tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post159714236650479633..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: What spec script should you write?By Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-15284331665908268722013-08-13T21:12:17.851-07:002013-08-13T21:12:17.851-07:00Hi Ken,
What's your opinion on writing a Bob&...Hi Ken,<br /><br />What's your opinion on writing a Bob's Burgers spec?<br /><br />From what I've heard they are outlined and then improvised. Could there be an upside to writing a spec script for a seemingly unscripted show?jeffnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-76098588104665331042013-05-03T19:06:12.475-07:002013-05-03T19:06:12.475-07:00Mya,
I've been thinking about writing a spec...Mya, <br /><br />I've been thinking about writing a spec script for Scandal too, but am not 100% sure about it. The show I was thinking might be a good alternative is The Good Wife. If you haven't seen it and you like Scandal, you'll probably enjoy it. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-20015956719887269562012-10-07T22:28:32.651-07:002012-10-07T22:28:32.651-07:00Hey. What's your advice on writing a spec for ...Hey. What's your advice on writing a spec for a new show like "Scandal? Now that it's been renewed for it's second season and doesn't look like it's going anywhere. Is that show too new? I was told at least 3 seasons or more would suffice. Mya K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00302473985663878840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-8384253744474633642012-10-07T22:27:20.602-07:002012-10-07T22:27:20.602-07:00Hi. I wanted to know would you take a chance on a ...Hi. I wanted to know would you take a chance on a new show that has been renewed. My fingers keep itching to write a spec for Scandal. What is your advice for new shows? Mya K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00302473985663878840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-4273934622841507912012-01-10T04:27:48.393-08:002012-01-10T04:27:48.393-08:00I hate to be that guy, but does anyone know where ...I hate to be that guy, but does anyone know where I can get a hold of some scripts for 2 Broke Girls? I've managed to get a hold of the pilot but wouldn't mind looking at some of the regular episodes to get a better feel for formatting.@scriptwrecknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-58718777665154245912012-01-10T01:03:30.742-08:002012-01-10T01:03:30.742-08:00Ken,
Interesting piece. Could you profile a coup...Ken, <br /><br />Interesting piece. Could you profile a couple of the most recent writers who cracked the sitcom big time and explain how they did it, or maybe link to a more in-depth story? That would be great. Cheers.HogsAteMySisterhttp://hogsatemysister.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-23842010131240664312012-01-10T00:09:10.442-08:002012-01-10T00:09:10.442-08:00Ken -
Please don't save these for Friday ques...Ken -<br /><br />Please don't save these for Friday questions, please do more whole posts on this topic. : )<br /><br />I had a question about so-called comedies like Entourage and Sex and the City. To me, they fell into a weird category I call light cromedy. They are humorous in situations, but they don't really have traditional jokes like sitcoms, and the dramatic moments are a little more like actual drama than sitcommy drama. Is there a real name category for that kind of show?<br /><br />I'm writing a Parks & Rec spec, so nobody else can write any specs of that one. : )cshelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-49153907993218535012012-01-09T21:11:17.826-08:002012-01-09T21:11:17.826-08:00I, too, have to speak up for Whitney Cummings. &q...I, too, have to speak up for Whitney Cummings. "Whitney" isn't a great show, by any means, but I think she and her co-star are likeable and have good chemistry, and the show is gradually improving. The first few episodes were all the same: Whitney is so insecure that she deliberately does something annoying to try to drive her boyfriend away. Once they got past that and started developing some decent storylines, it started getting better. <br /><br />Personally, I can't stand the current comic school of women acting like foul-mouthed, horny, drunk frat guys exemplified by Chelsea Handler and Lisa Lampanelli, but I find Whitney Cummings to be reasonably funny and appealing, the further away from that style she gets.Pat Reederhttp://www.comedy-wire.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-37464482799443436802012-01-09T19:26:01.587-08:002012-01-09T19:26:01.587-08:00Ken,
My style is more drama. I've recently wr...Ken,<br /><br />My style is more drama. I've recently written a Mad Men spec. Any thoughts if this is over done like Modern Family?<br /><br />My next project will probably be Boardwalk Empire and possibly Boss. Any other ideas on great drama shows I should pay attention to?<br /><br />Also, I try to stay away from the law/CSI stuff as i think shows like are also overdone.kingcookyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08320756158257696524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-64389268180339558542012-01-09T18:37:04.483-08:002012-01-09T18:37:04.483-08:00Having seen a few episodes of Whitney, and not fin...Having seen a few episodes of Whitney, and not finding it to be any better or worse than a million other non-premium sitcoms, I'm beginning to wonder if the hate comes, consciously or subconsciously, from a "she's too pretty" place.pumpkinheadnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-44150305101604304892012-01-09T17:40:06.151-08:002012-01-09T17:40:06.151-08:00Ken -
Question for Friday. When you were heavily...Ken -<br /><br />Question for Friday. When you were heavily involved with "Big Wave Dave" and "Almost Perfect" were you obligated to go to the upfronts. Those things that are happening this week and every TV magazine and reviewer is tweeting/blogging/writing about.bettydnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-51115360386576291672012-01-09T16:27:50.480-08:002012-01-09T16:27:50.480-08:00could producers rip off elements of your spec scri...could producers rip off elements of your spec script? has that happened before?DyHrdMEThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07621011643939597497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-72050918545155483842012-01-09T16:04:43.810-08:002012-01-09T16:04:43.810-08:00Ken, I'd like you to answer Bob Ross' ques...Ken, I'd like you to answer Bob Ross' question on one of your Friday Q&As!<br /><br />I also have an answer for Paul: As someone who has worked in animation, let me assure you, "The Simpsons" aside, animation studios HATE to work with outsiders, a.k.a. "non-cartoonists". Your prospective script will be used as fodder for the Friday afternoon "let's-laugh-at-all-the-lame-submissions-we've-gotten" sessions most animation studios have. Trust me on this.Bill Whitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00231144346597143968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-7836917366105322892012-01-09T15:43:05.429-08:002012-01-09T15:43:05.429-08:00"This show [Whitney] is so universally revile..."<i>This show [Whitney] is so universally reviled that you might want to steer clear for your own safety.</i>"<br /><br />Why is it so reviled? I've only seen one episode, and it didn't inspire me to watch another, but I saw nothing to justify the hate fest.Dr. Leo Marvinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07669626692363827776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-75218216788238786862012-01-09T15:03:18.850-08:002012-01-09T15:03:18.850-08:00Ken,
What do you suggest one should actually do ...Ken, <br /><br />What do you suggest one should actually do with a spec once they have it? I have a Modern Family that I'd like to get seen, but having no connections to agents anywhere (and I understand they don't like unsolicited material), I'm not quite sure what to do with it. <br /><br />I'm sure people ask you for an 'in' all the time, but I'm just curious if there's any course of action you would recommend for people that aren't 'connected' in LA?Kyah Greennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-47268937911714227882012-01-09T14:41:35.961-08:002012-01-09T14:41:35.961-08:00LOUIE is such a personal show for Louis CK (who pr...LOUIE is such a personal show for Louis CK (who produces, writes, directs and edits every episode, and also works closely with the musicians on the score) that I can't imagine a spec that could do justice to the Louie-ness of it. It's also so utterly unlike most sitcoms that it would seem to have limited value as a showcase for what you could bring to the average show.jbryantnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-88574948834414453582012-01-09T14:15:57.924-08:002012-01-09T14:15:57.924-08:00If you write a vagina joke for Whitney do her lips...If you write a vagina joke for Whitney do her lips have to move?Franknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-64689449476550803402012-01-09T13:46:23.178-08:002012-01-09T13:46:23.178-08:00Ken,
As someone who works for the Nickelodeon Wri...Ken,<br /><br />As someone who works for the Nickelodeon Writing Fellowship (a great program for aspiring writers, btw!), let me just tell you that the glut IS "Modern Family".<br /><br />Used to be "The Office", the "30 Rock", but making your script stand out amongst hundreds of "Modern Familys" is going to be an uphill battle for sure.<br /><br />I imagine the situation must be the same at agencies.<br /><br />Personally, I'd advise against it.<br /><br />-Anonymous ReaderAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-85188497473075593052012-01-09T12:29:51.648-08:002012-01-09T12:29:51.648-08:00Ken, what do you think about writing a spec for an...Ken, what do you think about writing a spec for an animated show like Archer?Paulhttp://www.dailyramblings.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-58871154198240979052012-01-09T11:22:49.633-08:002012-01-09T11:22:49.633-08:00Just discovered SHAMELESS this weekend (thanks to ...Just discovered SHAMELESS this weekend (thanks to Netflix), what an entertaining, finely done show! <br /><br />Ken, with the countdown now serioiusly on for spring training and your employer has done nothing other than recall you and your brothers plus sign an unknown pitcher from Japan - what the fuck are they doing????????? Unless you and Fairly can hit, it looks rather bleak for 2012 -again! Fairly was a pretty good hitter but I'm guessing his timing is just a bit off these days!Kid Leannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-7061534772304799192012-01-09T11:16:21.161-08:002012-01-09T11:16:21.161-08:00Ken:
I am writing a sitcom pilot and have a quest...Ken:<br /><br />I am writing a sitcom pilot and have a question about the number of acts for the script. Some shows have two acts (e.g., "30 Rock," "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," "Friends"), whereas others have three (e.g., "New Girl," "2 Broke Girls," "Community"). <br /><br />What are your thoughts on writing a pilot with two acts versus three? Is it just a matter of personal preference?<br /><br />Thank you.Vivian Darkbloomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-35406031306248140942012-01-09T11:01:13.290-08:002012-01-09T11:01:13.290-08:00I've suffered from the dreaded "every spe...I've suffered from the dreaded "every spec I write gets cancelled within a month" dilemma for my last three specs. The upside is, it keeps me writing new specs. <br />Also, it made me really start outlining my specs prior to writing as a HIMYM spec that was 3/4 done, ran into a severe problem in that I had no idea how to end it. I got stuck for like four months on that one spec, and while I eventually finished it, I never really solved the problem. Wouldn't have happened if I had identified the problem in the outline stage.Alhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02305616385992111197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-7918103493831099652012-01-09T09:50:37.231-08:002012-01-09T09:50:37.231-08:00Here's a friday question: after you get work o...Here's a friday question: after you get work on various shows, do you/would you write any more specs? I've always thought I'd do that if there would be shows out there that I would really like. <br /><br />Have you ever done that?Chrisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-89765488895068305582012-01-09T09:01:42.612-08:002012-01-09T09:01:42.612-08:00Ken --
Several of my undergrad and grad students ...Ken --<br /><br />Several of my undergrad and grad students last Fall elected to write "Shameless" for their one-hour spec. It's a great series for showcasing dialogue ability, story-telling, working with characters of wide age-range, and fits both a comedy and drama genre. That written, a bad "Shameless" script can also kill a career. If a writer truly believes they've got those comedy, smart-dialogue, chops, and can nail the terrific character voices, I highly recommend this show as a spec. (Also, as I read dozens of specs at a time, I always look forward to reading a "Shameless" script.)WriteBrainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01857293688853194539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-52499955294082515372012-01-09T08:45:35.698-08:002012-01-09T08:45:35.698-08:00Ken--
I hadn't seen Last Man Standing until y...Ken--<br /><br />I hadn't seen Last Man Standing until you suggested it. After watching several episodes, I'm not so impressed. The writers leave lots of jokes underdeveloped or use too many words to read the punchline, and the actors' timing is off. Is it kosher write a faster paced script? How about some character development for the daughters? They all meld together.Bill Holstnoreply@blogger.com