This Savage Art » Television

Be Bold

William Speruzzi — Mon, 16 May 2011 18:09:56 +0000

After yesterday’s screenings of Badlands and The New World at the Museum of the Moving Image I got into a frenzied conversation about film that usually follows these things. An acquaintance asked me why did I think the films of 70′s Hollywood were more adventurous and my response was “Because everyone was coked up.” As flippant as that response was there is some truth at its core. What I was trying to say was everyone was looser with their ambitions, creative and otherwise. Wild ideas were explored, fostered and yes, they did make a profit, until they didn’t. With the unveiling of Terrence Malick’s new film The Tree of Life at Cannes today there is (if there isn’t a rumor, I’m starting one now) an undercurrent of hope that this film might, just might begin a trend of filmmaking in this country that’s not about reboots or comic book adaptations. It might just be the cinephile’s version of the blockbuster. Hyperbole aside, Malick is an adventurous filmmaker, maybe one of the purest and boldest working filmmakers in America now so let’s use him as inspiration.

Be bold. Some of the best advice I’ve gotten from a fellow screenwriter.

As I enter the Television Writing Intensive next Monday and stay immersed for six weeks I’ll keep these words in mind. I’ll be concentrating on a one-hour drama pilot that by the end of the course will be a fully realized outline. Does it matter that I don’t know what I’m going to do with a one-hour pilot when I’m done with it? No. This one’s about the getting there. The journey. A boost to the system.

So yes, be bold. Write those scenes. Bring something new to the table. Take a chance.

Desperate times, ya dig?

Bertram Cooper’s Eye

William Speruzzi — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:03:39 +0000

Office art.

Writing For Television

William Speruzzi — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 19:39:35 +0000

As part of my investigation into writing for the tube I picked up a book that was recommended on Writing The TV Spec Script. I figured a small monetary investment would save me a lot of time in the long run. I just picked up Writing the TV Drama Series. Except for maybe The Office the shows I watch are the only shows that I would considered writing for, cable one hour dramas. From what I can see my instincts are right because there’s a whole chapter on staffing that includes “Mistake 7: Don’t work on a series that’s wrong for you.” There’s a lot more latitude to what you can do on cable and the advertisers aren’t the focus of how you earn your paycheck but hey, everyone has a boss right? Unfortunately most of the shows I have followed with rabid intensity have ended. The Sopranos, Six Feet Under. Mad Men, as I have mentioned in the previous post, is still going full force into its third season and is a shining example of what is possible. Subtle, thematic drama that respects the viewers intelligence and knows they’ll get it. Matthew Weiner and his staff are counting on it. Specing out a show that is currently airing is one way of getting into the TV game. Knowing someone on the inside is the other.

Television has come a long way and it’s not the dirty, little lesser career move that it may have been considered at one time. Right now is a golden age. Now if we can just get rid of the Real Housewives of New Jersey. Ahhh, who am I kidding, I watch, I watch.

Let me add that I say this all with some humility. Absolutely no one is asking me to write for their show the last time I checked.

Martinis, Cigarettes and Lies

William Speruzzi — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 13:21:22 +0000

Getting into a new show takes a little effort. You need to make a commitment and I’ve rarely gotten into a show from the pilot. Usually I come around later, maybe by the second season, if the show is worth my undivided attention. Now that we’re in some sort of television renaissance with some great writing and cinema emulation I can say I found another one that is DVR worthy.

After sitting through its premiere run and two marathon runs, catching up and emptying out the DVR with AMC’s new episodic show Mad Men from Sopranos writer Matthew Weiner, I can confirm that it is what everyone has been squawking about. One word, tone. Tonight is the night for season two.

And oh yeah, Don Draper is a pimp.

First SNL With Carlin [1975]

William Speruzzi — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:36:45 +0000

I would fight and fight hard to stay up. I had my Saturday night ritual. Start watching Saturday Night Live at 11:30 then wrestling at midnight, switch back and forth between commercials and if my plans worked out, watch a late night horror film like the original, silent Phantom of the Opera on PBS or channel 57. So much for plans. My seven year old body ached for sleep so I rarely made it. I missed the great George Carlin kick off the first SNL back in 1975. I never got to see his irreverent brand of humor set the tone for what would be one of the longest running sketch comedy shows on television. Well, set the DVR because in memory of this great loss to comedy and in my opinion humanity, NBC will be airing a rebroadcast of that first show.

Here’s what you need to know:

Saturday Night Live – Host George Carlin with Janis Ian and Billy Preston, Saturday, June 28th 11:30 EST

This post can also be seen at Big Screen Little Screen where I’m guest blogging.