“Embracing the Content Bubble”

A guest post from Tom Benedek, screenwriter (Cocoon) and co-founder of Screenwriting Master Class:

Loving the Love — Playing the Subplots — Embracing the Content Bubble

A couple of years ago, some TV executives talked about a content bubble. Two years later: David O. Russell is setting up a TV series with Robert DeNiro and Julianne Moore. Cameron Crowe turned from Aloha to Roadies on Showtime.

AND don’t forget movies, theatrical films are not going anywhere. Everyone will not become a TV junkie. I need movies to watch. And I am not alone. But, storytellers must seek opportunities where they are. It’s not a bubble. TV, in all its shapes and sizes, seeks series scripts, long form shows(mini-series), web shows, on and on.

I love movies. I love TV. And I love rock and roll. I still have most of the vinyl LPs and 45s I ever bought, borrowed or stole. I love Cameron Crowe. (Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Say Anything, Jerry McGuire, Almost Famous).He created a TV series for Showtime — Roadies — about the roadies for a band that I might like or think is decent, but probably would not love. Crowe was a music critic. He is familiar with big time rock bands touring, playing large venues. Is the show authentic? I don’t care. Because the creator and his great team love this world.

The show is not about the band or their music. It’s about the road managers, the road crew, their lives, interrelationships. AND they LOVE the music that the band they service makes. The roadies are all heroes with unique personalities, back stories. They are number one fans. All of them. That may be hard to find in road crews in the real world. But, the creator’s affection for the music, for the world of story emanating from this relationship is wonderful. Yes. I am on the bubble with this show. Not for everyone. I don’t care. I am all in.

Imogen Poots in Showtime’s “Roadies”

You must bond with your characters. All of them. You should embrace your characters, celebrate their admirable qualities, accept their flaws, allow them their imperfections. Do you have to love your imaginary serial killer? Love is a strange thing. Full empathy, understanding may be as important as affection in a love relationship. When you really understand your characters, that caring, that love will show up on the page. And the reader/audience will feel your characters, too.

In Roadies, the creator loves what his characters are doing, the world they are residing in as much as they love the band, the music, the mythology of the life they are living. The places your characters live and work — occupations, family frameworks, the cars they drive, the bicycles they ride, the foods they eat. All of it reflects insight into the characters. They are in those places, doing those things, making those small and large choice for a reason. Because that is who they are. That is the world they have shaped for themselves.

Roadies Episode 8 (written by David Rosen) is remarkable for its structure. Mid or late season 1, it has no real A story. Almost like the middle of the second act of a feature script, it shifts equal emphasis through 6 subplots — stolen property (iPad and old yearbook), a birthday to be celebrated, a love affair, a band photography shoot, a fired manager’s return and revenge, a musician-babysitter’s career opportunity. Most of them cut deeply into the characters they affected. The stories informed, explored the conflicts set with the characters in the pilot. The outcomes at the end of the episode created new possibilities for each of the characters. Embracing his characters and their issues, their world in the pilot, Crowe and his creative team were able to explore and expand their stories 8 episodes later.

I have a one week TV class starting next week at Screenwritingmasterclass.com. Go over TV fundamentals, bring your show idea and get it started.

I also have a new podcast, TheProcess.Ink, which just went live on ITunes. The first 3 shows feature amazing TV creators — Brent Forrester (The Office, Love, Simpsons), Peter Tolan (Rescue Me, The Larry Sanders Show, Outsiders), Janet Leahy (Mad Men, Gilmore Girls, Boston Legal). Lots of fascinating guests coming up — DIY producers, feature screenwriters, producers, showrunners, etc.) Here’s the “official description” — TOM BENEDEK TALKS THE CREATIVE PROCESS WITH WRITERS, SHOWRUNNERS, DIRECTORS, PRODUCERS, ACTORS, EXECUTIVES, AGENTS, MANAGERS AND OTHER CULTIVATORS OF TRUTH AND BEAUTY.

So please check out the podcast and let me know what you think, who you would like me to have on the show.

Check out Tom’s class and his new podcast. Both excellent!