Sitcom setting...

Hi,

I have had the idea of setting a comedy in South Korea based on the lives and relationships English teachers from England/USA/Canada. I am quite sure there is plenty of material from my own experience to go on and make a very decent script, which would be different from anything out there. My question is, would it be at all possible to set a sitcom in South Korea or am I being far too ambitious? I originally planned to base the sitcom in a university setting, but felt this would maybe be too broad. Would I be better to go back to this idea?

Please excuse my ignorance, I'm very new to all this. I just don't want to go ahead and start writing something that has no chance of ever being made, howevere small the chance. Any advice would be fantastic!

Many thanks,

James

Woudl it need to be on location?
Or could it be set in a studio?

It would most probably have to be filmed on location. There would be quite a few Korean extras needed, and the look of the country is very individual. It would be very hard to recreate in a studio.

When a foreign production company makes a film (or TV show) in an Asian country, it can be a nightmare to get permission and specific visas. So much red tape and everyone has their hand out for money. Could be difficult unless your producers are friends with senior South Korean Immigration officials and the Culture and Tourism Minister. The way to go would be with a local South Korean production house making the thing - but then it might be crap, and there's still the hassle of getting appropriate visas for foreign actors.

Quote: Shogun1984 @ March 10 2010, 10:04 PM GMT

It would most probably have to be filmed on location. There would be quite a few Korean extras needed, and the look of the country is very individual. It would be very hard to recreate in a studio.

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Where would most of the scenes take place? Classrooms, bars and houses? Or much external stuff in Seoul or rural areas?

Quote: Shogun1984 @ March 10 2010, 10:04 PM GMT

It would most probably have to be filmed on location. There would be quite a few Korean extras needed, and the look of the country is very individual. It would be very hard to recreate in a studio.

View original

Why don't you suggest filming it in New Malden, Surrey?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Malden

I know that Korea are actively seeking to improve relations with foreigners so I would hold out hope that the visa thing would be as painless as possible. I am definitely thinking that in hope though, and totally understand what you're saying. I was initially thinking about problems with the expense of it all being filmed over there? If you've ever seen Korean TV you will know that entertaining the idea of using a Korean production company would not be my first choice. They make Babestation look professional.

Having said all this and really thinking about it most of the filming will take place in indoor social settings, with just a few outdoor scenes. Maybe it can be filmed in England after all?

Good idea about the location!

Thanks for all your feedback, you're really helping me get started.

How would your sitcom portray South Koreans, especially men in positions of officialdom and those who hire English teachers? Would you ignore the prevailing stereotype of them being rude, arrogant, condescending and unfriendly, and treating their employees like crap?

I'm assuming you think you've got an original unique angle - but is it funny?

Let's not underestimate the importance of this - it is a Korea decision!

Quote: Marc P @ March 11 2010, 8:17 AM GMT

Let's not underestimate the importance of this - it is a Korea decision!

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***tumbleweeds***

Quote: john lucas 101 @ March 11 2010, 8:46 AM GMT

***tumbleweeds***

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yeah that's just lazy, get a picture man!

Quote: Marc P @ March 11 2010, 9:10 AM GMT

yeah that's just lazy, get a picture man!

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I'll work on it for next time.

I reckon shooting it in South Korea would be a massive barrier that most production companies in the UK would not be able to get over. logistically messy and more expensive than shooting a sitcom shot in a studio in the UK. If you do write it, I would suggest writing it in such a way that it could all be shot in a studio in the UK. It would be easy to film a lot of generic outside shots in South Korea that could be thrown in in-between scenes.

I would suggest writing it as a film instead of a sitcom.

Quote: Chappers @ March 10 2010, 11:11 PM GMT

I'm assuming you think you've got an original unique angle - but is it funny?

View original

I do plan on putting my heart and Seoul into the project...Sigh.

I will portray Koreans in officialdom in a light based on my own experience. This would be rude, arrogant, money grabbing, unreasonable and treating their employees badly. Quite frankly, I experienced a lot of racism out there. In my experience the stereotype is very true. I think this could lead to some good comedy set ups. However, this will be balanced out by showing the younger Koreans who hang around with the main group of people to be genuinely nice and reasonable people. As with all countries there are good and bad people, just in Korea the school owners tend to be a very bad bunch of people. Leads to some funny situations though.

I believe there is enough to go on to make the script funny, yes. It will be my first go, but you don't know if you don't try. The cultural differences alone give great material. For example, Koreans firmly believe that leaving a desk fan on in an enclosed room will kill you. Someone told me it is the second biggest killer in Korea after cancer. Ridiculous! The main bulk of the script will be based on a guy trying to get away from life in England after being dumped by his girlfriend of five years. He meets his friend from uni out there and so the experience begins...