EastEnders writing question (to Marc P perhaps)

Hi,
Tonight, me and the missus have been discussing theories on how EastEnders is written.

Sad, I know, but we're both writers.

Which has spawned some BIG questions...

It all started when I read someone's blog post where they got commissioned to write an episode of EastEnders in late 2008 to be screened in April.

This is what my missus asked: How could somebody possibly write for an episode due to be broadcast so far in the future and know exactly what's going on regarding storylines?

Surely, they'd need to read ALL scripts leading up until then.

It's the only way, surely, that they'd be able to fully keep up with what happens before THEIR episode, otherwise there will be inconsistences in dialogue, character actions, etc.

I mean, if I was writing an episode, I'd want to know EVERYTHING that has been said or done by the characters leading up to mine, so that it remains believable and consistant.

Now, presumably, this doesn't happen and writers don't read all scripts.

So how is it done without causing severe inconsistences?????

Or is this the very reason that, in many episodes, we notice major character changes, especially with dialogue and/or personalities??

As Marc has written for Eastenders, I'm hoping he'll enlighten me.

Writing for 'Stenders must be simple:

GRANT:
Blah blah blah!

PHIL:
Gotta go!

DOT:
Oh I don't know.

NICK:
'allo Ma!

GRANT:
Whassgahin' on?

Hey guys only joshin'

Mikey's question is in fact an interesting one. I'd be interested in the answer too.

Leave it!

Serously, I thought they had storylines mapped out well in advance so the writer will know the general storyline but not the detail of previous scripts.

Wiser people will say more, I'm sure.

That's the point my other 'arf was trying to make.

I can understand mapping out storylines, but you're essentially writing quite blindly.

Yeah, but you don't need to read the next 6 weeks' scripts to know how Phil Mitchell talks do you? Most soap characters are fairly well established.

They have rehearsed readings. This might give you an insight.

http://www.channel4.com/4laughs/enjoy/userMediaDetails.jsp?userMediaId=1396

Quote: Mikey J @ February 4 2009, 12:21 AM GMT

otherwise there will be inconsistences in dialogue, character actions, etc.

View original

There often are. Glaringly huge ones at that.

Is Ethel's Willy still in it?

There was a documentary on, The Archers, which gave an insight into who these sort of things are written.

Regular meetings with the lead writers, producers, script editors etc, story lines discussed, scripts doled out, newly written scripts discussed, the script editors keep a handle on inconsistancy, dialogue etc.

Quote: KJSmyling @ February 4 2009, 10:18 AM GMT

There was a documentary on, The Archers, which gave an insight into who these sort of things are written.

Regular meetings with the lead writers, producers, script editors etc, story lines discussed, scripts doled out, newly written scripts discussed, the script editors keep a handle on inconsistancy, dialogue etc.

View original

About that. Serial documents are produced that trail the story beats through the episodes. You read all those before tackling the ep you are about to write.

This makes it certain that no one will ever be tied up in the nightclub twice, for example, and have water thrown over them by someone claiming it is petrol.

What about dragging out the reveal of Ronnie's daughter? I can't stand the actor playing her, very Hollyoaksy.

About that. Serial documents are produced that trail the story beats through the episodes. You read all those before tackling the ep you are about to write.

This makes it certain that no one will ever be tied up in the nightclub twice, for example, and have water thrown over them by someone claiming it is petrol.

Ah. Cheers, Marc. and the other guys for contributing.

Quote: Leevil @ February 4 2009, 11:20 AM GMT

What about dragging out the reveal of Ronnie's daughter? I can't stand the actor playing her, very Hollyoaksy.

View original

Apparently that's coming out soon. Phew!
Has gone on verrrrry long time.

Quote: Griff @ February 4 2009, 4:41 PM GMT

Everyone's saying Hollyoaksy like it's a bad thing.

View original

It's bad English.

In Andrew Collins third book (read his books, they're ace) he talks about how when writing for EE they only get a small choice of settings for time reasons. So they'd have to trade with other writers: 'I'll give you the Caff, if you give me Frank's house'.