tv-writing In the process of writing a TV pilot...

[five]

"In the Old West in 1898 a man appears outside the fictional town of Wilburn with no memories nor any idea of where or who he is. As he attempts to piece together his story he soon discovers the town and its people are more connected to his past than first thought..."

Going by the log-line alone; How does this sound as a premise for a TV series? Would you watch it? In your opinion, has the western genre been done to death?

In MY opinion when it comes to the western genre; in terms of movies and films, yes, anyone can see that there are countless spaghetti westerns (albeit mainly during it's peak in the 60's). But when it comes to a television series I can only think of a handful (if that) Deadwood...etc.

Having said all that, I would imagine the 'amnesia' premise has probably also been done to death as well

 

[mus]

In your opinion, has the western genre been done to death?:

Done to death, resurrected as a zombie, then done to death again.

This does however, only apply to the most cliche Westerns out there.

As long as it's original or at least highly entertaining, yes, your idea sounds good.

 

[Jonwestenberg]

It could be interesting yeah. Have you thought of your point of difference? The aspect that will set it apart from Amnesia movies and Western movies...?

 

[GuerrillaAngel]

What you need more than an original script is an original plan to sell it. Do you have one?

 

[Aspiring Mogul]

Having said all that, I would imagine the 'amnesia' premise has probably also been done to death as well

I don't remember any such stories.

 

[mus]

That Cowboys and Aliens movie had an amnesia theme, didn't it?

 

[kjones]

The amnesia part doesn't interest me, but the fact he's back in the "old west" and must use the townsfolk to figure it out, does. I can see it as a series.

It has a definite end to it (he discovers the answer- but then of course, you could go awhile with 'how' he gets back) that must be delayed by the episode-by-episode storytelling. Other niceties would be if he has some inkling that someone/something is in peril if he doesn't figure it out and get back *soon,* and of course others in the town who don't want him to figure it out and return.

There was an old original Star Trek episode kinda like this, wasn't there?

 

[Zensteve]

That Cowboys and Aliens movie had an amnesia theme, didn't it?

Made me wish I had amnesia, so I could forget I'd wasted real money seeing it at the theater!

has the western genre been done to death?

You could make the claim that every genre has been done to death, in the past 100+ years we've been making movies. It shouldn't stop you from coming up with your own original spin or angle to make your story fresh.

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