Study Methods

Since I'm not in film school I've come up with a reservoir of my own study methods that I use while watching a show or a movie.

Earlier today I was watching Curb Your Enthusiasm (if you haven't heard of it then WATCH IT). So, while I was watching it I was just jotting down funny lines. I will sometimes pause it and write out WHY that line is funny and WHAT makes it funny. On some of the jokes I write down I will go through an entire WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY, HOW scenario.

This is interesting to do with Curb, because it's not exactly set up/punchline jokes. This is because it's not even a scripted show. Each episode just has a rather detailed outline and the actors improvise from there - much like how Reno: 911 was.

So, I.E.

In the pilot there is an ongoing joke about how Larry David called this woman CaroLIN, but her name was CaroLINE (Caroline) and she ends up getting very upset about it and Larry thinks it's not a big deal.  

WHO - Larry David and a woman he just met

WHAT - The joke is that Larry pronounced this woman's name wrong and she really overreacted about it.

WHEN - I see the when as "when does the joke come up during the episode." It is an ongoing joke, so it comes up on multiple occasion's as she makes an even bigger deal about it once she confronts Larry.

WHERE - The joke first happened during a short "I just wanted to say hello" moment between Larry and Caroline.

WHY - Simply because it is a relatable situation that breaths comedy.

The HOW doesn't really relate to this.  

I'm a firm believer in breaking jokes down to see what makes them funny. It's astounding what you can learn about comedy in doing this.   

First Spec.

I am exceptionally green to the world of television writing. For example: I am working on my first spec. script. Also, I'm in my first year of college and I do not live in Los Angeles...YET! (I will be moving there after college).

ANYWAY, when I actually decided that writing was something I really wanted to pursue I immediately began writing comedy sketches. I wrote 2 that have not seen the light of day and most likely never will, but I could care less, because what I felt while writing them, rewriting them, finishing them and reading them was that of nothing i've ever felt before. I believe it was an epiphany. I had finally found what I truly loved and wanted to pursue. I was wandering through high school and a year after high school not knowing what I wanted to do. All of my friends were so dead set and careers that sounded like hell to me. I felt so accomplished after writing those 2 comedy sketches and I knew at that moment that I had to keep working at this.

I have studied the process of writing for television front and back ONE MILLION TIMES! And in a fairly short period of time too. I know i'm obviously not a professional, but I am serious about doing this, so i'm not just fucking around. So, on this first spec. that i'm writing i'm really taking my time and doing my best on it. 

It is a spec. COMMUNITY, which to most people may sound insane. And yes... it is insane. COMMUNITY is such a brilliant, solid show and I could never write anything worthy of actually being an episode, but i'm doing it anyway. I've already gone through about 3 rewrites. I sent my first "finished" draft to Amanda, The Aspiring TV Writer and Screenwriter to get notes. She provides notes for a VERY reasonable price and the notes that she gave me were extremely helpful. I can't emphasize how helpful she was. I was such a cocky little amateur writer thinking "Hell yeah I got my first spec. done and it's perfect and she's going to read it and think it's incredible and tell me i'm the absolute greatest writer on the west coast." HAH! The reality is I had some MAJOR problems.

Britta, Annie and Shirley weren't really doing anything throughout the script. They were just there to comment on other characters stories. Amanda pointed out that they need to be involved in the other characters stories, or go and do something specific on their own. Characters need to actually be doing something, in other words THEY NEED TO HAVE SOME SORT OF GOAL, OR MOTIVATION.

Im not going to explain the plot of my spec. COMMUNITY in this post. Maybe in a later post.... like WHEN I GET SOME FOLLOWERS!

So, I'm going through a major rewrite of my spec. right now. I'm really doing some major changes to basically the entire plot and script. And I know that rewriting is a part of writing. 

WRITING IS REWRITING. 

I love that saying, because it is so true. I truly know that now.

WIW (Why I Watch) - Battleground

In case you didn't know, Netflix are not the only streaming company offering orignal content anymore. Hulu has joined the gang.

Battleground is Hulu's first original show. It is a sitcom in the style of 'The Office' that follows the campagin of a Wisconsin state senator who is running for the United States Senate. The show catches the romantic and political situations of the candidates young staff members.

Battleground is great, because it contains elements of smart comedy and silly comedy. The dramatic elements are enticing as well. You really get an adequate understanding of who these characters are and what they're specifically bringing to the show. Every character deals with they're own problems that really suck you in and make you relate to them, then they'll make you laugh your ass off. I find myself relating to the personalities of almost every character, yet i'm a dummy when it comes to politics.

There are a great deal of important decisions being made in almost every episode. Usually each character has opposing opinions on the situation, which makes for a great argument, great comedy and the audience on their toes to find out who's side of the story will follow through to the decision making. 

I'm not going to go on about comparisons to 'The Office' or Netflix's 'Lilyhammer'. Yes, it is a REAL SHOW on THE INTERNET. The future is here ladies and gents - get used to it and just watch the show.

JD Walsh (creator and writer) is incredible and is doing a great job with the show.

Watch Battleground... You won't regret it.

Quick Review - The Hunger Games

Some of my thoughts while watching The Hunger Games:

1) "Where was Wes Bentley's video camera and plastic bag?"

2) "Which one is Hitler?"

aaaannndddd

3) "HOLY SHIT, OH FUCK AJHGDAJFHG!"

That being said, The Hunger Games was a FANTASTIC film. It's totally badass, has plenty of great twists and the characters are greatly outrageous, yet relatable.

This blog is...

Well, first and foremost this blog will be what my blog title is, but ill explain it in simpler terms.
I am an aspiring television writer. I am pursuing television writing. I will post updates throughout my voyage. I.E. What I am currently working on, random yet relevant thoughts/ideas, accomplishments, opinions etc. You get the idea.
If you have followed the blog of another aspiring television writer - this blog will be very similar...

BUT...
I will also be posting movie reviews, "Why I Watch" segments, television reviews, relevant news and other things of that nature.

AND...
I'm also a huge nerd.
I Love: video games, comic books, books, electronics, music, graphic novels, anything scifi, anything fantasy, but more specifically, I love Doctor Who... A LOT. I'll try not to post too much Doctor Who related things.

I'm not treating this as a personal life blog. Just something to get my ideas and opinions across and to get my work noticed.

I promise I won't be just like the rest of them. :D

Thank You
Michael Jones