Starting

OK, so I've been working on my spec project, Project X (I must stop calling it "Project X" or people will start thinking that's what it's called. From now on it's "OPFK").

It's 6 x 60 minutes. Series with a wee bit of serial. Post-watershed. Genre. Think CSI meets Minority Report meets Casualty meets... hmm.

Anyway, the intention was to write a pilot. A first episode.

But you have to know where you're going, right? And you have to know the world inside out. And you have to be confident that you've got enough stories to fill six hours of prime time television to bursting point. With something in reserve for Series Two.

So, I've been working on the outlines of a Series Bible - character sketches, story outlines, fleshing out the world of OPFK, tying down the structure of a typical episode.

It's been fun. And, the more I do it, the richer it all becomes. But, sooner or later, I have to do some actual real proper writing.

I love this concept. I love the stories. And I really can't wait to start writing it. So why, now the moment has come, do I feel reluctant to get started?

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.

Dr Horrible Rocks

Well, he sings anyway.

Dr Horrible

Pure, unadulterated genius.

Watch it. Or regret it.



Yeah, I know. Been a bit thin on the ground, blogging-wise, recently. Not a problem. EE seems to be going OK. Enjoying it, in fact. But got nothing much I can share at the mo.

One of the things about EastEnders is that you get definite breaks while they cast their eyes over your work. So, I handed in draft number two on Monday, and they won't get back to me until Friday (probably). Which means I get a bit of time back to make up for the time spent writing over the weekend.

And 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 be back on the EastEnders horse over the weekend and most of next week, so maybe 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.


* It's not actually called "Project X", of course. You knew that.