Search results matching tag 'Writer's Room'

I can't find the time to write my mind the way I want it to read...

Lin_See — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 03:57:00 GMT

Bruce Miller writing lesson for the day:

"If you can't sum it up in 6 words or less then you don't know what it is (and therefore cannot write it)."

This is very true. You should be able to sum up each beat within 6 words. If you can't then you really have no idea what story you are telling. That's according to Bruce, who just minutes after telling me this, proceeded to break his own rule and put up a beat card that had no less than 12 words, thus proving the rule.

HA! Very good day today!

I got to write the cards in the room today. That means as Bruce and Curtis and Ed and Jon came up with beats for each act, they told me and wrote down what they said on giant index cards which were then put up on the board in order.

We also had some lively discussion about sexual harassment, kiddie porn (we're against it), and Alicia Silverstone in Clueless...

We also took some time out to have Art Class...

Yes, that is supposed to be Earth -- according to Jon, the artist...he was drawing from the perspective of the southern hemisphere and the giant orange thing in the middle is north and south America...and no, he CLAIMS he didn't confuse Florida's coast, but according to him, the Yucatan peninsula is much larger than Florida.

Well, then Curtis had to get in on the action -- hence the Enterprise (yes, it's supposed to be the enterprise - you should have seen the viper he TRIED to draw -- it ended up looking like the Enterprise was pooping out stars, but I digress) which is apparently attacking Earth...and not that's NOT a carrot floating through space -- it's supposed to be a dude, in a capsule...

Not to be outdone by Script Coordinator and Supervising Producer, P.A. Scott had to get in on the art action...

Now this one might be a little more difficult to see, but off to the left of the dueling Enterprise and Earth is a Hot Dog Spaceship...though I've never seen anyone put a hot dog vertically into a bun and why a hot dog spaceship that shoots hot dogs (yes, that's supposed to be a hot dog, not a large piece of bacon) in space, at the Enterprise no less, is needed in this scenario...I have no idea...

Unfortunately my camera missed the "draw a better Earth than John's" action in which Scott tried to best John's artistic ability by drawing the North and South American continents, complete with an Alaska that strongly resembled a chicken leg.

But, kudos to John for at least being geographically knowledgeable enough to even attempt to draw the Earth.

HA!

And that was all the excitement we could handle today.

And all the excitement I can handle relating to you so I leave you today with photographic images of the BEST waffle and chicken breast lunch I've ever had. Courtesy of last Sunday, Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles (thanks for the tip Matt, I'm still investigating the t-shirt issue), and my trusty iPhone (3G comes out FRIDAY! YAY!)

BEFORE

AFTER

It was mmmmm...Good! (sorry, no mullet lady...)

Destined to seek, destined to know...

Lin_See — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 07:29:00 GMT

Today was a 12 hour day.

I never thought I would have a job where I would be willing to work 12 hours a day. Now, granted, this isn't so much a job in that I don't get paid, but the fact that I DON'T get paid and am still willing to work 12 hour days says something. I don't know exactly what that is. Maybe that I am crazy. I don't know.

I definitely think that if I do end up working out here at some point then I will have to completely forgo the thought of ever having any kind of life. Ha. I don't know how those guys do it. They work pretty much 24/7.

Anyway.

I spent a lot of today in the writer's room. Not much was going on, but I did get to listen in to a Notes call. That's where the studio gives the writers notes about their script. It's kind of like a critique session. Sort of. It was interesting.

I think the most interesting part was just listening to the studio exec. talk. Before today I kind of always pictured studio and network execs as "suits." Suits who really were only interested in the bottom line, even if that means sacrificing the story. But listening today I got a completely different picture. Sure, the bottom line is definitely at the forefront of the conversation as are other practical production elements. But as I was listening to the comments the exec was making and his explanations for his notes and how his thought process worked in coming up with those notes, I realized this was a guy who definitely has a clue. He understands how to tell a story and his comments, while not always popular with the guys, at least were based in a desire to really make the story great.

So that was enlightening. It makes me less scared and apprehensive about the possibility of applying for the NBC Associates program and essentially becoming one of these guys.

I also learned a little bit about how the "industry" is structured. I mean I had a pretty good idea about it all, but until you are a part of it, I think it's easy to confuse the process. So since we had lots of time today, I just started asking questions. I'm sure it got pretty annoying, but I kind of think that if there are things I don't know, I should ask since that's kind of the point of this whole internship.

So, maybe it's pretty self-explanatory, but here is what I got. The writer's are at the "production" level, as is the actual production up in Vancouver. From there up it goes Studio, then Network. Because the show is produced by NBCUniversal, essentially the network pays the studio (itself) to produce the show. This kind of seems to make the idea of having a network level AND a studio level seem redundant. But where they split is the point where the show goes into syndication, or the DVD's go in sale. All of those things are released by and owned by the studio.

It's still very confusing in my head, but whatever. Also, the network is split into two "departments" there is a network exec. in charge of production and then network execs who are creative execs. The creative execs are basically involved in the writing and creation process. They also schedule meetings and make deals with talent. Whereas the production side, while still involved in the creation process, is more involved things like budget and production issues. They are also the ones who, in the end, actually MAKE the deals with the talent, directors, etc. Those are people who the creative execs bring in and talk to and then from there if they want to make a deal with them, they go to the production side and the details are worked out.

Wow, that probably makes no sense, but since this blog is SUPPOSED to be about my internship, I figured I should probably post something that is relevant to my classmates and such who are interested in this. And since I had to sign a confidentiality agreement, there's not always a lot I can talk about, but I'm pretty sure this structure and process is similar across studios and really isn't a big secret so I can share it.

Now you know.

On a completely unrelated note I had my first Pinkberry today.

It looked a little like this:

I had a coffee flavored one with strawberries and chocolate chips. I was completely unfamiliar with pinkberry and after the guys explained to me what it was I was a little scared to try it.

Basically it's frozen yogurt, only NOT frozen ice cream yogurt, it's actual YOGURT. So it's like really really really cold Danon. It comes in three flavors -- plain, coffee, and green tea. And you can get a ton of different toppings like Cap'n Crunch, Fruity Pebbles, Cocoa Puffs, Chocolate Chips, and tons of fruit.

So I tried it.

It was AMAZING!

I think I could stay in L.A. just for the Pinkberry...

and of course...

the Henry's...(ha ha Dad!!!!)

I like watching the puddles gather rain...

Lin_See — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 05:19:00 GMT

Tim Russert died today. It's very sad, he, like Bill Moyers was one of the few journalists out there who still maintained his credibility. Meet the Press was a Sunday morning staple for me, especially this past spring. Sad day.

Now on to more random awesomeness...

I found out today that my critique partner for Rewrite this summer dropped the class. Bummer. Especially since I already wrote up my critique of his work. Oh well, it's a crappy deal, but I'll just have to do the best I can. I secretly suspect my script sucks, but then again, isn't that the point of the class. Writing is rewriting right?

The good thing is, I already know what I want to write about for my next script and I think it's a better idea so this will be good practice for getting the process down.

Also, I have to write up my first internship journal. Ugh. I spent a lot of the day today researching possible Comm. Theories that I can use. Ugh. Can I just say how much I HATE communication theory. Media theory -- I get. I understand it and find it interesting. Comm. Theory -- I don't get. It's boring and dry and is rarely employed to study situations that I find interesting.

The rest of the day I spent in the writer's room. I got to listen in to a content call for an upcoming episode. That was an interesting experience. A content call (I think that's what it's called...) is basically when the whole production from writer's to set decorators get together and go through a script. They discussed it scene by scene and broke down special needs and what the final look and feel of each scene was supposed to be. It got boring at times because the producers and other members of the production would get off track and go into detail about specific sets and whatnot, but it was really interesting.

Very few people were in the office today so that also meant that there was plenty of time to answer my questions. I got some good insight into how the process is different on Eureka because of the fact that they actually shoot in Vancouver as opposed to other shows that shoot and are written right here in L.A.

I also got some good advice in general about my future and all from Ed and John. Those two are some of the nicest people I've met, they are so willing to offer up advice and opinions and so forth. They treat the interns like real people and it's great. In fact, it's not just Ed and John, it's everyone. They are all so helpful and nice and take an interest in us.

I am thoroughly intimidated by Charlie though I must say. He's one of the smartest people I've met. But he's super nice and he does take an interest in the interns when he has time. He's also one of the busiest people I've ever met. But I guess that's just the life of a showrunner.

Other than that, it was a pretty uneventful day. I discovered that I absolutely SUCK at XBox, Halo in particular. Yeah, we played a little Halo at the end of the day. At least John was nice about beating me though, he did let me get some shots in. I just suck at it. I can live with that.

Even more random. I just have to say, I am really tired of people making me feel inadequate because I happen to hate the fact that the weather here is ALWAYS THE SAME. IT NEVER RAINS. I'm sorry, it bugs me. I LIKE rain. I realize it's flooding at home and all, but I'm so sick of all the freaking sunny days. And I don't think I should have to apologize for it and I'm tired of people making me feel like I'm a total freak because of it. Sorry people, I need rainy days and variable weather. I do like the lack of humidity because the heat is a little more bearable, but as far as I'm concerned any heat is no good. I would much rather it be 50 degrees every day. It's just so uncomfortable to be hot all the time. And I am ALWAYS hot.

Grrrrr....so leave me alone, I like rain.

I know who I am, but who are you?

Lin_See — Sat, 31 May 2008 03:59:00 GMT

Internship Day 2:

Excuse me but I'm a little depressed right now...I just found out that the guy I'm basically working for is 3 YEARS YOUNGER than me...and so much farther in his career...

That kind of makes me sad...oh well, I guess that's how it goes...I just feel OLD...and I'm not...

Brianna and Matt got here....FINALLY....and amazingly we managed to cram all of our stuff in the room and still have room to live and breathe and sit and walk a little:

Yeah, so it's not so bad...we'll survive.

Today was the second day at my internship and while I still felt a little awkward because I don't really know everything yet, it was even better than the first day. I do get a little frustrated and paranoid though because I'm not totally sure what I am supposed to be doing at all times and I want to do well. I guess I just kind of wish I knew everything already, but I guess that comes in time. In the meantime, here is the intern workspace:

That's our desk, and that's my computer, sandwiched between two printers. It's small, but we don't really need much more, most of our time is not spent here. Well, except when we're making copies.

And this is the "Intern Duty" list we posted above it to remind us what we are supposed to do. It mostly says things like - Make Coffee, Keep Refrigerator stocked, Keep dishes cleaned up, Turn on Lights in the morning, Unlock Bathrooms, etc. etc.

And here is the door to the writer's room (I hope it's okay that I took pictures of it, I didn't ask, maybe I should have...oops...) I mostly get a kick out of the fact that they've labeled it "Situation Room."

Here's another one of the door, the copy machine where I spend a lot of time is to the right and to the left is 'The Room' and also Nick Wauters and Eric Wallace's office (they share one).

Anyway, those are just some pictures from inside.

Today I got to ride around in a golf cart again, this time Scott Sebert (my boss) took me through the backlot and we saw Wisteria Lane from 'Desperate Housewives' -- they were actually shooting there today, we didn't see any of it, but it's kind of cool knowing they were back there shooting.

I also got to spend some time talking with both Scott and Ed Fowler, the Writer's Assistant about random industry things. They kind of explained how writer's contracts work to me and told me about how the schedule works for writer's on tv shows, like they don't get hiatus like actors do. And they told me different things they do when they aren't writing for the show, like if they get breaks and stuff and different ways they find to bring in money and pay their bills. It was really interesting and they were so nice about answering my questions. Everyone so far has just been really really nice especially when it comes to answering questions and just providing insight into the way things really work in the industry.

One really cool conversation I had today was with Thania St. John, one of the EP's on the show. She asked me about my background and told me that she thought it was an "honor and a priviledge" that I came out here just for this internship. I was like - Hellooooo, it's a freaking honor, priviledge, opportunity of a lifetime for me to be able to do this. Then she asked me about my thesis/seminar paper that I'm working on for my master's and when I told her it was on product placement her eyes lit up! It was so cool, she was actually impressed that I was studying product placement and made sure to tell me about the big product placement deal on the show this season. She told me to come to her office sometime and she would be happy to talk more about the deal and the way these kinds of deals work with me. Awesome!

(Sorry, I would provide more details about the show etc. but I had to sign a confidentiality agreement so I can't, I don't want to get in trouble for telling things I'm not supposed to so if I'm overly general about some things, sorry)

I also got a chance to "proofread" an outline for an episode today. John Herrerra the Script Coordinator, probably just out of pity or wanting to give me something to do so I felt useful, gave me an outline that had just been turned in and had me proof it typos and errors. Um...there were TWO typos...ha! Oh well, it was fun and I DID feel useful when he asked me to do it, so everyone wins!

Wow, well, it just seems to keep getting better at least in terms of the internship. Living situation is going fine, but poor Brianna, her internship seems to be falling through the cracks. The guy at Warner Brothers basically told her he didn't have much for her to do, and that so SUCKS. She is looking for more internships and I have faith she'll find something. She's good, and she's a hard worker, that WB guy doesn't know what he's missing out on.

Well, it's been a long day (I went in at 9 and got off at 7 -- yessss!!) and I'm tired. Tomorrow we may hit Santa Monica and Sunday, I think we may TRY to hit the premiere of 'Kung Fu Panda' SCADOOSH!