Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Making TV Thought Food

I love it when a post spawns comments that make me go 'Hmmm...", like the last one did.

"The promotion of "death" episodes as well as episodes where you're told somebody will break-up, get bad news, lose their job etc robs the viewer of the full experience of the moment."

AND

"These days, with seasons of 13 episodes (or less), it's short term writing, more bang than substance, less quality, and ultimately, less satisfaction and viewer loyalty."

AND

"If a surprise death happens on Canadian TV and no one is watching, does it even exist?"

AND

"There comes a point in time you realize you are only writing for the crew..."


If you've been doing this for any length of time in Canada, you've been there for that last one...and it hurts.

Ouch.

I may have to go lie down.

EDIT: I feel the need to clarify after seeing 'Dolly's" comment about only writing for the crew getting discussed in comments today of a DMc post.

Of course you write for the crew. They're your first 'audience', so to speak...your biggest fans and harshest critics. And that in and of itself doesn't hurt or is sad. But when it's "only" for the crew....when you know that the network doesn't seem to care and show isn't being promoted or scheduled in a decent slot...therefore the viewers aren't tuning in and the few that are aren't really responding in the form of fan sites or forums because it isn't being presented as something worth watching, and thus you feel like you're 'only' writing for the crew... THAT's when it hurts.

Carrying on.


Thx to Jimmy, Morjana, Your Girl Jimmy, and "Dolly"

4 comments:

jimhenshaw said...

Thanks for the props, Dix. But y'know, in a funny way, I think I always write for the crew.

They're really your first audience and their reactions in production meetings, questions about content or direction and the like are often my first indication if I'm putting the right things out there.

Moreover, if they, who live with the world and the characters as intimately as you do (if not more) are entertained by what's happening, you can be fairly sure the audience will be interested.

morjana said...

Hi, Will.

Thank you for the mention.

Also, thank you for your blog and your articles that provide the food for thought!

Just as rare these days as a tv episode with clever dialogue, character development (and enrichment), that leaves the viewer with the satisfaction of an hour well spent, instead of time wasted.

Best wishes.

Juniper said...

I did shed a tear at the end of The Border. I didn't see it coming.

Was that promoted as a death episode?

I guess I only watch CBC on Monday nights at 9pm.

J

Your Girl Jimmy said...

woo hoo first shout out!