Attention TV Spec Monkeys

ras may be managing stress, but she also talks hot TV specs in the comments. I plan to steal^C^C^C^C^Cborrow this list for my updated spec list after upfronts.

A 'Come to Jesus' Meeting for ABC

Sure, NBC is the current whipping boy of the nets, what with its lackluster ratings, but ABC is the network with the biggest programming challenges for next season. I'm not going to do my schedule predictions until Friday, but let's take a look at the current state of ABC.

First the good news:

• Grey's Anatomy - Best of show
  
• Desperate Housewives - lost some ground, but still strong
  
• Lost - solid performer
  
• Boston Legal - plucky underdog with solid footing
  
• Extreme Makeover: Home Edition - Energizer Bunny of reality shows (especially since it runs all year)
  
• America's Funniest Home Videos - Okay *this* is the Energizer Bunny...16 years and still going strong.
  
• Wife Swap - surprisingly strong in its second season.

Now, the trouble begins:

• Monday Night Football - Gone
  
• Alias - Dead
  
• Jake in Progress - Stick a fork in it
  
• According to Jim, Hope and Faith, Less that Perfect and Rodney - Shadows of their former selves
  
• George Lopez - fading
  
• The Bachelor - too many failures equals no more ratings.

As to how the new shows this year fared...well, you know the story:

• The Night Stalker - Didn't make it past 3 or 4 episodes
  
• In Justice - Cancelled
  
• The Evidence - The Worst
  
• Commander In Chief - Biggest hero to zero story EVER
  
• Emily's Reasons Why Not - We don't talk about that around here
  
• Crumbs - Decent start but failed to hold viewers
  
• Sons & Daughters - Too different for ABC's audience and wildly uneven.
  
• Hot Properties - Not so hot. Gone.
  
• Freddie - Kept its George Lopez audience, but is it enough to get a second season?
  
• Miracle Workers - I liked this show, but apparently no one else did
  
• Invasion - lost half of Lost's audience. averages 7 million viewers
  
• What About Brian - ave. 6 million viewers. Invasion stands a better chance at renewal.

Shows which ABC needs to rest but keep around:

• Dancing with the Stars
  
• Supernanny
  
• Extreme Makeover

So, not much to crow about from the Class of 05-06 as far as shows go. Freddie looks like it might squeak through, Brian and Invasion are a toss up, and everything else is good as gone.

So, pity poor ABC. While CBS is busy renewing 2/3 or more of its schedule for next seasons, ABC, may have to scrape the bottom of the barrel just to keep its hopes alive.

My one request: No more Heather Graham sitcoms. EVER.

"Friday" may get to play

News that Jason Katims has come about "Friday Night Lights" as showrunner, certainly make it look like the show is going to get picked up

If they don't schedule it on Fridays, it will be criminal. Right now it looks like it might be scheduled on Sundays with NBC's football coverage.

Link: Hollywood Reporter - Katims 'Lights' up NBC pilot

Update: Looks like NBC is picking up "Heroes" too. (futon critic article)

Friday I'm going to try to predict the network schedules in 5 (yup, where there were 6 nets, now there are 5) posts. Wish me luck with the prognostication.

More Fox pickups

Fox has filled a couple more slots on the board by giving the nod to 'Primary' and 'American Crime' (A Bruckheimer show). Also looks like 'The War at Home' might actually get a second season, so it can serve as a companion to the recently greenlit sitcom 'Til Death' starring Brad Garrett.

Only one more week until we finally see the grids. Happy days!

Link: Hollywood Reporter

Four Kings returns...briefly.

No word on what will happen to leftovers of 'E-Ring' and 'Joey'. At least 'Four Kings' gets a few weeks so everyone can say goodbye.

Link: the futon critic

NBC pilot pickup

This one has been a given for awhile. NBC picks up Aaron Sorkin's 'Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip' for the fall.

We keep getting news like this, there won't be any surprises left at the upfronts.

Link: the futon critic

Pilot rumors

Lee Goldberg points to Nikki Finke's blog with the rumors on the new pilots. Upfronts are next week, but this should provoke some discussion until we know the scheds for sure.

Commander in Chief gets impeached

No, Bush haters, not *that* CIC, Geena Davis will be stepping down from office (i.e. the show has died a quick death).

By the way, if anyone decides to go on a Bush rant in this thread, I will delete your comments. I have proudly kept this a politics free zone for over a year, and I intend to keep it that way.

Boston Legal gets season number 3

Late breaking: Hollywood Reporter notes that ABC has picked up 'Boston Legal'. We know 'Grey's Anatomy' and 'Housewives' will be back, as well as 'Lost'. Oh and 'Extreme Home Makeover'.

Now they just have the other 5 days to program...

Link: ABC's 'Legal' back on docket

Surface lovers

I'd like to give a shout out to the 'Surface' fans. There seem to be a lot of you.

I have no idea if this show is going to be renewed, but I promise you I will watch the news like a hawk and give you what I've found.

One thing's for sure -- you'll know by May 18 the future of the show. That's the day of NBC's presentation of their fall schedule.

NBC renews three

'Medium', 'Crossing Jordan', and 'Las Vegas' all get pickups for next season. Adding those three to the three Law & Orders and 'ER' that makes 7 drama renewals from NBC. No word on 'Surface' or 'E-Ring'. I'd say it's a close call for the former and a farewall to the latter.

Link: the futon critic

Fox early pilot pickups

Fox has already picked up two shows for next year "Vanished", a one hour show, and "Til Death", a half hour sitcom which stars Brad Garrett.

I read "Vanished" and had pegged it as a show I expected to be picked up. We'll find out its time slot when Fox presents its schedule on May 18.

Link: the futon critic

Sci-Fi Channel Goodness

Clearly the Sci-Fi Channel loves its fans. They have greenlit a spin-off series of 'Battlestar Galactica' focused 50 years earlier called 'Caprica.' Details in the link above, but I just have to say, I so heart this idea of seeing the gensis of the Cylons and the first war, I'm giddy.

Attention future "Caprica" showrunner: Hire me. Please.

Law and Order lives on

Sorry I've been out of pocket -- been on travel to Dallas this week. I'm sitting in the airport, catching up on news and noticed this little tidbit about season renewals. All three Law & Order shows will be around next season. Because there's a dearth of procedurals on the air *rolls eyes*.

Oh, and people watch them. There's that too.

Blogroll test

I'm ordering links by most recent post. This may play havoc with those of you with blogs which don't get pinged by Blogrolling but have updated blogs.

So, don't whine at me if you are updating and yet you still sit at the bottom of my blogroll. I'll still check in with your site. But if you aren't posting, I'll know it better now...

Big Love renewed

Big Love gets a second season from HBO. I have to admit I don't really care about this news much. Got bored watching the first episode, and except for Harry Dean Stanton, just didn't find much which intrigued me about it.

But to each his own. If you are a fan, this is good news. Production on the 2nd season starts in August.

What About Brian?

So I watched the first two episodes, out of some weird loyalty to all that is J.J. Abrahms. Unfortunately, this show lacks his true genius and I was left feeling the answer to the question posed by the show "What About Brian?" is "Who cares?"

These thirtysomethings are not like anyone I know. All of them are varying degrees of successful and pretty well off. Maybe your friends are like that, but mine are still struggling to reach their goals and don't own successful game companies, are not pediatricians or lawyers or think about having open marriages. Maybe I live in a cave. I just couldn't relate to this show. At all.

Dead in 4 weeks, is my prediction. The ratings aren't great and they are only going to get worse.

Hollywood Reporter: 2006-07 pilots

Good article over at Hollywood Reporter on pilot season today.

My favorite quote:

But as broadcast execs begin scrutinizing tapes of each project, here's something to keep in mind: Pilots don't get series orders on creative merit alone. A complex web of factors dictate their desirability, and none of them is more important than the scheduling needs of each network for the fall and beyond.

Link: 2006-07 pilots

Blogthings - What Type of Writer Should You Be?

Hey, Blogthings has spoken. I must obey.

You Should Be a Film Writer

You don't just create compelling stories, you see them as clearly as a movie in your mind. You have a knack for details and dialogue. You can really make a character come to life. Chances are, you enjoy creating all types of stories. The joy is in the storytelling. And nothing would please you more than millions of people seeing your story on the big screen!

What Type of Writer Should You Be?

Into the new age at warp speed

Sure, ABC will offer streaming of shows with ads, but the other interesting news this week is about the rise of the podcast from interesting diversion to full blown marketing tool. Bill Cunningham is the king of all things DVD and I'm sure he could tell you what a boon it is that these 'extras' (which, and I agree with him on this are fast becoming 'essentials') mean to an industry trying to make their content stand out from the crowd. Mediaweek's article on the podcast's new importance is a must read. The key quote from the article, however was this:

Still, most agree quality podcasting can only tighten TV’s hold on viewers. “The more immersive the experience, the more people will bond with your content,” said [Dave] Howe [executive vp/gm Sci-Fi Channel].

Link: Networks Tout Podcasting for Promos

TBS and TNT Upfront

TNT and TBS have started to really expand their original programming in the last couple of years, and they will continue to do so this fall. Besides 'The Closer' returning to TNT, new series 'Saved' will air as will an anthology series called 'Nightmares & Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King'.

TNT will also be premiering a 6 hour series from Ridley Scott next summer called 'The Company'.

TBS is adding a couple of comedies to its schedule, 'My Boys' and '10 Items or Less'.

the futon critic has the press release at the link in the title.

Heist is history

According to Hollywood Reporter.

USA Today Save Our Shows

Want to vote on which shows should stay and which should go of the "on the bubble" shows? Vote at USA Today. They will have results of the poll next week.

BTW, I voted to keep Veronica Mars...and a couple of others. Most of them I said 'Don't care' or 'dump'.

Love Monkey on VH1

You can catch the 8 episodes, 5 of which were unaired on CBS, starting on Tuesday April 11 at 7 PM. The first three will air that night and subsequent weeks at 9 PM you can see the other 5.

Enjoy. (Link above to Futon Critic story)

Toying with Blogger

Trying out some different Blogger features -- let me know if you like them or if they are a pain.

Jake in Progress looks cancelled

News this morning that John Stamos is joining ER next season means 'Jake in Progress' is most likely at an end.

Scribosphere good news roundup

So, the last two weeks have seen a lot of activity for some of my fellow scribe-bloggers. Let's recount:

3/21 - Julie O. gets repped and then optioned.

3/24 - Captain Oats gets repped.

3/31 - Julie (who went to Hollywood) is under contract.

4/1 - Patrick Rodio gets optioned.

This doesn't even account for the several others who have recently gotten agents, sold scripts, done well in contests, etc. That's some good mojo. Anyone I miss? Don't be afraid to crow about your success here! I need to rub some Buddha belly or sommat.

Getting real

I finished my Cold Case spec a couple of weeks ago and have been getting notes back from friends. The first round of notes was very positive, with only minor dialogue issues. The second round of readers again noted some dialogue issues and a few action lines which needed amping up, but still no major story issues. Now I'm on round three and the now the notes are flowing. This is tough love time.

It's good to get notes. Notes make us stronger. And I knew I needed to do more work on this spec...so take a deep breath, dive into the notes and get to work.

Q&A Summary of Ronald D. Moore

Kira has posted an excellent summary of a chat with Ronald D. Moore, he the creator of the new (and much improved, in my opinion) 'Battlestar Galactica'. More good stuff!

I went to the tribute to Stephen J. Cannell at the WGA Foundation last night. I'll try to post some thoughts about this event later.

UPDATE: Let me clarify -- Stephen J. Cannell is very much alive. He was honored with the Paddy Chayefsky Award from the WGA this year, and the WGA Foundation held a tribute/ Q&A with him and many of his colleagues in his honor. Cannell has a fantastic tan.

The writers' room: an interview

Great interview with JJ Philbin over at Silly Pipe Dreams about the writers' room and other topics of interest to TV writers. JJ is a co-producer on 'The O.C.' Worth a read. Or two. Or three.

Writing update

Figured I'd just post a quick update on writing progress...

Finished my Cold Case spec and am now in rewrites, getting notes from people, making some changes. So far, no major story issues, which is great, so the changes have all been pretty minor.

I got accepted to the Advanced Drama Pilot Spec class at UCLA Extension for the Spring semester, so that will be my next project. Though, I've made the difficult decision to replace my Lost spec with a Medium spec. Certainly not an even trade, but I just feel like I don't have it in me to fix the Lost and I've been at a loss for new story ideas, given that the storylines right now are just insane.

Meanwhile, still percolating on a couple of feature specs, which hopefully someday I'll get to. I hope to go out with my TV specs to agents very soon, and of course I'm on the hunt for a Writers' Assistant position.

No real news right now. More as it happens.

Arrested Development not likely to return

You've probably already read the news, but this article in Variety indicates that the show may really be done.

RIP, Bluth family.

Best headline of the day

if you are a woman.

...actually for guys too.

Film Shoot Mistaken for Hostage Situation - Yahoo! News

Why you should get a permit to shoot films.

And they say divorce is too easy in this country

Apparently in India, you can divorce your spouse in your sleep.

New blog links!

I've decided to share the love for those who link to me, so I've added some reciprocal blog links in the sidebar. I'm also starting to catch up on who is actively posting.

Remember the rule here: Post or you're toast. No new posts in 60 days (with a few exceptions -- Paul Guyot stays because I think his archives are valuable) and you will be off the blogroll.

I also take bribes. But I will never feature Google ads. It's a principle thing.

My hero

A writing student lives in a Wal-Mart for a couple of days and tells a hilarious tale. No condemnations, no recriminations about the "evil" Wal-Mart. Just a really funny, interesting story.

The things we do for our craft.

What I Like About You no longer liked so much.

Futon critic reports that the WB's 'What I Like About You'will end its run tonight. The poor show is the least watched program on the WB, so it isn't much of a surprise that it won't make it to the CW. I'm sure Amanda Bynes will find another teen movie to make before going to another show.

TV Week Executive Briefings

TV Week has new podcasts about episodes of 24 and American Idol every Tuesday and Wednesday respectively. Listen to the executive producers of these two shows talk about the episodes!

Bones gets picked up

Well, against all reasonable thought, Bones is getting a second season. So, get ready to write those Bones specs!!

Watch List updated.

Windfall gets a premiere date

Windfall, a new show on NBC, will premiere on June 8 at 10PM.

Watch List updated...

Closing in on the goal

There are times when we feel very far away from our end goal, that of being a paid writer (pick your medium, TV or film) in Hollywood (or New York, or wherever...)

Other times, we may be close enough to the goal to taste the smell of it. If that makes any sense.

When you are closing in, time to close ranks a bit. That doesn't mean shut up entirely, and it most definitely doesn't mean not listening and keeping an eye out for other opportunities, but if your eye is on the prize, you might want to be careful about letting other people see it...because, then their eyes might be on it too.

As collaborative as writers like to be, as much as we like to cheer each other on and share in the success, there are times when you've got to look out for #1 and move stealthily toward the mile marker ahead.

I'm moving quietly. You may not hear me for awhile.

My beloved Snakes on a Plane

A bona fide phenom. And it doesn't open for 5 months.

Four Kings yanked

Another one bites the dust.

No word on if or when they will air the 6 episodes in the can.

Watch List updated.

Simpsons and King of Hill renewed

As if there was ever any doubt that it would happen, Fox greenlights another two seasons of The Simpsons and at least one more season of King of the Hill.

Animation fans rejoice!

NBC picks one up

A fairly early announcement of a series pick up for next season. NBC has ordered 13 episodes of "Kidnapped" for fall. As usual, watch the futon critic for the latest.

UPDATE: NBC also picked up 13 episodes of The Black Donnellys, a series developed by Oscar (tm) winner Paul Haggis. (I forgot it was picked up in January, so kind of old news, but hey, I've been busy).

Also looks like "The Office" writers are busy through hiatus writing 'webisodes' starring the supporting players. Now what's the MBAs for this??

Kill me now

I have the flu! Arrrrrgh.

That is all.

Winding down

Apart from posting the latest TV news (btw, did you see that NBC shelved 'Joey' AGAIN after one airing??), I really don't have a lot to say here anymore.

When I started blogging there were about 15-20 screenwriting blogs, pros and wannabes. Now there are more than 100. With so many different voices, all with unique perspectives and interesting insights, I'm at a loss to add anything interesting to the mix.

So, don't be surprised if one day soon, you come here and see a big 'Closed' sign on the front page. It just may happen. Can't say when, can't say how, but it is possible.

If you have specific information you want me to post, please let me know below. I'll do my best to accommodate.

CBS renews 14 series for next season

CBS likes their lineup and isn't afraid to say so. Here's the list of shows getting the nod for renewal:

60 Minutes
The Amazing Race
Cold Case
CSI
CSI: Miami
CSI: NY
NCIS
Numb3rs
Survivor
Two and a Half Men
Without a Trace

New shows making the cut:

Criminal Minds
The Ghost Whisperer
How I Met Your Mother

Still awaiting word:

Close to Home
Courting Alex
Out of Practice
The New Adventures of Old Christine (not yet aired)
The Unit (not yet aired)

The Watch List is updated. (hat tip: the futon critic)

Charmed loses its...charm

Not a surprise, and I had it on the watch list. Charmed will finish its run on May 21.

Thoughts I have during my prime writing hours

The last post should have been called "The Curious Incident of the Blog in the Night-Time".

See what happens when you aren't thinking straight at 5:30 AM?

Also thinking: if I start numbering my pages at 5, will anyone notice? Then I wouldn't need to write 5 more pages...

The Curious Incident of the Writing in the Night-time

My sleep schedule is all screwed up. Comes from my nocturnal habits seeping in.

I think my prime writing hours happen in two places during the day: 5-7PM (which is good, because that's typically a quiet post-work time for me) and midnight-2AM. The latter writing time is the one wrecking havoc with my sleep.

Last night I was pretty content, writing until 1 AM and then tucking myself into bed (how does one tuck themselves into bed? Not easy, but can be done) Then around 5AM the bane of my existence, the thing that ruins all peace, my CRACKBERRY starts buzzing uncontrollably. When I get alert pages from work (remember, I work in IT, so I get crazy pages at crazy hours for wacky system outages. Kooky.), I get them in series of 2 or 3 pages on my phone. Each page buzzes twice. The vibration of the Blackberry in its holster is very loud with plastic hitting plastic. If I flip it on its back, it's less annoying. I usually keep it on the carpeted floor, so I can't be completely disturbed by the random buzzing at wee hours.

Last night I left the dang thing on my dresser, so the buzz of the pager was amplified by the smooth wood surface. BUZZZZZZZZZ it goes at 5AM. Turn it off, you say? Can't. One of those pages might be important. Can't risk missing the one page I really really need to see for all of the random ones about network outages in Seattle. Needless to say the series of pages woke me up, and I wasn't able to get back to sleep. So I'm blogging.

Speaking of which, I know my blog has slowed down. I'm 3/4 done with my Cold Case spec and hope to finish my first draft this week. I'm hoping to be back with more of my useless thoughts for the world to read once my procedural purge is complete.

And now, I'll probably just watch financial market news on CNBC. Might get me back to sleep.

Has 'Crumbs' been swept under the rug?

the futon critic has the official word from ABC that 'Crumbs' is on hiatus. It has been missing from the sweeps schedule the last two weeks, as repeat episodes of 'Grey's Anatomy' have done well in its time period. Though 'Crumbs' has had pretty decent numbers (definitately when compared to the other ratings for sitcoms on ABC), it still has lost a significant amount of its lead-in's audience (Dancing with the Stars).

So, is 'Crumbs' dead? For now, I think we're going to have to list it as Wating for the Axe. Pitty poor Fred Savage.

Just a reminder...

Okay, so I was using the Watch List to monitor the NEW scripted shows rolled out this year. Then people wanted the reality shows listed. Then people wanted established shows listed...

It's getting out of hand. Reality shows will no longer be tracked. The bottom part of the list is so you can see what established scripted shows are headed for the trash bin. I am only monitoring new shows. If you want a comprehensive list of everything on TV, go to the futon critic which does it better than I could ever dream of doing.

That is all. :)

Best news of my day

DRIVE (FOX, New!) - Writer/producers Tim Minear ("The Inside") and Ben Queen ("Century City") are set to team for a new ensemble drama project for FOX about an illegal cross-country road race. 20th Century Fox Television is behind the hour, which FOX has given a pilot order. No other specifics were given.

(for more updates like these, check the futon critic DAILY!)

Yay Tim Minear! His love/hate relationship with Fox continues...

Go read Jane

TV spec monkeys, Jane Espenson is handing out golden nuggets of knowledge for FREE on her blog. If you are trying to get into TV, you need to be reading her blog.

No love for Love Monkey

Widely reported yesterday, 'The Unit' will be taking the 'Love Monkey' time slot on March 7, putting Love Monkey on hiatus, probably permanently.

...and another one bites the dust.

Curse you MTR!

About 3 weeks ago I remembered that the Paley Festival, populated with TV panels of popular shows, was approaching. So, I did what any person dying to see the cast of 'House' and 'Battlestar' does -- I bought a membership, with the express purpose of buying advance tickets when they went on sale.

The morning of the sale, I went online prior to the sale time to scope out the website. Hm, it says 'members' should have some kind of code to purchase tickets. I'm a member, and I don't have a code. Oh well, I'll call on the phone. Surely it won't be that bad...

...and then I had a 9AM meeting. Tickets went on sale at 9AM. I couldn't call until 10:15, by which time I learned that those two particular panels (including Grey's Anatomy) were SOLD OUT. What?? I spent 50 bucks so I could be shut out?

So, now I plead to my scribosphere friends -- if any of you were fortunate enough to get tickets to either of these two events (or both!) I'd be happy to pay you for one of your tickets, should you have been one of those [expletive] who bought extra tickets so you could sell them on eBay.

And now I'm wondering whether to call up MTR, complain and revoke my membership. *sigh*

Deal or No Deal to reair on CNBC

In case you missed it (like I did) the first time around, CNBC will reair the first few episodes all next week at 8PM and 11PM ET/PT. New episodes will air on NBC starting 2/27.

Oscars Yawn

Is it just me or is this the most unexciting list of nominations EVER? Take a look.

One interesting note was the nomination for "Paradise Now" in the foreign film category. Interesting that it comes from a country THAT DOESN'T EXIST (Palestine).

'Bones' crushed by 'Lost', 'Criminal Minds'

'American Idol' may be the unstoppable train, but 'Bones' is laying on the track. Bones dropped 62% of AI's audience last night, with audiences flipping over to 'Lost' and 'Criminal Minds' for the 9PM TV viewing. More at Hollywood Reporter.

I wouldn't consider Bones dead yet -- Lost isn't an easy foe to go up against, it would probably do better in the post-Idol Tuesday slot that House owns, since the competition isn't as fierce. Still, if you are Fox, you've got to be a little worried about losing more than half of your audience (which was substantial -- a 32 share!)

Podcast survey

I've been pondering starting a 'Shouting Into the Wind' Podcast. Maybe, 20-30 minutes a couple times a week. Anyone interested in possibly listening to the smooth ducet tones of my voice for a half an hour? Topics would reflect what I write about on the blog, with occassional guest interviews, etc.

Let me know if the idea is cool or sucks in the comments.

The CW changes the landscape

With the announcement of the new joint venture between Time Warner/Tribune and CBS to create the CW from the ashes of the WB and UPN, the lives of many shows suddenly look to be shorter. In no particular order, I think the 'death watch' is on for the following shows:

• Love, Inc (UPN)
  
• Living with Fran (WB)
  
• Twins (WB)
  
• Related (WB)
  
• Eve (UPN)
  
• Cuts (UPN)
  
• What I Like About You (WB)
  
• Charmed (WB)
  
• South Beach (UPN)
  

With only 13 hours of prime time programming available (from the combined 23 hours), I think we can see the following shows make the cut:

• Smallville (WB)
  
• Gilmore Girls (WB)
  
• Everwood (WB)
  
• Aquaman (WB pilot will most likely make it to air)
  
• Veronica Mars (UPN)
  
• Everybody Hates Chris (UPN)
  
• Reba (WB)
  
• Top Model (UPN)
  
• Supernatural (WB)
  
• Girlfriends (UPN)
  
• Beauty and the Geek (WB)
  
• All of Us (UPN)
  
• Smackdown (UPN)
  

Wait a minute, you're asking. What about those new midseason shows? And some of those you listed, like 'Beauty and the Geek' might only be 13 episodes -- what else will go on in its time slot? There are also a smattering of other shows I didn't mention -- 'One on One', 'Half & Half'...and then there are the other pilots in development. Exactly why this will be interesting to watch. I'm going to wait it out a few days until we start to hear more about shows that might not make the cut before I update the Watch List, but expect this merger to impact the list in a big way.

Disney buys Pixar

The deed is done. $7.4 Billion. What a weird news day.

Book of Daniel, Jake in Progress cancelled

Two more shows fall off the schedule. This joins the news from TNT yesterday that 'Wanted' would not return for a second season. (Hat Tip: The Futon Critic).

Another Watch List update coming...

TV show blogs

UPDATE: 1/24 - This list is still under construction, but I noticed that people were looking for it, so it is back online. I know there are tons of blogs missing from the list. Patience, please. Thanks!

A new development this year was "added content" regarding TV shows...podcasts, behind the scenes clips, and blogs. The first two examples will probably end up on the DVD for that show (smart planning, I'd say), but the last...well, that's unique to the net. I particularly like blogs that aren't 'character blogs' but rather blogs written by the writers about the show. I've scoured the web to find these blogs and bring them to you.

'Behind the Scenes' Blogs

• Grey's Anatomy (ABC)
  
• Threshold (CBS) Yes, I know it's cancelled, but there's still some good stuff there, so get it until it is gone.
  
• NCIS (CBS) Okay, it's an actress's blog, but get past the poetry and there are some insights into the process of making a TV show.
  
• CSI:Miami (CBS) The Executive Story Editor, Corey Miller blogs.
  
• Law & Order (NBC) I missed this one the first time around because it hasn't been updated since October. It is labelled the 'Producer's Blog'.
  
• Monk (USA) So far, only one post, but hopefully this will continue forward. Also a couple of fun character blogs on the site.
  
• Battlestar Galactica (SCIFI)
  

I'll add to the list as more pop up. I think it is a good trend as it gives us insight into what makes these shows tick.

Character blogs

These are blogs written in the 'voice' of a character on the show. Sometimes they are maintained by the actors, other times a writer on the show writes the blog. For the 'Lost' diary last year, the writer's assistant maintained it (not sure who is doing it this year). I have listed these by show in alphabetical order.

• Commander in Chief (ABC) MacWatcher is a fake political blog following the Mackenzie Allen presidency.
  
• Crossing Jordan (NBC) Nigel's Blog
  
• Grey's Anatomy (ABC)
  • The Nurse's Station
    
  • Emerald City Bar
• Invasion (ABC) Dave's Blog
  
• The Office (NBC) Dwight's Blog

Podcasts

• Commander in Chief(ABC)
  
• Lost
  

And then there were 5...

So, this is may be the strangest news of the morning (and that's besides Disney finally buying Pixar). It looks like the WB and UPN will become ONE NETWORK. Announcement made at 11 AM ET. Details in Hollywood Reporter.

What does this mean for the programming currently on the networks? Well, if I had to guess, there will be a weeding out of the weak shows, keeping the cream of the crop. Scheduling will become a whole lot more interesting for the other networks too.

More news here. Looks like it will be called the 'CW Network'. The WB and UPN will cease operations in September 2006.

From the Yahoo news article:

The CW will incorporate The WB's current scheduling model, which consists of a 6 night-13 hour primetime lineup including Monday through Friday nights from 8-10 (EST/PST); Sundays from 7-10 (EST/PST); Sunday from 5-7 (EST/PST) outside of primetime as well as a Monday thru Friday afternoon block from 3-5 (EST/PST) and a 5-hour Saturday morning animation block. Together, the network will program 30 hours a week over seven days for its affiliated stations.

As the top creative executive, Ostroff will have available a line-up of some of the most popular programming that appeals to young adults in the media business. These programming assets range from hit reality series such as "America's Next Top Model" and The WB's "Beauty and the Geek," to hit dramas like The WB's "Smallville," "Gilmore Girls," "Supernatural," and UPN's "Veronica Mars" as well as UPN's hit comedies "Everybody Hates Chris" and "Girlfriends" and The WB's hit comedy "Reba." In addition the WWE's "Smackdown," which has been a mainstay at UPN, is expected to play a role in the schedule.

In addition, The CW will also broadcast the schedule of children's programming now known as Kids' WB!, a 5-hour original programming block on Saturday mornings from 7:00 a.m.-Noon, considered primetime for kids. Kids' WB! has been the broadcast network ratings champion since Fall 2000, capturing 16 consecutive sweep victories as the Number One Saturday morning kids' broadcaster.

The joint venture between Time Warner and Tribune and now CBS will prove very interesting to watch...I'll keep a watch on this story, particularly as it pertains to what shows will continue to air on the new network.

TV show blogs post offline

I am updating the list with the character 'voice' blogs and podcasts. Hope to have it back up this evening.

Let the 'Earl' and 'Office' specs fly

Since NBC has now officially renewed the two shows for next season, sitcom spec writers everywhere rejoice. No longer will they have only 'Entourage' to spec! Huzzah!

NBC Cancels 'West Wing'

An AP story reports that NBC has made the decision to pull the plug on 'The West Wing' after 7 seasons. No decision has been made regarding 'Joey' but there are some time slot changes coming down in March. Full details to come and the Watch List updated...

Geekdrome

So, a friend of mine has a mostly-weekly podcast which I think will be of interest to many of my readers. Geeks debate movies, comics and more. Check out Geekdrome.

How to Fake It

A lot of the e-mailed questions I get pertain to my 'House' spec, as in how did I prepare to write the medical stuff? How did I pull off that stuff without being a doctor?

Look, I don't pretend to think I can fool a doctor with the stuff I write. In fact, a doctor would probably laugh at me for most of what I write. But then again, you aren't trying to fool a doctor (certainly not with a spec). You are trying to fool an agent or a showrunner. It's all about faking it.

Right now, I'm on a steady diet of 'Cold Case' -- 4-6 hours of it a day, plus one or two scripts read a night. You immerse yourself in the world. When I wrote House, I lived House. I would write with the show on in the background, rather than music. Normally I find any sound distracting when I write, but in this case just having the episodes playing continuously as I wrote helped the character voices seep into my skull. As for the technojargon, thanks be for the Net. I can't imagine trying to 'fake it' while looking up periodicals and books at the library (my hat is off to all of you who had to research the old fashioned way in order to pull this off. I remember those days writing school papers, and I salute you). Now I can search for 'sphincter of Oddi dysfunction' and find everything I need to know to make my characters sound believeable. I went one step further to buy a differential diagnosis handbook so I could cross-reference symptoms to find possible conditions, but that was just me being anal retentive. I probably could have done it without the book.

For the police procedural, again, you aren't trying to fool a cop. If you were actually staffed on a show, you'd have access to 'experts' who can help make your dialogue accurate and more realistic. On 'House' they have like 2 or 3 doctors consulting for all the medical stuff. If you know a doctor or can call an expert to pitch them your ideas and get their input, you'll go far, but even if you don't know someone (or are too afraid to cold call) you can still do it. It just takes time to do the research.

Speaking of which, I have to go back to researching deafness...

Hooray for Ras!

Ras got herself an agent and it sounds like she had the power going in on that. Read her adventure and congratulate her for taking her 'first step into a larger world'.

Fox cancels Malcom in the Middle, That 70's Show

More news out of the Winter Press Tour in Pasadena...Mediaweek reports this morning that after 7 seasons, 'Malcom in the Middle' and 'That 70's Show' are done.

I already slotted these as 'likely to be cancelled this year' so I'll update with the official news in the Watch List. Tomorrow I expect we'll hear word from CBS about the future of 'Still Standing', 'Yes, Dear'. I doubt we'll hear a decision about 'Out of Practice'...

Production on Emily's Reasons Why Not Halted

Reported this morning in several places. Doesn't look good for the show. This officially places it in the 'waiting for the axe' category of the Watch List. One airing. Now, to be fair, at least Los Angeles was BLANKETED in advertising for this show, so if they couldn't get a curiousity tune-in factor, they can't build an audience for the show (theoretically).

Places to write

Of course there's Starbucks, and we've mentioned Creative City Cafe, but Paul Guyot mentions what sounds to be an ideal writing place, the office. I'd heard about it before, but just based on Paul's recommendation, I might have to check it out. Wish it wasn't on the other side of town from me, but if you are in the mid-Wilshire/WeHo area, it may be a great new haunt. (Looks like they have a special right now for new customers of 2 free hours when you mention the website).

The TV Bloodletting begins

So, already we have at least two new shows with troubling Nielsens. "Emily's Reasons Why Not" and "Book of Daniel" have premiered to pretty small audiences. "In Justice" seems to be hanging in so far, and returnee "Jake in Progress" looks like it is off to a rocky start. I usually wait out two airings of a show before I categorize it in The Watch List, so we'll wait until the numbers come in next week, but so far, I'd say these shows have limited life.

Stay tuned...

The new Scribosphere Meme

Fun Joel tagged me with this meme (maybe I owe him money). Sure, I'll play.

ONE (1) earliest film-related memory:
I'm pretty sure this one is real. I have this strong recollection that we waited outside the theater in our hometown (which at that time was one ginormous screen) to see "Star Wars". I was 3. I also have a memory of seeing "The Fox & the Hound" at a drive-in, so that's cool.

TWO (2) favorite lines from movies:
(Raising Arizona):
Ed McDonnough: This ain't family life!
H.I.: Well... it sure ain't "Ozzie and Harriet."

(The Philadelphia Story):
C. K. Dexter Haven: I thought all writers drank to excess and beat their wives. You know one time I secretly wanted to be a writer.

THREE (3) jobs you'd do if you could not work in the "biz":
Cafe' owner
High School teacher
Stay at home mom

FOUR (4) jobs you actually have held outside the industry:
Computer support analyst
Project Manager (I.T. again)
Tourguide on Disney Backstage Studio Tour
Call screener for a radio show (wait, that's kinda biz related isn't it)

THREE (3) book authors I like:
Terry Pratchett
Robert A. Heinlein
Jane Austen

TWO (2) movies you'd like to remake or properties you'd like to adapt:
"Wake of the Red Witch" (1948) - Don't want to say too much, because I really think I might try this one, but I've got a different angle on it.

"Silverlock" a book by John Myers Myers (not a typo). It seems to be out of print now, but I love this fantasy/comedic book and would love to adapt it.

ONE (1) screenwriter you think is underrated:
Steven Kloves. He's adapted the first four Harry Potter films (he's taking a break on the next one, will adapt 'Half-Blood Prince', the 6th book). But he's written two other fantastic screenplays which get overlooked, "Wonderboys" and "The Fabulous Baker Boys". It has to be monstrously hard to adapt the Harry Potter books, keeping the screenplay true to the spirit of the book and yet compact. Given what he has to do, I think he does it marvelously well.

THREE (3) people I'm tagging to answer this meme next:
Dave, Kira, and Scott the Reader.

Return of the Watch List and Midseason Premieres!

Everyone survive New Year's? Great, let's get back to business. Time to track the midseason shows.

First, if you need a list of midseason show premiere dates, look here.

The list does NOT include shows currently on hiatus (yes, 'Surface' is returning. No, 'Killer Instinct' is not.) The shows being pushed aside for the new ones will be back late Marchish, (Damn you 'Prison Break'!!) others even later. Also, these are shows that currently have premiere dates. As other show premieres are announced, I'll cover them.

New Midseason shows (hourlong)

• Book of Daniel (NBC) Friday night is open territory, but I don't think redstaters are going to care that much for a drug addicted man of God. Six episodes, max and it is done.
  
• In Justice (ABC) ABC needs a procedural. Really really needs one. This one has a shot, also on Friday nights, so we'll see. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
  
• The Unit (CBS) (*Premieres in March) From David Mamet and Shawn Ryan (creator of 'The Shield'). It sounds promising. You'll see endless commercials for it during NFL playoffs. I say it goes the distance.
  
• South Beach (UPN) Beautiful people. Cold weather people will probably watch just to remember what summer is like, but how much business can it do on UPN? I'm on the fence.

New Half-hour scripted shows:

• Emily's Reasons Why Not? (ABC) Initial tune in will be good, but can Heather Graham really carry a sitcom? I say nay. Four and out.
  
• Courting Alex (CBS) Because we don't have enough sexy single girls with sitcoms devoted to them. Jenna Elfman returns to our screens in this one. Good news: it is scheduled on Monday nights in CBS's comedy block. Bad news: It will go up against 24 and Prison Break.
  
• Four Kings (NBC) Slotted after newly moved 'Earl' this one will have to battle the people turning over to Survivor. I dunno, sounds like bad mojo to me...even with Seth Green ("Greg the Bunny", anyone?)
  
• Crumbs (ABC) It's got Fred Savage and Jane Curtain in it. There will at least be some initial tune in. As long as it is better than 'Freddie' I'm totally on board. I'm gonna give it a fighting chance.
  
• Love Monkey (CBS) I think it might actually be an hourlong, but since I couldn't find out, I stuck it down here. I like Tom Cavanaugh, so I want it to live, but the title makes me laugh and not in a 'ha ha, that's hilarious kind of way'. Still, sober CSI network -- I mean, CBS, needs some more funny in its lineup. I'm just not sure this is the right kind of funny.

Of course as I said, there are lots more shows to evaluate and put into the Watch List. These will all be added to the 'On the Fence' category to start, just to give them all a fighting chance. New Watch List posted shortly...

Relationship Management 201: Expanding the Web

It's Tuesday and school is back in session. That's right, time to talk about relationship management again.

Back in July and August I posted what I have learned about developing relationships through my career in a completely different field. The lessons I've learned are easily applied to networking in Hollywood and I decided to share those realizations. The articles were well received -- I got a lot of positive comments and e-mails about them but I didn't feel I had enough to say to warrant another post. Time passes, and I've learned a little more in these last few months. Hopefully it will be of some use to you.

I do recommend reading the other posts first if you haven't already, simply to have an understanding of what I've covered in the past. I called this '201' because I do feel like this is about taking it to the next level. Once you start practicing the advice I've already given, you'll be ready to 'expand the web'.

Okay, so first, let me tell you about what I've been up to the last few months in regard to relationship management. I have my 'finger file', basically a Word document where I keep information about all of my screenwriting related contacts. I recently reviewed my entire file and updated it with new fields of information. It started to get a little more robust, so I decided to move it to Excel (if it gets too much larger I'll have to create an Access database!) What information am I collecting? I know it sounds weird, but you tend to forget things about people. If a computer file seems too complicated, get a recipe box and index cards -- it serves the same purpose. On each card (or in each row of your excel document) put the following basic information:

• Contact's Name
  
• Contact's address or e-mail address (I try to use both if I have them)
  
• Contact's phone number(s)

Those are the basics. No matter what else you do, you need to list the contact and how to get in touch with them. Here are some of the other pieces of info I collect, if I can:

• Contact's profession
  
• Contact's agent or manager or boss (if it is an assistant)
  
• Contact's birthday
  
• Contact's family names (spouse and kids, if applicable)

I'll tell you why I collect those last two items in a minute. You may notice that I haven't put any projects related to these contacts in my file. This information is readily available on IMDB if they are a working writer, producer, etc. If the contact is NOT yet a professional (meaning paid for their work) I may note that information on the card, along with the names of any projects they are working on. I try to keep this miscellaneous info to a minimum, unless I cannot find it easily by searching on the web.

The birthday and family names information is someting I learned to do in college. I'm pretty good at putting faces to names, but I don't always remember who is married, who has kids, etc. I have 6 cousins and they all have 2+ kids each. Every year I have to learn the names of all these kids running around when I go home for the holidays and it is exhausting to remember them all. Imagine trying to do that with all of the contacts you have! You want to have things other than screenwriting to talk with your contact about. When you engage them in conversation you want to ask about his/her spouse ("How is Kathy?") or kids. If you want to be really good at this, I recommend starting to log information like hobbies, the school the person went to, the kids' ages, and anything significant about that contact ("Been golfing lately, I know you love to go to Pebble Beach.") For people you know very well, you may not need the file, but for those contacts you don't have a really close relationship with, it can mean the difference in how you build rapport with someone. If you are up for a job along with other candidates, who do you think the person is going to feel more comfortable with, the person who just answers questions or the person who engages in conversation, asks questions which get the contact talking about his or her activities and life? Yes, this works in ANY profession.

So, how much is too much? Don't be a stalker. You don't need to know everything. Again, each contact is different, collect the information you feel is valuable.

For example, I recently visited a new colleague (day job again) and had never met this person before. I was looking for something to talk about with him and scanned his office for clues (this is something that is critical in job interviews and meetings with people in their offices). I noticed that this colleague had a large photo of a sports stadium on the wall. When I looked closer, I recognized it as the football field of my alma mater! Instantly I had a connection with this person. I mentioned the school to him and that I had also attended and we were able to strike up a good 5-10 minute conversation just about the school. If I hadn't attended the school, I could have asked him about football, since he had a picture of the field and must like sports. Either way, it was something I could note about this person and use to break the ice and build rapport with him.

Clues to look for in an office: pictures of family and/or pets, trophies and awards, anything related to hobbies, etc.

What if you aren't in an office? How else can you collect information? Well, the obvious answer is to LISTEN to the person. Do they mention a wife? Ask a follow up question about her (what's her name, what does she do, etc). Does the contact have an assistant? Talk to the assistant (always) and learn their name. When you visit your contact or call, make sure to take time to converse with the assistant too -- this person is the gatekeeper to your 'key' contacts and you want them on your side, maybe even mentioning you or talking about you to their boss (in a good way). Besides, that assistant may someday be a creative exec. Wouldn't it be nice to have a good relationship with that person already?

Okay, so you have your finger file. Now what?

Now you build the web.

Some people may be able to do this on a computer, but I actually do this one the old fashioned way -- on paper. Visio would be the best tool for this exercise.

The purpose of the web is to show connections between yourself and your contacts. Sometimes you meet people through associations with existing contacts. Other times you will realize that you know two contacts through different means, but those contacts know each other. The best way to see these connections is to make a map, or a web. You may want to keep IMDB or Google handy for this exercise, but typically the web grows over time -- as you learn more about your contacts!

Let's start simple. You know a working writer. Let's say he's a writer on a TV show named Ned. You start with yourself in the center of the web. I usually box or circle the names on my web. Draw a line, like a spoke, from the circle around your name to Ned's name on the web. Leave lots of white space around it like this:


By the way, these should be first/last names, but for the purpose of this demo, I've just used first names. So, now you have a connection to Ned in your web. Now, let's say that Ned knows another contact of yours, Joel, but they do not work together (this is important). Send a dotted line from Ned to Joel's circle, like this:


If they work together in some capacity, use a solid line. Now, here's the fun part of expanding the web. Let's say there's someone you want to know in the future through that contact, someone they know well or work with. You add that person on another level of the web with a blue line:

You continue to build your web like so. You can create your own legend, color coding, etc to read it, but you want to include your contacts, their relationships to each other and to people you want to know. Sometimes your web can start looking like this:

That's okay if it does look a little confusing -- it's just a visual representation of the connections between people. I use it as a map to see who is well connected and who may provide me with a way to meet other people. This is targeted relationship building. Most of the people you meet may be quite random, this is a tool to help you control how you build relationships a little better. I have been able to use it to some success this year and hope to improve my methods in the next few months.

This is pretty long, so I'll follow up with some additional information in another post. Until then, start your finger file and your web!

Christmas Dreaming

It's that time of year when I, like many others, turn introspective, pondering what has passed in the last twelve months, thinking about the next twelve and what may come. We start to formulate our 'resolutions' for next year. Of course, first, there's the holiday of your choice to survive -- in my case, Christmas.

My parents kept badgering me about what I wanted for Christmas this year. Sometimes they forget that I'm a grown woman who doesn't need to be showered with presents, like I did when I was eight. Still, I know they like to keep up tradition (and in all honesty, so do I), but I was at a loss as to what I wanted materially for Christmas this year. I'd already gotten a box of brads from my sister and I had bought myself a new laptop last month. I don't often have time or inclination to listen to music so an iPod or other mp3 player would be wasted on me. I tried to think what I wanted and I kept coming up empty.

But there are things I want for Christmas. They just happen to be things my parents can't buy me in a store.

I want to become a better writer. Sure, they could buy me more screenwriting books and software, but those things won't make me a better writer. Only writing and more writing on my part will get me what I want.

I'd also like to stop being a procrastinator. It's been my lifelong bad habit, wait until the last minute, work like mad to meet a deadline...I envy people who get their work done with time to spare. Maybe someday...

I'd like a Mustang. Parents aren't going to buy me that one, and I've just paid my Sentra off, so I won't be buying one either for quite a few years yet.

I'd like to see less bitterness, hatred and spite. I'm pretty proud of the fact that I don't hold these kinds of emotions myself, but I see it everywhere around me. L.A. is a cynical town and it can be hard to keep these kinds of negative emotions at bay and some folks have just given up the fight.

I'd like to get an agent. Again, something that won't be gift-wrapped under the tree. This one I'll get myself when I have my second spec ready to roll.

I'd like more time with friends. Sometimes it feels like I barely have time to e-mail, call or visit with the few friends I have. I was blessed with meeting a lot of new people this year, and I hope to develop some long lasting friendships with many of these folks. Hopefully I'll find more time in the next year to nuture those friendships.

I'd also like to quit being president of the HOA. Ain't gonna happen, unless by some miracle, one of the new owners decides to take a crack at it.

Finally and most importantly, I wish for all of you to get the things you want and need. Regarding screenwriting, may your cool idea develop into a great story to tell and may your great story become a fantastic screenplay.

Merry Christmas to all. And for those of you not celebrating the day, happy holidays to you. I'll be off tomorrow, but articles should pop up every day next week.

God bless us, every one.

Dress for the job you want, not the job you have

I used to hear this at the office all the time -- if you want to move up the ladder, you have to act like you already have the job on the rung above you before they'll think you can have it.

This also applies to screenwriting.

I appreciate all of the comments and encouragement regarding my recent 'rejection', but let's face it...contests aren't writing jobs. Contests don't make careers...well, maybe the Nicholl, but that's different. No, if I want to be a working writer, I have to BE a working writer...even if I'm not being paid for it. I have to "dress" for the job I want, not the job I have.

I do not want to be perceived as a hobbyist or amateur. I am not those things. I am a working writer who is not yet being paid to write. The more I reinforce that for myself, the more likely I am to actually become a paid writer.

Have a game plan. Don't just write your spec, figure out what you are going to do with it.

In my most recent class, I was asked to list the 5 things I was going to do in the next year to work toward my career goal (and of course, I had to state that goal). Fortunately, I could think of more than 5 things I was going to do, but the benefit of this exercise is it gives you small goals to achieve. So, in 2006, I'll be doing the following:

• Writing a 'Cold Case' spec
  
• Rewriting my 'Lost' spec
  
• Continuing to maintain and make new contacts in TV and film which can help me...
  
• Get an agent.
  
• Meanwhile, I'll keep writing. I'll finish my pilot spec this year.
  

What is your gameplan? If you are working on a spec, when do you want to finish it? When do you want to rewrite it? When do you want to send out query letters or the script itself. Stop preparing for contests that may get you nowhere in terms of a writing career...unless, that's your interest. If you are writing just to enter writing contests, well, then, you are on a different path. If you are writing because you want to BECOME A PAID WRITER, you need a plan.

Screenwriting isn't a hobby for me, and I'm no longer going to treat it as such. What are you going to do?

Rejected from Writer's Arc

Just got my rejection call. Unfortunately, my cell didn't ring, so I got their voicemail. Probably just as well.

I'll write more later... good luck to the others!

Odds and Ends

Today is the last day for any real business in Hollywood. It will turn into a ghost town after the weekend. Since there won't be much news to post, I have some articles I've been writing just to fill the lull in news commentary.

Next week while Hollywood assistants get their (probable) only vacation of the year and the bigwigs go to Aspen or Mexico or where ever they go, you'll be able to read up on the following:

• What I want for Christmas. In case you were wondering.
  
• Rundown and Review of the Various Screenwriting Forums/Message Boards
  
• Networking 201 - how to expand your web
  
• Special end of year review of the major script purchases -- what trends have developed this year?
  
• Midseason Report -- What's coming in January

Of course on Monday I'll get the VERDICT on the Writer's Arc Fellowship, so come back late Monday/early Tuesday for all the scoop on my fate. Hope everyone has a great holiday and please leave any information you are dying to have here in the comments...want an update on a particular show? Need to know what I'm up to? Need the snow report in Illinois (where I'll be until the new year)? Maybe you just want to say hi, do it here.

Glimmer of hope for Arrested Development

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Showtime is interested in picking up 'Arrested Development' from Fox, if Fox really does shut down the show, as it has strongly indicated. Variety also reports that ABC has shown interest in picking up the show.

Hopefully this is not false hope, but it sounds like the talks are happening for the show to get a new life elsewhere.

Hey, it happened for 'Family Guy' -- why not?

Pitching in a sedan

To begin this tale, I'll start with my preparations for my interview for the Writer's Arc Fellowship.

First, I scoured the 'net. I have a post I've been working on (and will hopefully finish in time for my holiday break next week) about the various screenwriting forums (Wordplay, Done Deal, Artful Writer and Two Adverbs) and their pros and cons. I found that one of the previous fellows who kept a partial journal on the Writer's Arc website kept a more detailed and comprehensive journal on one of these forums. I then proceeded to read EVERY POST he wrote regarding his entry to and experience in the program.

That was Saturday.

There are pieces of my strategy and preparation I will not reveal, because I don't want some other resourceful finalist (who isn't one of my scribosphere friends) stealing all my ideas. This IS a competition after all.

However, there are relevant pieces to this story. Let's just say that the former Fellows names were published, easy to find, and I MIGHT have contacted one of them to get some insight into the process.

Oh yeah, I'm ruthless. Take no prisoners.

On Sunday I talked to former Fellow who was not the journaling guy, mostly e-mail though we had a brief phone conversation on Friday. Found out what I needed to know.

Sunday I went to Creative City Cafe and worked on my pitches.

I'll post all the details of how I constructed my pitches next week, particularly if my method nets me a fellowship (otherwise, I'll be posting my method for feedback on how I could have improved it).

Finally, on Monday night I met with good, trusted screenwriting friend (and blogger) who I will not name because he might not want me to. Anyway, he let me try my pitches out on him, he gave me feedback and helped me figure out what order to pitch my ideas.

So, I spent a lot of time working on my pitches, preparing for this pitch meeting.

Monday afternoon the Writer's Arc sponsors called me.

WOMAN ON PHONE
Hi, this is the Writer's Arc. Is this Shawna?

SHAWNA
Yes, hi! How are you?

WOMAN ON PHONE
Good, I was calling to see if we could move up your interview tomorrow.

Milisecond of panic. Can hear a pin drop.

SHAWNA
Sure, when would you like to move it to?

(In my head: 'please don't say today, please don't say today...')

WOMAN ON PHONE
Are you available an hour earlier, at 11 AM?

SHAWNA
Of course! (In my head, I hope I don't have a meeting!')

WOMAN ON PHONE
Great, we'll talk to you tomorrow at 11.

SHAWNA
Looking forward to it! (Crap.)

I had a 10 AM meeting, which I don't really remember much of because I kept looking at my Blackberry to see what time it was. My perfect plan for the noon pitch was to go out to my car in the parking lot, give myself some time to get into the right frame of mind, and casually scan my notes before the call starts.

What actually happens:

The meeting hasn't ended and it is 11:02. The phone is going to ring, I KNOW it is going to ring. 11:03. PHONE RINGS. Crap!! I answer -- false alarm, it's a work related thing, but it gives me the excuse I need to jump out of my chair, dart out of the conference room without even giving my boss a glance and head out to my car. Meanwhile I'm on the phone with this lady who wants to schedule a 12:30 meeting and can I call in for it...look lady, I'm waiting for a very important call, I'll give you the moon if you will just hang up RIGHT NOW. Instead I said, "yes, sounds great, talk to you then, thankyouverymuchgoodbye."

11:05 I'm in the elevator, headed down from the 9th floor, and WE ARE STOPPING ON EVERY FLOOR.

11:06 I look like some weirdo rushing through the lobby of the office building as I head to the parking deck. I take the steps two at a time, which, by the time I reach the 3rd level, I realize is really really STUPID, since I'm about to take a phone call with people and very much need to sound like I have not just run up 5 flights of stairs.

11:08 I'm in my car. I pull out my laptop and load up my pitch notes. The sun is shining brightly into my car and the screen on my laptop is pretty dim, so I mess with my coat, trying to drape it over the back of my seat the block out the light, and fail miserably. Can't sit the laptop on my lap because it is too wide in the driver's seat. Had I been thinking, I might have considered sitting on the passenger side, but I had just run up 5 flights of stairs and hadn't really given a lot of thought to how I should sit in my car.

11:13 I accidently shut down my computer. Reboot, relaunch...now I'm thinking I'm near the zone, they are going to call any second. Though it is nice out, my car has heated up and I start sweating.

11:18 I finished scribbling some last minute reminders to myself, things I want to make sure I mention and I keep glancing at the time on my Blackberry. Panic sets in. Maybe they have the wrong number? What if they tried to call when I was in the elevator but I didn't have a signal? Maybe I have the time wrong? The day wrong? Maybe they aren't calling me at all and it is all part of an elaborate joke? I try to shake off the nervous thoughts by playing Spider Solitaire, but it is hard with the touchpad when your finger is shaking slightly.

11:20 Phone rings. I'm on. Showtime. And it is like I'm back in high school, ready to go out on stage during the play. I drop my panic like a bad habit and close up the solitaire. I segue into my chitchat and eventually the pitch.

Total call time: 32 minutes and 22 seconds.

The pitching went well, I think. I know I didn't completely bomb out and I didn't sound like a blithering idiot, but oddly I felt I started strong and ended weak, which sucked, because I saved my best pitch for last and I felt I muffed it, I know I've pitched that story better. Sucks.

Good news: I ask how many Fellows...could be more than 5! All depends on how the interviews go. They felt they could handle a group of 6 or 7, which is good news for all of the interviewees. Confirmed that the program is 16 weeks.

So now, we wait...until Monday. My aunt told my mom that she put in a good word for me with God this week, so I've got that going for me.

Thanks again to everyone for the encouragement. Win or lose, I feel pretty darn good about myself, particularly as this was my first time entering a feature screenplay contest of sorts. Nicholl here I come! :-)

Weeds gets second season

Weeds, the hour long Showtime series got some Golden Globe love today and as a result is renewed for a second season.

I may go ahead and add this to the watchlist. Congrats, comedy writers, you now have a different show to spec!

More Globes

The official Golden Globes site listing of nominations (including TV).

Apparently they had no room at the inn for '24', 'House', or 'Deadwood' as best dramas...

Golden Globe Nominations

Can be found here. I'll have commentary later.

Today is my pitch for Writer's Arc (at 11 AM). I'll report back this afternoon!

Posting a page.

Per Red Right Hand's Page Posting Challenge, I post page one of my 'House' spec below. But, I'm gonna do one better -- I'm posting a link to the 10 pages I wrote for Round One of the Writer's Arc fellowship, in .pdf. I hope you enjoy it.

To set the stage for those pages, the rules were to write a 5-10 page scene including the specific character names, a location of 'station' and an object 'board' somehow had to be worked into the scene. (oh, note to parents and family -- I used a bad word in my pages. I hope you'll forgive me if I win a Fellowship. The rest of you, don't judge me.)

Films to warm your cockles...if you have them.

Kira posted her favorite holiday/Christmas films, and I responded, not realizing I had a long list myself. So, I decided to cross post my comment here with appropriate hyperlinks to Amazon...

Yes, yes, we all love the obvious Christmas traditions (Grinch (animated), Ralphie, Rudolph, Alistair Sim's Scrooge, Ernest Saves Christmas...okay, maybe not the last one), but how about some of the more obscure or less celebrated Christmas movies? Here's my list of required viewings in the lead up to December 25.

Emmet Otter's Jugband Christmas (1977)-- this Henson production is still one I love. Just try to listen to Ma Otter sing 'When Mountain Touches the Valley' and not tear up.

One Magic Christmas (1985) -- another one for the heartstring tugging. Mary Steenburgen plays a grinchy mom who with the help of her kids and Harry Dean Stanton as a guardian angel learns to love Christmas again. Love it, love it.

The Christmas that Almost Wasn't (1966) -- this one is hard to find. We discovered this one as kids when they would play it on that new cable outfit HBO. Dubbed from Italian with a couple of Americans involved, it is trippy and tunefully wonderful.

Mystery Science Theater presentation of "Santa Claus" (not the Dudley Moore atrocity by the same name) (Santa Claus, 1959, MST, circa 1995) -- this Mexican film is horrible, but who can possibly resist the showdown between the devil and Santa Claus? Santa's use of child workers in his workshop is a little unsettling, as are the maniacally laughing wind up reindeer which pull his sleigh. The MST episode is best known for it's "Politically Correct Christmas Song" which is now a holiday favorite in my household.

Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) -- this can be enjoyed starting at Halloween right on until Christmas.

White Christmas (1954) -- Holiday classic starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. My sister and I love it for the Rosemary Clooney/Vera-Ellen duet of 'Sisters'

A Christmas Carol (1984) -- made for TV with George C. Scott...I know Alistair Sim is the best Scrooge, but I can't help but love George C. Scott who doesn't really try for a British accent, but still is wonderfully Scroogy.

Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983) -- Because who doesn't love Mickey Mouse as Bob Crachitt?

Blackadder's Christmas Carol (1988) -- If you don't know Blackadder, then you don't know that this is the Christmas Carol tale turned on its head. And it is wonderful.

Honorable mentions to John Denver's Christmas with the Muppets and Christmas Eve on Sesame Street which I have fond memories of, but I can't say I watch them really any more...though I did buy the Sesame Street one on DVD last year...

Add your own favorites below (I could have mentioned Santa Claus Conquers the Martians, but I just don't enjoy it much).

Breaking! Night Stalker may stalk again on Sci-Fi!

Wow, I feel cool -- I've never really had breaking news before...this is SO breaking, I don't even have a link for it yet. Well, I sorta do. This morning's Cynopsis (a great TV resource, if you don't get the newsletter or podcast, sign up!) reports this morning that Sci-fi Channel may sign a deal with ABC to show all 9 episodes (only 7 aired on ABC before it got spiked) AND it could end up getting new episodes ordered for Sci-Fi for the summer.

Once news is confirmed, I'll add a link.

UPDATE 12/13: Story finally confirmed. Link here.

TV writers rejoice!

Ken Levine has a blog! (Who is Ken Levine? Get thee to IMDB, neophyte!)

Oh, and the man knows how to get his blog out there...just check around the scribosphere and EVERYBODY knows about him. Good going, man.

Update: Link to IMDB fixed (thanks Tom).

Short Story Contest

Wanna win a t-shirt? Paul Guyot is holding a short story writing contest. Winners will be decided by the blog readers.

Flex your storytelling muscles!

Made it to the Finals!

...of the Writer's Arc Fellowship. Now to pitch 5 story ideas. Of course, I know I have tough competition in this round (I see you fellow scribosphere finalists!!)

Partly sunny

You are all magnificent people. I thank you all for reading, commenting, emailing me regarding my last post. I was definitely a little bummed about not making it in either program, but you all jumped to make me feel better, and for that I'm grateful.

I am a realist. Yes, contests are subjective in nature, but I know when my skills aren't at a level to really compete and stand out in this arena. I believe wholeheartedly that I WILL be a professional writer. I know I am still growing as a writer right now.

I'm not letting the rejection get me down. I'm back, ready to write, ready to improve, ready to rumble.

As I said, you are all magnificent people. I won't forget the generosity of kind words you bestowed upon me. Today I feel a part of the screenwriter brother/sisterhood.

What can I learn from rejection?

Since this is going to be a staple of my screenwriting diet from here on out, I figure it's a good idea to think about how I'm going to approach the acceptance of rejection.

I know, it isn't personal. That's rule number one. Divorce yourself from your feelings. The rejection of your script is not a rejection of you as a person. It's your material.

The biggest challenge with the Disney/WB rejections is I have no idea why my script was rejected. Was it unitersting? Did I not emulate the show well? Was it the writing, the story, the dialogue...? Did the reader have a bad day, not know the show that well...? I only know two things:

1. My script was not as good as others.
2. See #1.

See, I really only know ONE thing. I know it wasn't as good as others. I still don't know the why. Sure, I can guess at the why (I freely acknowledge that my 'House' spec is far superior to my 'Lost' spec because I wrote Lost first. Had I finished House in time for those deadlines, I would have submitted it instead. But then, it wouldn't have been as good, since I learned from writing the 'Lost' and applied those learnings to the 'House'), but I won't know REALLY WHY.

It doesn't really matter too much in this case, since I'm planning to rewrite the 'Lost' spec anyway, but it would be nice to know.

Newsflash! NBC not dead yet!

NBC has set their winter schedule. Joey goes on hiatus (and will probably play out its last episodes come March) and Will & Grace bumps to the 8PM slot (so family friendly!) followed by some new sitcom at 8:30. Earl moves in at 9 and The Office also slides to Thursday at 9:30. Scrubs will have 2 new episodes aired back to back on Tuesday night followed by Fear Factor.

The Donald will return after the Olympics. Joey can now be considered MIA, presumed on death's door.

Huzzah! NBC may almost compete with Survivor/CSI!

Dinked

Got my rejection letter from the Warner Bros. Workshop yesterday, and since it's been a couple of weeks since people got calls from Disney, I'm guessing I'm out there too.

Oh well, always next year...

...still waiting to hear back on the Writer's Arc. The website says we'll hear Dec. 5, so keeping my fingers crossed.

Fox finally stops toying with NBC, cancels Killer Instinct

Fox announced its Jaunary schedule and there is some good news in there for NBC.

'American Idol' will stay on Tuesday/Wednesday nights. More surprising was Fox's decision to keep 'House' on Tuesday (it was originally supposed to move to Monday after 24) and 'Bones' will air out of the 'Idol' results show on Wednesday. 'Prison Break' will be paired with 24 on Monday starting in March. Before it comes back Fox will be showing its ABC inspired 'Skating with Celebrities' (Mediaweek also has a story).

NBC can now with good conscience move 'My Name is Earl' to Thursday night, kicking Joey to another time slot or to hiatusland. CBS smiles, knowing that the Survivor/CSI juggernaut probably stopped Fox from moving American Idol to Wednesday/Thursday. While there may be room for the two giants of reality programming on one night, it's best not to tempt the TV gods.

UPDATE: Fox is so sneaky! I had to read the article AGAIN to catch that they have indeed cancelled "Killer Instinct". It's last episode will air Dec. 2. Watch List will be updated and bumped...