stay connected with other emerging writers you like and trust creatively. Make a deal to read each other’s work and give constructive feedback and encouragement on a regular basis.

Was there ever a time that you felt lost in your career path? How did you overcome this?

Whenever I have felt anxious about the state of the industry or my next gig, I have reached out to fellow TV writers. It’s a very supportive community.

Tell us more about Private Eyes West Coast. Where and when can we watch it?

Private Eyes West Coast is a spin-off of the original Private Eyes which ran for five seasons on Global TV.

Private Eyes West Coast will see private investigators Matt Shade (Jason Priestley) and Angie Everett (Cindy Sampson) solving cases in Victoria, BC. Now leading different lives from their Toronto crime-fighting days, they encounter a world of exciting new cases along with a new group of friends.

The series will air on Global TV. Date to be announced.

What’s next? What would you still like to accomplish?

I want to continue to work with lovely creative people, telling stories that resonate with Canadians and with audiences all over the world.

—Jenny Manzer, BA '97