Friday 30 January 2009

Project X

February is looking like it's going to be "Write-a-spec-month".

So, I've waded through my ideas file, talked it all through with my wonderful agent, and settled on a project. I'm going to have a go at developing "Project X"

A while back on this Blog there was a moment of excitement as this idea came into being....

I've been working on this great idea for a TV Series. Let's call it Project X. I'm excited about it. I'd watch it. But I have a sneaking suspicion that nobody else would. Still, I'm seeing what happens, doing a bit of research, letting it bed down.... I'll just let this one gel/brew/stew/bubble/mature and see if there's still anything worth the pitch when I get back to it.


And now, here I am, getting back to it. It's a bit way out, so I need to do some serious work to see whether it has legs, or whether it's just daft. ANd it's completely on spec.

Obviously, it's all terribly Top Secret. But I can tell you that it's not comedy, nor is it gritty drama. It is "genre television". Daft term, really. Everything on telly is one genre or another. But anything with a hint of sci-fi, fantasy or the supernatural seems to get labelled "genre TV" - and that's where I'm heading with Project X.

Wish me luck.

10 comments:

Piers said...

Good luck!

I love a bit of genre TV, me.

Phill Barron said...

Not sure I like the name.

Paul Campbell said...

Cheers, Piers.

Phill - you will like the name, when I reveal it.

Sally A said...

Okay, this may make me sound like a thicky - but are you not meant to let people know about ideas? When can you start letting people in on it - the concept, etc?? I've been telling people about something I've got in development and now I'm wondering if I shouldn't have done that.....??

Hope you're enjoying it Paul! I'm currently in procrastinating mode on a project - it's getting a bit annoying but no deadlines mean I'm not firing on all cylinders... It's a tough one that.

Sal x

Paul Campbell said...

Hi Sally

The truth is I don't know. But I err on the side of caution.

Some people will say that there's a risk of the idea being stolen, particularly if it's "high concept". Personally, I don't think that's very likely.

The main reason why I tend to keep the details quiet is that I want to sell this idea to someone like the BBC, and I don't want to damage the goods in advance.

For my part, I don't care whether people know what I'm developing or not. But the BBC might very well want to keep it under wraps for commercial reasons. Or they might not. But, if I've blabbed all over the Internet, then I don't give them that choice.

I don't mind discussing it down the pub though.

Anonymous said...

Good luck!

If you have really Top, Top, Top Secret then no other name other than Project X will do. That sounds like a good start to me.

Sally A said...

Yes of course - have *just* realised that of course we're not having this conversation over a pint.... Doh!! *slaps head*

Very sensible.

Sal

Unknown said...

Good luck with the new project. Why not call it Project X?

Do you have secret aliens named X, Y, and Z?

David Lemon said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
David Lemon said...

Hi Paul
the very best of luck with it.
I'm also developing what might be called a genre project (with a production company, but very early days) so I think I share your concerns about audience etc.

Also think you're right to keep schtum about details; not because the blogosphere is a den of thieves, but (and maybe this is just me) you need to express the idea on paper and really clarify what it is before openly discussing it.

There's also the danger of someone raining on your parade with a 'that's just like Project Y' type comment, or bombarding you with confusing, unhelpful suggestions.

I think as long as you create characters people like/ find fascinating (and I'm sure you will, you talented swine) the audience will go anywhere you take them, whether it's through time and space in a blue box or
back to the 70s in a rust coloured cortina.