Thursday, August 19, 2010

Q. I'm writing a comedy pilot and am torn between including the talking head interstitial bits that are so prevalent in the MODERN FAMILY and PARKS & RECS of today's new shows.  On the one hand including it shows a familiarity with what's trending in Hollywood, but on the other hand it's been trended to the point that it's XXXL unoriginal.  I'm leaning to include it only if I can make the bits funny enough to be worthwhile + including a slightly finessed approach to it such that it's at least mildly fresh.  Any thoughts?

Well, it's not like MODERN FAMILY invented it. THE OFFICE has been doing it for years. Er, and didn't THE NEWSROOM do it before that?

I think the talking head faux-doc interstitial has actually moved past the point of being overused, and it is now at the point where it's just another tool like voiceover or the swish-pan.

Readers, what do you think?

Labels: tools

5:22 PM

8 Comments:

Overused.

The fake documentary format as well.

All of those shows (The Office, Parks and Rec, and Modern Family) film under the guise of "fake doc," which allows them to use it.

By  James, at 8:00 PM  

Well, since Modern Family is one of my favourite shows, and I love the talking head bits, I certainly wouldn't say it's overused. 3 current shows use it. I don't see how that's overused. Police procedurals, medical procedurals, Law and Order and CSI. Those are overused.

By  Tim W., at 10:56 PM  

This does seem to be just another convention now. As a writer I would take pains to clarify that it was absolutely necessary rather than a forced affectation. It falls into the tradition of breaking of the fourth wall and I actually think that Better Off Ted did it to better and more humorous effect.

And why didn't that extremely funny show catch on? It is like the nerd version of Arrested Development.

CBS should have taken it off ABC's hands - then got Felicia Day to bring The Guild to the middle screen and created a comedy block with The Big Bang Theory.

No, I don't really think there is a lot of overlap between the audience of The Big Bang Theory and Two and a Half Men so that isn't a logical block despite Chuck Lorre helming both shows.

The Guild followed by The Big Bang Theory then Better Off Ted... They would have one night to rule all geekdom.

By  Clint Johnson, at 1:42 AM  

The Guild followed by The Big Bang Theory then Better Off Ted... They would have one night to rule all geekdom.

I'd be glued.

By  Anonymous, at 10:47 AM  

As a writer I would take pains to clarify that it was absolutely necessary rather than a forced affectation.

Agreed. Use only when necessary. Consult your doctor.

By  Anonymous, at 10:49 AM  

"And why didn't that extremely funny show catch on? It is like the nerd version of Arrested Development."

Arrested Development didn't really catch on, either. Which is why it was cancelled.

By  Tim W., at 12:38 PM  

@Tim W.

Actually, I meant that as question and answer- not just a question.

Why didn't Better Off Ted catch on? Because it was the nerd equivalent of Arrested Development is why.

I also think that in the proper slot, both shows could easily have tripled or quadrupled their audience.

By  Clint Johnson, at 2:33 PM  

Doesn't MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE if it's overused, underused or you just invented it!

I always tell my students at www.wordsmythe.ca DOES IT SERVE THE STORY you're trying to tell?

Does it keep the story moving forward OR stop it in it's tracks?

Cheers on a great post - Jana/www.wordsmythe.ca

By  Jana Williams - Wordsmythe.ca, at 8:48 PM  

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