Television Series Guidebooks, Treatments, and Pitches for Screenwriters
Read and download real examples of what showrunners use to help sell their project. Behold, the Bible.
They've been around almost as long as television itself. A "Writer's Guide", or a "Bible" as it's sometimes referred to, is the single most important blueprint a TV series can have.
Basically, the "Series Bible" describes how the show will thrive and tell a story. Just like religious texts from where its name derives, this "Bible" details how its characters, locations, and situations should tell the story of their life.
Showrunners and senior writers are generally the only production staff who have access to the most sacred of texts within the bible: how the series will end.
How to Write a Series Bible
Bigger isn't always better.
"Bibles" can be as detailed as "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry's 53-page "Writer's Guide" to "T.O.S." Written in 1967, its basic principals are still followed to-this-day by "Star Trek" writers; no mater the franchise, movie, or Star Date.
Alternatively, a "Writer's Guide" can be as simple as "The Dead Zone's" seasonal 5-page "dos and don'ts" memos. This type of approach encourages writers to pitch specific episode storylines, while still developing the sub-plots and arc of the series' main characters.
A well written "Writer's Guide" enables new scribes, who have no historical knowledge of the series, to pitch a storyline, write it, and eventually produce 'their' episode without disrupting the long-established vibe.
Discover What We Have
Is there a format one needs to follow when writing the Series Bible?
The short answer is: no!
We have more than 30 examples of pitches, treatments, and writer's guides available to discover! And unlike writing scripts, creating a series bible doesn't necessarily follow an industry standard. That's why 8FLiX has included a wide-variety of examples below. Read and study how others have done it, and in how many different ways showrunners have been able to communicate their ideas. Each is as unique as the next one.
Enjoy the reads!
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Can't find something? Maybe we can help. 8FLiX has thousands of scripts and screenplays. Not all are currently listed here. Eventually, they'll all be available to download (but certainly not in your lifetime). To avoid waiting decades for 8FLiX to add the script that you're looking for, send us an email. You still may have to wait, but it'll be days rather than generations. You can SEARCH our site when you're ready!
Battlestar Galactica
Seasons: 4 (2004–2009)
When an old enemy, the Cylons, resurface and obliterate the 12 colonies, the crew of the aged Galactica protect a small civilian fleet - the last of humanity - as they journey toward the fabled 13th colony, Earth.
| Type | ... |
BIBLE
|
| Date | ... | 12.17.2003 |
| Genres | ... | ActionAdventureDrama |
| Showrunner | ... | Ronald D. Moore |
| IMDb ID | ... | 0407362 |
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Bordertown
Seasons: 1 (2016)
Follow two families living in a Southwest desert town on the United States-Mexico border and how these two families inevitably cross and are bound by friendship and conflict.
| Type | ... |
BIBLE
|
| Date | ... | [undated] |
| Genres | ... | AnimationComedy |
| Showrunner | ... | Mark Hentemann |
| IMDb ID | ... | 3323254 |
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Callan
Seasons: 4 (1967–1972)
David Callan is the top agent/assassin for the Security Service (British counterintelligence), but he is an embittered man who performs his duties "for Queen and country" under duress. This bleak, "Spy who Came in from the Cold"-style espionage drama concentrates on the seamy underside of covert operations: assassinations, blackmail and dirty dealing.
| Type | ... |
BIBLE
|
| Date | ... | 11.28.1966 |
| Genres | ... | CrimeDramaMystery |
| Showrunner | ... | James Mitchell |
| IMDb ID | ... | 0061238 |
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Charlie Jade
Seasons: 1 (2005)
A missing persons detective finds himself caught between three parallel universes.
| Type | ... |
GUIDEBOOK
|
| Date | ... | 10.07.2003 |
| Genres | ... | CrimeDramaMystery |
| Showrunners | ... | Chris RolandRobert Wertheimer |
| IMDb ID | ... | 0408378 |
Reading is open to everyone. A free account is only required to download so we can protect the library and respect rights-holder requests. Already registered? Log in and you’re set.
Reading is open to everyone. A free account is only required to download so we can protect the library and respect rights-holder requests. Already registered? Log in and you’re set.
Reading is open to everyone. A free account is only required to download so we can protect the library and respect rights-holder requests. Already registered? Log in and you’re set.
Reading is open to everyone. A free account is only required to download so we can protect the library and respect rights-holder requests. Already registered? Log in and you’re set.
The Corner
Seasons: 1 (2000)
Chronicles West Baltimore family living in poverty on the front lines of America's drug war.
| Type | ... |
BIBLE
|
| Date | ... | [undated] |
| Genres | ... | CrimeDrama |
| Showrunners | ... | Ed BurnsDavid SimonDavid Mills |
| IMDb ID | ... | 0224853 |
Reading is open to everyone. A free account is only required to download so we can protect the library and respect rights-holder requests. Already registered? Log in and you’re set.
The Crow: Stairway to Heaven
Seasons: 1 (1998–1999)
A deceased street musician returns to life, and must restore the balance between good and evil to be reunited with his dead girlfriend.
| Type | ... |
BIBLE
|
| Date | ... | 03.28.1998 |
| Genres | ... | ActionCrimeDrama |
| Showrunners | ... | Bryce Zabel |
| IMDb ID | ... | 0166425 |
Reading is open to everyone. A free account is only required to download so we can protect the library and respect rights-holder requests. Already registered? Log in and you’re set.
Reading is open to everyone. A free account is only required to download so we can protect the library and respect rights-holder requests. Already registered? Log in and you’re set.
Dark Skies
Seasons: 1 (1996–1997)
In 1960s America, a young couple struggle to expose the truth about a hidden alien invasion, while a secret government organization follows its own agenda in dealing with the threat.
| Type | ... |
BIBLE
|
| Date | ... | 02.08.1995 |
| Genres | ... | AdventureDramaMystery |
| Showrunners | ... | Brent V. FriedmanBryce Zabel |
| IMDb ID | ... | 0115151 |
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The Dead Zone
Seasons: 6 (2002–2007)
Johnny had the perfect life until he was in coma for six years. When he awoke, he found his fiancée married to another man. His son doesn't know him. Everything's changed, including Johnny. With one touch, he can see things.
| Type | ... |
GUIDEBOOK
|
| Date | ... | 08.25.2003 |
| Genres | ... | DramaFantasyMystery |
| Showrunners | ... | Michael PillerShawn Piller |
| IMDb ID | ... | 0281432 |
Reading is open to everyone. A free account is only required to download so we can protect the library and respect rights-holder requests. Already registered? Log in and you’re set.
Reading is open to everyone. A free account is only required to download so we can protect the library and respect rights-holder requests. Already registered? Log in and you’re set.
Reading is open to everyone. A free account is only required to download so we can protect the library and respect rights-holder requests. Already registered? Log in and you’re set.
Reading is open to everyone. A free account is only required to download so we can protect the library and respect rights-holder requests. Already registered? Log in and you’re set.
Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
Seasons: 2 (2016–2017)
Holistic detective Dirk Gently investigates cases involving the supernatural.
| Type | ... |
BIBLE
|
| Date | ... | 11.13.2015 |
| Genres | ... | ActionAdventureComedy |
| Showrunner | ... | Max Landis |
| IMDb ID | ... | 4047038 |
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Family Biz
Seasons: 1 (2009)
Three latchkey kids are at their wits end when their corporate dad gets downsized and decides to work from home, ruining their teen insanity lifestyle. Too bad they can't just fire dad!
| Type | ... |
BIBLE
|
| Date | ... | 06.11.2007 |
| Genres | ... | Comedy |
| Showrunner | ... | James Nadler |
| IMDb ID | ... | 1167346 |
Reading is open to everyone. A free account is only required to download so we can protect the library and respect rights-holder requests. Already registered? Log in and you’re set.