Day 7 Assignments

[Emmanuel Sullivan]

Emmanuel Sullivan’s TV Pitch Bible Investigation

What I learned doing this assignment is the binge worthy framework is truly a living document and investigating deeper allows you to add layers to plot and characters.

First, I had to tighten up my binge worthy framework. I totally changed the concept, revised the world, added to the relationship hooks, and overhauled the empathy/distress section. The mystery section was the toughest, which I’m still working on. I also added and modified the potential layers section, which was the easiest, along with open loops. My pilot or episode one is completely new. I found that I had too many bouncing plots that did not deeply influence at least one of the main characters. Adding all the new elements into the TV Pitch Bible helped to improve the overall flow and theme of the show.

[Daniel Melin]

Daniel Melin’s TV Pitch Bible Investigation

What I learned doing this assignment is the value of always returning to elevate. I was tempted many times to really dwell on a lot, but realized that improvement is a continual process. This particular step seemed especially overwhelming since I realized there were so many new events and layers I could introduce to the show, such that I am now seriously reconsidering the arc of my five seasons. The initial arc I had planned for a single season, now may have to stretch out to two.

I increased the steps that the main antagonist takes against the hero, and significantly reworked the opening episodes to really establish both the main hero and the second main character. I also had to update my character descriptions, since I have switched the importance of two characters, one of whom was initially a main character, and another who was a supporting character. I also am starting to really think about some of the nastier and potentially more dramatic things that the main character can do as the conflict with the main antagonist heats up.

[Renee Brown]

Renee Brown’s TV pitch bible investigation

What I learned in this lesson is ping pong. If this thing here gets better this way, then that affects this over here. And if this over here does that….then….ping pong.

Deepened all the episodes and clarified some motivations. Sharpened all the cliff hangers and Found the whole series arch.

Still need to go back through framework and add the anti – hero ….which might change everything….

[Barbara Gilmore]

What I learned is that my Binge Worthy framework and TV Pitch Bible are still evolving and living documents.

I also need to bring in some of the Connected Circle characters. At the show’s core are Jess, Sarah, and the Sheriff…but as the storyline evolves and layers are revealed some of the focus may shift to the Connected Circle or perhaps the number of Main Characters increases….

[Sherri Coffee]

Sherri D. Coffee Module 2 Lesson 7 TV Pitch Bible Investigation

I went through each element of my TV Pitch Bible and improved the concept, elevated the intriguing world, and reduced the number of environment characters. Also, I worked to clarify and strengthen my main character profiles by elevating the intriguing layers and emotional depth. I learned that if I continue to ask the questions, I can brainstorm and explore other open loops, mysteries, and plot layers. And if I continue to examine those possibilities, I can continue to elevate the elements to make the story Binge Worthy!

[Barbara Gilmore]

What I learned from doing this assignment was that once I’d shifted my perspective on the characters and their surface layer I was able to build out multi-dimensional characters instead of just one dimensional characters (what you see is what you get with the surface layer). I thought this would be impossible and extremely time consuming, but once I allowed myself to go down some rabbit holes, new possibilities opened up. I was able to create new layers for each character and I really enjoyed doing this. In fact it was fun!

I looked at each of the main characters (3) one by one and started to expand on some of the missing pieces then I looked at the other connected characters and started to fill in some of the gaps in their profiles….and then began to expand on the relationships to develop open loops, mysteries…and let my imagination take over….

So what will I change in my TV Pitch Bible…as yet I haven’t decided, but I’d like to up the stakes of my final hook/extreme dramatic question…as we peel back the layers to the puppet masters…I can set this up by peeling back the layers to the puppet master so their identity is a secret then a big reveal or I reveal their identity in the Pilot and then it’s on Jess to bring them to justice but then I setup a series of challenges why she can’t…so maybe my final hook/extreme dramatic question will change to: how far will Jess go to get justice for her brother and the other victims without sacrificing Sarah and her Senator ambitions.

I’d already written 50 pages of a first draft of a Green Lake feature script when I joined this Binge Worthy TV course so that was my starting point…all the work I’m doing on the course is one big living Pitch Bible. I’m not 100% there, but I’m certainly moving in the right direction with each iteration.

• This reply was modified 3 years, 9 months ago by  Barbara Gilmore.
• This reply was modified 3 years, 9 months ago by  Barbara Gilmore.

[Molly Gagnon]

Molly Gagnon Carrington Manor TV Pitch Bible Investigation

What I learned during this assignment is that my TV Pitch bible is VERY ROUGH. But that’s ok, I am finding it gives me room to grow and stretch what I think is possible.

I have a problem with reading my story as I think it is all good and wonderful. UGH, I know it’s not but I am going to move on to the next lesson.

[Donna Stockwell]

Donna Stockwell’s TV Pitch Bible Investigation

What I learned doing this assignment is the story is ever evolving, and not only do I get more involved with my characters’ situations, I more intrigued by how they try to get out of their situations smelling like a rose.

Parts rewritten on the pitch bible are one of my main characters, Ben’s boss now comes from a poor neighbourhood and risen to become a business mogul and has a larger part in the show and contributes great angst, as well as becoming more interested in how Ben spends his time both in and out of the office.

[Cooper James]

Cooper James – TV Pitch Bible Investigation

What I learned doing this assignment is there are many layers to uncover. Some layers you don’t realize were laying right in front of your face. This is also a great way to prevent the process/journey from becoming boring. It’s a gym for your mind to enhance creativity.

I dug into my characters and found ways to create more intriguing and compelling engagement which lead me to dig into their storylines, wants, needs, strengths, and weaknesses. The possibilities are endless. The BW Framework was a great help with keeping me on task. I made some improvements to the BWF and will keep going back to make more. The investigation questions were great and kept me moving without feeling like I missed something… because I can always come back to add more flavor.

[Norene Smiley]

Norene Smiley’s TV Pitch Bible Investigation – Module 2, Lesson 7 assignment

What I learned by doing this assignment: I took a lot longer with this assignment than some of the others. It seemed key to developing the story further, deeper. I discovered that I had asked myself some of these questions already and have had them tumbling around looking for eventual answers to make all the pieces fit together. There are still questions that need to be answered however and those Open Questions are probably the most valuable from this exercise. I realize that I still have to figure out the internal logic of the story, as in How the Chaos Prophesy works and the arc of the chaos throughout the story as it pertains to the main protagonist, Pip (previously named Scrap). I feel I am finally digging deeper into the narrative, all good, even if I have a lot more to juggle now. Certainly a more layered effort and hopefully more engaging. I have been editing the Pitch Bible on an on-going basis as I think of new twists and turns so no new substantial rewrites.