Absolutely. Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, and other social media sites are great ways to get the word out about your project -- if you have something to talk about! If you have the right idea and execution, your twitter feed could even lead to a sitcom (see my previous post on 'S**T My Dad Says').
That's why I recommend you spend the majority of your time developing your idea and turning it into a property. Just as Anthony Hopkins said in 'Zorro' - "when the pupil is ready the master will appear" -- so when your idea is fully developed you will know what medium to use. A note of caution is in order: Despite the plethora of self-styled "experts" who claim to know exactly how to use social media to market your material, the fact is that these tools are still too new for there to be tried and true practices that work every time. Remember when myspace.com was the Next Big Thing and was going to change the way we experienced media? Do you still have a page? When was the last time you checked the site out?
Ever since our cave man days, good stories have been keeping us entertained around the fire, holding back the terror of the night. Make your story compelling and your idea entertaining -- then social media can help you create awareness for your property. If it's not a good story, just being on Facebook and Twitter won't save it.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
Protecting Your Idea
The availability of the internet makes it more difficult than ever to protect our ideas. How do you protect your great idea from all the sharks in Hollywood that want to steal it? It's very tricky to protect an idea when what you want is to reach the largest possible audience. That's because the best way to protect your idea is never to talk about it or show it to anyone. Publish after you're dead and let your heirs get all the money. It worked for Emily Dickinson, didn't it?
However, if you read this blog you probably want to see your creation reach an audience in your lifetime. If that's the case, there are some practical steps you can take. Remember that copyright does not protect your idea, it only protects your expression of that idea.
1. First thing -- write it down, record a CD, or make a DVD. Once a piece has been created in a fixed form, it automatically has copyright protection. You can enhance that protection by registering with the U.S. copyright office. Mailing it to yourself return receipt requested to proved the day on which it was created does not prove ownership, although it could prove to be a strong piece of evidence should you end up taking a copyright violation case to court.
2. It's still possible that your written notes about the idea may not be protectable. You may have outlined an idea substantially similar to a show currently on television, or that has copyright protection. To use an example from Golf Channel: you can't protect the idea of a reality elimination show for golfers where the prize is an exemption on a professional tour. There have been several shows with this idea. However, Golf Channel can copyright 'The Big Break,' the specific program created around that basic idea. Does your idea have a unique expression?
3. One of the best ways to protect your idea is to control the property. For example, if your idea is to take a celebrity golfer and substantially improve his golf game (the idea for The Haney Project on Golf Channel) you can protect your idea if you are the agent or otherwise control access to the celebrity teacher and the celebrity. Do you own or control the rights to something other than your idea? (See my previous post 'Turn Your Idea Into a Property.'
4. Another good way to protect the idea is to produce it yourself. If you can't produce it yourself, can you get an established production company to commit to producing the project with you?
5. Create the unique expression of the idea yourself. Write a script, storyboard the movie or episode, or design the web site. The actual expression you pick depends upon your idea, of course. Writing the first script of your sitcom or screenplay for your movie provide the details of your expression that allows you to protect your idea.
For more information about copyright protection, go the U.S. Government's copyright site: www.copyright.gov E-mail me or post comments if you have more questions.
However, if you read this blog you probably want to see your creation reach an audience in your lifetime. If that's the case, there are some practical steps you can take. Remember that copyright does not protect your idea, it only protects your expression of that idea.
1. First thing -- write it down, record a CD, or make a DVD. Once a piece has been created in a fixed form, it automatically has copyright protection. You can enhance that protection by registering with the U.S. copyright office. Mailing it to yourself return receipt requested to proved the day on which it was created does not prove ownership, although it could prove to be a strong piece of evidence should you end up taking a copyright violation case to court.
2. It's still possible that your written notes about the idea may not be protectable. You may have outlined an idea substantially similar to a show currently on television, or that has copyright protection. To use an example from Golf Channel: you can't protect the idea of a reality elimination show for golfers where the prize is an exemption on a professional tour. There have been several shows with this idea. However, Golf Channel can copyright 'The Big Break,' the specific program created around that basic idea. Does your idea have a unique expression?
3. One of the best ways to protect your idea is to control the property. For example, if your idea is to take a celebrity golfer and substantially improve his golf game (the idea for The Haney Project on Golf Channel) you can protect your idea if you are the agent or otherwise control access to the celebrity teacher and the celebrity. Do you own or control the rights to something other than your idea? (See my previous post 'Turn Your Idea Into a Property.'
4. Another good way to protect the idea is to produce it yourself. If you can't produce it yourself, can you get an established production company to commit to producing the project with you?
5. Create the unique expression of the idea yourself. Write a script, storyboard the movie or episode, or design the web site. The actual expression you pick depends upon your idea, of course. Writing the first script of your sitcom or screenplay for your movie provide the details of your expression that allows you to protect your idea.
For more information about copyright protection, go the U.S. Government's copyright site: www.copyright.gov E-mail me or post comments if you have more questions.
Monday, August 16, 2010
The Creativity Crisis
Last month Newsweek posted a long story about the decline of creativity in America. Just as we test students' IQ in schools, a test for CQ, or creativity quotient, has been given to American schoolchildren since the 1950s. The article reports that, while average IQ scores have been rising by about ten points per generation since the 1950s, CQ scores have been falling since 2000. The CQ means creativity in the broadest sense -- not just ability to create art, but also the ability to invent new ways of doing things, improve mechanical devices, etc. This is a major cause for concern, since we count on human creativity and innovation to improve our standard of living in every generation.
There are several reasons proposed for this decline. One I find particularly persuasive is the de-emphasis of art, music, and theatre in schools in favor of more time spent teaching students to achieve better standardized test scores. Our children are born with remarkably fertile creative imaginations, as anyone who has played with kids aged 3-6 can attest. School and society supress these imaginations so thoroughly that when the kids do take an arts class, usually the teacher's first job is to free up that creative spirit -- break down those inhibitions so creativity can flow.
Those of you who read this blog are part of the solution to this crisis. Create finished projects. Get them out into the world. When people see your work, they will have their own creative response, and keep passing it on to others. We must resolve to solve the creativity crisis, one idea and one artist at a time. America needs you.
For more information, here's a link to the Newsweek article:
www.newsweek.com/2010/07/10/the-creativity-crisis.html
There are several reasons proposed for this decline. One I find particularly persuasive is the de-emphasis of art, music, and theatre in schools in favor of more time spent teaching students to achieve better standardized test scores. Our children are born with remarkably fertile creative imaginations, as anyone who has played with kids aged 3-6 can attest. School and society supress these imaginations so thoroughly that when the kids do take an arts class, usually the teacher's first job is to free up that creative spirit -- break down those inhibitions so creativity can flow.
Those of you who read this blog are part of the solution to this crisis. Create finished projects. Get them out into the world. When people see your work, they will have their own creative response, and keep passing it on to others. We must resolve to solve the creativity crisis, one idea and one artist at a time. America needs you.
For more information, here's a link to the Newsweek article:
www.newsweek.com/2010/07/10/the-creativity-crisis.html
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
The Fall Season
When I was growing up I eagerly anticipated TV Guide's Fall Season preview issue. This thick book contained pictures, stars, and premises for every fall show on ABC, CBS, and NBC's schedule (only three broadcast networks back then). I read each show description thoroughly, planning my viewing for the fall. I loved the book because it was full of promise -- here were all the new shows that the networks believed would entertain us, every one a potential hit.
Of course, most of the new shows weren't hits and disappeared from the schedule after a few months, or at the end of the television year in May. The networks could afford this waste of resources because the rest of their business was so profitable. When I started working in the television business, Network presidents were already proclaiming the death of the fall season. Although competition from cable and other broadcast outlets was just beginning, it was already eroding some of the profit margin. This margin would continue to erode over time as did network viewership. The competitive pressure forced networks to do things like cancel shows after one or two episodes, try more summer replacements, and launch shows outside the traditional fall window. However, they did not kill the fall season. In a couple of weeks magazines and web sites that follow television will be full of information about the new network shows and about changes in the returning network hits. Why is the fall season still around?
1. The fall season fits the rhythm of life in America. Most people in our country still vacation in the summer. School is out. People are outdoors more. It makes sense for the networks to fish where the fish are, and start series in the fall when viewers start staying home evenings.
2. The realities of production: It can take ten days or more to shoot and edit a one hour television drama, and an army of people working on multiple projects to keep it going and make deadlines. These people need a break to recharge their batteries, plan their next season, and work on other projects. Many of them also have families and like having some time off during the summer.
4. It makes business sense. Networks have limited resources. They can't afford to have great shows on all year round. The traditional model of pitching in the fall and creating pilots in the spring still works the best in most cases. Otherwise, they would have changed it years ago.
This doesn't mean there aren't exceptions to the rule. But until our national habits change radically, I expect the fall premiere season will remain with us. So start polishing your program pitches and get ready to hit the networks in the coming weeks.
Of course, most of the new shows weren't hits and disappeared from the schedule after a few months, or at the end of the television year in May. The networks could afford this waste of resources because the rest of their business was so profitable. When I started working in the television business, Network presidents were already proclaiming the death of the fall season. Although competition from cable and other broadcast outlets was just beginning, it was already eroding some of the profit margin. This margin would continue to erode over time as did network viewership. The competitive pressure forced networks to do things like cancel shows after one or two episodes, try more summer replacements, and launch shows outside the traditional fall window. However, they did not kill the fall season. In a couple of weeks magazines and web sites that follow television will be full of information about the new network shows and about changes in the returning network hits. Why is the fall season still around?
1. The fall season fits the rhythm of life in America. Most people in our country still vacation in the summer. School is out. People are outdoors more. It makes sense for the networks to fish where the fish are, and start series in the fall when viewers start staying home evenings.
2. The realities of production: It can take ten days or more to shoot and edit a one hour television drama, and an army of people working on multiple projects to keep it going and make deadlines. These people need a break to recharge their batteries, plan their next season, and work on other projects. Many of them also have families and like having some time off during the summer.
4. It makes business sense. Networks have limited resources. They can't afford to have great shows on all year round. The traditional model of pitching in the fall and creating pilots in the spring still works the best in most cases. Otherwise, they would have changed it years ago.
This doesn't mean there aren't exceptions to the rule. But until our national habits change radically, I expect the fall premiere season will remain with us. So start polishing your program pitches and get ready to hit the networks in the coming weeks.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Top Ten Tips for Tip Top Content
This post summarizes some of my most important tips for making your content compelling -- whether it's a book, post, video or film.
1. Write it down: If you have an idea, write it down and create a one or two page treatment. If you're still interested in the idea after you flesh it out, it's worth further development.
2. Make High Cal Choices -- The stakes must be high for your characters -- Life and Death, love and happiness, financial security, etc. If it's important to them, it will be important to the audience.
3. Create the first draft for yourself, the second draft for the audience. You must be excited about what you create, but always remember you're creating to reach an audience. Keep that in mind while polishing the draft (or sample tape) that you use to reach them.
4. Develop ideas that networks and studios don't have -- the market is saturated with teen wizards, super heroes, and police procedurals. That's why a show like 'Hot in Cleveland', a throwback sitcom, seems so fresh today. They weren't making them any more.
5. Keep the story clear -- Even if you hide the payoff from the audience to increase suspense, you need to know at every moment in your story what's going on. If you're not clear about what's going on, the audience will never understand it. People tend to like things they understand.
6. Get constructive feedback -- we are not always the best judges of our work. Get feedback from people you trust. Pay particular attention to when they say "I didn't understand why ..."
7. Work on multiple projects -- This keeps your creative juices flowing, and gives you an answer when an executive says, "I like this. What else have you got?" You will be able to work on multiple projects if you follow the advice of number 8.
8. Block out creative time in your schedule and stick to it. -- Creating great content takes time. If you want to be successful, you have to be willing to put the time in to develop your idea and stick to it. For example, it took the producers of 'Precious' ten years from when the novel was released until the film premiered, won great critical acclaim, and Academy Awards. Creating compelling content is a fun job, but it is a job, and you have to treat it as such.
9. Explore web distribution and other non-traditional outlets -- Take your idea directly to the people via You Tube. Self publish your novel. It has never been easier to get your content seen than now. If you get an online following, like the Twitter Feed "S** my Dad Says," you might land a network sitcom deal just like he did.
10. Learn from the Masters -- Read, view, and study the enduring work of our great artists. Pay particular attention to the classics in your genre. There's a reason why these works are still popular. How can you make the same things work for you?
If you have questions or comments please post them or e-mail them to me at petermgordon1@gmail.com.
1. Write it down: If you have an idea, write it down and create a one or two page treatment. If you're still interested in the idea after you flesh it out, it's worth further development.
2. Make High Cal Choices -- The stakes must be high for your characters -- Life and Death, love and happiness, financial security, etc. If it's important to them, it will be important to the audience.
3. Create the first draft for yourself, the second draft for the audience. You must be excited about what you create, but always remember you're creating to reach an audience. Keep that in mind while polishing the draft (or sample tape) that you use to reach them.
4. Develop ideas that networks and studios don't have -- the market is saturated with teen wizards, super heroes, and police procedurals. That's why a show like 'Hot in Cleveland', a throwback sitcom, seems so fresh today. They weren't making them any more.
5. Keep the story clear -- Even if you hide the payoff from the audience to increase suspense, you need to know at every moment in your story what's going on. If you're not clear about what's going on, the audience will never understand it. People tend to like things they understand.
6. Get constructive feedback -- we are not always the best judges of our work. Get feedback from people you trust. Pay particular attention to when they say "I didn't understand why ..."
7. Work on multiple projects -- This keeps your creative juices flowing, and gives you an answer when an executive says, "I like this. What else have you got?" You will be able to work on multiple projects if you follow the advice of number 8.
8. Block out creative time in your schedule and stick to it. -- Creating great content takes time. If you want to be successful, you have to be willing to put the time in to develop your idea and stick to it. For example, it took the producers of 'Precious' ten years from when the novel was released until the film premiered, won great critical acclaim, and Academy Awards. Creating compelling content is a fun job, but it is a job, and you have to treat it as such.
9. Explore web distribution and other non-traditional outlets -- Take your idea directly to the people via You Tube. Self publish your novel. It has never been easier to get your content seen than now. If you get an online following, like the Twitter Feed "S** my Dad Says," you might land a network sitcom deal just like he did.
10. Learn from the Masters -- Read, view, and study the enduring work of our great artists. Pay particular attention to the classics in your genre. There's a reason why these works are still popular. How can you make the same things work for you?
If you have questions or comments please post them or e-mail them to me at petermgordon1@gmail.com.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Work on Multiple Projects
Top producers, directors and writers always have more than one project in development. You should, too. If you're grinding away on your novel, take a break to write a short story, or a poem. Once you've sent your screenplay to a production company, don't sit around and wait for their response. Start another one.
You can go stir-crazy waiting for producers, agents, and publishers to get back to you. Remember, they have several projects they're considering besides yours. If you don't have a specific project you want to write, look for material -- stories in newspapers, magazines, and websites can spark your creative impulse. You probably have one idea you like best, but you also probably have several ideas that might work as content.
This is important for two reasons. 1. We never know, until the show is done and gets in front of an audience, whether or not a piece will work. Developing several ideas makes it more likely that you'll have one that works.
2. When you have a hit, then there will be a demand for other work. You want to have an idea developed to have an answer to the question all creators dream of: "That last show was great. What else have you got?"
Remember, if you have questions about these posts or topics you'd like discussed, e-mail me or comment on the post itself.
You can go stir-crazy waiting for producers, agents, and publishers to get back to you. Remember, they have several projects they're considering besides yours. If you don't have a specific project you want to write, look for material -- stories in newspapers, magazines, and websites can spark your creative impulse. You probably have one idea you like best, but you also probably have several ideas that might work as content.
This is important for two reasons. 1. We never know, until the show is done and gets in front of an audience, whether or not a piece will work. Developing several ideas makes it more likely that you'll have one that works.
2. When you have a hit, then there will be a demand for other work. You want to have an idea developed to have an answer to the question all creators dream of: "That last show was great. What else have you got?"
Remember, if you have questions about these posts or topics you'd like discussed, e-mail me or comment on the post itself.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Why would anyone want to watch this?
I started writing this blog to encourage you and provide you with the tools to make your own content. The way you tell your story is unique; no two people will tell the same story the exact same way.
However, we must always remember the fact that we create our content to reach an audience. We hope our audience will be large and love our material enough to pay money to purchase it. Regardless of size, we should always keep the audience in mind. Remember that your audience wakes up every day with a myriad of entertainment opportunities -- television, video games, CDs, movies, books, sudoku puzzles, etc. Why should they take time to spend with your content?
You must be able to answer that question. If you're pitching a network or film company, that's the question they need answered even if they don't come right out and ask. You also need the answer to that question for your creative process. You don't need a profound answer -- it could be to thrill, to make them laugh, or to make them feel good about themselves. But you need to know. The answer to that question will inform all of your creative choices and help make your project unified. It's a lot easier to sell a project with a clear purpose.
While they're watching your piece your audience is also asking, "So What? Why Should I Care?" Give them a reason.
However, we must always remember the fact that we create our content to reach an audience. We hope our audience will be large and love our material enough to pay money to purchase it. Regardless of size, we should always keep the audience in mind. Remember that your audience wakes up every day with a myriad of entertainment opportunities -- television, video games, CDs, movies, books, sudoku puzzles, etc. Why should they take time to spend with your content?
You must be able to answer that question. If you're pitching a network or film company, that's the question they need answered even if they don't come right out and ask. You also need the answer to that question for your creative process. You don't need a profound answer -- it could be to thrill, to make them laugh, or to make them feel good about themselves. But you need to know. The answer to that question will inform all of your creative choices and help make your project unified. It's a lot easier to sell a project with a clear purpose.
While they're watching your piece your audience is also asking, "So What? Why Should I Care?" Give them a reason.
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