Comic Con Analysis for TV Watchers and Wannabes Part One

You've probably seen all of the news smothered over the internet like Smuckers raspberry preserves (yum), and you may have even seen some of the panels.

Now I want to pick it apart and analyze it all. What does all of this MEAN?

The week before Comic Con a little event called the TCA Fall Press Tour happened...not that'd you'd know, because it got a thimble-size of the press Comic Con received. Anymore the networks realize that connecting with fans is as important (if not moreso) than chattering at TV critics and reporters who cover this stuff for a living. Granted, most critics are also TV fans, and it becomes evident as they pick good quality shows to support which just don't get the ratings they need to survive. It happens every year.

Still, getting fans engaged, the kind who go to big events like Comic Con can be "make or break" for a film, and now for TV shows too. Lost set the precedent (though I'm sure other shows have visited before that show launched) for launching at Comic Con and getting fan support early. If the fans like you, buzz builds online and people get excited for the show.

The lesson learned in 2007 was it is not enough to hype the pilot. Too many shows (See: Invasion, Surface, Bionic Woman and Journeyman) placed too much emphasis on the pilot and not on the whole show. The good news, is that for the shows that approach the marketing of their shows with creativity and flair (and let's be fair, we're talking mostly 'genre' shows here), it can pay great dividends. Two years ago Heroes was the belle of the ball. Last year the big buzz was around Pushing Daisies and Sarah Connor Chronicles. All of those shows saw good sampling based in part on their launches at Comic Con.

So what about this year? Who has benefited the most from their appearances at Comic Con. Let's give each network a grade.

ABC presented panels for Lost and Pushing Daisies, both returning shows. ABC hasn't picked up their midseason shows yet, and their new fall shows don't really qualify as 'genre'. Both panels were packed and response was very positive. The "Lost" panel gave away some fun prizes to people who asked questions and showed a short teaser video tieing into the new ARG running this year. They put the panel in the largest room (Hall H) which shows just how much demand there is for the show at Comic Con. "Daisies" also got good buzz going again with some clips for next season (the benefit for returning shows this year is that most have already started shooting at least a couple of episodes, so there was stuff to show). ABC did a good job with their show promotion, though I think "Daisies" could have used a stronger push. Overall, a good job. Grade: A-

CBS had no presence at Comic Con this year. Their only new genre show is Harper's Island which was nowhere to be seen. Viacom makes up for this shortcoming with its Showtime offerings, which we'll get to later. Grade: D

Fox pulled out all the stops for its shows. Not only did the new J.J. Abrahms show Fringe get lots of viral marketing, a panel and a screening of the pilot, but Fox was there to strongly promote Season 2 of Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles and other returning shows. Offerings ranged from the obvious (The Simpsons, Family Guy, 24) to the surprising (Bones, Prison Break, American Dad. And then there was Joss. Of course, nothing could hold back the hordes of Whedonites who needed their fix of Dollhouse. The panels were all well attended (although Fringe was less full than I expected), the marketing was really great for the fall premieres, and definitely buzz was built for the new shows. I think Fox knows how to promote their genre offerings. Grade: A

NBC After mixed results from their Comic Con promotion last year, I was glad to see that NBC bounced back and charged ahead aggressively. They too presented some unusual offerings -- The Office writers panel? (A dream for us!) But they were in full force for freebies and viral campaigns for Knight Rider, Chuck, The Office, and Heroes. They also did well to give lots of early info on midseason show Kings which got some good buzz and attention at the Con. Disappointments: No Merlin or Crusoe news. Their booth in the exhibit hall was similar to last year, but the giveaways were good, and the Comic Con exclusive merchandise was very popular. Grade: A-

The CW Okay, so I know Supernatural and Smallville were both there, but where the heck was Reaper?? Grade: C- (Kudos to WB for promoting their studio backed shows -- they had the Nerd Herd car giveaway/drawing)

Hard to believe that was just the network presence! Next post: The cable nets, and how does this impact writing specs?

UPDATE: A myriad of panels!

NBC's Show Panels

Countdown to Newness

So, the new site is coming. It's nowhere near finished, but if you are wanting to update bookmarks, you can point it at Shoutingintothewind.com

I won't be posting anything major here for the next week while I gear up for the relaunch. Status updates on the launch will be posted on the new blog.

Changes Afoot

As you can see, things are a bit in flux for me right now. San Diego Comic Con is fast approaching this week, and I am almost entirely devoted to getting ready for my wall to wall coverage of the event.

Also, this blog will be changing soon. I've registered the domain shoutingintothewind.com and the blog will be moving there, on Wordpress. I've already had a good friend of mine transfer over all of the archives, and most of the new posts will go over there once Comic Con is over. Meanwhile, I'll be posting over at the Geekerati Blog for the duration of Comic Con.

August 1st the new blog will go live with even more changes to be rolled out in the coming weeks. Once Comic Con ends, I start ramping up for the fall TV season. That means a new watch list must be created!

What's that? What about my writing? Oh there's that too. And don't think I haven't forgotten why I started this blog. I'll be talking even more about writing, mine and others, over at the new blog. I'm really excited about making these changes, and I hope you'll like them too.

So, look for me at Comic Con, read up on what I'm doing this week at Geekerati, and I'll point the way to the new blog soon enough!

Comic Con Film Festival

I'm proud to announce that SERIAL DATING, the short film I co-wrote/co-produced with Bernie Su last year for the 48 Hour Film Festival, has been accepted into the Comic Con Film Festival!

Our film will be screening on Friday, July 25 at 6:30 PM in room 26AB. We'll be doing a short Q&A after the film (which is itself very short). We'd love to have you come out to support our film!

For those who aren't familiar with it, SERIAL DATING placed as the runner up in last year's 48 Hour Film Festival, won the Best Acting award for our leads, and advanced us to the VISA Invitational. Given the very short time and budget, I think it turned out pretty darn good.

If you haven't seen it, check it out below. I will say that this is a very dark transfer of the film, and if you want to see it in all its glory, come to Comic Con!

The full festival schedule is here.

She Returns

Yes, hello, I'm back. Wow, I need to do some dusting, remove the cobwebs...

So, did you miss me? I missed you! No, I did. Honest!

Noticed we're getting a trickle of new tv news lately...but right now, I'm more concerned with how everyone's writing is going. So, answer the following in comments:

1. Are you currently writing? (this had better be a yes)

1a. If you are NOT writing, what is your deal?
1b. If you are writing, what are you working on -- new draft, rewrite, tv, film, etc?

2. Do you see yourself entering any contests or fellowships this year? What is your goal before the end of 2008? What do you want to have accomplished?

Believe me, I know that second question is really tough -- looking ahead is difficult, especially when mired in a draft. But, I've found it important to take stock of where I am and where I want to be over the last month, and there's a pretty wide chasm between the two. I've got some work ahead of me.

Tomorrow, we'll get back to business. I'm also gonna be spinning up some new blogtastic ideas. Stay tuned, as we say...

The Education of Shawna

Yes, I know, I keep popping in, even though I'm on "hiatus". I guess I just can't stay away.

I don't like blog posts that tease. You know, someone says 'I have this awesomely cool thing to tell you but I can't tell you so you'll just have to sit there wondering what it is until I can tell you and even then it might not be as awesomely cool as you thought it would be.' Or something like it.

I'm about to tease you. But really, I don't mean it!

It's just...it's hard, when you have weird, amazing things happening all around you...and you just. can't. talk about it. Not yet.

It's still progressing in baby steps. A little bit this week. A little big next week. But as I stand back and look at the whole thing, it's turning into an amazing journey. Lots of steps, taken together, that are going to make one hell of a story when I can tell it.

Let's just say, I'm meeting amazing, interesting people who like my work, and might even want to work with me. These are amazing, interesting people that I would NEVER get to meet in normal circumstances, but some of you may know that my circumstances aren't exactly normal. If you don't know what my circumstances are, go back to January on this blog and you'll figure it out.

For now, I remain bewildered. And it is so faaaaar from over.

Summer hiatus

As you have probably noticed, I haven't had much to say this week. That's because I'm busy writing a new spec. Apparently I can't blog and write scripts at the same time. Go figure.

Of course there isn't as much news over the summer months, so I'll be taking a brief blog vacation. I have plans to do a major relaunch of this blog for the fall, but in the meantime I'll pop in when time allows to update on TV happenings and my own project status.

Please do drop me a line though if you get lonely. Sometimes it's hard to remember to come up for air.

See you back here for regular blogging again next month. July 1st I'll be back in full force, but the blog relaunch won't happen until September 1st.

Outside the Box

So, Michael over at Red Right Hand has already posted his thoughts and juicy tidbits from the "Breaking into the Box" event put on by the Writers Guild Foundation on Saturday.

I agree with him on several items, particularly on the value of the non-writers to the discussion. The agents, managers and execs add insight to this whole process of trying to write for television. The showrunners provide their learnings in the trenches and some of the nuts and bolts of running/writing television, but it's the agents, managers and execs that are the gatekeepers to this kingdom.

Breaking into the Box

I'll be spending my day at the WGA for this event titled "Breaking into the Box."

Here are the panels for this sold out event:

PANEL – TELEVISION IN THE POST-STRIKE WORLD
The landscape has changed and we all need to learn how to navigate this new terrain. What is the future of scripted programming? Will ‘pilot season’ ever be the same again? How does this affect our world big picture? And how does it affect each of us individually?

Panelists: Shawn Ryan, Brannon Braga, Chris Brancato, Sue Naegle, Josh Barry (ABC). etc.
Moderator: Nell Scovell

PANEL – GETTING IT DONE – HOW A SHOW IS MADE
The nuts and bolts of the process from script to screen – greenlight to final cut. Showrunners, executive producers and writers discuss how a show is set up from start to finish and how a production schedule works.

Panelists: Marc Korman (Endeavor) Damon Lindelof, Allan Heinberg, Kevin Falls, Robin Schiff
Moderator: John Sacret Young

PANEL – GETTING THE JOB – BREAKING IN
Writing the spec script; what to do with it; getting an agent; how to swing things if you DON’T have an agent; what to do if you have a “reality” idea; the importance of WGA signatory shows; resources available; other ways to swing your big break; what is the difference between networking and harassment? Who do I ask to read my stuff and when is that appropriate? All things you need to know before you even start…

Panelists: David Babcock, Josh Appelbaum, Jessica Goldberg, Liz Tigelaar, Lenny Bekerman, Robin Budd (Mandalay Entertainment)
Moderator: Jay Kogen

PANEL – MANAGING YOUR CAREER
Okay. You got one job. Now how to turn that into a career?

Panelists: Margaret Nagle, Cindy Chupack, Nancy Etz (CAA), Larry Shuman, Elizabeth Stephen (Mandalay Entertainment)
Moderator: Jan Oxenberg

Interview with 'Big Bang Theory' writer Dave Goetsch

It was a great Geekerati show last night. Dave was very open and informative about writing for TV, the future of television and his geek preferences.

Check out the interview in the sidebar.

The Hot Specs of 2008 - The Dramas

This is a work in progress. I encourage everyone to submit their opinions and any information they have regarding the viability of specs for shows I've listed or those I haven't. I will update with your suggestions if it appears reasonable.

It's time again for my annual list of the "hottest" shows to spec for TV writers. Keep in mind, that is very important now to not only have a couple of good episode specs, but also a spec pilot, a spec feature or a play, to show how you can create your own "universe" and story. Showrunners/agents/managers today want to see both.

But, the traditional TV Spec is far from dead. It's still a valuable tool many showrunners use to assess new writers, and agents/managers like specs because it gives a good indicator of how well you can mimic voice and tone of a show, important for getting you staffed.

So, without further ado, here are the hottest specs this year, in order of perceived "hotness":

1. Dexter

Everyone I know is writing a "Dexter" spec. This could be good or bad, depending on your viewpoint. The feeling is you can do a lot of edgy stuff with Dexter you can't really do with even, say, "Criminal Minds". Like "House" last year, it runs the risk of being over-specced, but for now, this is a good bet if you have a great idea you can execute for the character and the show.

2. Mad Men

It's weird -- this show is probably the least seen of all the 'hot specs' and yet I continue to hear people talking about how this is *the* show to spec. I am a bit dubious, but since so many people are doing "Mad Men" specs, I feel it has to be this high on the list.

3. Pushing Daisies

It's rare to see a first year show so far up the list, but because this show has such a distinct voice, a lot of people feel like they want to give it a try. How showrunners will respond to a "Pushing Daisies" spec is the question, as there is so little else on the air like it, what would it really help a showrunner understand about your type of writing. I suppose "Ugly Betty" or a couple of other shows with some 'whimsy' to them would be plausible.

4. House

It's still a 'go-to' spec for most procedural type shows. It's more fun to read than your standard CSI/L&O/Criminal Minds spec, but still shows you can do procedural. This has been so popular for so long, I wouldn't be surpised if it wears out its welcome this year, so write it fast and use it quick before it goes stale.

5. The Closer

Also good for showing chops at witty lead character and procedural elements, it seems to have really gained in appreciation the last year or so.

6. Ugly Betty

Only in its second year, it's still fresh enough. If the ratings continue their downward slide however, it may not last longer than another year. Time will tell.

7. Brothers & Sisters

I had a tough time determining whether this was #6 and UB was #7, but ultimately, I think this one has longer term potential, but there's still a lot of people out there who haven't seen it. Still, if you need a serialized spec to go with a procedural for your portfolio, this one might meet your needs but if you like writing teens...

8. Gossip Girl

Another first year show with some upside. This will continue to gain in popularity. You might wait until summer to write this one -- just to see what kind of changes are in store for next year. (of course, if you can suss out any show changes, it's a good thing for any of these).

Lukewarm They aren't as hot as they used to be, but they still get some mileage:

Desperate Housewives
Nip/Tuck
Rescue Me
Big Love
Grey's Anatomy (the love affair is waning)
Heroes
Supernatural
Lost

The Wildcards These shows may become popular specs this year, but right now I can't find many people willing to take on the challenges they present. Still, I think this category of specs should be considered:

The Riches
Chuck
Damages
Friday Night Lights
Burn Notice
The Sarah Connor Chronicles (now that it has been renewed)
Dirty Sexy Money
Life (I have a great idea for this one, but I don't know that the popularity of the show is high enough to rate)

The Aged and Infirm These specs are nearing or past their expiration date. Even if you have a great one of these, it may be time to consider writing a new spec. An agent or manager might read it, but you know, it pays to stay timely:

Criminal Minds
L&O, L&O: SVU and L&O: Criminal Intent
Cold Case
The Sopranos (seriously? it's over! move on)
Without a Trace
Boston Legal
Smallville
Medium

AVOID AT ALL COSTS! You may love the show, or think you have a great idea for it, but I can assure you, no one will read it if it is for any of these shows:

The Ghost Whisperer
NCIS
ER
Prison Break
Battlestar Galactica (unless you are trying to get staffed on 'Caprica')
Men in Trees
The Unit (all but cancelled)

Other thoughts or opinions on the dramas? I'll post the comedies tomorrow.

Recalibrating

I don't blog much about the craft of TV writing. You can get far better advice and teaching from Jane or John.

And I don't blog too much about my own personal writing process. Mostly because I don't know that my process is relevant to you, as a reader. Everyone has to find a process/method that works for them. Some of my friends LOVE notecards -- putting beats or character notes on cards and tacking them on the wall. Some love outlining. Others don't outline at all (those are the ones I marvel at...if they claim not to outline and yet come up with something resembling coherence). You, as a writer, have to find what works specifically for YOU. If one method doesn't work, you try something else until you find something that does.

Some people write early in the morning, some late at night. Some people like to write in cafes, others in their homes, even still others like to write outdoors.

Some like to dictate notes. Others scribble notes on post-its. Some people write in sequence, others write out of sequence, skipping around from one scene to another.

It all doesn't matter. There's no 'right way' to put together your writing.

What matters is that YOU ARE WRITING.

And that's something I haven't been doing enough of. I try to keep my blog updated, simply because it helps me know what is going on 'out there', but also to keep my mind sharp. I used to use my blog as a warm up exercise for my script writing, but lately the blog writing is its own thing. I'm by no means giving it up, but I've had to think hard about my own writing process and why it hasn't been working for me lately.

Part of the problem, is that I went down the wrong road story-wise. I ended up in a cul-de-sac, stranded, and had to find my way back to the start. Now I've turned around and headed a different direction. I also find I need deadlines to keep moving forward. I have a tendancy to 'idle' too long...I'll sit, revise a line here, a line there, but not make any forward progress...to extend the car/road metaphor, it's like revving the engine in neutral.

Good thing: going to the gym again. This has made it much easier to clear my head for actual writing. Story problems can be broken down in the 30 minutes on the elliptical, or I can watch 'Law & Order: SVU' on the treadmil on mute and play 'guess the plot twist'. That's always fun.

I've been struggling with whether to gear up for contest season. I promised a 'what to spec' post, which I am almost finished with, research wise and will have posted in the next few days. I've asked myself what the contests or the fellowships can do for me now...and, in some cases, if I even have a shot at them. I won't rehash my reasoning, but suffice to say, at this moment I don't think I'll be submitting to any contests or fellowships this year.

I'm still going to write a new spec, and I'm going to finish my two new pilots before fall. I'm trying to stay optimistic about the potential of certain circumstances, and hope that I can pursue my aspirations along a slightly different path. Some of you will understand this, I think.

In any case, I'm back to writing. It's all good.

The Post Pub Blog

Stumbled across this blog tonight while ego-surfing. Kristen is a smart cookie, and her blog My Back Pages has been in my sidebar for ages. She has another blog about the art of blogging, where she actually linked over to me, so thanks for that, Kristen!

Check it out. You might learn something, fellow bloggers.

The Post Pub

It's that time again....

Yes, spec season AND contest season are here. And I realized this morning I need a new spec.

Bugger.

So, I guess I'll do a new post on 'what to spec', just as soon as I figure that out...

Geekerati Radio Show for 3/10

On tonight's show we'll be chatting with another of the great scriboshpere denizens, Lee Goldberg about writing for TV, his novels, especially his TV tie-in books.

Should be fun! Tune in at 7 PM Pacific / 10 PM Eastern

We'll have more at the Geekerati Blog later.

Waking up to the future

So, while I remain somewhat secretive about some of my projects, I've decided that for my latest foray into entertaining the masses I will blog extensively on my efforts.

My latest project is a web series. I'm co-writing the series with my good friend Bernie Su. He and I believe that we can make a quality entertaining product specific to the web (at least to start).

While I won't be spilling the story details as yet, here's our basic construct for the series.

We've written a "pilot" episode which introduces our main characters and concept, but is (at least for now) not directly related to the main plot of the 8-episode series.

Each episode will be 5-6 minutes in length, and we hope to clock the total project in at 44 minutes.

We are still working on distribution and I am bringing aboard a producer I think will get us on the right track as we move toward ramping up the writing on the other episodes.

I fully intend for this to see the light of day by the end of April 2008.

Oh, and yes, it will have its own website and viral marketing elements. It should be fun.

I blame Liz.

It's all her fault. She's been laying out her total A game on her blog...being all smart and revealing and funny and interesting and just...sublime.

I got jealous.

First, go visit her and show her love. That means leave a comment. She's putting out lots of words for you to read, the least you can do is toss a few back her way.

Second, I'm seriously asking her to take me on as a Padawan. She has much juju which I desire to know.

2007 has been a decent year for me...okay, actually it kinda kicked ass until November. 2008 needs to step up and really represent. I need the WGA contract issues to be resolved. I need to sell my flippin show. I need to shoot my web series. I need to finish 3 pilot specs. I need a new episode spec too.

I need a new computer. I need to lose 15-20 pounds.

By the way, current creative writing endeavors taking place with my sister over at a new blog we started -- Sistercritics.

Some weird music inspires writing meme

So somehow I got tagged with this meme by Rhys at Great Boobs and Tubes (best name for a blog EVAH). Being the kind of person who does not walk away from a glove smacked in my face, I pick up my revolver to fire out the following volley.

UPDATE: Joel reminded me that I forgot to quote the original meme. So here it is:

Find a song that inspires you to write something, whether it gives you an idea for a script or just puts you into a better frame of mind. AND/OR (don't you love choices) peek into the lyrics and find a stanza that sums up the theme of whatever script you're working on. It's quite uncanny how the two circumstances go together.

If possible, post a video of the song to really get people into the mood. (Yep, I'm aware of the irony of using Internet clips during the pissing contest. I like irony as much as bitchiness.)

I am currently inspired by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, a rockin' bluesy band from Vermont (?) who will in fact be playing the Henry Fonda Music Box theater on November 8 (but I'm a bit miffed that they are "supporting" Gov't Mule, when I got to see them headline and rule the Troubadour a few months back).

Anyway, their second album, "Nothing But the Water" was a breakthrough for them as a band, and now they are gaining momentum with their new album "This is Somewhere".

The title song from "Nothing but the Water" is of specific inspiration to me right now for the pilot I'm working on. In fact, the opening lyrics of that song hold particular special meaning (due to the structure of the song there is NBTW part one and NBTW part two -- i'm speaking of part one, though both parts are in the video below)

Here's the resonant verse:

I have seen
What Man can do
When the evil lives inside of you
Many are the weak
And the strong are few
But with the water
We'll start anew.

So won't you take me down to the levee
Take me down to the stream
Take me down to the water
We're gonna wash our souls clean

Take me down to the river
Take me down to the lake
Yes, we'll all go together
We're gonna do it for the good Lord's sake




As for who I'm tagging...let's see... I call out Fun Joel, Josh, Brett, Julie and Michael.

Writing while the WGA pickets...

So, I'm contemplating my own future during the strike. Mystery project which had just gotten some MAJOR MOJO is now in limbo as we wait it out. There will be no joy in Mudville, and certainly no selling.

So, off I go to contemplate other projects. There is of course the new spec pilot I'm writing, which I will continue to crank on. Then there's the graphic novel I'm seriously considering. Oh, and I'm thinking of trying out another pilot as a longish narrative story first, just to help figure out the beats. And then there's the web series.

I'm very much looking forward to getting the web series off the ground as I think it's a cool idea and unlike most series which seem to be talking heads, this one might actually be interesting to some people. But here's my question of the day...

...if you were to watch a web series, what is the longest an episode could be before you'd get distracted/bored/stop and need to watch the rest of it later? My thought is 5 minutes is about the most someone will take in a sitting. But maybe it's less, maybe it's more. I know pacing and the goodness of the material accounts for a lot and can help the time fly by. But I'm interested in any other opinions.

Writing while fatigued

I'm trying to finish the first draft of my new pilot spec in the next 8 days. Of course, today I'm feeling under the weather. I can barely hold a thought in my head for more than a few seconds (I find even typing passwords to be taxing). This does not bode well for cranking out pages.

Suggestions? I'm already loading up on Vitamin C and chicken noodle soup...