Every young aspiring writer dreams of one day having a well-known television network purchase one of their very own scripts. As a determined writer, it is necessary that he or she captures the attention of those who contributed to the reality of their dream. But, there is still a process. The first step—allowing the script to fall into the mailbox until a recognizable thud is heard.
Mile Larsen, my uncle, took this exact step in August of 2011. He completed his last draft of his script after having many conversations with producers who work with ABC and submitted his idea to the network, hoping it would catch their interest.
Roughly five years ago, Larsen wrote a script that took place around the time of the Renaissance. As producers read this idea, they contacted him with the notion of creating a comedy that would take place in an earlier era of time. The producers were looking for a script that would contain similarities to the show The Office. As they brainstormed together, the producers learned that Larsen had taken time off form composing scripts to move toWashingtonDC where he writes speeches for Bay Area Congresswoman, Jackie Speier.
This conversation eventually morphed into the idea of a show that followed Larsen’s main character Atticus, who works in public relations for an Ancient Roman senator during 1 A.D. In the script, every time something goes wrong, Atticus is blamed and is eventually sent to human resources (also called the Dungeon in 1 AD), to be retrained. This simple idea will show how people view their menial jobs, and how they respond to authority. The creation of this show mixes both the vision of producers and the experiences of Larsen.
The positive aspect of this television idea, besides the fact that it will hopefully receive a few laughs from the viewers, is its two thousand year old setting will allow writers to discuss the current political landscape freely in a different setting. Larsen feels he can generate humor about politics without offending present-day politicians. Instead, the mocking comments would concern the issues of Ancient Roman times rather than today.
Back in August, around the time where Larsen’s script was initially purchased, there were also another fifty scripts bought as well. The competition is aroused when producers continue to send it to the production company that continually edits the script until they believe it is perfect. They write multiple notes on each draft, and even if the eye doesn’t see plentiful notes on the pages, the writers end up changing a handful of things so the “story” continues to flow well together. After the draft has been sent to the production company, it is then sent to the ABC studio. The same process takes place, as well as at the network headquarters of ABC. Overall, Larsen has written at least twenty different and revised countless drafts over the past few months.
When a script is bought, there is no guarantee that the words on the page will eventually be said out of an actor’s mouth, or that the stage directions will ever be used. It is simply so that ABC has the right to cast it if they decide it is one of the best ideas out of all the other scripts they have purchased. Out of the approximate fifty that were purchased in August and continuously revised, only about fifteen will be piloted. This is when the producers cast a script and have it acted out. It is a bigger commitment because instead of just paying for words on a page, they have to pay actors, displays, cameras, etc.
In the middle of February, the pilot episode will be made. It is much like a first episode to a new television show that introduces characters, the setting, and the plot of the show. The producers look to see if it will capture the audience’s attention, and if it will be beneficial to the network to eventually air.
In May, when the new schedule of ABC’s shows is announced, the number of purchased scripts that will be used will drop from around fifteen to five. These five shows are the ones that not only had impact on the producers and the whole network, but on test audiences as well. These are the shows that are believed to impact men, women, and children. To have them sitting on the edge of their seats by the end of the show and make them yearn for more. The company hopes that viewers will discuss the pilot with their friends and also watch the show when it airs.
Mike Larsen has completed all the steps to making sure his script is in good hands, and has the potential to be aired. In the meantime, he will begin to write new shows in order to have a back-up plan. His whole family is ecstatic that he has created a great idea that won the heart of the ABC network, and they are extremely proud of him. Although this is not his first time writing scripts for television shows, this is just a new adventure that he can experience and it is fascinating to watch him excel in what he does best. Everyone is hopeful that in just a few months, his script will be chosen to be the next show on ABC.