Coverage Ink's Writers on the Storm Screenplay Competition - Open for entries

Happy Friday all!  If you can’t tell by my recent short posts I’ve actually been kinda busy...just writing my stuff and not writing because I've been helping some awesome people I know with their webseries (more on that in a few weeks).  Oh, and there was also that last twenty four hours I spent awake to watch the Royal Wedding (kidding, but I must admit I did DVR it).

Anyway, saw this listing for a new writing contest I hadn’t heard of (you know I’m wild about contests) and thought I'd pass along:

Coverage Ink’s Writers on the Storm Screenplay Competition

Hooray for contests!

With so many contests out there, it’s hard to know what's a waste of time or money and what might actually be useful (especially since many contests, including this one, have crazy websites so full of ads for screenwriting stuff it's hard to see the links you need to read about the actual contest).

However, once I got past all that, a few things about this contest really appealed/jumped out at me and made it seem like a good thing to pass along:

1. High placing entries signed with agents/managers.

There's a whole interview with the runner up whose entry last year got him signed by UTA...not too shabby, and it seems like the contest gave him good guidance.

2. Major/reputable companies have agreed to read entries.

The contest has an impressive list of companies who have agreed to read top placing entries (including UTA, ICM, Gersh, Management 360, Gotham Group, and Untitled Ent.).  The contest seems to focus on getting the scripts read by managers more than agents, which is cool.  As they point out on their site, it’s managers who are looking for new talent to nurture and develop while agents…not as much…but you already knew that agents only really want to step in when it’s time to make money.

3. Every entry gets feedback

Yes, there is an entry fee for the contest ($40 if you enter from now till 6/1, $45 from 6/2-7/11, and $60 from 7/12-7/31) not unusual for most writing contests (readers gotta get paid…and frankly $40 is on the low end for many contests) but one cool thing is that every entry will get feedback (not like full in depth coverage, just a taste of it).  So, even if you don’t win/advance, you get SOMETHING back for your money (which is more than most contests promise).  The site also offers you the chance to pay for coverage services before the contest (so you can “get your script ready” and if you do that you can enter the contest for free).  Didn’t check the rates on that, but I imagine it’s quite a bit more…maybe not a bad idea if you feel like you don’t know anyone who can give you good feedback.

4. $10,000 top prize

Yeah, this is cool, but it's lower on the totem pole for me.  Most contests like to lead with this, and hey, who wouldn’t want to win $10,000 in a contest?  In the end, getting signed by an agent/manager is probably more important to most baby writers, but as someone who enjoys spending my time writing and not working a non-writing related job, money is always nice.

Interview with the 5-Year-Old Screenwriter of “Fast Five”

Ahahaha...this cracked me up and it gives a whole new meaning to the term “baby writer."

Today Now! Interviews The 5-Year-Old Screenwriter Of "Fast Five"

20th Century Fox announces “Emerging Writers” Program

On Monday, 20th Century Fox announced it will start an “Emerging Writers” program.  No word yet on all the nitty gritty details, so keep your eyes peeled for more info.  From the looks of the Deadline article, the program will be motion picture writing centric, focus on original ideas (not rewrites or existing franchises), and I imagine this will be one of those writing programs where you’ll need an agent/manager to submit you when the time comes for submitting...and they'll probably have their pick of black list writers.  In other words, it's probably one of those programs that's kinda useless to most unrepped baby writers or baby writers who are repped but only by smaller/boutique agencies or managers who don’t have as strong of a relationship with the major studios.  Buuuuut, I could be wrong…it might be open to everyone the way the big TV writing programs and the Nicholl are (speaking of which, if you’re submitting to the Nicholl this year, scripts are due this next Monday, May 2nd).  Maybe if you win, you can have your new CAA agent submit you to this program.

How do you edit a .pdf file?

Not all of writing is glamorous creative work.  Occasionally, a knowledge of the mundane or slightly computer technical is important.  One thing I have to do constantly for writing contests that require hard copy submissions/entry forms is edit .pdf files or make them editable (also, good to know if you ever have to prepare contracts for a production).

Sex:      Yes, please!      

Now, I guess you can always fill all those forms out by hand (ugh) or use Photoshop or Adobe Professional/whatever it’s called if you have it, but if you don’t, you’ll need a good free online .pdf editor.

My favorite one (i.e. the best one, duh) is PDFescape.  I like that you can go to the site and immediately use its services as an unregistered guest (so if you don’t want to sign up for anything you don’t have to) but I think I did sign up at one point because I wanted to store a form longer or something and I didn’t get any emails from the site or extra spam, so that’s good enough for me.

I’m sure some people feel iffy about uploading their forms to a site, but most of the things I have to upload are generic forms (like the blank ones already online that I download from a contest).  And, as far as editing on the site, I don’t have to edit directly on the site, in fact what I usually do is add the empty fields so the file is editable, and then download it back to my desktop to fill it out (although if I did want to edit a form I uploaded while still on the site, I’ve never seen a way I personally would have access to someone else’s files, but I understand the site might keep that stuff and people want their privacy).

While I know the site doesn’t have all the fancy bells and whistles some Adobe program has, it has what I need, saves me time when filling out contest submissions, and is really easy to use.  Not bad.

Z's Pilot Preview: The best of the rest!

While I’d love to talk about every pilot on every major network in depth (or ANY of the comedy pilots) I don’t have THAT MUCH free time.  So, as we get one week closer to upfronts, a quick overview of the best of the rest, i.e. drama pilots that made a good first impression on me.  I think these all sound cool AND (maybe more importantly) are good fits for their respective networks.  To read the pilot loglines I'm going off of, check out Deadline's Pilot Panic.

Get ready for some shameless gushing and run on sentences...

ABC

Georgetown
This stars Lone Star’s super sexy James Wolk and Josh Schwartz doesn’t seem to do shows that get canned right away, so I’ll say this one will make it, though I feel it might be too young for ABC (2 words: Katie Cassidy)…I would have loved to have seen this on the CW (it’s being produced by WB so it’s not too late…go on and pass on it, ABC!).

Grace
I’m pretty psyched for this Glee effect musical show so it better make it AND be good!  I can’t see ABC passing up on a dancing show since DWTS is so popular.  Plus, Krista Vernoff is an awesome writer…and I dig Eric Roberts.  I really want this to be ABC's next breakout hit.

Damage Control
Yes, I was a die-hard Grey's Anatomy fan, so sue me if I'm excited for a new Shonda Rimes show.  Also, this has Desmond from Lost!

Once Upon A Time
While fantasyish shows like Witches of Eastwick have failed on ABC before, I think this could work.  Plus, a show about the goings-on of a mysterious town sounds a little Wisteria Lane/ABCish.  That, and the show’s concept sounds really cool and different, and there’s some cool cast members I like (like Big Love's Ginnifer Goodwin).

CBS

The Rememberer/Untitled Redlich Bellucci
This feels perfect for CBS…a crime procedural with a lead character who has a high concept talent (can remember everything) it actually reminds me a little of The Mentalist…and then there’s Poppy Montgomery as the lead who should be familiar to CBS viewers from her role on Without A Trace.  Looks good to me.

Rookies
A crime procedural with some heavy hitters working on it (Ken Sanzel, Richard Price, James Mangold, oh and De Niro).  I like the basic show concept and even if it’s not really the type of show I’d watch, I think it’s the type of show that will work on CBS…and I’m not the target audience anyway.

NBC

Smash
Of all the networks I feel like I understand what NBC wants the least, but I do see them trying to cash in on the Glee effect and pick this up...and hey, I like musicals too!  Also, this stars Debra Messing who was big for them in the past…seems like a fit.

Playboy
Sounds cool, sexy, glitzy and I mean, Las Vegas had a similar feel and that was a decent hit for the network a while back, so I can see this on NBC…Eddie Cibrian is even kinda Josh Duhamelish...plus, there’s the Mad Men effect as networks all seem to be looking for 1950s-60s period shows.

Prime Suspect
Has some big stars (Maria Bello, and Aidan Quinn) and sounds cool (hey, the original was good enough for Helen Mirren) plus it would be a good fit with any of the Law and Order-y shows NBC decides to keep on the air.  Oh, and the pilot is being directed by Peter Berg...not to shabby.

SILA
This has quite the pedigree (Oscar winner Stephen Gaghan) and it also fits with the Law and Order shows still on the network, so I can see it…though Boomtown, Southland and even Law and Order: LA didn't fair well on NBC and this feels…kinda similar...maybe this will break NBC's recent LA crime show curse.  Hey, NCIS: LA has done well...on CBS...

FOX

Alcatraz
Fox won’t pass up a chance at Lost meets Prison Break meets 24…plus, I like the actors and think this could be cool.  Overall, I’m intrigued and this sounds like an excellent fit for Fox.

The Finder
The Bones spinoff.  I have a little more to say about this since I watched the backdoor pilot ep (duh, it was on after Idol) and I thought it was pretty good...my only question is…who will be Walter’s big love interest?  Is it the Saffron Burrows bartender chick?   I think one big appeal of the “soft procedural” (i.e. character driven procedurals like The Mentalist, Bones, Castle, or House) is a “will they or won’t they” romantic story (Jane and Lisbon, Bones and Booth, Castle and Beckett, House and Cuddy).  The show implied that Walter's love life will come into play on the show...but I need to see that storyline!

THE CW

Hart of Dixie
I like this as a throwback to the small town CW shows I liked (Gilmore Girls and Everwood).  Plus, it’s Josh Schwartz again who seems to have the golden touch…and yeah, Rachel Bilson is cool and pretty and I really like Scott Porter.  So, Bilson isn’t a really convincing doctor, whatever, the show sounds cute.

Next week...The best of the rest of the rest...where I'll go over all the drama pilots I'm on the fence about.  And after that...the rest of the rest (my bold and potentially embarrassing declarations of what won't fly...only embarrassing if I'm waaaay wrong).  The upfronts are coming!  Stay tuned!

Pom Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Blog Post Ever Written

Happy Friday, all!

Okay, Pom Wonderful...where's MY check?

Ah, I kid I kid.  Let's see, what's new...outlining my new spec, but the mood struck and I actually wrote the first draft of the first act, so that’s good…just need to buckle down and focus on actually finishing the outline before I get too far along writing scenes or I know I’ll get stuck later.

In other news, I obviously saw the new Morgan Spurlock film, The Greatest Movie Ever Sold, and found it really funny and enjoyable.  That being said, I don’t think it said anything new or amazing that most people don’t already know/assume…yes, product placement happens…a lot...yes, it can be funny... yes, it can be necessary to make money/finance films and TV shows... yes, you should take advantage of that and take the money but try not to "sell out."

One of my favorite parts of the movie that was not entirely related to the overall point of the movie was a scene where Morgan had to identify his “brand.”  I actually mentioned this idea of "brand" last Friday and I’ve alluded to it before when I talked about streamlining the genres/types of pilots, specs, and screenplays you write.

So yeah, think about your “brand” so people will "get" who you are as a writer.  I know it’s hard for a baby writer and I struggle with it ALL THE TIME.   I want to be a special little snowflake and write all sorts of stuff in different genres, or I read a new book/see a new show/watch a cool movie and feel all inspired to try something like what I’ve seen.  I guess growing as a writer is about learning to balance that urge to stretch/try new things, and perfecting a specific style.

On a slightly related note, Idol did another “express yourself” themed show last night and the Idol wannabes got one of their best chances to show their “brand” as it was "Songs of the 21st Century Night."  I think some Idol winners have struggled with “brand” in the past. You win the show by essentially being an awesome karaoke singer and singing songs in a bunch of genres, some of which haven’t been Top 40 popular for 20, 30, even 40 years, and then you’re expected to be a current artist…it’s tough.

Speaking of expressing yourself what was with all the Lady Gaga drama this week?  If I’m all caught up, here’s where things stand: no, she did not rip off Madonna's Express Yourself when she wrote Born This Way, and no, she didn’t tell Weird Al not to parody her (by the way, I happen to enjoy Gaga AND Weird Al, and Perform This Way is fantastic...even if it does sound suspiciously like Madonna's Express Yourself).

Testing...testing...

If you can’t already tell from my various Pilot Previews, or my obsession with upfronts…I’m excited for the upcoming TV season.

Deadline just released an article yesterday on the early pilot buzz (what’s testing well and what’s not).

Testing is a funny thing though.  I heard Bill Lawrence (creator of Scrubs and now Cougar Town) speak once about how poorly Scrubs had initially tested.  While the show didn’t test poorly enough to get axed from the get go, he implied that the audience thought the show was strange (probably because it was a little strange).  The show was a single camera comedy before single cam became the norm for every network besides CBS and it had characters narrating, breaking the 4th wall, and having all sorts of unusual out of body fantasy like experiences.  People hadn’t really seen a show like this before, so they reacted…negatively.

On the other hand, he said one show that tested incredibly well around the same time for NBC was Emeril…you know, that sitcom about the chef Emeril Lagasse.  Emeril was a straightforward sitcom with a well known celebrity chef/star...it was what you might call "safe," and apparently when it tested, people really liked it.  But why?  Well, I guess when you're turning those little dial thingies that measure your positive to negative response, what is weird and unknown equals negative and what is comfortable and known equals positive.  Oh, and you might doubt Emeril actually tested well, but I did find some proof.

In the end, Emeril was highly promoted by NBC but it died a quick death.  Meanwhile, Scrubs got tossed around a lot, changed time slots and even networks, but it lasted 9 years and arguably made Zach Braff a star.

So, check out what’s testing well, but take it with a grain of salt.  Testing well might equal “has a good chance of getting picked up” but it doesn’t necessarily equal “the show will be good” or “successful.”

$#*! my blog says

Didn’t know what the #&%! I should write about today, but I did read John August’s post about profanity in pilots the other day, so why not talk about profanity?

First, did you know that profanity can be good for you?  Yeah, I saw that episode of Mythbusters too.

Second, I find the way profanity is treated by the media to be interesting.  I think it's incredible that movies like The Dark Knight and Avatar are rated PG-13 while a film like The King’s Speech gets an R rating because of one scene where Colin Firth (humorously) drops the F bomb over an over again. Apparently, being blown up or stabbed in the face/chest is okie dokey as long as there isn’t lots of flowing blood or the movie is a “fantasy.”  It’s the same with network TV.  People get raped, murdered, shot, and mutilated on crime/law shows almost every week, but as long as it’s not too graphic, it’s just fine.  But, don’t even think about dropping a swear word.  That’s over the line.

And then there's sex in movies/TV...the way sex gets treated is bizarre.  I remember people protesting that film Zack and Miri Make a Porno just because it had the word “porno” in the title…as if the film was an actual porno that was going to be shown to your kids in school (btw if you want to protect kids, please keep that Miracle of Life film out of classrooms, you know the one with the close up of a baby being born...seriously, that movie kinda traumatized my entire 11th grade class).

All jokes aside, I don’t really have a problem with violence, profanity, or nudity/sex on TV or in film as long as it’s being used to "serve the story" or whatnot.  I just get annoyed by the way the three aren’t treated equally.  I guess profanity is just the easiest to police.  What’s simpler than “these are the words you can’t say in your movie or you’ll get this rating” or “these are the words you aren’t allowed to say on network TV.”  On the other hand, violence gets a pass when it's not bloody…and sex…well, like I said, the way that it’s treated confuses the heck out of me.  Shows have teens having sex all the time, and some get majorly called out for it (Gossip Girl, Skins) while others don’t get as much/any grief (Friday Night Lights, Parenthood, Glee).  I know it has to do with the age of the actors and the perception of how sex is being “sold” or not sold to teens who watch the shows, but it’s still a little strange.  Then there’s movies. I always thought any nudity equaled an R rating but look at Titanic...that has a big old nude scene but gets a pass (and a PG-13 rating) because it’s…what…“artistic”?

In the end, not sure there’s a point to this post except that I think a writer should write whatever they want as long as it serves their story...but I agree with John August in that it’s dumb to fill a pilot script with profanity (especially for a baby writer).  There are pretty much only 2 major cable networks (HBO and Showtime) where you can say all the words you want.  Why limit yourself so much?  Or better yet, why write a show that you know is a network type show not a pay cable show and load it up with words you can't say?  I guess some writers want to look edgy or maybe they think their show does belong on HBO?  I remember reading the pilot for The Mentalist a while back and it had some profanity in the dialogue.  I figured this was because the creator had done an HBO show before.  Regardless of the reasoning, the show ended up on CBS and all traces of bad language were erased.  While I think established writers can get away with slipping profanity in pilots and still be taken seriously, baby writers might look foolish to do so.

When are this year's TV upfronts?

Today, a simple question...but first, what are “upfronts?”

If you follow TV at all, you've probably heard the term/already know what they are, but “upfronts” are the meetings/shows put on by each network for advertisers/press/anyone like me who is interested from a far, where they officially announce their show line up for the next season.  Upfronts are important since ad sales = $$$ for the network so networks often try to put on a big show at upfronts to convince advertisers how cool their current and new shows are…and hopefully, all those advertisers will agree to buy lots of time.  You’ve probably heard of upfronts bringing out the stars of their shows to do funny skits/videos or perform for the crowd (I think a trip to the Fox upfront pretty much guarantees a concert by the Glee kids and probably some other song/dance action from their reality hits).

When will we know what we'll be watching next year?

At any rate, average people like me want to know when upfronts are because we’re waiting to hear if a show we liked that’s on the bubble is gonna be renewed/what new pilots are gonna get picked up/what shows we are gonna try to get a job on next year.

Check out the following link for a fairly up to date calendar of the upfront events (less than a month away for most of the big networks).

Also, check out the following link for info on the ever changing status of current shows…many have already been cancelled while some have recently been picked up.

Z's Pilot Preview: "The Secret Circle"

I had a tough time picking the show to “review” this week.  If you can’t tell, I’m trying to do one new high profile drama from each of the major networks…but the CW kinda threw me a curve ball.  I used to love the CW and watch many of its shows religiously, but honestly, I haven’t heard much about any of their new pilots, so here goes nothing…

The Secret Circle – CW

Description (from Deadline) - "Based on the book from The Vampire Diaries author L.J. Smith, drama tells the story of a young woman (Britt Robertson) who moves to a new town and discovers that not only is she a witch and part of a secret coven, but also the key that will unlock a centuries-old battle of good vs. evil."  (From IMDB) "The "Secret Circle" series follows 16-year-old Cassie, who moves from California to live with her mom in New Salem and falls in love with a mysterious boy named Adam.  But, when she enrolls in high school there, she realizes that he, she and all the other elite students at the school are witches!  She befriends their leader, Diana, but soon discovers that Adam and Diana are dating, which leads to a whole bunch of complicated drama."

Will "Secret Circle" be the next "Vampire Diaries?"

First Impressions: The best part of the show description are the words “The Vampire Diaries” which is obviously a big hit for the CW.  The CW also had a decent hit with Charmed a few years ago, so maybe...witches are back?  Robertson is also lovely (she was the star of Life Unexpected).  My only problem with witch themed shows is that the girl power heaviness sometimes doesn’t leave room for good male characters and multiple love triangles/choices which I think are kinda essential to the success of any CW show.  Overall: B (for…b…witches).

Source Material: The fact that this is based on a series of books from the author of The Vampire Diaries sounds like a hole in one.  I mean, could the CW have it better?  On the negative side, the books lag in sales on Amazon compared to The Vampire Diaries…but that seems normal since one is a popular TV show and one isn’t.  On the plus side, the reviews on Amazon for The Secret Circle are really good/enthusiastic, so that’s a plus. Overall: A-

Actual Idea: Sounds good to me, I mean, I was always a bigger fan of the more “realistic” CW shows, like Gilmore Girls, Felicity, Everwood…or even Gossip Girl as opposed to Charmed or Smallville.  But clearly, fantasy fits with The CW brand (see once again, the success of The Vampire Diaries).  Other than that, the characters are the right age for a CW show, so yeah, sounds good.  I still have some reservations about a witch show… not all fantasy is created equal.  Vampires are sexy and teenagers love sex, but witches are…not as sexy.  Just look at the pilot Betwixt from last season.  It was about changelings and it failed to get picked up.  Also, how many male leads are in Secret Circle?  Like I said before, the life blood of these types of shows/movies are romantic triangles/dilemmas ESPECIALLY between 2 (or more) guys: are you on Team Edward or Team Jacob…Dawson or Pacey…Noel or Ben…Dean or Tristin/Jess/Logan, Chuck or Nate or Dan.  And yeah, I don’t watch The Vampire Diaries but the poster kinda says it all.  One chick, and two hot vampire dudes.  These scenarios not only provide a sort of wish fulfillment for teen girls (who wouldn’t want to choose between 2 hot guys?) but also allows a fan base to connect and get involved with the guy they like better.  From the description, it looks like the romantic triangle in this works the other way (2 girls want one guy).  Hopefully, there’s another guy for the lead girl in this.  Overall: B+

Show Title: Deadline calls it The Secret Circle and IMDB just has Secret Circle, I think the “The” is better (let your audience shorten it when they talk about it if they like) but either way, it sounds good to me.  As a title, it’s a little cryptic but since I think witches don’t sell to older teens as well vampires, it’s good that the show doesn’t jump right out to hit you over the head with the fact it’s witches.  Also, “secret” and “circle” evoke witchey imagery, and yeah, it’s based on a series of books, what else are you gonna call it?  Overall: A-

Writers: Andrew Miller and Kevin Williamson.  Miller has written a couple movies and is most well known for creating the show Imaginary Bitches (which I think was an online show?).  I heard it was very good and very funny, so that’s good, although this show sounds darker (but maybe having a writer with a sense of humor will lighten things up).  Williamson wrote Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer, created Dawson’s Creek, and developed The Vampire Diaries.  Obviously, an impressive resume for both teen entertainment as well as fantasy and horror.  Overall: A

Cast: Robertson is lovely and from what little I saw of LUX before its cancellation, she is a relate-able and talented actress.  I worry though, that one cancelled show suggests she doesn’t have the right appeal for the CW audience?  Or maybe LUX just didn’t have the right appeal.  Other than Robertson, I recognize Thomas Dekker as the male lead.  He was briefly on Heroes but is most well known for playing John Connor on The Sarah Connor Chronicles.  Not sure if he’s “hot” enough to play a guy that two girls are fighting over but maybe I’m just getting old.  More importantly…is there another guy in this???  IMDB shows mostly female actresses.  Right now, that’s my biggest sticking point.  I cheated and read the Wikipedia for the books and it seems like most of the focus is on just the one guy, but there is another guy in the coven.  I think this won’t make a splash with teen/college age girls (or their Moms) without at least two guys to fight over/more guy options.  Overall: B- (for possible lack of BOYS)

Director: Liz Friedlander.  Privledged, One Tree Hill, Melrose Place, The Vampire Diaries, 90210…yeah, she’s done all the right shows. Overall: A

Producers: Miller, Williamson, Leslie Morgenstein.  You already know about the writers, and Morgenstein has produced Pretty Little Liars as well as Gossip Girl and The Vampire Diaries, so clearly, these are the right people for this project.  This show did have a bit of a revolving door of producers with Liz Craft and Sarah Fain both departing (too many cooks in the kitchen).  While any type of shake up so early on worries me, the people working on this are obviously incredibly competent people who have been very successful in this genre.  Overall: A-

FINAL ANALYSIS:

Overall Grade: B+/A-

Will it get picked up?  Yes. Why wouldn’t the CW want a new show “from the people who brought you The Vampire Diaries?”

Will it survive season 1?  Yes…BUT!  I’m gonna go out on a limb and say despite the high grade for this show, I’m not so sure about its survival.  The possible lack of male characters and romantic possibilities REALLY worries me.  While it might seem like a small thing, writing this review has made me think it’s THE thing.  Just look at a show like Pretty Little Liars which seems more based around a group of girls.   A quick look at the IMDB message board when I wrote this post showed such topics as “I cant get enough of the Ezra + Aria relationship!” and “Ezria is not only boring, it’s WRONG.” Or, a look to the Gossip Girl board (a show with "girl" in the title) and we’ll see these threads: “Question for Chair fans…why?” as well as “Anyone who is BOTH Chair and Dair fan?”  Clearly, these romantic storylines are a HUGE draw.  I will say the fact that the description of Secret Circle mentions a romance is a BIG plus, however, the lack of variety/choices might turn off potential fans who don’t connect.  I could easily see this show on life support after season 1 and dying the same type of death as LUX.  That being said, LUX did get renewed (after a midseason start) so I’ll assume this can do the same…for now.  Also, I mentioned Betwixt before, another book based fantasy show that the network passed on.  The failure of that show makes me think that while vampires are in, other fantasy archetypes may not be.

Will it be good/will I watch?  Maybe/nah.  It might be fun/a guilty pleasure, but I probably won’t watch.  This isn’t really my kind of CW show, but that’s okay, I don’t think I’m the target audience anyway.  I will say though, writing this review made me curious to see if the show will exceed my expectations, or if the lack of romantic possibilities will be its downfall.

Streamline or diversify?

Happy Friday!  Friday is supposed to be the day I talk about how my own writing is going/not going but I’ve noticed it’s turned into something else recently, and that is:

I Watch American Idol and try to relate it to writing in some way.

So, why break from tradition?  Let’s look at this week’s Idol and see what we can learn.  This week was Movie Week, which I thought was funny since I don’t remember 90%** of the songs performed ever being in movies (**not intended to be a factual statement).

Anyway, I’ve noticed that this year on Idol there are fewer of the theme/artist centric weeks (Beatles, Motown, Country, Big Band, Disco, etc.) in exchange for more of the “express your own personal style” weeks (songs by your personal Idol, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, movie songs).  Basically, this means that Scotty kid (the deep voiced country singer who is probably going to win) gets a MASSIVE break.  In the past, he would have been forced to sing the Bee Gees and wear some terrible sequined outfit on Disco night.

However I might feel about Scotty (I actually think he’s cool) I like this change to the show because while the other format was more entertaining and produced way more hilarious flops, this way seems more true to how a creative industry actually works.  People want to see you singing the type of music you want to sing (or sell) since that’s what you’re gonna do (or not do) when you’re no longer a contestant on a popular TV show.  The show wants to find the best new artist in American (or whoever is gonna sell the most records and make them the most money).  So now, we get to choose between contestants who identify with such diverse artists as Sammy Hagar, Nat King Cole, George Strait, and Miley Cyrus (all on the same night).

But, isn't it good to have the theme weeks that force artists to go outside their comfort zone every now and then?  I remember thinking Kelly Clarkson was a great singer on season one, but she really shined in a whole new way when she did an awesome number on Big Band night and proved she had the chops to sing in any era.

Wow, I am a dork for Idol, how do I even remember this?

But, it's not like Kelly Clarkson ever put out a Big Band record, so...is showing a range of style really necessary?

The show presents a lot of differing opinions on that question.  The judges tell one singer “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” then turn around and tell another to stop “playing it safe” and step outside their comfort zone.

I think writers encounter this to some extent when they go to write a new sample (either a pilot or a spec…the latter of which which I’m doing right now).  I sometimes struggle to pick the right show to spec.  I like a lot of different shows but since I’m still starting out I want to spec shows that mesh well with the pilots I have written or want to write while not seeming too similar to my original samples.  But, maybe I should try for more range?  I was reading the new First Person interview on John August’s blog this week, and it came from a writer who made the jump from The Sarah Connor Chronicles to Melrose Place, a jump which got a lot of questions in meetings.  So, it would seem like having too much "diversity" in your work is not an asset, but just a source of confusion.  On the other hand, the writer also mentioned some disappointment over reading the new show, Georgetown, and loving it, but not having a sample that really worked for it.

So…streamline your samples or diversify to show variety?

In the end, I guess I’ll go with the idea that there is something to be said for perfecting one specific style and that while it is important to push your boundaries, maybe you shouldn't do that until you know what those boundaries are.  I think the most well known writers in Hollywood all have specific styles.  Aaron Sorkin doesn’t write gross out comedies, Judd Apatow doesn’t write political thrillers, and Diablo Cody doesn’t write period dramas, but they’re all good at bringing something a little different to each new script they write, while staying firmly in genres where we typically identify them.

They come in 3s

And now, 3 random things I wanted to write about that I could fit into one post:

If you watched Parenthood on Tuesday, you saw the ad that the last season of Friday Night Lights will air on NBC starting tomorrow night (April 15th).  I’d heard a rumor about this months ago but couldn’t find the actual details/confirmation until recently.  Like pretty much every baby writer I know, I really love FNL, and all I can say is, dammit NBC why did you take this off your network in the first place!?  Ratings be damned, this is an amazing show.  Oh well, I get that this is a business...at least the show wasn't cancelled entirely before this, and now it gets to “come home” so to speak and air its final episodes on the network where it all started...and shame on everyone (including me) for not watching it when it originally aired.

Kevin Smith is tweeting.  Here, he gives a baby writer a pep talk.  It’s all a little grandiose and indulgent to me, but he puts in just a dash of self-deprecation at the end to keep me from vomiting in my mouth.  Not sure what I think about him mildly dissing other artists and musicians…I guess everyone wants to think their art is the superior delivery method of art.  Also, trying to decide if I was actually a god, what would I be god of?  It would have to be something cool, but useful, something everyone universally likes.  I think I’d pick donuts.

And finally, Sidney Lumet.  The acclaimed director passed away last Saturday.  I’ve actually referenced Lumet’s work in passing twice before on this blog (Network, and 12 Angry Men).  As someone who got into movies and TV via theater originally, I think I was drawn to Lumet's work because he did so many film adaptations of popular plays and also directed the work of so many renowned playwrights/writers: (Tennessee Williams - The Fugitive Kind, Paddy Chayefsky - Network, David Mamet - The Verdict, and the list goes on). He also made movies with characters who had something to say or were extremely passionate about something. These are the types of characters and movies that make you think, and I think any movie or script that is compelling enough to do that is something pretty special.

How to be luckier

I’ve talked about luck on here before.  Mostly, I think I've expressed my own belief that luck can play a role in a person’s (or writer’s) success, but only to a certain extent.  I think it’s one thing to get a lucky break, but quite another to take that lucky break and make something substantial out of it (let’s just say, I’ve seen plenty of people get “lucky” and land amazing jobs…only to be fired shortly after because they couldn’t handle the responsibilities).

They shoulda had one of these babies!

However you might feel about luck, I don’t think anyone would say they DON'T want to be lucky.  But how can a person "be luckier" (an oxymoron)?  Lifehacker ran an article yesterday called "What Lucky People Do Differently Than Unlucky People" that describes a psychological experiment I recognized immediately because it also appeared in Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers a couple years ago (see, I told you to read it already!).  Go ahead and read it again, though.  The experiment involves two groups of people, one that considers themselves "lucky" and one that considers themselves "unlucky."  Each group is asked to count the number of photos in a newspaper.  The lucky group, on average, completes the task in seconds while the unlucky group takes minutes.  This isn't due to the lucky group's superior picture counting skills, but due to the fact that most saw a message on the second page of the paper that said to stop counting and gave them the total number of pictures.

In other words, the lesson appears to be that lucky people catch a break (in this case) because they are more relaxed about the task and not so focused on one narrow thing that they missed a better opportunity.  This is a little hard for me to swallow.  After all, successful people have specific goals and get things done and I worry sometimes that if I don’t stay focused on specific tasks (like finishing a script) that I won’t finish anything.

But, I think there’s a balance to all this.  Like I said before, getting a lucky break and having success after that break aren’t necessarily one in the same.  Maybe it’s best to think about this luck stuff not in terms of tasks you WANT to complete/will be beneficial to you as a writer to complete (like writing your dang script) but tedious tasks you DON’T WANT to complete/don’t make you a better writer (like searching for a job, networking, and counting pictures in a paper).  So maybe the best advice is, be more relaxed in networking situations and don't try so hard to just pass your script along, and you might have the good fortune to make a friend who will help you more than a casual connection.  Or, stay open minded in your job search instead of focusing on one specific job or bust.  Or, just win the lotto already if you’re so lucky, jeesh.

How do you get someone "important" to read your script?

I wanted to do a post like this because of something funny that’s happened recently to my Significant Other.  My S.O. is freelancer who runs a small entertainment related business that has company credits on IMDB…and yeah, business has been booming which means they’re racking up the online credits.  The business is mostly post production related, so imagine my S.O’s surprise when they started receiving a bunch of emailed script submissions.  Needless to say, we had a good laugh over this. My S.O. has never produced a feature film let alone optioned a script so getting something that says “Dear Sir/Madam” followed by a script query was…bizarre.

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.  I’ve handled several forests' worth of paper in unsolicited submissions on most of my jobs so I get that people just send stuff out in mass to any company they can find, hoping for the best.

Think of the trees, people!  Think of the trees!

Heck, even I’ve been queried before.  A while back, I was working on a pretty high profile movie.  As soon as my credit showed up on IMDB, I started getting the strangest Facebook friend requests from people I didn’t know.  I rejected all of these and then I got messages from some of them.  They were people asking me if I could get them a job on the movie or if I could pass on their script to the producers.  Egad!  After I changed all my privacy settings, I got to thinking…if this is the wrong way to get someone to read your work, just how do you get someone "important" to read your script?

Right or wrong, the way I see it, most people only have about 3 options:

1) Make a connection and ask/get asked to send your script

One reason why I advocate the LA/NYC move so much.  The more you surround yourself with people who work in the business, the more likely you are to meet a CE/development exec or even a hungry young manager/agent/their assistant.  Besides more usual forms of networking, you can also always reach out to friends or friends of friends via email or Facebook…let people know you finished a new script, and see if anyone bites or can pass your work along…just don’t be obnoxious.  Beyond that, it’s just a crap shoot.  Some people are excited to read stuff and some aren’t.  I’ve met a few people while networking who have said those magic words “I’d love to read that” or “I’d love to read your work” and then handed me their card, but I’ve also gotten the brush off or even worse, something vague like “Oh…cool.”

2) Send it to a reputable contest

You might have to pay a contest fee but if your script does well enough/wins someone will probably reach out to you to ask to read it.  At the very least, you can make your script sound more enticing in a networking situation:

“What do you do?”
“I’m a writer.”
“What do you write?”
“Mostly comedy, my last script was a buddy comedy about a guy and his psychic dog.”
“Oh…cool.”
“Yeah, I really enjoyed writing it, and it was actually a semi-finalist for the Nicholl last year.”
“That’s awesome…you should send it to me, I’d love to read it sometime.”

3) Send an unsolicited query

If you can’t tell from my little anecdotes about IMDB and Facebook queries, I don’t think this is an especially viable option…but hey, if you want to try, knock yourself out.  Just understand that legally, unsolicited work is a problem.  Almost no one including me, my S.O., or a big company wants to read them.  Let's say you mail me your psychic dog comedy unsolicited and I read it and try to be nice and write you back with a bunch of notes.  Then, a couple years later, my company makes a totally unrelated psychic dog movie.  You might sue me and say I stole your idea, and that would suck.  So, it’s really in my best interest to just send your work back to you unopened (and keep a record of your name) which is what I did for several hours a day at one of my internships.

There is one exception to the unsolicited thing and that’s if you are a novelist.  While not all literary agents accept unsolicited queries, a good number do, and some even have twitters and blogs where they talk about writing a good query that will catch an agent’s eye (check out Pub Rants and Query Shark under YOU MUST READ).  So, if you’re a novelist with no connections, you might just be in luck.

Overall, like I said before, it’s all a bit of a crap shoot.   Even having someone “important” offer to read your work or ask for it doesn’t mean they will actually read it, or more importantly, it doesn’t mean you’ll get anything out of it besides a pat on the back (even if they really like it): “Thanks for sending, really funny stuff!”  Don’t let this discourage you.  Just try your best to meet people/make friends, put your work in reputable competitions, and don't forget to say please and thank you (it might seem like common sense, but from time to time I've seem people forget that anyone who agrees to read something for you, even a close friend, is doing you a favor…not the other way around).

Z's Pilot Preview: "The Doctor"

The Doctor - CBS

Description (from IMDB) - "Centers on a mother who reconnects with her adult children when she joins the family medical practice."  (From Deadline Hollywood) "Emily, a mother, reconnects with her adult children David and Natasha when she joins the family medical practice."  Christine Lahti stars.

"The Doctor" is in

First Impressions: I don’t like the title, but I do like Lahti for this.  This sounds like a show with potential, especially on the heels of female led CBS standout, The Good Wife, and new family rooted hit, Blue Bloods. Overall: A-

Source Material: This appears to be a totally original idea that sounds…fairly original.  While there are lots of doctor shows out there, I can’t think of any about a family of doctors.  Yes, Grey’s and Private Practice have characters who are children of doctors or who have married each other, but those shows are more about romantic dramas and less about family dramas, which I think bodes well for CBS (considering, once again, the success of Blue Bloods). Overall: A-

Actual Idea: With a network like CBS, I think it’s not just about having a good idea, but having a show that fits with the network.  While this is true for every network, CBS seriously has a VERY streamlined schedule.  You know what a CBS show is: their comedies are multi-cam sitcoms (HIMYM, TBBT), and their dramas are harder procedurals with initials in the title about investigating crimes (the CSIs and NCISes), or softer procedurals with more emphasis on a strong lead/character relationships (The Mentalist, The Good Wife, Blue Bloods). They don’t do musicals, they don’t do supernatural, they don’t do dramas with 20 something leads, they don’t do comedy heavy dramas, and they don’t do serialized soapies (and when they have done any of these, the shows ultimately failed...Viva Laughlin, Moonlight, and probably the new comedy heavy The Defenders and CHAOS).  I think the lightest successful drama they have is Hawaii 5-0 and that's still a cop procedural that’s more cool/CSI Miamiesque than actually light or fluffy.  While I know some people call the network boring, I think CBS knows what works for them, and I happen to think that The Doctor sounds like a fit.  My only slight concern is that CBS doesn’t have a doctor show right now…but they didn’t have a lawyer show before The Good Wife, so, maybe that doesn’t matter.  Overall: A

Show Title: This is my biggest problem with the show so far.  First of all, Lahti already starred in a good William Hurt film called The Doctor in the early 90s.  Secondly, it’s so freakin’ bland (though I think simplicity is better than something gimmicky).  Luckily, I noticed Deadline Hollywood is now calling it Untitled Medical Drama (fka The Doctor), so I think that title is dead.  Please think of something a tad more unique, even The Family Doctor, would be better than just The Doctor. Overall: C (would be an F, but I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt to try to change it).

Writer: Rina Mimoun.  I didn't see the first show Mimoun created, Privileged, but this is obviously quite different.  I was, however, a big fan of other shows Mimoun wrote for, especially Everwood, Gilmore Girls, and the sadly short lived Pushing Daisies. I think Mimoun has written some darn good stuff, but without reading this script, I worry it might have too much of an ABC or CW vibe (too young, too soapy, too light) based on her past work. No knock against her for that, it’s just like I said, shows that succeed on CBS fit in a really small box...hopefully, this show fits in that box. Overall: B+ (for the possible CBS clash only).

Cast: Lahti is great and due for a new hit after going MIA for a while.  She has this air of authority which has gotten her cast as a doctor before (on Chicago Hope).  I think the best thing about her for this show on this network is that she also has a seriousness/darkness.  As I said, the network doesn’t really do light and soapy so it’s key that a leading lady feels more serious (like Julianna Margulies) and less Desperate Housewives.  Also, Lahti can probably balance out those lighter CW/ABCish things I mentioned about Mimoun’s writing.  Her kids will be played by Eva Amurri (ooh I like!) …and Scott Foley.  Hmm…there’s that CWishness creeping up again…I loved Foley on Felicity, but that does worry me just a tad.  Kyle Maclachlan is in this too, he says soapy/ABC to me, also…but he’s definitely got an edge, and is muy talented. Overall: A-

Director: David Nutter.  A lot of TV and a lot of pilots in a lot of different genres (Smallville, The West Wing, Band of Brothers, Supernatural, Without a Trace, Entourage, etc.). He did The Mentalist pilot which I thought was very well done, so I have confidence that he knows how to get it done for CBS (plus he’s an extremely experienced TV director).  If the show has a problem, I don’t think it will be because of him.  Overall: A

Producer: Rina Mimoun.  See the Writer section above. Overall: B+ (for the possible tone clash, again).

FINAL ANALYSIS:

Overall Grade: B+/A-

Will it get picked up? Yes.  This show gets my highest grade so far, and while it might seem like a slam dunk, there are also a few question marks for me including the lack of another successful doctor show on CBS and what the tone of the show will be (since I haven't read it).  In the end, I think Lahti is still a star and this feels right for CBS, so, I think it’s gotta be a go.

Will it survive season 1? Yes.  I’m gonna bet on this being the newest CBS hit.  I think Mimoun and Lahti are both talented, and I think The Good Wife shows a female led drama can attract viewers on CBS.

Will it be good/will I watch?  I think so, and yes.  I’d definitely tune into the first episode, and if the writing and characters are compelling, I’ll probably keep tuning in (despite the fact that the formulaicness of medical procedurals tends to wear on me quickly...just my own personal taste).

Pretty Boring

Happy Friday!  Let's see...what's new...I’ve been playing nurse the past week to my Significant Other who had some minor surgery, but is recovering nicely.  Other than that, just working on that new TV spec after catching up on all the current episodes of the show.  And…that’s all from writing land...pretty boring.

Speaking of pretty and boring, Perfect Pia got voted off Idol.  While I was surprised to see her go, I always did find her a tad robotic.

But, I thought auto tune was "in"

Even a super “perfect” singer like Celine Dion has lots of fist pounding/chest thumping passion in her shows, and Pia was kinda…stiff.  But, she’s young and incredibly talented and she’ll probably get more comfortable in her own skin...with time.

I guess I could say Pia was like a script that hits all the beats at the right pages but fails to get you because it’s just...dull (or to look at it from the inverse, yeah the script for The Social Network might break all the rules, but screw “perfect” and “normal” because it’s an extremely compelling read).

Or…maybe there’s no writing related lesson to learn from Pia’s surprising early exit, but rather, a writing contest related lesson and that is: even if everyone tells you you’re great, taste is subjective…or...win or not win, if you have a product people want, and you market it well, people will buy it…eventually.  Sure, Carrie Underwood won the show and sold a ton of records and won tons of awards, but for every Carrie there is a winner like Ruben or Taylor who flopped while contestants who lost like Chris Daughtry, Jennifer Hudson, and Clay Aiken have gone on to more success.  Heck, some famous singers like Colbie Caillat didn't even make the cattle call cut to sing for the judges.

In other words, well, I don’t know exactly what my point was.  Talent wins out in the end?  Or…keep working hard, and stick with it!  Or…contest?  You don’t need no stinkin’ contest!  Take one of these and remember it if you ever get rejected by a writing related contest…especially if you make that first or even second cut, only to fall short at the end (I know I did).

In other non Idol entertainment news, Alec Baldwin said 30 Rock was ending next year (boo) then back pedaled and confused everyone (huh?).  Oh, and after teasing about it in numerous interviews/excerpts from her new book (that I’m super psyched to read) Tina Fey announced she was 5 months pregnant (yay!  I clearly love babies) and also she will host SNL on May 7th (double yay!).

Contest Deadline Alert - APRIL (and early MAY)

Meant to do a post like this at the end of March, but I am a procrastinator.

We’re entering the biggest months for writing contest deadlines. In other words, time to write that spec/finish that screenplay/ have all your friends proof read your work. The weeks will fly by, and some contests need extra materials (like a bio or an essay) and if you’re trying to do it all at the last minute, you won’t make it (or you will make it, but it won't be pretty).

To help get organized, here are several writing comps with deadlines in April (and early May) AKA everything less than a month away as well as the WHAT (you need to give them) and the HOW (you give it). Be sure to check out each contests’ site for other rules and competition specifics if you’re thinking of applying (links under CONTESTS AND STUFF).  Also, know that many of the contests I have links to are open to entries even if their deadline isn't in the next month, and know that I haven’t participated in all of these, so if you think I’m pushing something that’s not worthwhile, please let me know!

The deadlines are coming!

SCREENWRITING

Scriptapalooza
Deadline: April 15, 2011 (Regular) April 18, 2011 (Late)
WHAT:
          • Original screenplay
          • Application
          • Entry fee ($55) ($60 - Late)
HOW:
          • Snail Mail (paper)
          • Online

Script Pipeline
Deadline: May 1, 2011
WHAT:
          • Original screenplay
          • Signed agreement
          • Entry fee ($50)
HOW:
          • Snail Mail (paper)
          • Online

Nicholl Fellowship
Deadline: May 2, 2011
WHAT:
          • Original screenplay
          • Application form
          • Entry fee ($30 or $45)
HOW:
          • Online only

Sundance Screenwriters Lab
Deadline: May 2, 2011
WHAT:
          • First 5 pages of your completed original screenplay
          • Synopsis of screen (no more than 2 pages)
          • Cover letter (1 page)
          • Resume/bio
          • Entry fee ($35)
HOW:
          • Snail mail (but you can pay the fee online)

My amazing side project

Alright, that title is a bit of an overstatement.  In fact, I don’t exactly have a “side project” right now, unless you call watching too much Idol a side project or uh…writing this blog.  But yeah, apparently, I need a side project!  Read on...

According to Austin Kleon’s cool and much passed around article How To Steal Like An Artist, side projects are important and “it’s the side projects that blow up.”  I hope that means I’m gonna win American Idol next season!  On a slightly more serious note, Lifehacker also mentioned side projects in an article last week as a way to make your procrastination more productive (you’re gonna procrastinate anyway, so why not improve yourself/learn some skill you need for success while you’re doing it?).  So yeah, again, I guess need a side project.  But what should it be?  Or...do I already have one?

My latest "amazing" side project?

I’m thinking maybe my reading more novels = write a novel?  I’m already in a sort of impromptu book club with my friend. Maybe I can focus my future reading selections to help me sharpen my own novel writing skills?  I mean...I have been interested in writing a novel for a while, and I talk about it a lot (I've kinda mentioned it on this blog beforeish).  But, I always seem to put it off.  But...maybe I shouldn't anymore.  I mean, I did write a summary and character bios and everything…however...writing a novel is a pretty big “side” project...but hey, go big or go home...I guess?

Anyway, yeah, if I get a new side project in the new future, I think I'll actually write/finish that novel...but only after I finish my newest spec…wouldn't want to waste the 15+ hours of current show episodes I watched to catch up this past week…I guess you can call all that TV watching "productive" procrastination from actually writing (I know I will!).

Where can you get the UTA Job List?

This is a simple question but still very valid (especially since tons of people I know are unemployed right now).

For the short answer, go to the Temp Diaries blog, put your name on their email list, and they’ll send it to you (along with “secret” jobs not on the list):

http://www.tempdiaries.com/p/job-list.html (if you Googled “UTA job list,” you probably already figured this out since it's the first page that comes up).

The UTA job list = Hollywood's Want Ads...sorta

Now, if you’re reading this and asking yourself: what the heck is this UTA job list?  Read on…

The UTA job list is a top secret (or not really top secret) list distributed by UTA (one of the 4 major agencies here in Hollyweird). The list is free, you don’t have to pay to get a subscription, and it used to be quite exclusive (but I think since the internet has existed it’s been posted all over the place). The way the list works is people and companies all over town submit their job listings via joblist@unitedtalent.com then, UTA sends out a list with those job posts...and then, the roughly one zillion people who read the list apply to the jobs. The list is updated a couple times a week with new jobs. The list is split into several categories (exec/management level, assistant, personal assistant, new media, music etc.). The bulk of the jobs are at agencies, management companies, studios, and production companies (i.e. desk jobs…8-6, maybe have benefits, you’ll probably have to dress nicely).  And, of course, the job list always advertises for eager young folks who want to give it a go in UTA’s own mailroom. There are the occasional “crew” and production jobs, but they're usually less technical and more like "office PA for a show/company who produces several shows," nothing like “G&E needed for commercial.”

As far as how effective the job list is…well, pretty much everyone I know says that the job list is worthless because so many people apply for the very few jobs and by the time you get the list, the job is already filled/you never get a response. I actually knew someone who worked at UTA once upon a time who used to occasionally forward me listings before they got posted (shush, don’t tell). I’m sure I’m not the only one. On the flip side, I did get an interview for a rare writer’s assistant job off the list a couple years ago (not forwarded early to me), and I sent a listing to a friend for a producer’s assistant job last year. The listing was a couple days old but my friend still got an interview after they applied…so hey, if you see something good on the list, it’s always worth a shot.

Anyway, if you aren’t on an email tracking board that passes the list around already, use the Temp Diaries link to find the list/sign up to have it emailed to you. I signed up just to see how their system works and it seems to me that sometimes it comes sooner than the people forwarding it on the boards, and sometimes later, so it's pretty okay.  Also, anyone who has worked a soul sucking assistant or temp job will enjoy reading the Temp Diaries blog itself.

Z's Pilot Preview: "Touch"

Touch – Fox

Description (from IMDB.com): "Centers on a father who discovers his autistic, mute son can actually predict events before they happen."  Kiefer Sutherland stars.

First Impressions: Probably one of the more memorable premises I’ve heard this year, it definitely stands out amidst a sea of generic cop/doctor/crime shows (which could be good…or bad).  I’m curious, but to me this sounds so out there I think it can only be really good or really bad (i.e. audiences are gonna love it or hate it).  Overall: B-

Source Material: This is a totally original idea so without reading the script, it’s hard to judge (like all of these reviews, I’m playing development exec. trying to pick the best pitches).  But, the writer has created two successful original shows is the past, so I’ll let that tip the scales just a little.  Overall: B-

Actual Idea: This is pretty out there...I guess.  There IS something that seems Stephen Kingesque about a child with autism who is mute and can predict the future (didn’t King write characters kind of like this in The Stand and The Langoliers?).  I guess my big question is, what will this show be about, or rather, what is the goal of the father character?  Is this like Early Edition where he’s gonna try to change the future/latest bad things that is gonna happen every week?  Or, is this like FlashForward where there’s one big future mystery he’s going to try to solve (or maybe a combo of both)?  Will the show be very serious, or will there be humor (like using numbers his son gives him to win the lotto)?  Also, how will his son tell him what’s going to happen if he doesn't speak?  Will we see things from the child AND father’s perspective?  Is that going to be done in a really hokey way?  Finally, Sutherland starring suggests there is going to be some action in this…will there really be?  So many questions, so few answers, but at least I’m interested. Overall: B-

Show Title:  I think it’s a pretty good title actually, nice, simple, one word, but not a word that you see too much on TV shows (like doctor, or crime, or law) plus, as a title, it’s a little mysterious (like the show itself).  I could hear people say “Are you watching Touch?  It’s great!”  The title implies that touching is going to be important (my guess is the son touches people and can see their futures?).  My only problem with that idea is that it reminds me of a certain Christopher Walken SNL skit.  Overall: A-

Writer: Tim Kring.  Most well known for creating Crossing Jordan and Heroes, he also worked on Chicago Hope and Providence.  I think his own shows have had a bit of a dark side while still being very commercial and that seems well suited for Fox and make this show feel like it could be a good fit for that network.  He’s certainly experienced with crime procedural, family drama, as well as supernatural action, which is kind of what I think this show is gonna be…so that’s a big plus for me.  I’ve gotta say that I really enjoyed the first season of Heroes (even though I thought I wouldn’t) and I hope this would be really good as well...but the later seasons of Heroes do give me pause.  Overall: A-

Cast: Kiefer Sutherland.  That’s all I could find right now.  I’m REALLY curious to see who else is cast.  Will his character have a wife/ex wife…how old will the son be…child, teen, adult (I’m guessing young child)?  Without knowing those things, all I've got is Kiefer...but that's not bad.  He was a big star for Fox on 24, so he’s got fans already watching the network.  I’m guessing he’s going to be doing some ass kicking action stuff on this show and not just the typical fatherly stuff.  I think that’s how his fans want to see him (kicking ass), so that sounds good to me.  Overall: B+ (would be in the As but I don’t know any other cast yet).

Director: Charles McDougall - The Chicago Code (pilot), The Good Wife (pilot), The Office (?), Parks and Rec (???), Sex and the City (????).  Well, this is a director who is obviously talented (and lucky) enough to get to go all over the place...crime procedural, family drama, docu comedy, HBO comedy.  Of all these, I watched The Good Wife pilot and thought it was really excellent and had a lot of style.  But, all these different styles, especially the ones that lean more comedic make me wonder if the show is gonna be a lot brighter and have a lot less action than I thought (though I guess The Chicago Code is actiony).  Overall: B

Producer: Tim Kring, Peter Chernin, Katherine Pope, Kiefer Sutherland.  Chernin is a former heavy hitter at Fox who now has his own company.  He and Pope just did Breakout Kings, which is doing well on A&E (but got rejected by Fox where it was supposed to go), also they’re producers on Terra Nova which just can’t seem to get finished…so that’s interesting.  Kring has obviously had more than one success prior to this, and the last show Kiefer got producer credit on was 24, so he must like this role and believe in this project enough to put his name on it, which is a good sign from a star.  Overall: B

FINAL ANALYSIS

Overall Grade: B/B+

Will it get picked up? Yes.  I can't see Fox passing on a new Kiefer show...plus Kring’s shows have done pretty well recently.  The only strange thing to me is that since announcing the show I haven’t seen much online about it (no casting updates) so maybe something is amiss?  I wouldn’t be shocked if this gets a late start and is gonna be for midseason, or show up later (doesn’t Kiefer still have a 24 movie to make?).

Will it survive season 1? Yes.  I’m gonna roll the dice on this and say that if this show actually happens, Kiefer and Kring will have the magic touch (har har) and this show will be a success.  Like I said, this concept is pretty out there, and without knowing more, it’s hard to say if it’s the right amount of out there (like Lost) or if it’s gonna miss the mark.  If it is good, Fox has done well with “out there” shows/shows that break rules or do things differently (like 24, and even Glee) so, I think people will be excited to try something different (also, unlike Lone Star which was risky and failed, this show has a bigger more tested star, and feels less “cable” and more “network,” which means more commercial to me, and better ratings).

Will it be good/will I watch?  Yes…maybe…I’m actually not a huge fan of Kiefer or 24, no offense to him or the show, just wasn’t my cup of tea…but I liked season 1 of Heroes, and would like a really different show to get behind.  So, I think I’ll give this a shot...and if it’s good, I’ll certainly stay tuned.

I have a confession...

I'm Charlie Sheen.  I started this blog to explore my career options outside of acting (looks like THAT was a good choice!).  I write everyday from a secluded spot in the Bronx Zoo where me and that crazy escaped cobra (I call him Snakey) hang out and sip on tiger blood (delish!).  Snakey is a genius and has taught me everything I know about writing (and being a totally awesome WINNER).  Also, he sure has some crazy stories about being a cobra and all.

I ♥ you, Snakey!