This entry was posted on 5/24/2009 12:58 PM and is filed under uncategorized.
ABC tries four new sitcoms on Wednesdays, with stalwarts
Kelsey Grammar, Patricia Heaton, Courtney Cox, and Ed O’Neil each fronting
their own series.Heaven forbid they try
any new talent.I got bored just reading
the blurbs about these shows on the ABC website.Imagine actually watching a whole
episode.I will be surprised by the
success of any of these series.It is
too soon to be specing any of them.The
only ABC sitcom worth specing is Scrubs, which is old and tired by now, but was
once a clever show.
NBC says good-bye to Earl but hangs on to Parks and
Recreation.If P&R gets better maybe
it will be worth specing.New sitcom
Community looks dreary; too soon to bother with it.The Office is still on, but it’s like a party
guest that won’t leave.I’ve also never
seen a student writer able to crack The Office.It’s too hard for a neophyte.But
if you’re game for it, give it a go.Otherwise,
the only NBC series worth having in your portfolio is 30 Rock.Try to do something original with it.Don’t just mimic what they’re doing.
FOX stays with animation and ‘Til Death.A lot of people will probably be sampling
Glee and specing that, even though it just premiered.It is listed as a drama/musical.I haven’t seen it yet, but hear good
things.
CBS hangs on to its success.It adds a new Jenna Elfman sitcom on Monday.We’ll wait and see about that.Christineand Gary Unmarried survive on
Wednesdays.If you love either one of
them then perhaps it’s worth your time to try a spec.Rules of Engagement remains a bench
player.I like this show when it’s about
Jeff and Audrey.I go to sleep when it’s
about the other characters.Best spec
choices from CBS remain The Big Bang Theory and How I Met Your Mother.
It is difficult for you to put together an impressive
portfolio of sitcom specs when there are so few good sitcoms from which to
choose.
As much as I hate spec pilots, those are an option.I’d also try a spec comedy screenplay as part
of your portfolio.If you don’t know how
to write a movie script, buy Blake Snyder’s book, Save the Cat.
Remember that the spec that gets attention is one that is
bold.You have to really understand
sitcom structure before you try to go bold.What do I mean by bold?Write
something that goes to the heart of the series.Write a story that tests the premise.I explain all of this in detail in my book.
I’m encouraged that ABC, NBC, and CBS are all devoting at
least one night to sitcoms.The buzz is
that the sitcom is coming back.But
we’ve heard that before.I think the
public wants more and better sitcoms.The networks get in the way by imposing too many of their own bad
instincts.I’m not hopeful about the new
shows, but maybe I’ll be proven wrong.I
hope so for your sake.
6/2/2009 3:52 PMAdrian wrote:
Do you recommend I spec a Rules of Engagement episode or is that not worth my time since it's on the fence? Reply to this
6/2/2009 5:39 PM
Sheldon Bull wrote:
If Rules is your favorite show or if you have already written a 30 Rock and a Big Bang, then why not add Rules to your resume? It shouldn't be your lead spec, but writing is also about practice. The more you practice, the better you will be. There is no writing that is not worth your time (except writing a spec for a series that is canceled or one that I have recommended against.) The more you write, the better you writer you will become.
6/28/2009 2:09 PMCarmen wrote:
I was reading what you said above about The Office, and really only watch the office. I know it, the characters, their woes, foes, and lows.
I have been working on a spec for several weeks based on the Office, it is my first spec that I will be submitting for a special program. However, I have to submit it now because I don't have anything else. however, it is a solid story line, in fact the feedback I've received thus far has been positive.
Should I submit it or pull away? I don't think it's going to them directly. Shall I use it when trying to secure an agent (considering it is indeed considered to be a good spec by those like you?) -Carmen Reply to this
6/29/2009 9:21 AM
Sheldon Bull wrote:
If you're on a deadline for a special program and this is your first spec then of course go ahead and submit it.
If you read my book and read my blog carefully, I am just making recommendations. It's up to each writer to decide what she or he wants to write.
It will be very difficult for you to secure an agent under any circumstances. You'll certainly need more than one spec. You'll want a whole portfolio of scripts, which I have mentioned again and again on this blog and in my book. I always caution my readers not to pin too much hope on an agent helping you to break into show business - unless the agent is your cousin. You will likely only find an agent who wants to represent you after you have found your first writing job or sold your first script on your own. I go into detail in my book about how to get your first Lucky Break.
1/10/2010 4:02 AM
dietrich wrote:
Hi Sheldon: What about specing for a cable network show, like Eastbound & Down? Can you offer advice on cable and on Eastbound & Down specifically as a spec possibilty? Thanks much! Reply to this
1/10/2010 12:50 PM
Sheldon Bull wrote:
I wasn't aware of this series until I read your comment. I don't watch everything on TV. As I say in my book, if you are writing your very first spec script then I recommend writing an episode of your favorite series because you'll be more familiar with that series and have more fun working on your script. You have to be willing to let your first spec script be a practice script that likely won't ever be submitted as a sample of your work.
If you've written specs already and are trying to write that knock-out spec that helps to get you your first job, keep the following in mind:
1) Write a spec script for a series that producers and executives are likely to know. You don't want to write a spec for an obscure series that few people in Hollywood have watched. I suspect that few people in Hollywood have seen Eastbound and Down. I've read no press about it here in Los Angeles. Sports themed series seldom are successful and seldom draw much attention from the Hollywood crowd. If I had read positive buzz about Eastbound and Down, I'd recommend it. I didn't even know it was on the air. I have HBO and have never seen a promo for this series. I'm sure the promos are out there, but I've managed to miss them.
2) If you dream of getting a writing job on Eastbound and Down, I don't recommend trying to spec an episode of that series. You never show a spec for a series to the producers of that same series. They won't like it no matter how good it is. I don't imagine that the producers of Eastbound and Down are offering any freelance writing assignments. I imagine the series is staffed with friends of the creators and producers. They pretty much say that on their website. If the series succeeds and comes back for a second or third season, then perhaps at some point they may look for additional writers. If you want to impress the producers of this series, I'd try to write something that has a similar tone and sensibility. See what else is on TV that reminds you of this series and spec that.
3) Write a spec screenplay or a spec pilot that shows off your talent. If you like movies like The Hangover, try to write a spec screenplay or pilot that is similar in tone. If you like action stuff, write that.
4) Cable series have very small budgets and short orders and usually are shot months in advance of their premiere. On his new series, Men of a Certain Age, Ray Romano has chosen to collaborate with one of the writers from Everybody Loves Raymond. I suspect that most cable series are staffed with friends of the creator or the star. The network or studio that is producing the series no doubt also makes strong recommendations for writers from among their list of favorite people. So many top writers are out of work that it's easy to get really experienced and talented people to write for cable shows.
5) If I were trying to start out as a TV writer, I'd write feverishly. I'd create a portfolio that included at least two spec screenplays, two spec pilots, and then several spec episodes of series that are drawing respect. I suggest Modern Family now as the best sitcom to spec. I might even try a spec for a series like Bored to Death, since that show is not serialized. It's easy to write a stand-alone spec for a series like Bored to Death. But I'd wait to make sure that Bored to Death, or any first year series, had been renewed for a second season. I'd stay away from specing obscure cable series like The United States of Tara or Flight of the Conchords. Everyone in Hollywood has heard of these series but I don't think enough people watch them.
6) If you want to impress Will Ferrell, make a video and put it up on his website. Making your own movies or videos is a huge undertaking, but it's more feasible now than it ever was. Good video cameras can be rented or borrowed. Most of you probably know someone who is interested in post production and has editing software on his or her computer. Shoot your own stuff and then enter it in film festivals or post it on the web.
7) There are so few jobs out there that you have to try everything these days. You can't be satisfied with just writing a few specs. You have to jump up and down to get anyone to notice you. The website for Eastbound and Down says that the series originated with a video for Will Ferrell's website.
-Carmen