Hi all. I have a question for you. Here's the backdrop:
I'm meeting with managers and other industry folks on feature stuff. In asking what they are up to, one said he's repping a comedy writer that just got a series on a cable channel. Another has a guy with the same thing and another client w/ bigger stuff. A third handles the biggest sitcoms in prime today. (Me mixing w/ the last guy was a fluke... but maybe they all were )
Anyway, awhile back I had an idea for a sitcom. I worked out the story, the settings, the characters. I created a baby series 'bible':
Opening cuts- one page
Setting Background- two pages
Continuing Characters- one page
Individual bios on Continuing Major Characters (two) - two pages each
Individual Bios on Continuing Support Characters- one page each)
Outlines of ten future episodes- one page each
I then approached a couple (married) w/ a bg in comedy... theatre, improve, and a ton of spec sitcom scripts w/ no sales. Very fast on feet.
The problem: I'm not a comedy writer. (ok no smart remarks)
We brainstormed the pilot. They wrote it, utilizing the bible. Very good work. I suggested a recurring end-of-episode closing theme utilizing a new character that I suggested we imbed in the script. Fine. Done. By them.
I couldn't help myself. I pitched the thing since these mngrs have the tie-ins. They want to read. They're sending me the releases and I'm going to get the writer's sigs...
My question: What position/stake should I have if this ever makes it thru the hoops? (super-duper-long-shot) Whatever it is is fine with me... as I did not write it. It is what it is. I have no desire/illusion to be a sitcom writer. Ever. Any blessings my pals get outta this would put me in heaven.
Where do I stand on credits... participation etc? In or out?
This is how it is on the spec title page.
'......' by THEM and under that 'Concept BY' ME.
Any input would be most welcome. I know very very very little on tv stuff.
I'm meeting with managers and other industry folks on feature stuff. In asking what they are up to, one said he's repping a comedy writer that just got a series on a cable channel. Another has a guy with the same thing and another client w/ bigger stuff. A third handles the biggest sitcoms in prime today. (Me mixing w/ the last guy was a fluke... but maybe they all were )
Anyway, awhile back I had an idea for a sitcom. I worked out the story, the settings, the characters. I created a baby series 'bible':
Opening cuts- one page
Setting Background- two pages
Continuing Characters- one page
Individual bios on Continuing Major Characters (two) - two pages each
Individual Bios on Continuing Support Characters- one page each)
Outlines of ten future episodes- one page each
I then approached a couple (married) w/ a bg in comedy... theatre, improve, and a ton of spec sitcom scripts w/ no sales. Very fast on feet.
The problem: I'm not a comedy writer. (ok no smart remarks)
We brainstormed the pilot. They wrote it, utilizing the bible. Very good work. I suggested a recurring end-of-episode closing theme utilizing a new character that I suggested we imbed in the script. Fine. Done. By them.
I couldn't help myself. I pitched the thing since these mngrs have the tie-ins. They want to read. They're sending me the releases and I'm going to get the writer's sigs...
My question: What position/stake should I have if this ever makes it thru the hoops? (super-duper-long-shot) Whatever it is is fine with me... as I did not write it. It is what it is. I have no desire/illusion to be a sitcom writer. Ever. Any blessings my pals get outta this would put me in heaven.
Where do I stand on credits... participation etc? In or out?
This is how it is on the spec title page.
'......' by THEM and under that 'Concept BY' ME.
Any input would be most welcome. I know very very very little on tv stuff.
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