tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post6849512964917479569..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: Some thoughts on pilot writingBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-70502172727346932942011-04-22T08:19:47.436-07:002011-04-22T08:19:47.436-07:00Thanks, Carson!Thanks, Carson!Warren Znoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-70219959960098633152011-04-21T22:32:50.683-07:002011-04-21T22:32:50.683-07:00@Warren Z
I see that Ken answered your question, ...@Warren Z<br /><br />I see that Ken answered your question, but I though I'd give you the link to a site where a ton of pilot and regular episode scripts are for multi-cam & single-cam sitcoms and even dramas. I think it may help you with your pacing to have an idea of where a good place is to put your act breaks:<br /><br />http://sites.google.com/site/tvwriting/us-comedy<br /><br />Also, for clarification for @Hollywoodaholic:<br /><br />Single camera shows (both comedies and dramas) are actually 40 second pages, not minute pages. A drama pilot should be between 50 to 70-odd pages in length. Pilots scripts are almost always longer than a regular episode because you have to set up the world you've created. In future scripts you don't have to describe places they've already been or people we've already met in the pilot.Carsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07350118087248640188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-7244657296827935622011-04-21T22:19:12.865-07:002011-04-21T22:19:12.865-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Carsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07350118087248640188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-23959772073374040972011-04-21T16:08:57.529-07:002011-04-21T16:08:57.529-07:00Good point Big Ted.
I actually liked the NBC show...Good point Big Ted.<br /><br />I actually liked the NBC show PERFECT COUPLES and I'm really sad it got cancelled. Then they add a similar show, only with boring people and stupid writing, called HAPPY ENDINGS. WTF?!<br /><br />And I know I need to move on, but I still lament the cancellations of both PUSHING DAISIES and BETTER OFF TED. That's what happens to shows outside the box.cshelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-14061581438296473332011-04-21T15:44:25.044-07:002011-04-21T15:44:25.044-07:00Really, Ken? If we didn't ENJOY the sound of ...Really, Ken? If we didn't ENJOY the sound of your horn, do you think we'd be reading this blog?Refnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-10721640706919153942011-04-21T13:02:59.993-07:002011-04-21T13:02:59.993-07:00This sounds like the reaction of someone who has h...This sounds like the reaction of someone who has heard people talk about the "craft of storytelling" but has never been exposed to it before.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14776076446035572649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-72659466682943610702011-04-21T11:56:14.118-07:002011-04-21T11:56:14.118-07:00Once you've got the basics down -- there are s...Once you've got the basics down -- there are six attractive 30ish people living in the city (say, a married couple, a dating couple and two singles), all of whom are very different types but good friends for some reason, and they all have romantic/sex/work/life issues involving other attractive people, and they all get together in a bar, a coffeehouse or someone's living room to discuss it all during the hours of free time they somehow have each day -- what else is left but jokes and casting?<br /><br />(I'm kidding, but it really does seem like that's all the networks are producing these days.)BigTednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-61516023767115500482011-04-21T11:33:47.106-07:002011-04-21T11:33:47.106-07:00"Has the bar been lowered so much over the ye..."Has the bar been lowered so much over the years that what was once just satisfying requirements is now considered a big artistic achievement?" <br /><br />To answer that, yes.<br /><br />I'm pretty convinced they don't know the difference between bad and good. Let's face it, their world is hype and demographics. <br /><br />I find it interesting how different meetings are with a showrunner than with the execs or production entity.<br /><br />One is about story, the other is about marketing and potential audience.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16897402622057966364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-76533388677628672342011-04-21T11:10:39.827-07:002011-04-21T11:10:39.827-07:00I wish there was a blog to suggest stories that wo...I wish there was a blog to suggest stories that would make wonderful television. Unfortunately my stories are already written and exist in books by some of my favorite authors and this gets messy. Having said that:<br /><br />I wish that<br />Dream workds would tackle several adventure pics; <br />A) The Dragons of Pern. Anne McCaffrey isn't going to live forever you know.<br />B) Dreamsnake Vonda McIntyre HUgo award 1979.<br />C) War Prize. Vaughn. A tale of several societies, tribal warriors, smallish kingdoms.<br /><br />All of these books need special effects outfits. If I had 300 million bucks....Retro Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12699048985142240493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1528204984922161852011-04-21T10:42:20.758-07:002011-04-21T10:42:20.758-07:00@Hollywoodaholic/Ken
Thanks! Either way, more bab...@Hollywoodaholic/Ken<br /><br />Thanks! Either way, more babies to killWarren Znoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-19614361762624374782011-04-21T10:26:55.298-07:002011-04-21T10:26:55.298-07:0045 pages was for a half-hour multi-camera pilot. ...45 pages was for a half-hour multi-camera pilot. Single-camera scripts are in the 30s.By Ken Levinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-48774315394891340342011-04-21T09:59:54.368-07:002011-04-21T09:59:54.368-07:00@Warren Z
That's mostly likely an hour show, ...@Warren Z<br /><br />That's mostly likely an hour show, using the page per minute count, and knocking off 15 minutes for commercials. Half hour scripts come in at 30 or below. But there are exceptions if the show is all fast-paced dialogue. "Moonlighting" scripts often went near 100 pages for an hour. Still, more likely go by the page per minute, minus commercial time. Hope this helps.Hollywoodaholichttp://www.hollywoodaholic.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-39157323016639974002011-04-21T09:26:25.403-07:002011-04-21T09:26:25.403-07:00The more you work in this business, the more it...The more you work in this business, the more it'll drive you nuts. My partner and I checked out the pilot scripts on the deadline "hot" list, and not only are the ideas old (which is fine, if they're well executed), but they're not well executed. Clunky pipe, not starting the story fast enough, lame act breaks, etc. ZZZZ.<br /><br />The problem is that these execs fall in love with "hip," "young" writers who have not yet learned their craft. And by being rewarded so early, they have no incentive to improve. Nor any clue that they need to. Although they're brought in for "fresh perspectives," they're way more likely to write clammy "no caffiene for you" jokes than a seasoned writer would.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-84414407988699606132011-04-21T07:56:22.011-07:002011-04-21T07:56:22.011-07:00Bit of a novice question here, Ken - was the pilot...Bit of a novice question here, Ken - was the pilot hour long or half hour? I ask because I'm in the process of editing my half hour pilot and I'm looking for a page count target.<br /><br />Thanks!Warren Znoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-326630719191227332011-04-21T07:44:06.087-07:002011-04-21T07:44:06.087-07:00I've got a question for your friday roundup. ...I've got a question for your friday roundup. Cheers just started streaming on Netflix, and I'm a souple of episodes into the second season. Watching season 1, I couldn't beleive how plain they made Shelley Long look. I was head over heals for her when I was in college, and I just couldn't see why. Then, as soon as she starts going out with Sam, they transform her into the hottie I remember. Was this done on purpose, or did Cheers get a new wardrobe and makeup staff?Horacecohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02272782245074379504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-76438250902453065622011-04-21T06:55:34.332-07:002011-04-21T06:55:34.332-07:00What ever happened to that pilot?
Just judging t...What ever happened to that pilot? <br /><br />Just judging the TV shows that actually get made, experience doesn't always equate quality. It's nice to think that people who've been there before will know what to do but it doesn't seem like a given.SoulHonkyhttp://www.soulhonky.comnoreply@blogger.com