Animals and children

Okay, I am playing around with a sitcom idea, and one possible recurring plot element is an unusual pet. Nothing too dangerous or endangered; something cuddly and smart enough to be at least partially trainable, not that it is going to have to do tricks or anything. Possibly a racoon.

What is concerning me is whether having an exotic animal on the cast list is likely to be a turn off for production companies. Does anyone have any experience of pitching scripts involving animals, or (to broaden the discussion and make it more generally relevant) children?

You're not trying to steal my Sweryt & The Ferret idea are you?

No you're quite right Timbo, I have nothing useful to say.
sorry!

I've just entered a short film writing comp and our script features a kid, so I'll be interested to hear what people say about that. We've deliberately limited the kid's appearances and given her zero dialogue.

I'd suggest the same with the racoon - or at least avoid multisyllabic words as it may find it difficult to memorise lines.

Expect Bussell and his animatronic cat along, any minute now...

Dan & The Ferret

Quote: Timbo @ December 4 2009, 9:27 PM GMT

Okay, I am playing around with a sitcom idea, and one possible recurring plot element is an unusual pet. Nothing too dangerous or endangered; something cuddly and smart enough to be at least partially trainable, not that it is going to have to do tricks or anything. Possibly a racoon.

What is concerning me is whether having an exotic animal on the cast list is likely to be a turn off for production companies. Does anyone have any experience of pitching scripts involving animals, or (to broaden the discussion and make it more generally relevant) children?

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Very good question. I was going to post something similar recently as I'm thinking of writing a show involving an animal(s). Just in terms of what you see on TV now children's involvement is limited and animals are like cigarettes in scripted programmes, you almost never see them. They probably would say to cut it IMO, just in terms of what you see/hear producers seem to like to keep things as simple and low cost as possible.

How about a skunk? Not cuddly, right enough.

We wrote one calling for a Tasmanian Tiger. As you can guess topicality isn't my strong point.

Animals can't act and neither can British kids.

If you have to go with one or the other, choose the animal. Most people like animals but most people in their right minds hate child actors because they've almost always got their parts by having sprung from the loins of someone already influential in the world of TV. And that's nepotism.

If it's not nepotism (but it almost always is!), they've got their parts by being at some poncey stage school and having stuck-up or right-on parents who, come the revolution, will be first against the wall together with their obnoxious little brats.

All IMHO but it's true.

What about if I cast one of my water-based rodent children?

Quote: DrVole @ December 6 2009, 8:24 PM GMT

What about if I cast one of my water-based rodent children?

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I might be prepared to ratify such an arrangement.

Quote: Ming the Mirthless @ December 6 2009, 2:45 PM GMT

If it's not nepotism (but it almost always is!), they've got their parts by being at some poncey stage school and having stuck-up or right-on parents who, come the revolution, will be first against the wall together with their obnoxious little brats.

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Yes, I'm sure the only reason Tyger Drew-Honey got the gig in Outnumbered is because his Dad is Ben Dover.

Cecelia Ahern, 21 years old gets her first novel, P.S. I Love You, published and then turned in to a Hollywood film, in 2007. Her dad is Bertie Ahern, ok he isn't in the same industry but these connections prick the ears/pique the interest of those in control and it seems to happen time and time again in all forms of media. Having the right name/family connections still plays a big part in getting on in the world of media, IMHO. I mean Shamu's son is the number one whale actor in the world ATM, now try telling me there isn't nepotism involved.

The world of the media and entertainment is not nepotistic in the same way as, say, the old Fleet Street print unions; it is all more subtle. The children of people in that line of work grow up with the belief that this is a realistic career option, they know how to go about pursuing it, and they have the contacts to get a foot in the door. It is the same in many lines, politics, the City, sport. But what you find is that in some professions this will only get a person so far. It should be possible to produce some sort of index where the actual talent a job requires is inverse proportion to number of people at the top of the profession who are of the second generation. Plotted on a graph premiership footballers and pop stars would actually come out quite well, film stars and journalists less so; while judging by the number of second generation TV presenters, the job could be done by a trained chimp.

Or indeed racoon. Unfortunately replacing the racoon in my script with a Dimbleby is not going to work. So does the racoon go or stay?

Quote: swerytd @ December 4 2009, 11:57 PM GMT

Expect Bussell and his animatronic cat along, any minute now...

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A don't care how well you train it, a real cat just cannot breakdance...

Edit: Well, maybe Top Cat.

Re; Or indeed racoon. Unfortunately replacing the racoon in my script with a Dimbleby is not going to work. So does the racoon go or stay?

What about Dimbleby dressed as a racoon?