Sparked by Pillock's congrats on the Emmy from a previous post, in response to which I panicked, wondered if I'd missed a really important invitation during the house move, then realised with relief that any congrats are entirely due to Matthew, Ashley, Tony, and Chris (creators and writers of Life on Mars) and nothing to do with second series writer me, I made a disturbing discovery.
Quake and tremble, for I am mighty Showkiller! Employ my services and see your projects perish!
I write two eps of "Afterlife 2".
It doesn't get a third series.
Fair enough, these things happen, it was good while it lasted and Steve's finale was a great way to end.
I write an ep of "Life on Mars 2"...
...and there will be no "Life on Mars 3".
Mm. I do hope producers aren't reading this. Unless, instead of making the immediately obvious conclusion that by employing me they are condemning their cherished projects to the televisual knacker's yard, they realise that my powerful, curse-laden talents might best be used on FIRST series only.
A stretch I know, but otherwise I face an uncomfortable future as British broadcasting's equivalent of Typhoid Mary.
Quick! Run while you can! Wash hands and body in case this condition is contagious.
Now, writer stuff. A practice exercise for would-be professionals.
Over the house/office move/installation saga - too long, too long, my bones are weary - I was faced with another classic writer's dilemma; I could develop three projects, two of which I originated OR I could do an episode of a resurrected TV classic that would get loads of attention, OR a big two-parter for a good and well-established crime show (which would also be a huge payday). Needless to say, the development projects offer a fraction of the money of the other two*, but offer potentially greater long-term rewards in satisfaction and control**.
What would you do?
Context is that although I'm not doing any paid work at the moment, I have next January's tax bill covered, and two eps guaranteed on a new series that will occupy me from December till May. In other words, I can make a choice that doesn't depend on cash in the bank.
What would you do now?
My answer is that I'm doing the development projects, because they're closest to me, and even if they never go to script I'll have big fun researching and developing them.
Would I have made that choice if I didn't have those 2 guaranteed eps? Or tax money?
mmm.
*Ok, not if they actually got commissioned, but let's agree that's a leeettle bit of a stretch.
**No coincidence that those two notions should be linked, I suspect.
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6 comments:
I say do them all, who needs sleep anyway?
So, no blue boxes or interrupting the slumbers of the unliving?
Of course, since you've got already got yourself sort financially, you've made absolutely the right choice.
Consider me green with envy.
Or possibly lichen.
Sorry if I really did cause any panic. It's all Martian to me.
If I could carve the career I wanted, I'd write my own features on spec and just do that.
Hey - you could be the TV equivalent of RENTOKILL. Nice one. Could you do an episode of Torchwood and kill that off, pls?
Dom: No kids, I take it? Mind you, as having them means you don't sleep anyhow, maybe your advice is more realistic than at first appears.
bang2write (aka lucy?): funny you should mention that particular show... ;)
I am indeed Lucy - my bloody blogger profile changed, just like that: wants me to sign as Bang2write. It's a mystery... Perhaps I did it 'cos I'm overtired as I get no frigging sleep because of the children. And yours too. They're running out of control, all over the desk...Oh no. That's a hallucination.
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