TV writing with guest LostFootage

 TV writing with guest LostFootage

Wednesdays

11 p.m. ET (8 p.m. PT), Writers Den

 Writing Basics - Topics for new and experienced writers to develop or review basic writing skills through discussion and practical exercises. Moderated by HOST WRTR LINDA, HOST WRTR RGUGAT, greeted by (alternate) HOST WRTR SPKLD1, mail contact: HOST WRTR STAR. 

SemiYung: welcome to writing basics, our chat tonight is about TV writing

SemiYung: our guest is a TV writer is going to tell us a little more about

himself

SemiYung: and about what it's like to write  for television

LostFootage: I am?

LostFootage: Oh.

LostFootage: It's thrilling.

SemiYung: well we help he is going to tell us about it

SemiYung: make that hope not help

LostFootage: Hi, I'm Duke.... 

LostFootage: I write for TV and sometimes movies.

LostFootage: and it's a thrill a minute.

LostFootage: Started 22 yrs ago, approximately.

LostFootage: When I sold a project I wrote for a class at Cal State

Fullerton.

LostFootage: and been doin the same insanely exciting stuff every since!

LostFootage: Most recently, I completed a 2 hr movie of the week for

Showtime...

LostFootage: "Naked City 3: Rough Trade"

LostFootage: which is in pre production

LostFootage: I have episodes currently airing on TNT of a series called: Dark

Justice.

LostFootage: And.... I don't know what else to say.

LostFootage: If I could improvise, I'd be selling Audis

SemiYung: How about telling us how we might submit a screen play for

television.

LostFootage: I'll tell you what I did...

LostFootage: I picked a very "soft" target.

LostFootage: I researched a little and found the worst series on television..

LostFootage: then found that they were behind schedule and had script

trouble...

LostFootage: late scripts, bad scripts, etc.

LostFootage: And I wrote one.

LostFootage: took 4 days.... and it was a project for a writing class

anyway....

LostFootage: SO..

SemiYung: how did you find out they were behind schedule?

LostFootage: I walked into SPIDERMAN (the live action series) and put it on

the table.  It was shot two

LostFootage: weeks later.

LostFootage: I kind of sniffed around...

LostFootage: and used the Hollywood Reporter that lists television projects

in production.

UStreetJP: Is this thing hosted.  If it is, I'm sorry to just drop by

LostFootage: The date of inception for this series and the first air date did

not allow enough time for a

LostFootage: good backlog of scripts.

LostFootage: They were late before they began.

LostFootage: and a target like that... where you can relieve a producer's

pain with a solid script... 

LostFootage: that's ripe.

LostFootage: Today, the market is a lot tighter.

LostFootage: for television 1 hr.

LostFootage: I'd probably try to sell a movie instead.

LostFootage: which is a wide open market.

LostFootage: OR....

SemiYung: Does that mean you would write a new one and then try to sell it?

LostFootage: yes.

LostFootage: "Spec"

LostFootage: write a speculative piece and just take it around.. to agents

and producers.

LostFootage: if you can get an agent to bite, that's a leg up.

LostFootage: the first "sale" you need to make is to an agent, really.

LostFootage: but that's not a hard rule.

SemiYung: If someone lives outside of Hollywood, will it work to mail it?

LostFootage: Yes.

SemiYung: Are there basic themes that are popular at times that are more

likely to be bought?

LostFootage: I think it helps to do the actual face time with these people...

but if you can't do that...

LostFootage: a well targeted mailing is fine.

LostFootage: Yes, there are... but it changes in phases...

LostFootage: "they'll never make another Western....

LostFootage: or "Space horror movies are all done for."

LostFootage: you hear that stuff, but it's never true.  Any good script will

get attention.

LostFootage: even a half-good script will get attention.

SemiYung: What are the themes right now?  Sci fi? 'ripped from the

headlines?"

LostFootage: as a matter of fact....

LostFootage: if it LOOKS professional at all, it will get attention.  If it

doesn't... it won't.

LostFootage: headlines are always good.

LostFootage: that tells you where the interest is...

SemiYung: What makes it LOOK  professional to a producer/director.

LostFootage: most journalism is mostly fiction... and if that's what people

are reading... that's a good 

LostFootage: indication.

SemiYung: And which one would you target?

LostFootage: The script has to be formatted properly, few typos, no bad

spelling... simple things like th

LostFootage: at.

LostFootage: just polished, detailed, refined product.

SemiYung: If anyone has a question or comment, type ? for a question or ! to

comment and duke will 

SemiYung: call on you in turn.  type ga or / when you finish a thought.

LostFootage: There is a fella in my apt bldg who reads for an agency.

LostFootage: he reads hundreds of scripts a month

LostFootage: and the word from him is: if it looks CLOSE to what a script

should be... it gets added care

LostFootage: and attention.

LostFootage: if it's good, he passes it along to an agent.

LostFootage: That's a great job for a person who wants to write.

LostFootage: Readers become agents or writers, typically.

SemiYung: Is that a job someone could apply for if they live in another

city/state?

LostFootage: I wouldn't think so, no.

LostFootage: apply, yes.

LostFootage: Do, no.

LostFootage: A lot of stuff has gone paperless, though.

LostFootage: I just did a story with a partner and we never had hard copy

between us.

SemiYung: For that kind of work, would people contact agents? and if so, what

kind?

LostFootage: He lives 1/2 hr away.

LostFootage: and our final submission was via email.

LostFootage: Ok, let's discuss agents for a second:

LostFootage: They are like a screen between you and the producer/company.

LostFootage: the only way through is with material.

LostFootage: If you write and polish up a nice piece... whatever it is... 1/2

hr comedy... 1 hr drama...

LostFootage: movie...

LostFootage: You go to agents with it first.

LostFootage: you can get a list of agents from WGA.

LostFootage: Writers Guild of America

LostFootage: I think they're in Beverly Hills... Los Angeles, maybe.

LostFootage: and they will send you out the list of agents who are registered

with the Guild.

LostFootage: Send your material to a few of them.. maybe names you

recognize...

LostFootage: doesn't cost much and you have a shot with them.

LostFootage: if they like it and will represent your material, you have a

much better chance selling it.

Wendoxia: ?

SemiYung: Wend your question

LostFootage: Hi, Wen... did you want to know what I'm wearing?

Wendoxia: how do you protect work you send out?

LostFootage: A good question...

Wendoxia: ga.

LostFootage: You can, for a small fee, register material with the Writers

Guild of America

LostFootage: you can't copyright a title... 

LostFootage: or smaller elements....

LostFootage: most of the time.

Wendoxia: a story?

LostFootage: But a story, certainly.

LostFootage: Or a script.

LostFootage: This service is free to members of the WGA, but provided to all

for a small fee.

LostFootage: that's the way I think it is... I haven't registered anything in

years.

LostFootage: The Writers Guild of America is a great source of information on

all this....

LostFootage: and they send out a LOT of stuff to people.

SemiYung: they are on line now arent' they?

LostFootage: they're worth writing to or calling.

LostFootage: I think they are, yes.

LostFootage: I've not been to their site.

LostFootage: There is a Writers Guild East... but I don't know what they do.

LostFootage: Or how they do it.

Spkld1: ! The WGA's on-line site is available through most search engines.

/ga

LostFootage: oh, cool.

LostFootage: Thanks, Spkld

LostFootage: They used to have a wonderful BBS.... years ago.

SemiYung: What happens when a story is accepted for a show?

SemiYung: what are the steps that are taken

LostFootage: two different things:

LostFootage: here's how it goes on a dramatic series:

LostFootage: I get an appt.

LostFootage: I go in and talk to Story Editor or Producer.

LostFootage: give them a short verbal pitch.

LostFootage: if they're interested, I'll write up a 1 or 2 page synopsis for

review and discussion.

LostFootage: Then... we go to story... which in the instance of a 1 hr is

probably 8-12 pages of detailed

LostFootage: scenes.

LostFootage: 16 major ones...a few minor ones.

LostFootage: at that point, I'm under contract and working for money.

LostFootage: They get one rewrite of story... then, if we're all good to go,

we press on to Script.

LostFootage: 45-60 pages of... well... words.

LostFootage: everything that happens on screen happens on paper.

LostFootage: They get a rewrite of that and a "polish"

LostFootage: and then.... we're done.

LostFootage: usually about 4 weeks elapsed time

LostFootage: no more than 6

LostFootage: that's how it goes conventionally.

SemiYung: do you work on other ideas while you are doing one that is in

production?

LostFootage: if possible, yes.

LostFootage: Yeah.

LostFootage: I try to keep as much stuff going at once as I can.

LostFootage: Sometimes, that's nothing at all.

LostFootage: sometimes it's more than I can handle.

LostFootage: NOW... hang on...

LostFootage: IF you don't have a meeting or an agent or whatever for a

series...

LostFootage: then the process is different...

LostFootage: you "spec" a script for that show and do whatever you have to to

get it read.

LostFootage: Through an agent.. or not through an agent.

LostFootage: however.

LostFootage: And if they like it.. they might take you through the

aforementioned steps....

LostFootage: pitch/story/script.... or they might buy the story from you...

or they might buy your script

LostFootage: which is what happened to me the first time.

LostFootage: Or they might have you arrested. = )

SemiYung: LOL

SemiYung: If you are writing for a series, as you do for Dark Justice, do you

also get to write for 

LostFootage: This is all made easier if you're an amazingly beautiful young

woman.

SemiYung: other shows if you can get the work?

LostFootage: On Dark Justice:

LostFootage: I did 6 of them as a free lancer... as described above: Pitch,

Synopsis, Story, Script, 

LostFootage: and I did other stuff at the same time....

LostFootage: other projects.

LostFootage: the last 6 eps. of D.J. that I did... I was working on staff as

Executive Script Consultant.

LostFootage: (or some such bulls**t title)

LostFootage: and NO, at that point, I couldn't work another show/project.

SemiYung: Does work like that usually lead to be offered jobs on other shows?

LostFootage: Yes.

LostFootage: if you drive it hard.

LostFootage: you still have to press for every job, always

LostFootage: but it helps, of course, if you can say: "Well, I just did a

Dark Justice... "

SemiYung: Do you ever think about writing a book?

LostFootage: "you may have seen my name on that video your kid rented last

night with the murdered

LostFootage: babysitter...."

LostFootage: A book.... do I THINK about it?  Sure.

LostFootage: Think is cheap.

LostFootage: I have not written a book.

SemiYung: okay, have you started one or two or three

LostFootage: Two reasons:

LostFootage: There doesn't seem to be enough money in it.

LostFootage: B. ) It's too hard.

LostFootage: I have started one or two, yes.

LostFootage: and it's hard.

LostFootage: I have ZIP for an attention span.

LostFootage: If a steak is too well done... I lose interest.

SemiYung: Are there any shows on now that you would like to write for?

LostFootage: Too many strokes...

LostFootage: ALL of THEM.

LostFootage: The market is very, very tight....

LostFootage: it's hard to get in.... you have like.. 2 guys writing the

majority of dramatic hours on 

LostFootage: television.

LostFootage: Get them to retire and there's plenty of work.

LostFootage: and there are not that many 1 hr. shows now.

LostFootage: I'm looking at shows that are not network prime time...

LostFootage: "Eighteen Wheels of Justice" on  TNN....

LostFootage: Mortal Kombat was cable also...

LostFootage: Syndication is a good market.

LostFootage: If I could dream up something to write for.... it'd be a staff

job on V.I.P.

LostFootage: seriously

SemiYung: LOL we know why too.

LostFootage: They get a lot of reruns....

LostFootage: RERUNS are THE reason to write television.

LostFootage: you get residuals, which are big payments for each time the show

airs.

SemiYung: what is the percentage you get as writer for reruns?

LostFootage: (except on cable.... that's a ROYALTY... and those are terrible)

LostFootage: It's not a percentage... it's a set fee.

LostFootage: and it's a lot.

LostFootage: Royalties for cable are 1.5 % of the producers price.

LostFootage: on Dark Justice... that's like... 30 bucks.

SemiYung: Folks, we only have about 15 minutes left so get your questions in

soon.

LostFootage: while on "free" airwave TV... that same show.... $3000.

SemiYung: wow, that would make me want to try to do a script

LostFootage: The fees are public knowledge... it's in the WGA handbook...

it's called the MBA

LostFootage: Minimum Basic Agreement.

LostFootage: If you do a syndicated hour... you're going to pull about $17k

for the story & script

LostFootage: I think that's about right.

LostFootage: Then on first rerun... another $10k or so... maybe more.

LostFootage: and it goes down from there.

SemiYung: PER story?

LostFootage: Per script.

LostFootage: on network television... an hour, minimum is about $25k up

front.

SemiYung: I'm impressed.

LostFootage: and residuals are huge.

LostFootage: Mortal Kombat.... I think that paid about $16k... and that again

in residuals in the first 

LostFootage: year.

SemiYung: Duke, I get the impression you would like to write humor. Have you

ever done that?

LostFootage: That's a simple cable/syndication combo series.

LostFootage: I've done humor... but never comedy.

LostFootage: not 1/2 hr comedy.

LostFootage: <--will crack wise for food.

SemiYung: Quick someone toss him a hamburger

LostFootage: Not writing.... and not submitting... and not pressing forward:

LostFootage: that pays duck.

Wendoxia: ?

LostFootage: Wen... ask me something...

Wendoxia: so you suggest a beginning writer to find  a partner?

LostFootage: Did I suggest that?

Wendoxia: do you think thats  wise?

LostFootage: It's not a bad idea sometimes.

LostFootage: Writing is a lonely business...

LostFootage: and it helps to commune with somebody.

LostFootage: or have someone you can bust in the kidneys with a bat.

LostFootage: takes the stress off.

SemiYung: Duke, did you take any courses to write screen plays or follow a

format?

LostFootage: I did take courses.  I learned very little from them.

LostFootage: I do follow formats for specific shows, if they have a

format....

LostFootage: and I use pretty standard form in spec stuff...

SemiYung: I seem to remember there is a way to find out a format for a show

by looking at old scripts

LostFootage: these formats are not that difficult and are provided in most

all those screenwriting books.

LostFootage: and with screenwriting software.

LostFootage: Yes... if you look at their scripts... that's the format.

LostFootage: if you can get that for a show... get it.

LostFootage: btw, I use Final Draft software.

LostFootage: and I dig it.

SemiYung: Maybe that isn't the word I need to use.  Some basic core of a

program, that you follow.

LostFootage: You can watch a show and get the way it's built....

LostFootage: but that won't tell you what their scripts look like

Wendoxia: and how do you learn to  make your stories  fit?

LostFootage: You can determine from commercial breaks if it's a 4 act or 6

act show....

LostFootage: ok, that question ties in:

LostFootage: if, say... a show is 4 acts...

LostFootage: like the old Barnaby Jones.. which really set the form for most

shows that came after....

LostFootage: It's going to have a TEASER, or opening scene...

LostFootage: it's going to have 4-6 major scenes per act.

LostFootage: and it's going to have 4 acts.

LostFootage: and a TAG, or summary scene.

LostFootage: Your STORY should have those elements: Teaser, 4 acts, Tag.

LostFootage: You can tell if you watch a show...

LostFootage: if they kill a guy at the end of act one...

LostFootage: or if they always have a twist at the end of act three...

LostFootage: there is ALWAYS a formula.

LostFootage: Especially to shows that say they don't have one.

LostFootage: if you find this formula... you can build your story element by

element.

LostFootage: and it will 'fit'

SemiYung: Would new shows be easier to get a script sold than an older one?

LostFootage: (that sounded like I know what I'm talking about.. HAHA)

LostFootage: New shows are.... tricky.

LostFootage: they don't know what they want...

LostFootage: the floor is moving as they try to learn the dance steps....

LostFootage: So... you could hand them a great script.. but they wouldn't

know if it's what they want/nee

LostFootage: need.

LostFootage: But they are not as hard to get to, these people.

LostFootage: Spiderman was a NEW show when I spec'd an ep.

LostFootage: but I figured... it's SPIDERMAN.... what's gonna be different

from the comic books?

LostFootage: And I was right, in that case.

LostFootage: I also spec'd and sold a Mike Hammer ep.

SemiYung: Folks, we are at the end of our hour.  Let's give a big Thanks  to

Duke.  

LostFootage: same thing... Mike Hammer is mike hammer.

LostFootage: woohoo... {S golfclap

SemiYung: WE got a lot of information about tv writing.

SportiGal: Thanks alot, Duke!

Wendoxia: thank you. duke

SemiYung: Thanks for your time Duke. 

LostFootage: Most welcome.. thank you for having me.

SemiYung: and all the information

Raiynfall: Thanks so much!!!

SemiYung: I hope you will come back again some time.

LostFootage: If any specific Qs come up, please drop me an email and perhaps

I can help... I dunno.

LostFootage: God help me.. I'm not that bright.

SemiYung: The horses are turning into mice, and the carriage is a pumpkin

again.

LostFootage: ok.

LostFootage: adios   = )

SemiYung: they clock has struck the hour.  good night all. join us again next

week if you can.

SemiYung: night Duke

SemiYung: good night all.