I Have to Dash

Q. What should I do when a speaking character changes subject without interruption?

ACCOUNTANT

. . . So you can't claim the donation as a write off. Now about distributing the W-2's . . .

I use a double dash.

ACCOUNTANT

. . . So you can't claim the donation as a write off. --Say, are you going to Pride this year?

I also like to use the double dash to indicate an interruption:

ACCOUNTANT

Say, are you going to Pride this--

MAX

-- No! I just like show tunes, okay?

ACCOUNTANT

Be that way.

Cutting the CBC

[Canadian Politics]

Using the recession for political cover, the Conservative Government has cut (or failed to cover) about $170 million in funding to the CBC. The CBC is responding by cutting 800 jobs and reducing the number of episodes of many shows.

Meanwhile, the CRTC is proposing gutting rules that require local news coverage and programming, and is considering giving the private broadcasters "relief" from Canadian content regulations.

I think Canada needs and deserves to have its own popular culture, rather than just being a cultural backwater of the United States. And that costs money. And I think the private broadcasters ought to support Canadian content in exchange for the protection they receive from US networks.

But the Conservative policies are also economically dumb. It's a dumb idea to cut government spending during a recession. The US government is spending trillions to provide a stimulus to the economy. Canada's is looking for ways to save money?

Meanwhile, gutting Canadian content requirements would amount to shipping Canadian jobs to LA. Instead of requiring Canadian broadcasters to spend some money in Canada (currently they spend about $1 on Canadian drama for every 12 they spend on US drama), they would be able to spend all their acquisitions money in the US.

Hey, I know! Let's abolish our automotive protections, so people can buy their cars directly from the US! Want to guess what would happen to any government, Conservative or otherwise, that tried that during a recession?

75,000 people have signed this petition to save the CBC. Maybe you could, too. And then you could pass it along to your friends.

Episode Beat?

A reader asks

A producer asked me for an episode beat... what is it.

It sounds like it might be a breakdown -- the basic beats of the A story, B story, etc., but not interwoven into a full beat sheet.

Does anyone know for sure? Anyone heard the term?

Rogers on Character

John Rogers posts a couple of interesting ways to bust your villain out of a rut.

Occasionally, LEVERAGE writer Albert Kim will regale us with stories of the horrible traditions and kabuki of his previous corporate life. He recently explained the idea of the 360 degree job review. You are reviewed by:

1.) Your bosses
2.) Your peers
3.) Your underlings.

I started doing this as a way to develop characters, and I have to admit I kind of dig it. How does Indiana Jones's boss at the university feel about him? Other archeologists? His students? How about the bad guys? "Major Arnold Toht is the best commandant I've ever had. He never sends us into dangerous situations without also taking the same risk. He is very organized and makes sure we have the tools and resources necessary to serve the Fuhrer. We always go to interesting places, and he really encourages individual initiative. His determination is an inspiration to us all ..."

And:

Years ago another writer taught me a simple exercise -- describe a character, hero or villain, as his best friend would describe him while setting up a blind date. Then do it from the point of view of the co-worker who hates his guts and is unloading to his wife after work, or finally has a chance to sink him with a job recommendation.

Are You Pondering What I'm Pondering?

I'm pondering the differences between a great video game and a great action movie.

My hypothesis is it's in the flaws of the hero. A video game hero has no flaws -- only the mistakes of the player. A great action story has the hero make decisions not just because of the situation but because of his character. His mistakes, his hesitation, his reluctance, are what make him human and make us care about him.

Whereas in a video game, you have to force the player to make errors, by failing to give him enough information, or by simply doing it in a cut-scene. And few players will make a mistake out of sentimentality, because they're trying to win.

What would you say are the great video game adaptations? What did they do differently to make a great movie?

What would you say are the great action movies that could easily have been video game adaptations? E.g. PREDATOR. What differentiated them from a video game?

Pitching Kids' Shows?

If you're creating a show for kids, this guide to pitching at Kidscreen has extensive information on what each company wants. It also has email addresses for development execs. Useful stuff.

Hailey HaaXX0r Pwns U N00B

Via Jill Golick:

TORONTO, March 25, 2009 — Story2.OH and giraffesoft introduce Hailey Hacks, a series of web videos starring Toronto grade 6 student, Marlee Maslove. Hailey (Maslove) is the Hermione Grainger of web wizardry showing 8-13 year olds all kinds of cool things they can do with their computers.

The Hailey Hacks videos are available in two length. The shorter versions are available at no cost across the web on Youtube and other popular video sharing sites. The full versions are available for DRM-free download at a cost of $2 per episode at www.haileyhacks.com.

Outline of scheduled video episodes:
Hailey Hacks April Fools: Hailey demonstrates some favourite low- and hi-tech April Fools tricks, including the [in]famous Desk Top Hack in which the [Windows] desk top is replaced with a photo. (This drives parents crazy as they try to figure out why nothing works when they click on it.)

Hailey Hacks lolcats: Hailey helps viewers master www.icanhascheezburger.com.

Hailey Hacks Wish Lists: Hailey shows you how to create and share wish lists so everyone knows exactly what to buy you for your next birthday.

In future episodes, Hailey shows viewers how to make a wiki, customize Google maps for school projects, use online tools to throw a party, use privacy settings on social networks, share bookmarks, collaborate using Google docs and how to set up your own blog.

Check it out! Before your teen does, and replaces your desktop with a photo.

When Query?

Q. When's the best time to query a spec?

I asked this of Amanda the Aspiring TV Writer, who thinks querying is futile:

At my agency, we're instructed to send all query letters to Business Affairs, though perhaps this isn't the case at smaller places. From what I see in Hollywood, everything happens through relationships, not query letters. Make friends with people, because people want to help their friends, not strangers. We're all willing to suck it up and work as underpaid secretaries so that we can develop the relationships needed to forge ahead. Why should we grant favors to these people when we're working so hard to earn our own favors?

If people insist on querying, I'd suggest waiting til after staffing season when people aren't so busy. [I.e. June.] Right before the winter break (agents take at least 3 weeks off) also might be good since a lot of people catch up on reading then.

Also, don't discount management companies. Many writers get managers before they get agents, and all agents are more willing to read writers who already have managers.

I think many smaller agencies do read queries, especially if the query says something like "[name of development executive] suggested I email you..." And according to the comments below, many major agencies do take queries. But Amanda's positive advice is still excellent. If you can make a personal connection, even with an agent's assistant, you'll do much better than if you're a stranger. That's why being in LA is so important. How do you make those connections if you're not there?