read it through mate and time it. That's the only way really.
I'd say emmerdale was definitely a drama, as is corrie and eastenders. Not Hollyoaks though. That's made for an entirely different reason.
Writing for a commercial channel Page 5
Quote: jdubya @ June 13 2008, 11:34 AM BSTread it through mate and time it. That's the only way really.
I'd say emmerdale was definitely a drama, as is corrie and eastenders. Not Hollyoaks though. That's made for an entirely different reason.
tut tut, shouldn't you be at comedy lectures, not on the internet? bloody students
Quote: Matthew Stott @ June 13 2008, 9:49 AM BSTNo, I know what I meant, I was told broadcasters were on the look out for studio based sitcoms from female writers; it seems a little odd that you would try to correct me about something I was told and you werent!
Apologies Mathew if that is how it came across, I was actually trying to respond to what appeared to me to be your take on seefacts quote, and hopefully put a positive spin on it for us blokes.
If they are really being biased towards female writers, we're all buggered. Apart from the girls.
Quote: steve by any other name @ June 13 2008, 12:19 PM BSTApologies Mathew if that is how it came across, I was actually trying to respond to what appeared to me to be your take on seefacts quote, and hopefully put a positive spin on it for us blokes.
If they are really being biased towards female writers, we're all buggered. Apart from the girls.
Its ok, and yeah, hearing that sort of thing is a bitch. Positive discrimination sucks!! 
Quote: Seefacts @ June 12 2008, 9:48 PM BSTMy personal issue is that the structure - although quite clever - isn't really good as a plot so it's coming across as a bit linear.
Can you elaborate Mister S, for me structure and plot are the same thing.
7100 is probably a tad long as a shooting script but as a spec script for submission purposes it shouldnt be a problem.
Quote: Marc P @ June 13 2008, 5:29 PM BSTCan you elaborate Mister S, for me structure and plot are the same thing.
7100 is probably a tad long as a shooting script but as a spec script for submission purposes it shouldnt be a problem.
Okay, Mr P!
I suppose they ARE the same in some ways, but to me structure is the basic set up of an episode. Beginning-middle-end, for example.
From Seinfeld season 9, The Betrayal, the structure is End-middle-beginning.
The plot is the intricacies and detail.
My pilot is set up, without giving much away, in a way where the setup repeats itself. This takes the place of the plot. So there isn't really a plot as such. This is unintelligible nonsense, of course, but I can't explain without giving it away.
The character intros ARE in place of the plot. But are done in a way that isn't dull and obvious. But it's a long process and now that I have to edit it down, I'll have to lose a lot of stuff and the structure goes out the window, meaning I need a plot.
Emmerdale is brilliant. Loads of funny characters - you can't compare Eastenders to it.
I think I'll try a female led comedy. We had a brilliant actress in our show and I'm sure I could write something based on/for her.
Quote: Seefacts @ June 13 2008, 8:19 PM BSTI suppose they ARE the same in some ways, but to me structure is the basic set up of an episode. Beginning-middle-end, for example.
From Seinfeld season 9, The Betrayal, the structure is End-middle-beginning.
The plot is the intricacies and detail.
My pilot is set up, without giving much away, in a way where the setup repeats itself. This takes the place of the plot. So there isn't really a plot as such. This is unintelligible nonsense, of course, but I can't explain without giving it away.
The character intros ARE in place of the plot. But are done in a way that isn't dull and obvious. But it's a long process and now that I have to edit it down, I'll have to lose a lot of stuff and the structure goes out the window, meaning I need a plot.
I guess you know this but if the structure isn't the same as plot - then you don't have a plot. Even if it is purely character based then some degree of revelation helps. I would suggest you think in terms of turning points. Also editors are always banging on about the journey characters go on - sometimes it's more useful to think in terms of the journey the audience goes on.
Quote: Marc P @ June 14 2008, 9:47 AM BSTI guess you know this but if the structure isn't the same as plot - then you don't have a plot. Even if it is purely character based then some degree of revelation helps. I would suggest you think in terms of turning points. Also editors are always banging on about the journey characters go on - sometimes it's more useful to think in terms of the journey the audience goes on.
Basically, the plot is shit. And it needs re-writing. That's what I've got to do.
There are revelations and turning points, but I want something a bit clever.
The way I'd structured the character introductions made up for not having an intricate plot, but now I've got to lose that because of time issues, it needs a rethink.
Quote: David Chapman @ June 14 2008, 12:48 AM BSTEmmerdale is brilliant. Loads of funny characters - you can't compare Eastenders to it.
I think I'll try a female led comedy. We had a brilliant actress in our show and I'm sure I could write something based on/for her.
I despise Emmerdale.
Corrie is the best soap, and EastEnders was brilliant but isn't anymore.
I've only gone and done it.
I re-plotted, put in a couple of nice call backs and finished my tentative re-draft of my pilot.
Oh, the relief!
Quote: Seefacts @ June 16 2008, 11:50 PM BSTI've only gone and done it.
I re-plotted, put in a couple of nice call backs and finished my tentative re-draft of my pilot.
Oh, the relief!
Good luck - you bastard!
Seriously I would've thought it's easier because you just get rid of some of the padding!
Quote: David Chapman @ June 17 2008, 12:05 AM BSTGood luck - you bastard!
Seriously I would've thought it's easier because you just get rid of some of the padding!
I came to realise it had no plot. It let me down and although I could have cut away bits quite easily, the lack of a decent plot would have let it down.
So I thought it'd be for the best to re-jig. I can't skimp on making it the best I can.
Don't mean to be rude, Seefacts, but how could you write a sitcom with no plot? People bantering away for half an hour with no substance you can get down the pub.
Quote: David H @ June 17 2008, 10:06 AM BSTDon't mean to be rude, Seefacts, but how could you write a sitcom with no plot? People bantering away for half an hour with no substance you can get down the pub.
Not seen Royale family? lol.
Quote: David H @ June 17 2008, 10:06 AM BSTDon't mean to be rude, Seefacts, but how could you write a sitcom with no plot? People bantering away for half an hour with no substance you can get down the pub.
I've really not got this across very well.
I HAD a plot. But a dull linear one. Now it's got a better, punchier one.
It was quite a cleverly structured intro to the characters, and while in my mind it works and is funny, I think that fact it's linear might put people off.
So I've jazzed it up.