"The Minear Approach" to television writing.
The fact that this makes complete sense makes me sad.
Yay for the new thread and the flurry of haikus and limericks were fabulous.
Zoe: Uh huh. River, honey? He's putting the hair away now. River: It'll still be there... waiting.
'Jaynestown'
The Minearverse 3: The Network Is a Harsh Mistress
[NAFDA] "There will be an occasional happy, so that it might be crushed under the boot of the writer." From Zorro to Angel (including Wonderfalls and The Inside), this is where Buffistas come to anoint themselves in the bloodbath.
Tamara - Jun 01, 2004 12:04:34 pm PDT #70 of 10001
You know, we could experiment and cancel football.
Sydney Carton - Jun 01, 2004 1:09:05 pm PDT #71 of 10001
Actually, I've feeling a wee bit peckish...
You know this could become "The Method" for a new generation of TV writers.
What a sad day that would be.
The only series is the Franchise or the mini-series.
Man, I'm in technology and we see a lot of gut-less financial types, but I think the short sightedness of TV excutives is starting to take the cake.
Dear lord.
Tamara - Jun 01, 2004 1:21:32 pm PDT #72 of 10001
You know, we could experiment and cancel football.
Sydney, I agree with you and I am one of those corporate gutless financial types.
snerk
The Partyman - Jun 01, 2004 1:41:00 pm PDT #73 of 10001
[insert something funny here]
I find the main problem with the 'short' seasons of shows here in the UK is that they make the waiting for new episodes almost heart-breakingly long. I know I'd prefer a run of 22 'hour-long' episodes than a short run of 6-10 anyday. I love 'Coupling', but at only six or seven 30 minute episodes, the Season is over almost as soon as it has begun!
Additionally, with short runs of series, it's harder for viewers to keep track of when shows are airing and/or returning... for example, I'm sure it's been well over a year since S2 of "Spooks" (imho the best BBC product since sliced bread), and S3 doesn't seem incoming until the Autumn...
One good thing about UK TV, is that we have the BBC producing drama without the commercial constraints of advertising pressures. Interestingly they often produce Television of greater quality then their commercially-motivated counterparts (imo).
You know, if I come up with a plan that allows networks to run a full 13-22 episode order and still make money despite DVRs and bring the male 18-49 audience back as well, will they pay me money for it?
I'd like to think theat they'd pay you a fucking boatload of money... but there's the question of, do they really care?
§ ita § - Jun 01, 2004 2:03:13 pm PDT #74 of 10001
Well not canonically, no, but this is transformative fiction.
Lori, I think we were lucky to get what we got. I'm gonna have to ask Colin if he has copies of the two lost eps.
lori - Jun 01, 2004 3:06:09 pm PDT #75 of 10001
Ooh - that'd be good. Damn thing got interesting!
smushedfacelion - Jun 01, 2004 3:13:47 pm PDT #76 of 10001
Just low blood sugar. Ate a Snickers. Thanks for coming.
You know, if I come up with a plan that allows networks to run a full 13-22 episode order and still make money despite DVRs and bring the male 18-49 audience back as well, will they pay me money for it?
Figure out a way to get another 13 episodes of Wonderfalls made, and I'll send cash.
I know it's ridiculously optimistic of me, but I'm kind of hoping that if they sell enough DVD's, maybe it'll trigger some further interest in the franchise. From what I've read, the DVD sales contributed to the green-lighting of the Firefly movie.
I loved Red Dwarf, and those seasons were 6 to 8 episodes long. If you know going into it that you've only got 6, or 8, or 13 episodes to tell the story, you may actually end up with tighter, higher quality shows. Less filler, more time to get it right. 22 episodes is a lot of TV.
libkitty - Jun 01, 2004 3:20:04 pm PDT #77 of 10001
Embrace the idea that we are the leaders we've been looking for. Grace Lee Boggs
Way, long ago, you were right P-C, my numbering was off. Thanks!
On the bright side, I have a beautiful new computer, and hope to have a modem that works soon, cause I'm too cheap for cable internet.
Wish I could write poetry, even though I'm late.
ellemarie - Jun 01, 2004 4:32:02 pm PDT #78 of 10001
My tagline and life are a work in progress.
Pomona College.Once upon a time I came so very close to going there. Bought the t-shirt, etc. Then changed my mind. I tend to do that. Can you tell us what the 47 means or is it a secret you have to take to the grave?
the best BBC product since sliced breadThe BBC makes sliced bread? No fair. We can't even get TV here in the states to show quality shows, much less feed us.
If you know that you have that parameter beforehand, it's easier on all of our stomachs.Yes, this. I don't know whether it would make for better TV per se, but it would probably make me happier. But then, I miss the era of the mini series. I don't remember being sad that North and South or Queen or whatever was going off the air because they actually finished the story! If I'm given an ending, I'm not nearly as cranky. I wonder how the Tims and Josses of the world would feel. Excited to dive into something new all the time or frustrated that they never really get their rhythm with the cast and crew?
thegrommit - Jun 01, 2004 5:37:54 pm PDT #79 of 10001
Um.
I loved Red Dwarf, and those seasons were 6 to 8 episodes long.
Similarly for Black Adder
If you know going into it that you've only got 6, or 8, or 13 episodes to tell the story, you may actually end up with tighter, higher quality shows. Less filler, more time to get it right. 22 episodes is a lot of TV.
IIRC, Joss made a comment about having to make every minute of Firefly count as he knew they were constantly under the gun. While I don't envy being under that sort of pressure, it certainly made for some compelling TV.