I have a few ideas for possible TV dramas, but for now, since the odds of an original series concept selling out of the gate are just about slim to none, these would be just samples for if I was to gain representation. One is Katrina-related, about a mother and daughter who attempt to make a new life for themselves after Katrina, and encounter racial tension as well as romantic intrigue. The other is a limited run web series about an ex-con, who, having turned straight and now married with children, moves to a new neighborhood, and finds that he is being spied on in his own home by a figure from his past. Someone told me when I tried to describe the Katrina idea that it wasn't "high concept" enough, that it needed something extra. He suggested that the mother/daughter, upon having become victims of a crime, change their names and begin a new life as part of the witness protection program, which I immediately dismissed as far-fetched and somewhat outrageous. He said "the era of the family drama is over" and what audiences want is "escapism". Does any potential idea for a TV series have to be "high-concept" or no one will watch? I'm just not sure what to think about this.
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tv-writing Writing TV series
- Thread starter pacey1800
- Start date
You're not going to gain real representation 'til you can demonstrate that you can write.
You might have the best pitches or concepts in the world, but that's no good when a potential producer loves the idea and tells you to show up in person, with the script, in two days time.
Learn to walk before you run. It sounds cliché, but it's true.
Agreed.
Escapism is escapism, and that can be just about anything with a really good script behind it.
Escapism is escapism, and that can be just about anything with a really good script behind it.
No offense but from reading your message, you should re-evaluate the reason you're writing scripts in the first place. While it is the dream of almost every writer, in my opinion, to get something published or turned into a tv show/feature, that shouldn't be the reason you're writing something. I'm working on a small mini-series but I'm doing it because it was an idea that I liked and wanted to see things through to the end. If it is good and makes it big great but just because someone told you that family dramas are dying out, don't let that affect your desire to write a potentially good idea.
Katrina, Rita, Ike... There will always be hurricanes and natural disasters in the world (and especially in
this region - it's the price we pay for living here). Sure, Katrina can be a cinematic backdrop for the
dramatic world of your characters, but I wouldn't hang onto it as a primary focus and motivator. Just like I
wouldn't write a dramatic story about Ike and the destruction of the Bolivar peninsula or Galveston being
under water (again).
New Orleans is below sea level. That's why it got hit harder and flooded more. Mother Nature doesn't
discriminate. Those who choose to live there know the risks. It happened before. It will happen again.
Not a matter of if, but when. Let's pray those in charge learned something from the mistakes and will get
everyone out next time. It was a senseless tragedy that could have been avoided with adequate
preparation.
Houston/Galveston wasn't ready, either. Rita changed a lot. Now we have contra flow lanes. I was
among those stuck in that evacuation traffic for over 10 hours when Cat 5 Rita was bearing down on us.
Then she veered East. So when Ike came, many were skeptical and content to ride it out, and they paid a
hefty price. We got lucky. Our neighbors, not so much.
So a story about a particular hurricane? Meh. Now a story of survival in a hurricane and the drama
centered around your characters? Go for it. Racial tensions? Challenging subject matter. Could help or
hurt depending on how you approach it. Be wary of stereotypes. Write a story that everyone regardless
of race, color or creed can appreciate and relate to.
Good luck. This writing stuff isn't easy. I can't count the number of times I've said, "I can do better than
that" every time I see utter drivel on screen only to get stuck in rewrite hell or looking at pages I'd sooner
use for toilet paper. Just keep at it and don't get discouraged.
this region - it's the price we pay for living here). Sure, Katrina can be a cinematic backdrop for the
dramatic world of your characters, but I wouldn't hang onto it as a primary focus and motivator. Just like I
wouldn't write a dramatic story about Ike and the destruction of the Bolivar peninsula or Galveston being
under water (again).
New Orleans is below sea level. That's why it got hit harder and flooded more. Mother Nature doesn't
discriminate. Those who choose to live there know the risks. It happened before. It will happen again.
Not a matter of if, but when. Let's pray those in charge learned something from the mistakes and will get
everyone out next time. It was a senseless tragedy that could have been avoided with adequate
preparation.
Houston/Galveston wasn't ready, either. Rita changed a lot. Now we have contra flow lanes. I was
among those stuck in that evacuation traffic for over 10 hours when Cat 5 Rita was bearing down on us.
Then she veered East. So when Ike came, many were skeptical and content to ride it out, and they paid a
hefty price. We got lucky. Our neighbors, not so much.
So a story about a particular hurricane? Meh. Now a story of survival in a hurricane and the drama
centered around your characters? Go for it. Racial tensions? Challenging subject matter. Could help or
hurt depending on how you approach it. Be wary of stereotypes. Write a story that everyone regardless
of race, color or creed can appreciate and relate to.
Good luck. This writing stuff isn't easy. I can't count the number of times I've said, "I can do better than
that" every time I see utter drivel on screen only to get stuck in rewrite hell or looking at pages I'd sooner
use for toilet paper. Just keep at it and don't get discouraged.