![]() But too many writers seem to think that viewpoint doesn’t matter. Of course, everything is going to be seen through his eyes. Walter White is the viewpoint character of "Breaking Bad." Duh. Viewpoint is simple in shows that have a clear protagonist. MISTAKE #1 - YOUR STORY LACKS A VIEWPOINT CHARACTERĮvery story needs to have a viewpoint. I’ve read brilliant opening episodes … pilots that pull at your heartstrings, make you cry, and demand that you read an episode two. I spent four years making series behind the scenes at a network. I’ve analyzed pilots for a production company. ![]() I’ve worked with writers for over ten years. Some would even call it a metric fuck ton. But if you’ve read me before, then you know I read. Let’s all take a moment, sit down, and talk about exactly HOW to write an EFFECTIVE ensemble pilot for a TV series.īefore I dive in too deep, let me get the precursors out of the way: I have never written a spec pilot myself. And so many of you aren’t doing it right. There’s a way to structure this type of content so that the reader has a chance to actually understand it. But wayyyyy too many of you are looking at the whole of this saga and not the beginning. The first three seasons of that series are some of the best ever, in my opinion. And dammit if I’m not going to be the one to fill the void. There’s an information gap that needs to be filled. Like I’m stuck on a carnival Tilt-A-Whirl and the operator stepped out for an indefinite lunch break.Ĭlearly, there’s a pattern here. Just repeating myself over and over and over. And since July, damn near EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM ARE DOING THE SAME FEW THINGS WRONG! I feel like a broken record in my notes. Since July, I feel like I’ve read a thousand of these types of scripts. Yes, this is what I’m actually fed up with. Generally, with a dozen or more characters. ![]() Specifically, one that has an ensemble cast. You really want to know? I’ll be happy to tell ya … “Whatever did I do to land on this unceremonious index?” Especially you, person who’s reading this thinking, “Well, he can’t possibly mean me!” I’ve had it up to here and you are ALL on Spike’s shit list. As the masterpiece film Network proclaims: “I’m mad as hell, and I’m not gonna take it anymore!!” We all have those moments, right? Where you’re just completely over everything? You’re totally fed up, energy levels are shot. ![]()
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