'Nother staffing Q:

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  • #61
    Re: 'Nother staffing Q:

    Originally posted by toogood View Post
    Great thread! Lot of great info!

    How often is everyone checking in with their reps during staffing season?
    I've only been checking in every time I have some news or something to bring to the table......

    But I'm going to try checking in 2x a week or so. Seems like I should peek my head out of my writer-turtle shell a little more often. Squeaky wheel gets the grease, right?

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    • #62
      Re: 'Nother staffing Q:

      Originally posted by surftatboy View Post
      Ps… my first choice show is pushing me up the ladder, so that's cool. Some of the shows I'm up for, I probably shouldn't be. I'm too dark and fvcked up [writing wise] to be of much value to them, in my view. Network TV is a strange world, to me. My filter is non existent.
      There's usually more opportunities for staff writers in network. They typically have larger staffs and depending if you're diverse or not, the network will usually pay for this slot for a show. I've noticed cable rooms are sometimes smaller so there's not always lower level writers hired which can be limiting for that level sometimes.

      I'm not doing as many meetings this year because I did quite a bit last year, and a few the year before -- I can't remember how many off the top of my head [I keep a list at work so I know who I've met with, where but I'm sick today - so no access]. And typically execs don't meet twice with people during staffing because it's so damn busy so I've only met with a prodco I've never met with for a show.

      Surf: As to your cupcake maker comment -- having just read for staffing for a cop related show I would argue we were looking for anything other than a cop sample just because we were getting so many that we were sick of it. I also heard this from the studio exec's assistant -- we were all just over cop samples. I would have literally read anything other than...
      Quack.

      Writer on a cable drama.

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      • #63
        Re: 'Nother staffing Q:

        Originally posted by BKDodger View Post
        My pilot is extremely character driven, and dark, so cable would be an excellent fit.
        Then I'd probably dig it. Good luck.
        DOPE CITY

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        • #64
          Re: 'Nother staffing Q:

          Originally posted by ducky1288 View Post
          There's usually more opportunities for staff writers in network. They typically have larger staffs and depending if you're diverse or not, the network will usually pay for this slot for a show. I've noticed cable rooms are sometimes smaller so there's not always lower level writers hired which can be limiting for that level sometimes.

          I'm not doing as many meetings this year because I did quite a bit last year, and a few the year before -- I can't remember how many off the top of my head [I keep a list at work so I know who I've met with, where but I'm sick today - so no access]. And typically execs don't meet twice with people during staffing because it's so damn busy so I've only met with a prodco I've never met with for a show.

          Surf: As to your cupcake maker comment -- having just read for staffing for a cop related show I would argue we were looking for anything other than a cop sample just because we were getting so many that we were sick of it. I also heard this from the studio exec's assistant -- we were all just over cop samples. I would have literally read anything other than...
          Gotcha. Thanks for the info.

          Yeah, I've heard cable is harder [smaller/tighter.] I should probably make more writer friends in cable. It's the neatest fit for my sensibilities.

          Re cup cakes: It's the way I'd feel too. Give me anything but cop stuff [if I'm the showrunner] I'd rather find someone who's gotten inventive in other arenas. Any good showrunner can envision said voice lent to their show, what it may add. I'd be less inclined to decipher that with strict cop procedurals all blending into one long boring show I felt was worse than mine anyway.

          I wonder if my pilot went to you guys.

          PS... off topic thought. I think it's great when we HATE each other's work. If a writer hates what I write I think "Cool... I helped them to better decipher what it is THEY want to do." Which is my takeaway from everything I hate. The sh*t I think is better than mine... that's what REALLY pisses me off, not people hating my stuff.
          DOPE CITY

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          • #65
            Re: 'Nother staffing Q:

            Originally posted by surftatboy View Post
            But, I can say this: The one other time someone tried to make a show about it, it failed miserably [at which point, I think there was a prevailing idea that it can't be made as a show. Which is bullshit].
            I was talking to someone a couple months back about how pornstars on TV just doesn't fly. They'd tried it a bunch of times, he said, and it always failed. It just couldn't be done.

            About two weeks later, HBO picked up THE DEUCE straight to series.

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            • #66
              Re: 'Nother staffing Q:

              "I was talking to someone a couple months back about how pornstars on TV just doesn't fly. They'd tried it a bunch of times, he said, and it always failed. It just couldn't be done. About two weeks later, HBO picked up THE DEUCE straight to series."

              I had a pilot in mind that took place in a particular world that had been explored before on TV. Not many viewers watched the show, even though it was a critical success. My rep discouraged me from writing a pilot in this world, because he said the reason it had little viewership was because people find this world boring.

              I wrote the pilot anyway because I was compelled to. The story is dark and twisted and anything but boring. After I finished it, I gave it to him. His response: "It's f---ing great," and "We're going to sell it."

              In my experience when I write something I'm passionate about, I end up with something that resonates. If I write something just to conform to what people think or don't think works, I not only struggle in execution but it doesn't carry the same power.

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              • #67
                Re: 'Nother staffing Q:

                Originally posted by juunit View Post
                I was talking to someone a couple months back about how pornstars on TV just doesn't fly. They'd tried it a bunch of times, he said, and it always failed. It just couldn't be done.

                About two weeks later, HBO picked up THE DEUCE straight to series.
                lesson: be David Simon

                Comment


                • #68
                  Re: 'Nother staffing Q:

                  Originally posted by JoeBanks View Post
                  lesson: be David Simon
                  Lol

                  But the point remains: Everyone has a different take. It's all about the take. And, well, execution of said take. And, well, being David Simon will not hurt you… at all.

                  Writerla -- Agreed. Gotta be passionate about the project or it shows. I "crapped out" on a project and learned that lesson in [for me] a big way. I didn't get what they wanted, tried to write it anyway, turned in a draft and they fired me. Also a lesson in: don't get cocky [in your head]. I was coming off back to back lauded scripts. I don't get cocky anymore… I only believe in my work or not. There's a difference.
                  DOPE CITY

                  Comment


                  • #69
                    Re: 'Nother staffing Q:

                    It's early still for staffing at the lower levels.

                    Showrunners won't be taking those meeting until after pickups unless it's very special circumstances.

                    Right now everybody is generating lists, execs at studios, networks, and production companies and making and comparing lists of writers they think are good for particular shows.

                    These lists will go to the showrunners. The weight and influence of the lists will vary depending on the showrunner, studio, and prodco.

                    It's very natural to feel panicked and out of the loop and disoriented and unsure of whether or not your reps and doing everything they can and to chase leads and not get called back quick enough but it's all part of the game

                    Comment


                    • #70
                      Re: 'Nother staffing Q:

                      Originally posted by juunit View Post
                      I was talking to someone a couple months back about how pornstars on TV just doesn't fly. They'd tried it a bunch of times, he said, and it always failed. It just couldn't be done.

                      About two weeks later, HBO picked up THE DEUCE straight to series.
                      I meant to comment directly: Like I said above. It's all about the take/POV/execution. At face value, I hate the idea for this reason: It's an easy go to when you go down your list of worlds to explore, who among us hasn't considered that world? "ooh shock value... neat!"

                      For me it could work if the show is set in the porn world but not ABOUT that... the social relevance has to be there for me to believe in it. I would approach it by stripping any and all shock value. i.e. what you'd expect of the series is not what you'd get [Like the pilot being used as my sample]. People would talk about the script for that reason.

                      For me going for shock value is like an uncool kid trying [desperately] to be cool. We can see right through it. Doesn't play. The cool kid doesn't need to try to be cool, in fact, he doesn't try at all. It just is. He may even try to NOT be cool, but it doesn't fly, people still think he's cool. You write it from that perspective, or it will fail.

                      A famous actress wrote a pilot set in that world. My friend repped them. The script was bad [hard to tell a famous actress "we cannot go out with this... it's not good for your career. It's that bad. But your call"]. She went back to acting. Nobody ever saw the script.
                      DOPE CITY

                      Comment


                      • #71
                        Re: 'Nother staffing Q:

                        Originally posted by jimjimgrande View Post
                        Right now everybody is generating lists, execs at studios, networks, and production companies and making and comparing lists of writers they think are good for particular shows.
                        I'm currently just trying to kill on those meetings. I want them to push for me.

                        There's one particular show I want. I wouldn't mind comparing lists with someone behind closed doors to see what they're going up for. I'm curious which shows everyone wants. I honestly think I'm a great choice for one in particular [I have real life experiences I could bring to the table], coincidentally, it's the same show I'm being pushed up the ladder by the production company. Some of the others……….. well? I'm not sure I'd feel confident in those rooms.

                        So that's my new question: How do you all feel about going up for shows you don't feel you're a perfect match for? Let's say you write gritty, dark, fvcked up sh*t and you're up for stuff like that, but also Gilmore Girls [not the real name].
                        DOPE CITY

                        Comment


                        • #72
                          Re: 'Nother staffing Q:

                          Originally posted by surftatboy View Post
                          So that's my new question: How do you all feel about going up for shows you don't feel you're a perfect match for? Let's say you write gritty, dark, fvcked up sh*t and you're up for stuff like that, but also Gilmore Girls [not the real name].
                          I just smile and try to show some enthusiasm. I have a meeting on monday that's exactly that, but if for some reason they did hire me for it, it'd be something new on my resume, a chance to work with people I haven't worked with before, and who knows what it might lead to.


                          I also should add re: my previous post, that while it's still early for lower levels, the window for hiring at the level is really small. It's basically a couple of days before the room starts up because it takes time for the upper level writers' deals to close. The upper level numbers and the people themselves will then determine in great part what lower level people can be hired and those deals can close in a day.

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                          • #73
                            Re: 'Nother staffing Q:

                            Originally posted by jimjimgrande View Post
                            It's early still for staffing at the lower levels.

                            Showrunners won't be taking those meeting until after pickups unless it's very special circumstances.

                            Right now everybody is generating lists, execs at studios, networks, and production companies and making and comparing lists of writers they think are good for particular shows.

                            These lists will go to the showrunners. The weight and influence of the lists will vary depending on the showrunner, studio, and prodco.

                            It's very natural to feel panicked and out of the loop and disoriented and unsure of whether or not your reps and doing everything they can and to chase leads and not get called back quick enough but it's all part of the game
                            This exactly. Reminds me of Monopoly - lots of waiting and watching everyone else snatch up the prime real estate.

                            Comment


                            • #74
                              Re: 'Nother staffing Q:

                              It's funny because the sample I wrote very rarely got me meetings in that world. I wrote this very edge, dark cable western and I was doing showrunner meetings on middle of the road cop/FBI procedurals -- it was strange at first and then I just accepted it. People want to read certain stuff even though it's not their show.

                              I'm back at work [as long as the other writers don't kick me out again for being sick] and I checked my list and I did an average of about 15 staffing meetings 2014 and 2015. I haven't done many this year but I covered quite a bit of ground the last two years and not a ton of turn over at studios and networks so no one knew to meet.

                              We'll see. Staffing is tough at the lower levels. Sometimes it's a long game.
                              Quack.

                              Writer on a cable drama.

                              Comment


                              • #75
                                Re: 'Nother staffing Q:

                                Originally posted by surftatboy View Post
                                I'm currently just trying to kill on those meetings. I want them to push for me.

                                There's one particular show I want. I wouldn't mind comparing lists with someone behind closed doors to see what they're going up for. I'm curious which shows everyone wants. I honestly think I'm a great choice for one in particular [I have real life experiences I could bring to the table], coincidentally, it's the same show I'm being pushed up the ladder by the production company. Some of the others........... well? I'm not sure I'd feel confident in those rooms.

                                So that's my new question: How do you all feel about going up for shows you don't feel you're a perfect match for? Let's say you write gritty, dark, fvcked up sh*t and you're up for stuff like that, but also Gilmore Girls [not the real name].
                                I'd pretty much take anything. My natural style is dark and gritty, but I write comedy as well and think I'd still be an asset on something lighter. For me, it's more important to get my foot in the door and show people what I can do. After all, Terence Winter started on "Sister Sister."

                                Have been reading pilots - there's a few I'm excited about, and have a background in. Fingers crossed for pickups on those.

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