Survival of the Fittest Dept – TV Production Deals for 2/1/13

writer-producersLatest News About Writers Who Are Doing Better Than We Are – Because Their Pilots are Being Made

  •  Hannah Shakespeare (Sofia Vergara’s friend) is developing KILLER WOMEN, a “soapy procedural” about a female Texas Ranger for ABC. (Yes, MODERN FAMILY star Vergara is the producer and ABC wants to keep her happy.  ‘Tis how it goes, kids.)
  • Kyle Killen (AWAKE) is in charge of another ABC drama pilot called INFLUENCE, about an agency that solves problems by using “the science of human motivation and manipulation.” (What? This makes the heroes seem kinda sleazy and unethical to you? Grow up!)
  • David Shore (HOUSE) has a go for a third ABC pilot, DOUBT, about an ex-cop turned attorney who occasional takes time off from fighting with his ex-wife to help a client. (Wow, this sounds so familiar that it’s almost welcome. Don’tcha love TV?)
  • Kass Morgan’s (RAISING HOPE) THE HUNDRED, about a spaceship containing the last remnants of humanity – 100 juvenile delinquents – is a go to pilot at the CW.  (Um…where else? Huh?)
  • Elizabeth Craft & Sarah Fain (both of 666 PARK AVENUE and THE VAMPIRE DIARIES) are supplying The CW with SELECTION, about a romance 300 years in the future. (A future where teens play HUNGER GAMES type, um, games to see who becomes – wait for it – queen. Yikes!)
  • Sera Gamble (SUPERNATURAL) scored with a Navy drama called COMPANY TOWN, which will also be made for the CW. (We’re having a tough time picturing teenage admirals, but maybe that’s just us?)

LB: THE WALKING DEAD Welcome(s) Curtis Gwinn

And now a few words from TVWriter™ hero – and former Advanced Workshop student – Curtis J. Gwinn:

Curtis Gwinn at Comic Con

From Curtis’ FB Page read article

FRIENDS Lives…in Beijing

How popular is U.S. TV? How alive are our characters, especially those in U.S. sitcoms? This alive, that’s how:

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‘Friends’ Will Be There For You At Beijing’s Central Perk by Louisa Lim (NPR)

Almost a decade since the end of the hit American TV series Friends, the show — and, in particular, the fictitious Central Perk cafe, where much of the action took place — is enjoying an afterlife in China’s capital, Beijing. Here, the show that chronicled the exploits of New York City pals Rachel, Ross, Monica, Chandler, Phoebe and Joey is almost seen as a lifestyle guide. read article

Need Help K.I.S.S.ing?

As in, Keep It Simple, Stupid?

Of course you do. We all do. Because keeping our writing simple isn’t easy. It takes practice, thought, and editing, editing, editing.

xkcd writing read article

Nicholas Meyer Talks About Screenwriting

And we certainly can’t think of many people who might be considered as qualified.

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 Since writing the best-selling novel The Seven-Per-Cent Solution (still one of, if not the best of the Sherlock Holmes pastiches), Nick has written the screenplays or teleplays for: read article